Simoya Nature Park

The rooms were spacious, spotless and comfortable, and felt like excellent value. The property sits among beautiful natural scenery, with a peaceful atmosphere and the Dambulla Cave Temple just a five-minute walk away. What made the stay special was how personally the hosts looked after us. They helped with travel plans, local tips and anything else we needed, with a level of care that surpassed what we’ve had at many luxury hotels. It felt like visiting friends. Some of the warmest, most welcoming hosts we’ve met on our travels. We’d wholeheartedly recommend staying here in Dambulla.

We liked Simoya so much that we came back for another two days to relax on our way back from Jaffna. The family made us feel at home and like part of their family, they’re incredibly kind, loving and welcoming. The peaceful garden was lovely for enjoying nature and switching off. Breakfast was delicious and varied, with something new each morning, and the Wi-Fi was honestly among the best we had in Sri Lanka. They were always happy to help us organise what we needed. The Cave Temple is within walking distance. Highly recommend!

We only wish we could have stayed longer. This was easily the best place of our trip to Sri Lanka, and we’d book again if we’re lucky enough to return. From the first night of our honeymoon, the owners, Madhu and Sanjee, made us feel so welcome with a refreshing drink and lovely decorations prepared by Sanjee. The setting is beautiful, surrounded by nature inside a protected reserve. The Cave Temple is in the same reserve, just a five-minute walk away, yet the property feels peaceful and private despite being so close to the main attraction. Even the shower has a stunning view. The bed was comfortable, the room had air conditioning, and the food was the best we had in Sri Lanka. Madhu and Sanjee were thoughtful throughout. They replied quickly to questions from the time we booked, helped arrange affordable, comfortable airport transport, and checked that we’d arrived safely. Madhu took a real interest in our plans: he arranged and guided a tour around Dambulla, and planned an early trip to Pidurangala for sunrise, advising us on the best time. He drove us, waited, and got the timing right. We also stopped at a local market, where he explained Sri Lankan products and ingredients. After checkout, he offered to take us to a river activity, then a cooking demonstration and lunch. That became the highlight of our whole week. Dinners, transport, tours and activities were all reasonably priced and absolutely worth it. Sanjee continued helping after we left, organising transport between cities at very good prices, sending driver details and checking that things were going smoothly. She was a great source of support and reassurance for the rest of our trip. I’ve never written such a long review, but I didn’t want to leave out everything they did for us, and even this doesn’t fully explain how special the stay was.

We only had one night here, but it was a wonderful stay. Madhu and Sanjee are lovely hosts who seem to really love what they do. They greeted us with a beautifully served smoothie, and there were flowers in the room. It was lovely, with a nice bathroom and small terrace. We watched fireflies in the evening, and the owners’ dogs were adorable. They suggested a walk and a restaurant for dinner. In the morning, we had the most beautifully presented breakfast of our time in Sri Lanka. Thank you! Highly recommend.