Lavendish Lake Giritale - Former Giritale Hotel

Hotels
8 (429 reviews)
Giritale Hotel, Giritale , Polonnaruwa , lk

listing image 1
Show all photos
Free
Children allowed

Facilities

WiFi available
Free WiFi
Parking
Free Parking
Non-smoking rooms
Air conditioning
Swimming pool
24-hour front desk
Restaurant
Room service
See all facilities

Review Highlights

Pros:
Beautiful views
Friendly staff
Good value for money
Cons:
Cleanliness concerns
Maintenance issues
Price discrepancies

Categories

Cleanliness
7.39
The cleanliness of the pool was questioned, and there were ongoing maintenance issues.
Service
8.36
Friendly staff received multiple mentions and positive feedback.
Location
8.4
Multiple reviews highlight the beautiful location and views.
Room Quality
7.85
The rooms received praise, but some noted outdated aspects.
Amenities
7.38
While amenities like the pool were present, cleanliness and functionality were concerns.
Value for Money
8.34
Many reviews indicated that the hotel offered good value for the quality provided.
Food and Beverage
8.39
Breakfast and dinner received high praise for quality and portion size.
Overall Experience
7.86
Overall, guests were pleased with their stays despite some concerns.
* This sentiment is summarized by AI based on user reviews.
Updated at: 2025-12-16 02:35

Property Description

Scenic Views and Relaxing Atmosphere:
Located in the Ancient City of Polanaruwa, Giritale Hotel offers breathtaking views of Giritale Lake. Guests can unwind by the outdoor pool and enjoy the tranquility of the surroundings.

Comfortable Accommodation with Modern Amenities:
The cosy rooms at Giritale Hotel are equipped with air-conditioning, TV, and tea/coffee making facilities. Each room offers a private bathroom and picturesque views of the lake, ensuring a comfortable stay for guests.

Convenient Services and Dining Options:
Guests can take advantage of massage services and hiking trip arrangements provided by the hotel. Additionally, car hire services are available, and free parking is offered on-site. Indulge in a variety of local dishes at the Giritale Restaurant for a delightful dining experience.

Experience serenity and comfort at Giritale Hotel - book your stay now for an unforgettable getaway by Giritale Lake!

Important information:

Please inform of your expected arrival time in advance. You can use the Special Requests box when booking, or contact the property directly using the contact details in your confirmation.
Guests are required to show a photo ID and credit card upon check-in. Please note that all Special Requests are subject to availability and additional charges may apply.
Payment before arrival by bank transfer is required. The property will contact you after you book to provide instructions.
A deposit may be required at the property.

Check-in and check-out hours:
Check-out: 12:00 PM

Location

Guest Reviews

8
Based on 429 reviews
Cleanliness: 7.39
Service: 8.36
Location: 8.4
Room Quality: 7.85
Amenities: 7.38
Value for Money: 8.34
Food and Beverage: 8.39
Overall Experience: 7.86
K
Karen • family_with_children • gb
9
Best hotel lake view! and loved the buffet choices
Pros:

This was the best hotel view we have had in Sri Lanka! Amazing view over the lake and you can see Elephants on the other side at Minneria National Park. The staff are very friendly and we found both the breakfast and evening buffet really good with loads of choice of Western and Sri Lankan. Half board better than travelling to find a restaurant by car. Definitely go for a lake view room! and we found the delux rooms very good with modern decor and good showers. We had the delux family interconnected room with lake view and the description doesn’t do it justice as you have a massive area between the two rooms to store luggage. Not quick off the mark to give you pool towels and sun lounger topper but they are there if you ask. The pool table is fab to use in the evenings and drinks orders at the bar are quick unlike many places….would definitely recommend this hotel. Lovely welcome drink.

Cons:

Just some general refresh would be good on the pool area as pool edge needs painting, with new sunlounger toppers and the shower is being taken over by plants. The drinks veranda is lovely so the pool area lets it down. Tables by the pool area for your drink would be fab as nowhere to put them. Also a little intro to the hotel offerings at check in would be good and where things were. I would redo your listing on booking sites for the delux family suite interconnecting as it doesn’t do it justice and you cant even see the twin room so unclear what it is. Finally your pool cues need repairing as two have no tips at all and there is no chalk.

2026-08-22 • via Nuitee
A
Anita • family_with_children • nl
8
2026-08-11 • via Nuitee
C
Christoph • family_with_children • de
10
Tolle Basis für Ausflüge und zum Entspannen
Pros:

Schöne Aussucht auf den See, gute Lage, schöner Pool

2026-08-05 • via Nuitee
P
Perera Family • solo_traveller • au
10
Pros:

Wide range of dishes for buffet breakfast.

Cons:

None.

2026-08-02 • via Nuitee
V
Vincent • family_with_children • nl
4
Het personeel bevestigde zelf dat er regelmatig grote groepen verblijven en gaf aan dat de overlast die daarmee gepaard
Pros:

Uitzicht op het meer.

Cons:

Hier is een vloeiende, kritische Het hotel oogt kleinschalig, maar is in werkelijkheid een groot en druk groepshotel. Ook het personeel bevestigde dat er regelmatig grote groepen verblijven. Het geluid van deze groepen klinkt door het hele hotel. Bij onze aankomst was er bovendien een grote bruiloft met zeer harde muziek. Tijdens het inchecken konden we elkaar nauwelijks verstaan en op onze kamer galmde de muziek door de gangen en muren. Een excuses, waarschuwing of op zijn minst oordoppen waren wel op hun plaats geweest. In plaats daarvan kregen we te horen dat dit erbij hoorde en dat we het maar moesten accepteren.

Tijdens het diner maakte een grote groep zoveel lawaai dat een normaal gesprek onmogelijk was. Daarom besloten we op onze kamer te eten. Zelfs toen moest ik eerst naar de receptie lopen om de maaltijd af te rekenen en daarna weer terug naar de kamer om eindelijk te kunnen eten. Daarnaast werd ons voortdurend gevraagd of we bij een groep hoorden. Dat voelde niet gastvrij; je mag verwachten dat een hotel zijn eigen gasten kent.

Ook speelden kinderen tot laat luidruchtig in de gangen, waardoor we slecht hebben geslapen. Jammer, want de ligging aan het meer is prachtig en het ontbijt was goed. Zoek je rust, dan zouden wij dit hotel niet aanbevelen.

2026-07-24 • via Nuitee
C
Cora • family_with_children • nl
7
Pros:

Personeel en uitzicht

Cons:

Verouderd, slecht onderhoud

2026-07-20 • via Nuitee
B
Buddhi • solo_traveller • de
9
Pros:

Sehr schönes Blick auf den See. Sehr gutes Essen. Sehr freundliches Personal.

Cons:

Das Wasser im Badezimmer läuft sehr langsam ohne Druck. Das muss verbessert werden. Die Beleuchtung im Zimmer kann noch heller werden.

2026-07-17 • via Nuitee
H
Hendrik Smit • solo_traveller • za
8
Pros:

Very nice views and enjoyed the calm area.

Cons:

Some repairs required to the property.

2026-07-01 • via Nuitee
T
Thirani • solo_traveller • lk
8
2026-06-16 • via Nuitee
H
Hasitha • solo_traveller • lk
8
2026-05-23 • via Nuitee
M
MME • couple • be
9
Prachtig zicht vanop balkon
Pros:

lekker ontbijt

Cons:

niets

2026-05-04 • via Nuitee
S
Sudheera • family_with_children • lk
7
Great stay!
Pros:

It was a great place to stay — calm and peaceful, with an amazing view from the room. The room size was comfortable, and everything was clean and easily accessible. Hats off to the chef — the food was excellent. The staff were friendly and provided great service.

Cons:

The facilities are quite basic and feel a bit outdated. Overall, the pricing seems slightly high considering the level of facilities provided. The water pressure in the washrooms was quite poor, which is not ideal for a hotel. Improving the positioning and maintenance of these facilities would make a big difference.

2026-04-17 • via Nuitee
A
ATSUSHI • solo_traveller • lk
8
良かった。
Pros:

部屋から見える景色が良かった。

Cons:

特になし。

2026-04-06 • via Nuitee
S
Singanayagam • couple • au
8
Excellent stay , value for money
Pros:

Customer Service and food

Cons:

None

2026-04-05 • via Nuitee
S
Sanath • family_with_children • lk
10
Pros:

Literally everything , though I was staying in the chauffeur quarters,

There were some small issues at the chauffeurs quarters related to bedding, linen and air flow system. But overall satisfactory and even my guest was very happy with their exceptional service and hospitality..

2026-03-23 • via Nuitee
D
Dilan Madhushanka Siriwardhana • couple • lk
9
Perfect 👌
Pros:

The view and the silence

2026-03-03 • via Nuitee
T
Thilina • extended_group • au
9
2026-03-01 • via Nuitee
R
Ruben Garcia Cidoncha • couple • es
10
2026-02-26 • via Nuitee
R
Randula • family_with_children • lk
9
Pros:

We stayed at the hotel for one night and the hotel exceeded our expectations. Dinner and breakfast buffets had a good variety including Sri Lankan dishes. Rooms were clean and tidy.

2026-02-23 • via Nuitee
R
Robyn • solo_traveller • au
8
Pros:

Peaceful

2026-02-22 • via Nuitee