Thal Sewana Home Stay

We’d love to come back. The room and bathroom were modest but clean, and the location was fantastic. The hosts welcomed us into their beautiful home and garden, and we had lovely, open conversations about their lives and Sri Lanka. One local squirrel visits their tree, and the host spent about 20 minutes luring it closer with biscuits while shooing away the monkeys that scared it. They made us feel at home. I have coeliac disease, and the host took great care to adapt dishes so they were safely gluten-free. The food was delicious and very reasonably priced. They also arranged an affordable tuk-tuk to Sigiriya (Lion Rock) before sunrise. The 25-minute walk goes through an area where elephants are sometimes seen, so we wouldn't have felt safe walking in the dark. At 5am they walked with us halfway to the Pidurangala Rock entrance, about five minutes away, carrying a powerful flashlight to check for elephants. One of our favourite stays in Sri Lanka.

I felt well looked after here. The owner was so kind and welcoming, and her home-cooked meals were delicious. It’s a peaceful spot surrounded by nature, yet close to everything: Pidurangala is about a five-minute walk and Sigiriya Lion Rock is around 15 minutes on foot. A lovely place for a calm, authentic stay.

We planned to stay for two days, then stayed for four. The homestay sits between the two rocks, including Sigiriya lion rock, and both are a short walk away. We love birdwatching, and the area was a hidden gem for birds. Wasanthi also gave us a helpful tip about catching a direct bus from the nearby town to Negombo/airport, since we couldn't find information online. We chose the place because of the good reviews about the owner’s Mom Wasanthi and her cooking, and those reviews were right. We spent as much time as we could with her, her grandsons, her helper, and Choti, the resident squirrel. Wasanthi is a joy, fun, cheeky, and sweet. Breakfast always brought delicious surprises and variety. We ate all our meals there because we loved her cooking. A few times I got to cook alongside her and learned a lot. Thank you, Wasanthi and Thal Sewana!

The host made us feel at home as soon as we arrived, and the whole stay was relaxed, personal, and welcoming. They were always happy to cook for us, and the food was freshly made and amazing. The host even walked with us to Pidurangala Rock for sunrise so we’d be safe around wild elephants. Such a thoughtful gesture. We’d absolutely recommend this place!