Cinnamon Wild Yala

We loved being surrounded by nature at Cinnamon Wild Yala, where we even spotted wildlife around the hotel. It’s right beside Yala National Park, so getting out for a safari is easy. Our room was clean, comfortable, and well maintained, and there was a good range of tasty local and international food. From the moment we arrived, the staff were welcoming, cheerful, and quick to help. A memorable stay, and we’d happily return.

The service was excellent, with attentive and polite staff, and the food was really good. There isn’t much to do at the hotel, so I’d suggest arranging excursions. The safaris are interesting, but they seemed poor value to us, and sightings aren’t guaranteed. On our six-hour trip we saw no elephants or leopards, only elephants beside the main road on the way to Block 5. We didn’t need to spend $260 for that. The setting is lovely and quiet, with separate cabins across the grounds, right by the ocean beach and a lake. Wildlife is all around, including crocodiles in the lake and occasional elephant visits, so safety rules are in place. One result is that there’s nowhere to walk after dark. Prices are higher than at other places in SL, probably because the location is remote, staffing levels are high, and logistics are difficult.

The calm surroundings and well-kept facilities made Cinnamon Wild a refreshing place to stay. We felt welcome and looked after from the start. Thushara, Ishan, and Dewmith deserve special thanks for their warm, professional service and attention to detail. They were always kind, smiling, and went out of their way to make sure we had what we needed. Thanks to the whole team for such a lovely visit. We can’t wait to come back.

The location, especially the view and the lake, is what makes this hotel stand out. The small luxuries, thoughtful details, and great service added to the experience. The rooms were perfectly fine, though the pool isn’t very big. The food was excellent, but I’d have liked a few more international choices. If you’re staying with children, ask for a room near reception. You need an escort whenever you want to leave your room at night, and I think we could have been placed closer since we had two small children.