Gal Oya Lodge

We had a memorable stay and really enjoyed the well-prepared meals, the beautiful setting, and the great staff. They arranged a boat safari as well as nature walks in the morning and at night, which were amazing. The chalets and villas are comfortable, though the air-conditioning felt a little weak at noon. WiFi isn’t available, and mobile data can be patchy. The experience was lovely, but the value for money wasn’t exceptional.

The staff’s attention to detail really stood out, and everyone was amazing. We also took an evening bike ride with a local and hiked up Monkey Mountain in the morning. I highly recommend both. This eco-friendly hotel feels tucked into nature while still being luxurious, and the food was delicious. The boat safari was excellent, and felt more special than the elephant Jeep safaris we’d taken elsewhere. It surprised us by becoming our favourite hotel in Sri Lanka.

We came for a team retreat, and even after just one night I know we’ll remember it for years. The room, food, and service were all perfect, including the plunge pool. I slept better here than I have anywhere away from home. The cottages have a natural layout, and the lodge has found a wonderful way to live sustainably alongside nature.

The boat trip was incredible. We were lucky to see two herds of elephants right beside the water, plus a couple of huge crocodiles and beautiful birds, including pelicans and eagles. The jungle cooking class was another favourite. It takes place in a hut in the jungle, where we chopped and sliced the ingredients before the curries were cooked over open claypot fires. So delicious. There’s no WiFi and barely any mobile reception, so it’s a lovely place to disconnect and be surrounded by nature. The big reception area is beautiful, and a nice spot for a drink overlooking the pool or for swapping stories with other guests before or after dinner. The food was all beautifully cooked, and the staff were kind and attentive. You’re assigned a naturalist guide when you arrive, and our guide Isuru was really informative. We stayed in a lovely room with a plunge pool. The weather wasn’t great while we were there, but I can imagine the pool would be fantastic in the sunshine. Thanks to all the lovely staff for making our February 2026 stay so memorable.