Hide Ella Hotel & Resort

The location is handy, close to major places and plenty of food options, and the views from the room were very good. Breakfast tasted good, though there wasn’t much choice, and cappuccino cost extra. The pool also had an additional charge. I had mixed feelings about the stay and expected more from a so-called 4-star hotel. The rooms were the smallest we encountered across 5 hotels on our Sri Lanka trip, and some standard amenities were missing. The geyser was complicated to use. Email replies from the enquiries team took 4-5 working days. My card was charged twice, and after I reported it there was no immediate response. It took 5 days to hear back. At check-in they skipped the welcome drink. I don’t mind missing it, but I noticed the receptionist mention it to a colleague before it was skipped.

Our room with a hot tub had spectacular views, and we absolutely loved staying in it. On a clear day, you can see far down the valley, along with Little Adam's Peak and Ella Rock. Hide Ella is close to the main road and amenities, and both the rooms and location are stunning. Service could use some work. We asked for items during breakfast, but they never arrived despite plenty of staff being around. Everyone was polite, though the service lacked finesse. Still, we had a lovely stay.

The location is a big plus: it’s away from the bustle of Ella centre but still an easy 10-minute walk, and the views are among the most spectacular in Sri Lanka. The rooms were clean and nicely finished, with comfortable beds and good quality air con. Service was slow, so I’d give it only three stars. Our High Tea took 50 minutes, and getting an extra teabag for the room took another 30 minutes and a second request at reception. The pool was underwhelming, with just 4 sun loungers and none of the incredible views. If views and location matter most to you, it’s a great choice. For value for money, I think it falls a little short.

We wish we could have stayed longer. The welcoming team made a lovely first impression, and Iskara & team in the restaurants went above and beyond to make the stay memorable. They even surprised me and my dad with birthday cakes for our special birthdays. Thank you so much!