This was a very beautiful place . Great view and the elephants come right up to the fence. The rooms were clean. The people were very friendly. One of our children got sick and they let us check in early. They gave us free transport to the train station.

One of the staff I think thought our children were trying to steal food from the buffet and was very pushy about paying right now. He wanted me to run up to my room right now to get money even though they were going to put it on my room. But he was the only staff member that was like that. They do turn the WiFi off at a certain time . I went downstairs at midnight and the guy told me it’s off till morning. Than I had to get another password for it to work.

My room had a river view which meant I could watch the river’s wildlife from my balcony.

I was told there was an “Elephant Orphanage” close to the hotel, which I assumed to be some sort of conservation project. It was actually a circus show for tourists. Elephants were brought to the river twice a day at set times. The wardens encouraged you to come down closer to the elephants to perhaps stroke them. The wardens then tried to elicit money from you. I found it quite sad and distasteful frankly.

The location for seeing the elephants in the river is great. It is near to elephant orphanage too. The hotel is now little bit old it must have been famous once.

Be carefull of the group of scamers who wait at the beginning of driveway to the hotel. They will try to persuade you to see other elephants than those in the orphanage or use only their taxi. We do not recommend it they are expensive and they lie.

The views are just breathtaking. It’s the first thing you see when you enter. The rooms were comfortable with a balcony. The buffets at the hotel is lovely and affordable. The view from the pool and the river banks having the elephants just interact with the guests is also nice. There’s balconies on every floor is lovely if you don’t have a river facing room and there’s common areas. The housekeeping staff are such friendly boys and helpful. Also the guy at the restaurant was kind.

The reception staff guys were really unaware of how to properly welcome guests. They don’t give you a full breakdown of your stay. They say there is a spa but there isn’t - it’s next to the building and was closed. There’s lots of spider webs under the tables at the eating area so becareful with kids.

Amazing views if the elephants bathing in the river. Also lucky enough to have balcony view aswell. Enjoyed the swimming over looking the river. Peanut butter milkshake was delicious.

We were unaware that if you arrive before 4pm check in time you had to pay to get down the street to access the hotel as was near where elephants walked down to the river. We only wanted to drop bags off and stay in the hotel but had to pay to do this which cost around £9 Once checked in the next day you don't have to pay to go down the street they stated just to show hotel room key.

The location is very beautiful due to the fact that they have rooms with a balcony facing the river where the elephants bathe, they also have an extraordinary swimming pool with an amazing view and access to the elephants that approach the hotel fence, the food is good. The price is higher precisely because of the location of the hotel.

Our room was quite spacious, but the air conditioning only went cold, not hot, and we couldn't turn it down or up. During the time we were there, there were a few cooler days in Pinawalla and we froze a bit during the night, having only one sheet to cover ourselves. Although in our reservation it was written that check-in starts at 4:00 p.m., but we can leave our baggage at the reception until 4:00 p.m. if we arrive earlier, when we arrived (12:00 p.m.) they didn't let us go to the hotel and made us leave our baggage in a souvenir shop next to some surveillance cameras. It doesn't seem ok at all to me, but thank God that everything was fine with them.

Loved : - the location is perfect. From the pool area, the daily bathing of the elephants makes for a spectacular view. It's truly incredible. So much so, that I didn't even need to visit any of the elephant parks/sanctuaries. I could stroke, play with and even feed (leaves) the elephants as they came up to say Hello at the hotel edge. - the a la carte food is actually pretty good. The roast chichen (with bbq sause) was delicious. I would totally recommend this hotel just on the instragrammable views.

Stayed 3 nights, and not once was the room cleaned, bin emptied, toilet paper replenished etc in my room. Not a big issue for me and I'm sure they would have done it if I had asked.

Should be on a bucket list for everyone who loves nature and elephants. The location is amazing, directly next to the bathing area of the elephants and close to the elephant orphanage. You have the opportunity to bath the elephant and spent quality time just few steps away. As well in middle of the bathing time elephants come very close to the hotel so you can actually touch them and feed them with fruits which are all over the ground. Amazing amazing amazing. It’s a value for the money. If you search for something luxury it won’t be the option for you. However, all does not matter when you really come only for the elephants and beautiful views from the pool.

The main treasure was the location and the view, possibility to observe unbelievably picturesque life of elephants sitting on the balcony. Breakfast excellent, food, cocktails, catering service - perfect. When arriving from the airport, the pool helps to adapt the hot climate we're not used to. Would suggest this hotel to begin the voyage in Sri Lanka - a very impressive start. The room was moderately clean, so the bathroom. Very comfortable bed.

Reception and service should advise on hotel arrival time explaining the payment the entrance fee. Arriving after 8:30am directly from the Bandaranaike International Airport, we experienced great misunderstanding with physical getting to the hotel. The information about the arrival times and instruction how to act when you miss the arrival time - should reach the visitor via booking.com. Hotel Management should work on this. The room service did their best, but Wifi didn't appear in my room.

The elephants are phenomenal, what an incredible experience from the hotel pool. Loved watching the elephants come and go twice daily for a couple hours at a time. My daughter celebrated her 4th birthday on one of the days we stayed & staff made a very big deal to help celebrate for her, they went above and beyond.

Room was nice but dated, could do with a renovation just to make it that little bit more cosier, however hardly spent time in the hotel room so we didn’t mind too much.