Koddu Kalpitiya Boutique Hotel

The hotel has just six rooms, lovely grounds, and a boat trip through nearby mangroves that's simply awesome. The plants are incredibly dense and sequester carbon, and you can see two by the hotel waters. We also spotted a giant peacock on the grounds one day. It soon flew away, but it was bigger than the many we saw at Wilpattu national park the next day. Our July stay was relaxing, with a nice breeze, and the last day was quiet. We were the only guests, which was a treat. I imagine the same attentive service would hold even with all six rooms occupied, perhaps a little less so. Everyone seemed well trained and attentive to detail. On our last day, an attendant brought us an extra bath towel with an enormous smile, such a welcoming gesture. My wife and I spent three nights here and really enjoyed them. The hotel was very clean, and the staff were professional, kind, and attentive. Kithsiri, the on site manager, arranged our half day tour to Wilpattu, Sri Lanka's largest national park. We left at 5:45 with a packed lunch, took a boat from the hotel grounds for about 20 minutes, then a Tuk Tuk for around 20 minutes after reaching another coast. A jeep met us by the park entrance for a 3 1/2 hour ride inside. About two hours in, we saw a leopard, several elephants at a distance, water buffalos resting by water under trees, shy peacocks, a baby crocodile, and many birds. The drive between thick trees felt like going through an enchanted forest, with a fresh vegetation smell, and at times the terrain looked like an African safari. The hotel arranged the whole trip, and we were back around noon. Kithsiri and the staff were flexible when we asked for Sri Lankan food. All the food was excellent. Breakfast was amazing, especially the Sri Lankan Fish Ambulthiyal, my favorite, and the Sri Lankan omelet. Ambulthiyal has a sour taste that works wonders as a fish marinade. Chef Sandeep was excellent. Their kitchen makes delicious croissants and other baked goods, including homemade pineapple jam. A hint of fresh lime juice would make the jam even better. They also made us stronger coffee when we asked, and we switched to excellent tea on our last day. My wife and I highly recommend the hotel and hope we can come back.

We spent Christmas and New Year's at the Koddu, and it was the best vacation. The resort has only six rooms and is very private. We were there on our own for most of the stay. Service was personal and excellent, and the pool and lounging areas were great. Each evening there was a multi-course dinner, and breakfast had lovely dishes, fresh fruit and juices, plus lots of tea and coffee to choose from. The hotel also offers activities like dolphin watching, kite surfing, and cooking classes. Thanks to the whole team. We hope to return one day.

It may feel a bit expensive for Sri Lanka, but the quality made the price worthwhile. The staff were lovely and very helpful, doing more than expected to make the stay enjoyable and memorable. I highly recommend this hotel.

We had planned to stay three days at Hotel Koddu in Kalpitiya, but the experience was so good that we extended our visit. Kithsiri, the resident manager, made us feel special from the moment we arrived, and Devhan took exceptional care of us, making sure every detail was right. The property was beautifully maintained, with a peaceful setting and real attention to detail. We loved spending time by the pool, eating the incredible food, and simply enjoying the calm. Hotel Koddu is a rare gem. Thank you to Kithsiri, Devhan, and the team for memories we'll treasure.