Thanamalvila Hotels with Restaurants

"The cocoon-shaped tents are really unique and beautiful. They’re well-designed and blend nicely with the natural surroundings. Inside, you have everything you need – a big bed, air-conditioning, a beautiful bathtub, and stylish furniture. Some parts of the tents do feel a little old and could use a bit of renovation, but that didn’t affect how much I enjoyed my stay. It still felt special and very comfortable. The food was excellent every day. The chefs prepare a nice mix of Sri Lankan dishes and international food. Everything was fresh and full of flavor. Meals were something I looked forward to daily. The safaris were a real highlight. The guides were friendly, knowledgeable, and respectful of nature. We saw leopards, elephants, and so many other animals. The whole safari experience was exciting and well-organized. The staff were amazing – kind, helpful, and always ready to assist. You feel well taken care of, and the service is top-level from everyone at the lodge. The small pool outside our cocoon was cleaned early every morning at around 6 AM, but because it’s under a lot of trees, it quickly fills up with leaves again. That’s understandable, but I do think the water filtration could be improved – during my stay, it looked more like a big bathtub than a proper pool. That said, there is a much bigger pool near the restaurant that’s perfect for relaxing. You can enjoy cocktails and snacks while sitting in the water, and it’s a great spot to unwind during the hot hours."

"Ella is a dream and this property was so nice! The whole ambiance is beautiful and calming. They even have a garden on the premises. Our room has a magnificent view great for watching the sunrise. I opted to watch from outside near the garden. It was so magical to watch the Sun rise while listening to the birds serenade in the background and faint Buddhist chants growing gradually louder as the Sun came up! I highly recommend this property for your stay in Ella and wish we could have stayed longer. I almost did not even come to Ella but so glad I took the 7 hour train right to get here from Kandy. Very amazing place!"

"Wow, what an experience. When we pulled up into the camp, there was an elephant just there (a tusker no less). The standards were consistently high from there. We were well looked after by the manager Ravi, with impeccable service throughout. My wife's gluten free requirement being well looked after. The views are stunning, the food was great. At camp we sat and watched birds, and beyond seeing an elephant we saw a leopard just crossing the road outside! Before going to bed... Shine a torch into the canopy overhead, and there was a polecat (civet), desperately climbing away from us! Two days of safari in yala, were two of the best of our lives. Elephants, leopards, bears, birds, jackals, buffalo... Achi (driver) made sure we didn't miss a thing. 10/10, if you love nature, don't hesitate to stay here. One thing to note is the price doesn’t include safari. Top tip - take ear plugs, you really are completely surrounded by nature all the time."

"This is an amazing property and wonderfully situated in its surroundings! Would highly recommend."

"Overall a wonderful stay and would absolutely come again! Beautiful resort with absolutely stunning views and rooms. Spa is fairly priced and excellent. Location very near little Adam’s peak makes for a convenient sunrise walk. Staff all around very good and made the stay welcoming. Some things to be improved: While restaurant food is good, the prices are extortionate and we ended up eating majority of meals in local Ella for a fraction of the price. Due to the size of the resort, transport via buggy is often required and we found this service to be quite inconsistent (especially during periods of rain where everyone in the resort requires a buggy). While the hotel has umbrellas in the room, it would be nice to also get an umbrella if stuck in another location (such as the restaurant) during a downpour. "

"We had an excellent stay in that property (3nights March 2025) It located on the hill so the views from the balcony are spectacular. Still just a few steps from the center of town. Very good breakfast with lots of options. Exceptional stuff, especially the manager who was very informative, helpful and kind. The only down was the bathroom which I'd say needed some renovations and the noise coming from the construction going on at the front of the hotel but I understand at some point they have to do it. I would definitely recommend this hotel!"

"It was indeed a flower garden with breathtaking views!"

"Amazing stay, definitely a highlight of our trip in Sri Lanka. We are well travelled and can confidently say that this stay is an experience!"

"Wow—best view on town! When I got to the property, I felt like “I don’t even need to go hiking, this view beats anything I could hike to.” You can literally see and hear a waterfall from the balcony! Super nice staff, good food, including a particularly nice breakfast spread. A little bit of a pain to hike up there from town, but doable in 10 minutes or a very short tuktuk. Room was perfectly good. Only quibble was that the walls (even though it was clear they had been padded) were very thin."