Tekanda Lodge

We booked a two-week honeymoon, and from the first email about availability through checkout, Richard, Charlie, and the whole Tekanda team were kind, generous, and so good at making our stay special. Eight months later, we still remember it as if we left yesterday and hope to come back one day. The separate cabana they gave us had a lovely balcony facing the tea plantations and beautiful scenery, and we even had dinner out there one evening. The room had everything we could want. The communal lodge, huge infinity pool, and incredible food were all outstanding. Finding this much tranquility, comfort, and elegance feels rare, and Tekanda made our honeymoon unforgettable. Thank you, Richard, Charlie, and everyone at Tekanda. Luke and Beth x

The peaceful setting surrounded by nature made every moment feel special. We loved sharing dinners and having real conversations with the other guests, and the thoughtful touches throughout the stay made it memorable. The hosts and team gave us such personal care that we felt part of the family rather than just guests. Their hospitality was warm and genuine, and we felt at home as soon as we arrived. Highly recommend this place for anyone looking for an authentic, family-like experience. Thank you for a wonderful time!

There were plenty of bugs, which is understandable given the setting but something future guests should know. What made the stay most disappointing was how dismissive the response was when we raised concerns. No meaningful fix, refund, or goodwill gesture was offered, and our direct message to management during the stay has gone unanswered. We remain open to resolving this amicably and hope management addresses it. Several practical issues made our stay fall far below expectations. We were asked at short notice to change rooms because of a booking conflict, apparently so the property could maximize occupancy. It was handled unprofessionally and without regard for our time, and we later heard other guests had faced similar issues. The AC leaked badly and soaked some of our belongings. Wi-Fi kept dropping and didn't reach parts of the property. Hot water lasted less than two minutes before going lukewarm; we were told each room has only 3L of hot water and we'd “just have to deal with it,” which was surprising at this price.

I'm still here until tomorrow morning, and already know Tekanda deserves five stars. The rooms, staff, food, pool, and the house's design and decor are all lovely. But the location is unbelievable. We thought a few times on this trip that we'd seen the best views Sri Lanka had to offer, and we were wrong. Looking over the rice fields, hills, and distant lake while listening to the birds, I'm already hoping I can come back soon.