Hotel Oak Ray Ella Gap

We really enjoyed our two nights here. The staff were welcoming, the food was nice, and Ajay, the manager, was especially friendly and helpful. They even gave us a gift when we left as a kind gesture. The hotel is right in the heart of Ella city, close to many of the attractions, shops for clothes and souvenirs, and places to eat. There’s also nightlife if you fancy a walk in the evening. The big balcony was lovely for having coffee.

The breakfast was great and the rest of the food decent, but the gala dinner on the 31st night was a big letdown. The welcome was lovely, and most of the staff tried hard to help. Some restaurant staff seemed to lack common sense, though. The open kitchen door was unpleasant to see. The rooms are large, but there wasn't proper ventilation, and the windows looked as if they hadn't been opened in years. Dust on the bed covers and very off-white towels felt gross. The sofas were stained and looked like their cushions hadn't been cleaned. It's a pity cleanliness didn't seem to get more attention. The location is very convenient.

Ajey was a huge help before and during our stay, and we really liked being able to communicate with the hotel over WhatsApp. The rooms were clean and well equipped, and the location was fantastic. We had a view of Ella rock from our room. Ours was at the back, so it was mostly quiet, though we could hear some street noise outside the hotel's control. Inside, room service staff spoke quite loudly and doors were slammed a lot. That seems easy to improve. We were glad we picked this place and would recommend it.

Right in the centre of Ella, so no need to worry about getting a Tuk-Tuk back to the hotel. There's a nice rooftop pool and the staff are really friendly. Breakfast was normal, and the rooms were a little smaller than you'd usually find in a Sri Lankan hotel.