EVERYTHING. 1- The hotel is amazing. Very quiet. 2- The food is really good and not too expensive. 3- The rooms are like a dream come true. 4- The swimming pool is big and you can easily go to the beach. 5- The best was the staff, from the recepcionist (who was really interested in learning some Spanish and always available for us) to the waitresses. You are amazing guys! Thank you for the attention and the cingales lessons. Ah! We love how you love your animales! Besos desde Canarias - Spain (J and C).

My wife, our two-year-old son, and I just returned from the most incredible stay at Lankavatara Ocean Retreat & Spa, and we can’t stop raving about it! From the moment we arrived, we were enveloped in tranquility and treated like royalty. First and foremost, the food was absolutely outstanding, thanks to the incredibly talented Chef! Every meal was a culinary masterpiece, using fresh, local ingredients and showcasing the vibrant flavors of Sri Lanka. Our son is a picky eater, but the chef was always happy to whip up something special just for him, which was such a relief for us! The hotel management, especially the General Manager, truly sets this place apart. Their attention to detail and dedication to guest satisfaction is remarkable. They were always available to answer questions, offer recommendations, and ensure that our stay was perfect in every way. I also have to give a huge shout-out to the housekeeping staff. Our room was always impeccably clean and tidy, and they were so thoughtful about anticipating our needs as a family with a young child. It made our stay so much more comfortable and relaxing. And let’s not forget the beautiful gardens! The grounds were meticulously maintained by a dedicated gardener who clearly takes pride in his work. The lush greenery and vibrant flowers created a serene and picturesque setting that we thoroughly enjoyed. Finally, the receptionist was a wealth of information! He patiently answered all our questions about local life, customs, and traditions, giving us a deeper understanding and appreciation of the area. Lankavatara Ocean Retreat & Spa truly exceeded all our expectations. It’s a haven of peace and relaxation with exceptional service, delicious food, and stunning surroundings. We highly recommend it to anyone looking for a memorable and rejuvenating getaway, especially families with young children. Thank you, Lankavatara, for creating such a magical experience for us! We can’t wait to return!

This hotel was a true highlight of our 8-day journey across Sri Lanka! Set in a stunning location, it offered breathtaking views and a peaceful atmosphere, perfect for relaxation. The pool was spotless and inviting, making it a fantastic spot to unwind after a day of exploring. The breakfast was delicious, with a great variety of options that satisfied every palate. What truly stood out, however, was the hotel’s design—it was by far the most beautiful and thoughtfully designed place we stayed in during our trip. Every detail reflected elegance and comfort, creating a truly memorable experience. Highly recommended for anyone seeking a mix of style, comfort, and exceptional hospitality!

Nie było cieplej wody pod prysznicem - umycie dzieci było niemożliwe! Dodatkowo na minus brak słuchawki pod prysznicem

This hotel is an absolute gem in Sri Lanka. We've visited several places, and this is our favorite. It's beautifully located, allowing you to walk for miles along the beach without encountering anyone. The beach is pristine, free of litter, unlike some other places in Sri Lanka. The rooms are spacious, comfortable, and beautifully designed. The service is excellent, and the restaurant offers a delicious and diverse menu. There are plenty of excursion options nearby, with stunning wetlands and lagoons perfect for bird watching. This wonderful place has been crafted with great care. Interestingly, it is also very affordable compared to other hotels. It's definitely worth traveling a bit further to enjoy this exceptional and beautiful spot. An absolute must-visit. I highly recommend it to everyone.

I only wish this hotel was +18 only. The kids were not a big issue, bus since its a boutique hotel with one pool, sometimes there were some kids playing a bit loud. Put its just our preference not to be around kids.

We stayed for a couple of nights, and it was my dad birthday. They upgrade both our room and decorate my parents' accommodation. The facilities were beautiful and we had a great time in the pool and beach. The location is gorgeous and peaceful. The restaurant is available throughout the day, which is perfect for families. Me and my mum have been using the spa every morning, and they had anything you could wish for. The staff is very friendly and helpful. It was just a perfect stay for all of us. We will be back and definitely recommend to family and friends.

The edges of the restaurant on the second floor had a big gap all around and are not ideal when you have a two year old with you.

Nicely situated on a quiet beach with a beautiful bird sanctuary close by

Great bedroom partially overlooking the ocean

The room and bathroom were spacious, well designed and impeccably clean -- we really appreciated the attention to details and the additional functionality offered by the daybed, the small desk, the armchairs as we were travelling with our tween and also had to do some work while on vacation. The pool was lovely - it is a good size and none of us had red eyes from chlorination. The beach the property opens onto is gloriously clean and we had it entirely to ourselves most of the time. The cafe served up delicious food but their menu offers only a few Sri Lankan dishes. At our request, the kitchen was only too happy to whip up Sri Lankan meals -- prawn and fish curries, traditional coconut sambol, dhals, gotukala salad, okra salad, ridge gourd in coconut milk, star bean stir fry, eggplant gojju, Sri Lankan pancakes with ice cream, watalapam .... these were by far the best meals we enjoyed during the entirety of our holiday and we would heartily recommend visitors to Lankavatara sample the Sri Lankan meals. The staff are very well informed and helpful and did everything they could to make our stay a memorable one -- from organising tuktuks, catamaran rides in the Kalametiya Bird Sanctuary and turtle watching or airport transfers.

Absolutely nothing!

Lankavatara is a peaceful oasis. The setting is lovely and quiet. The clean sandy beach is remote and the waves were treacherous while we were there. Great to watch, but not for swimming. No beach hawkers- rarely anyone even walks past. The walk to end of beach and clamber over rocks to watch sunset is very nice. The pool was fabulous for swimming and big enough to do some laps, so bring swim goggles. There is a small pool for little ones, too. Good for families. The staff are lovely and will gladly organise any trips/drivers for you. We visited the bird sanctuary nearby in a boat (very serene) and went to the Rakawa Turtle sanctuary in the evening . We saw a few turtles come up to lay eggs and head back to ocean- a good experience for the kids, though quite busy. The food at the restaurant reasonably priced and delicious with a great selection. We also visited restaurant across the road for a prawn curry which was yummy. Three nights wasn’t long enough! We highly recommend.

Review for Lankavatara Retreat Lankavatara Retreat is a hidden gem that exceeded our expectations in nearly every way. The rooms are beautifully designed, clean, and incredibly comfortable, creating the perfect space to unwind. The friendly and attentive staff truly make you feel at home—they go above and beyond to ensure a pleasant stay. The atmosphere of the retreat is serene and inviting, perfect for relaxation. The lush garden is impeccably maintained and provides a peaceful setting to enjoy nature. The food is another highlight—delicious, fresh, and full of variety, catering to all tastes. Overall, Lankavatara Retreat is an outstanding choice for anyone seeking a tranquil getaway. Highly recommended!

The only downside was the weak Wi-Fi, which made it difficult to work remotely. However, if you're visiting for leisure, this might not be a concern.

This is a fantastic small beachfront resort with amazing staff, great food and an awesome pool. There are beach cabanas available along with the usual beach chairs and umbrellas so lots of choice for lounging by the pool. Breakfast was a la carte, with five different options to choose from and all came with a generous amount of food, toast, croissants, juice, tea and coffee. We ate most meals here and were never disappointed! For sunset drinks and seafood dinner, try the Endlessblue Resort next door! You can even participate with the local fisherman catching fish in their nets each day!

The WiFi was a bit hit and miss at times. The location is quite remote so there are not too many other eating options around.