The Grand Yala Hotel

We had a great night here. The pool was fantastic, warm, and lovely to swim in, and dinner and breakfast were fabulous. Breakfast was especially plentiful. The staff were lovely and the rooms spacious. The location is quite remote, and seeing a cockroach in the bathroom bothered us. The aircon wasn’t working well at first, but they sorted it quickly. A hairdryer and kettle would have been handy, though neither was available.

The garden was peaceful and beautiful, and we loved the pool and the Sri Lankan curry at dinner. Breakfast was nice, and they waited to serve it until we got back from our half-day safari. We stayed two nights with our two children and appreciated how clean everything was and how good the service felt. The room had two double beds with clean sheets and mosquito nets, plus a modern, clean bathroom. The air conditioning was okay, and the ceiling fan kept us comfortable.

The pool was really pleasant, and the only thing I’d mention is that the AC was quite noisy. Otherwise, we had a very good stay. We first booked this little place in nature because it was close to Yala Park, but ended up loving the service too. The room was cute, the bathroom clean and refreshed, and the staff were so nice. They arranged an early breakfast for us to take to the park, and offered pancakes for the kids on our departure day.

The grounds are beautiful, and mango trees surround a gorgeous pool with cool, clean water. I stayed with my family, including a baby and toddler, and the staff went out of their way to make us comfortable. The food was great, especially when we asked for authentic Sri Lankan dishes. I’d love to come back.