The Lynden Grove Hotel

The shared areas gave us plenty of room to spend time together, and the balcony was a nice place to take a little time alone. My family of four had booked two adjoining rooms at Araliya Green Hills, and they felt very spacious for us. We were travelling with friends, whose rooms were lined up right beside ours, which worked out great. Breakfast and dinner were generous buffets with tasty food. We'd recommend staying here.

Mohan was a really helpful server with our big table of 22, and the staff in general were very friendly. The hotel was also an easy walk from town, and we enjoyed our stay and the amenities. Laundry was the one confusing bit: when we sent it in without a sheet, we couldn't get a clear answer about whether we needed one. We were told both that it was required and that it was fine without it.

The massage was well done, but the rest of my stay at Araliya Green Hills Hotel left me feeling it fell short of a four-star standard. The room air felt stale from the moment I walked in, with no basic ventilation or air-conditioning. The sink was blocked, and there weren't sockets beside the bed, so charging devices was inconvenient. The spa had a sauna but no water or towels, and the pool was very small. Even the poolside bar couldn't provide bottled water. There was a broad restaurant menu, from sushi and pasta to burgers, quesadillas, and Indian food. But hygiene needs attention: the fan above the food area was extremely dirty and looked as if it hadn't been cleaned in a long time, which made me question the property's general upkeep. Between the ventilation, cleanliness, and unavailable basics, I wouldn't consider this a four-star experience. I'd suggest looking at other places in Nuwara Eliya.

Mr. Benedic Netto, the Restaurant and Bar Manager, made our dinner especially memorable. He took care of everything and arranged a lovely cake-cutting with live piano music for my husband's birthday. The buffet itself was wonderful too, with delicious dishes and a great spread. We chose the hotel for this special occasion and really enjoyed the warm hospitality and attention to detail. Highly recommended, and we'll definitely come back for a stay.