Hotel City Grand Ella

Hotels
7.5 (1170 reviews)
City Grand, Police Road, Ella , Ella , LK

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Free
Children allowed

Facilities

WiFi available
Free WiFi
Parking
Free Parking
Non-smoking rooms
Restaurant
Room service
Terrace
Family rooms
BBQ facilities
See all facilities

Review Highlights

Pros:
Excellent central location (near railway station and main street)
Very helpful and friendly staff; good late check-in service
Good value for money
Fridge in room (mentioned as a useful amenity)
Spacious family rooms (in some bookings)
Some positive reports of breakfast
Cons:
Poor cleanliness: dust, dirty hallways, stains, reported cockroach
No or insufficient air conditioning; fans poorly maintained
Noise from the street / poor sound insulation
Maintenance issues: leaks, humidity, stained walls, uncomfortable mattress
Breakfast/basic buffet considered inadequate by several guests
Inaccurate listing information / missing furniture in some rooms

Categories

Cleanliness
4
Multiple reviews report significant cleanliness problems: dust throughout, dirty hallways, stains on walls, a reported cockroach from the drains and descriptions like 'filthy' — strong negative sentiment on cleanliness.
Service
10
Service is repeatedly praised: staff described as 'lovely', 'helpful', 'genial', waited for late check-in, and 'excellent service' in several reviews — consistently strong positive sentiment.
Location
9.5
Location is the most consistently positive point: repeatedly noted as central, next to the railway station and main street, 'in the heart' and very convenient for restaurants and sights.
Room Quality
6.5
Room quality is mixed-to-negative: reports of humidity, uncomfortable mattress with noisy springs, lack of furniture in one review, leaks above rooms, and otherwise 'basic but clean' rooms — overall slightly below average.
Amenities
7
Amenities are mixed: positives include a room fridge noted as a plus; negatives include absent or poor A/C, poorly maintained fans, and some misleading listing information about available facilities.
Value for Money
9
Several reviews specifically call out good value/quality for money and recommend the hotel for its price — generally positive sentiment on value.
Food and Beverage
6.5
Breakfast sentiment is mixed: some guests call the breakfast 'very good and abundant', while others find the buffet/basic breakfast 'not great' or 'a little basic' — slightly below/around average.
Overall Experience
7.5
Overall impressions are mixed: many praise location and staff but cleanliness and maintenance issues (noise, leaks, pests) lead to several negative overall experiences; average sentiment aligns with the target overall rating.
* This sentiment is summarized by AI based on user reviews.
Updated at: 2026-08-13 19:32

Property Description

Scenic Views and Modern Comforts:
City Grand in Ella offers a picturesque setting with views of mountains, gardens, and the city. Relax in rooms with a seating area and enjoy amenities like free WiFi and a flat-screen TV.

Convenient Facilities and Services:
Guests can take advantage of free private parking, shops on-site, and a 24-hour front desk. The hotel also provides car hire services for exploring nearby attractions like Demodara Nine Arch Bridge and Ella Rock.

Relaxing Outdoor Spaces:
Unwind at the barbecue area, sun terrace, and shared lounge/TV area. Whether you're soaking in the sun or admiring the scenery, City Grand provides the perfect retreat for your stay.

Book your stay at City Grand now and experience a blend of comfort and natural beauty.

Important information:

Managed by a private host
A deposit may be required at the property.

Check-in and check-out hours:
Check-out: 11:30 AM

Location

Guest Reviews

7.5
Based on 1170 reviews
Cleanliness: 4
Service: 10
Location: 9.5
Room Quality: 6.5
Amenities: 7
Value for Money: 9
Food and Beverage: 6.5
Overall Experience: 7.5
O
Olivia • couple • il
10
Pros:

The location is very near the main city . The staff very general behaviors , Food and room
Very good

2026-10-23 • via Nuitee
S
Susan • couple • us
10
Pros:

Good location staff good service

2026-10-23 • via Nuitee
I
Isabel • couple • es
10
Pros:

Very helpful staff and breakfast is so good and delicious top in the sri lankan cooking , love all

2026-10-23 • via Nuitee
A
Abdul majith • solo_traveller • lk
10
2026-10-23 • via Nuitee
N
Norbert • solo_traveller • be
4
2026-10-22 • via Nuitee
S
Singh • family_with_children • in
4
Average stay
Pros:

The location and general behaviour of the staff.The location is very ideal near the main market.The staff greeted well and agreed to do payment with a card also.

Cons:

No Genset was available,while there was a power cut in the city,we sat till 7:45pm in the dark ,only after so much pressure they provided the simple candles,the locks of the doors got trapped sometimes,no reception number only mobile no to contact that too not picked up most of the times,with no lift going down from 2nd floor again and again,though breakfast timings were upto 9:30am we reach 1 hr early still found food is cold even milk and coffee

2026-10-22 • via Nuitee
S
Susan • couple • us
10
Pros:

Best hotel thanks you so much old stuff city grand hotel

2026-10-19 • via Nuitee
S
Susan • couple • es
10
Pros:

Tha hotel was good room were comfortable dest lovely food

2026-10-19 • via Nuitee
I
Iñigo • couple • es
5
Pros:

The staff was really kind!

2026-10-18 • via Nuitee
S
Susan • solo_traveller • kr
10
Pros:

Good location city grand hotel staff wery help folly recommend I’ll Ges

2026-10-17 • via Nuitee
N
Nova • solo_traveller • be
10
Pros:

I had a wonderful stay in this hotel , i really appreciate the manager and team verry helpful , and all palaces nearby to the hotel , definitely stay here again

2026-10-14 • via Nuitee
R
Ryan • solo_traveller • at
10
Pros:

We had an amazing experience at this hotel . From the moment we checked in the front office staff made a us feel very welcome✨ the room was comfortable,special thanks to the team for their warm hospitality

2026-10-14 • via Nuitee
T
Tuan • couple • sa
1
2026-10-14 • via Nuitee
N
Naresh • family_with_children • lk
10
2026-10-13 • via Nuitee
G
GENEVYL • couple • ph
9
Home felt stay in Ella - warmth and welcoming
Pros:

The hotel is located conveniently near the train station and main street of Ella. Walkable and comfortable rooms. But the best of all is how the staff especially the manager, Isuru, he made sure we secured our bus tickets back to Colombo. We really appreciated his hospitality and made sure our travel was smooth and comfortable. Thank you brother for all the help - very helpful staff. Breakfast is also top notch Sri Lankan cooking. Love it

Cons:

I didn’t check the room type and it was just a fan room so please make sure to check what kind of room you’re looking for. But they also have Ac room types in the upper floor level. And only stairs to go up - may not be convenient for those who can’t climb stairs

2026-10-12 • via Nuitee
V
VOLODYMYR • extended_group • ua
9
2026-10-12 • via Nuitee
V
VOLODYMYR • solo_traveller • ua
9
2026-10-12 • via Nuitee
T
Thusitha • solo_traveller • lk
1
Cons:

Terrible Experience! Poor Parking Facilities and Unprofessional Service

I stayed at Ella Grand City Hotel on the night of October 10, and unfortunately, it was one of the most disappointing hotel experiences I've had.

When I made the booking, the hotel advertised parking facilities. However, upon arrival, I discovered that the parking space was insufficient. I was asked to park my motorcycle in a very tight underground parking area, which was already inconvenient.

The real nightmare started the following morning.

I had planned to leave early, around 5 AM, to hike Ella Rock and enjoy the sunrise. When I went downstairs, there was absolutely no one at the front desk. To make matters worse, the parking gate was locked, and a van was parked directly in front of the entrance, blocking my way out.

I spent a considerable amount of time searching for someone who could help, but there was no staff member available. Eventually, I started calling the contact numbers provided by the hotel at 5:27 AM I kept trying until 5:40 AM but nobody answered.

Finally, the owner picked up. Even after I greeted him with "Good morning," he didn't bother returning the greeting. Instead, he simply asked for my room number and said he would inform someone. There was no apology or acknowledgment of the inconvenience.

A few minutes later, I went back to check the parking area myself and discovered that someone had opened the gate. Nobody had bothered to inform me that it was open.The van was still blocking the entrance, and I had to somehow manoeuvre my motorcycle out of the cramped underground parking area.

Because of this entire situation, my carefully planned morning was completely ruined. I had specifically planned my stay around an early morning hike to watch the sunrise at Ella Rock, and the hotel's lack of proper arrangements and basic customer service destroyed that experience.

2026-10-12 • via Nuitee
A
Agra • solo_traveller • eg
10
Pros:

Great value for money and the warmest hospitality . The room was simple , neat and had everything we needed for a comfortable night , breakfast in the morning was delicious and plen .. Would definitely stay here again

2026-10-12 • via Nuitee
M
May • couple • dk
10
Pros:

An absolutely wonderful stay at City Grand Hotel!
The rooms were exceptionally clean, spacious, and well-maintained. The entire staff was incredibly welcoming and professional. What we loved most was the excellent location, which made traveling around very convenient, and the price was incredibly reasonable for the high-quality service provided (great value for money). The food was also delicious with a great variety. Highly recommended for anyone looking for a perfect stay! ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

2026-10-11 • via Nuitee