Where to start… this was an amazing and incredible experience . The staff were so accommodating and kind to us . Claud the chef cooked us the most fabulous breakfast and dinners every day ( best Sri Lankan food we have had , massive portions and delicious) and spoke to us about the local nature and jungle life. The manager couldn’t help us enough, organising a fantastic safari in Minneriya where we saw over 50 elephants and local birds and animals. He organised us transfers and recommended future activities for our trip. The location is so unique - completely off grid in the jungle - no WiFi - no signal ( which means no card machine so bring cash!) but it was so fabulous not having technology. I would recommend bringing cards / board games or a book , relax and take in the beautiful surrounding nature . The cabins are beautiful eco friendly lodging. The staff are all about safety and comfort to guests in the jungle. We felt so relaxed , refreshed and happy. It’s the perfect place to spend quality time with friends and family. We need more places like this in the world . The furniture is handcrafted locally. They are building new lodges with plunge pools which look beautiful. It is solar panelled and electricity can cut out at around 10/11 pm sometimes , but after a busy day on a safari tour we were happy to rest after dinner. The chef provided us with a packed lunch for our safari. I can’t describe the custom and welcome we felt. It’s one of our favourite memories and holiday moments. The staff can be proud of the work they do in this beautiful location. AC and USB chargers available in rooms also. 10/10 - Written by A couple who stayed from Ireland who LOVED this place 🇮🇪

Only thing to note - electricity cut because of solar panels but didn’t bother us at all as we knew about this in advance and were happy to go asleep early. Bring a book and board games to entertain yourself in the evenings and arrange day activities (Safari) if you don’t want to just relax . It is eco friendly - some bugs in bathroom but can be expected , very clean and comfortable . This didn’t bother us or take away from the experience. We loved it so much that these things didn’t matter , but just said I’d mention them.

Nice secluded resort with just a few rooms in cottages at a small lake (which dries out in summer-but they have a watering hole for the elephants 🐘 who come over from Minneriya National Park). Very friendly and helpful staff. Very knowledgeable Naturalist onsite who takes guests on free jungle walks at night and early morning. Stylishly decorated spacious rooms with own terraces. Nice bathrooms with a wall for the shower such that the water doesn’t flood the floor. 100% own solar power for electricity and warm water. Bonus: dragon flies eat the mosquitoes- there are NONE! You can even sleep outside and enjoy the sounds of the jungle. It’s quite an experience! Last but not least: delicious dinner with a big variety of dishes.

After the great dinner, the breakfast was a little disappointing (less variety of Sri Lankan dishes than at other places), but the wonderful staff made up for it and gave us some buffalo curd with honey. Yum!

Very helpful, attentive and friendly staff enabled us to enjoy a safari and visits to local attractions. A great place for naturalists with complimentary birdwatching walks. Nothing was too much trouble for the staff to help us enjoy our stay. They even took us free of charge to piduralanga rock for the sunset. Beautiful remote feeling location , but not far from the main area of sigiriya. The food was delicious, Vananthara is a unique hidden gem, DON'T miss this place. Five Stars ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Absolutely nothing

I recently stayed at this slice of paradise nestled in the Sri Lankan jungle, and it was an unforgettable experience. The hotel is wonderfully secluded, far from the roads hustle and bustle, and completely immersed in nature. Surrounded by lush greenery, you instantly feel the peace and tranquility that’s hard to find anywhere else. The staff is exceptional. With a level of warmth and hospitality I’ve rarely encountered, they made us feel at home right away. Every team member was attentive, helpful, and always ready to fulfill any request with a genuine smile. The service is truly flawless, adding an extra layer of enjoyment to the stay. The food is another highlight: absolutely delicious! Each meal was unique and full of love. Really thank you to the chef. Every day open to have a talk and a social exchange. The rooms, overlooking the surrounding jungle, are comfortable and tastefully decorated, blending perfectly with the natural environment. Waking up each morning to the sounds of nature added a magical and enchanting touch to our stay. I special mansion to the young manager and biologist. He guided us in a early morning bird watching of the surroundings of the hotel. He also join us during the safari. I recommend this hotel to anyone looking to experience an authentic jungle retreat.

Lovely and unique concept staying right on the border of Minnesota National Park. Perfect location to switch off and relax for a couple of days or take a safari, climb Sigiriya Lion Rock etc. So much to do nearby The staff are super helpful, and the team does everything they can to ensure you have a pleasant stay and all your crazy ideas are brought to fruition, including climbing Sigiriya or Pidurangula for dawn or sunset. The food is amazing, you can feast on local flavours prepared fresh by their incredible chef. I also want to mention Chanul and Sangeeth, their two young naturalists who guide you everywhere and find the most amazing assortment of reptiles, insects and creatures of the night. Incredible to see people so passionate about their work.

The property is aiming to have as small a footprint on their pristine environment as possible - which is fantastic - but also means some things have limits, like the amount of power they can generate by solar alone. The cabins are super comfortable and very spacious but could have better airflow, they can be quite warm inside on hot evenings until they get their AC units installed. Fortunately you can sleep on the balcony and stay cool while listening to the sounds of the jungle.

I had an unforgettable stay at Sigiri Vananthara. Nestled in lush greenery near Sigiriya, the location offers tranquility and natural beauty. The spacious, clean accommodations blend modern amenities with rustic charm. The exceptional staff provided warm, attentive service, making me feel right at home. The on-site restaurant served delicious local and international dishes. Activities like guided tours to Sigiriya Rock Fortress and nature walks were well-organized and enriching. Sigiri Vananthara is a perfect retreat for anyone seeking peace and a deep connection with nature. Highly recommended!

Nothing at all

This place is a wonderful experience to get some insights to the nature and national park and stay in a sustainable oriented beautiful place. The two young managers / biologists as well offered a morning and night tour at there place to watch birds and get interesting insights about the animals in the park. When we arrived we were lucky to see a wild elephant, drinking some water behind the house. Everything is very clean, save and nicely done. No plastic , solar panels …. The food was excellent! We will come back and recommend this place

The location is great. The employees did everything to make us feel welcome and comfortable . Both the dinner and breakfast were tasty.

Some small points of improvement , WiFi does not work in the rooms ( you can still use it in the common area ) . The shower was rusty - maybe this is because of the location.

So peaceful and the staff were amazing treated us like family, really liked the food especially some of the best sri lanker food i have had.

Most things were good only issue was the place runs on solar so the power usually cuts out at 10-2am, however you have a bed outside which i slept on and it was sooo comfortable

Tranquility and listening to the sounds of the jungle. The staff were attentive and provided a good service.

Unfortunately we didn't see any wildlife and weren't able to go on a walk as the host deemed it to be unsafe.