Ali Weta Safari Resort

Being close to Udawalawe National Park made the location really convenient. The hotel was clean and well looked after, and the food was delicious. Staff were exceptionally friendly and welcoming. It was a very pleasant, memorable stay, and I highly recommend it.

The pool was a great place to cool down after a morning safari, and the resort’s quiet, green setting felt like an oasis. It’s only a few minutes from the entrance to Udawalawe National Park, so it works well for both relaxing and heading out to explore. We woke to birds rather than traffic. Staff were warm and attentive, helping with safari arrangements and special meals and making guests feel at home. The airy restaurant serves a good range of local and international food, and it’s easy to linger there. Rooms are spacious and modern, with strong air conditioning, comfortable beds, mini-fridges, coffee makers, and balconies or terraces overlooking the garden or pool. Bathrooms were clean, and the rooms had a fresh smell. The facilities and thoughtful service make it a peaceful place to recharge between outings.

The best part was spotting a wild elephant slowly passing the front gate while we swam in the pool. We were nine people staying for one night, and the surroundings, food, and staff were all faultless. Ali Weta is easy to recommend.

It felt like we had our own little hotel. We were literally the only guests at the end of October, which surprised us, even though the season only really starts in November. The welcome was incredibly friendly, and our room was nice. We loved the pool, though its tiles are very sharp, so watch the edges. Breakfast and dinner were both really good, and the staff had no trouble opening the kitchen just for us, even though we felt a bit bad about it. The food was good and remarkably good value, even compared with the coast towns and the Hungry Monkey in town. There’s a small convenience store next door, staff can arrange a tuktuk whenever you need one, and the national park entrance is very close. There isn’t much else nearby besides the park, or maybe the transit home, so one night is plenty.