Amaranta Classic Retreat

The resort has an outdoor pool available year round, a barbecue and free private parking. It’s in Dambulla, 1.5 km from Dambulla Cave Temple, and offers a spa, hot tub and restaurant. Rooms include a flat-screen TV and private bathroom with a bath or shower and bidet. Some have a seating area, and some look out over the mountains or pool. Free Wi-Fi is available. There’s a 24-hour front desk and gift shop, and guests can hire bikes or cars. Cycling is popular in the area.

The sheets were clean, but the room had a lot of bugs and ants. We hadn’t run into that even while moving between hostels in India. Service wasn’t helpful either: three staff were working, but none were much help. We arrived very late after traveling all day from India, and after a while the man agreed to check us in in the morning. They couldn’t find our Expedia booking and wanted to charge us again at a higher rate, but luckily we had the paperwork. I’d stay somewhere else.

We arrived late, almost in the dark. The staff carried our luggage to an isolated cottage style room about a furlong from the dining area, along a gravel path. The rooms have TVs, attached bathrooms and air conditioning. I noticed the night security person making rounds throughout the night. The resort sits among tall, mature trees, with a hillock behind it and what looked like a stream beside it. The pool was there but needed maintenance. Breakfast was good, dinner just okay, and the staff were really hospitable. We also stopped by for tea on our way back.

I booked two or three months ahead and was told by phone and email that I could pay at the hotel, with no advance payment needed. I was happy with the booking and service until about a week before the trip, when they emailed asking me to confirm again or the reservation would be cancelled. A second email then said it had been cancelled. Both emails came within seven days, while I couldn’t access my personal email. They never called to ask me to confirm, and this nearly ruined my travel plans. The team managing the place seemed irresponsible, and I didn’t trust the service. I wouldn’t recommend it if you want to avoid the stress of finding a hotel in a rush after a surprise cancellation.