Grand Udawalawe Safari Resort

Grand Udawalawe Safari Resort descritpion

Located within a 10-minute drive from the famous Udawalawe National Park, Grand Udawalawe Safari Resort features an outdoor swimming pool and offers spacious rooms with views of the surrounding nature. Free parking is available on site.
The resort is just 1,650 feet to Ath Athuru Sevana, an elephant orphanage, and approximately 99.4 miles from Katunayake Airport. The Mahinda Rajapaksa International Cricket Stadium is within a 40-minute drive away.
Fitted with parquet flooring, air-conditioned rooms are furnished with a wardrobe, a flat-screen satellite TV, an electric kettle and ironing facilities. En suite bathrooms come with a hairdryer, bathtub or shower facility. Wired internet is provided at a charge.
Operating a 24-hour front desk, Grand Udawalawe Safari Resort provides laundry and fax/photocopying services. Meeting/ banqueting facilities are available, while airport transfer can be arranged at an extra surcharge.
The in-house restaurant serves delectable local and international dishes. Guests may also enjoy meals in private with room service.

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Facilities of Grand Udawalawe Safari Resort

Outdoors ：BBQ Facilities | Outdoor Pool (all year) | Grounds | Terrace | Sun Deck

Pets ：Pets are not allowed.

Food & Drink ：Bar | Breakfast in the Room | Restaurant with Dining Menu | Buffet-Style Restaurant | Snack Bar

Internet ：Free!Wired internet is available in the hotel rooms and is free of charge. | Free!WiFi is available in public areas and is free of charge.

Parking ：Free!Free private parking is available on site (reservation is needed).

General ：Newspapers | Safe | Shops (on site) | Facilities for Disabled Guests | Designated Smoking Area

Reviews for Grand Udawalawe Safari Resort

Review 1：As other reviews mention, it is true the dining area could be better, but thats such an easy thing to change im sure the management will do something about it :) Add candles on the tables, put some warmer lights and get rid of the pop music playlist and it will be a massive improvement! We still had a great time and it is a very good base to visit the Uda Walawe national park.

Review 2：The room was trully amazing, way above expectations, very clean.

Review 3：They tried to over charge for everything if you know and have the time organise your safari and transport independent of the hotel you can easily get a much better deal and save some money

Review 4：Very friendly staff and food was excellent

Review 5：Internet connection very poor. No dialog reception in our room therefore only had access to Wi Fi in dining area. Not adequate for our requirements as we were planning what to do at our next stop

Review 6：Lovely gardens and pool rooms were good with a nice balcony

Review 7：Loud rap music in restaurant and bar that did not with match the ambiance at all. A matter of taste for sure but a bit more easy / neutral music would make it more relaxed.

Review 8：Great rooms, pool, good restaurant, Spa treatment, in close vicinity to elephant orphanage (1,5km) and national parc udawalawe.

Review 9：Pool area is generally shaded. WiFi was not working in rooms, only in reception area.

Review 10：large spacious rooms. lovely bathrooms. Good buffet selection for breakfast. Room service was fast. Laundry service was efficient.

Review 11：Buffet breakfast and dinner was ok in terms of choices but presentation of food and overall restaurant location and decor leaves a lot of room for improvement.

Review 12：Rooms are nice; spa location soso (basement with no windows) but massage superbe; staff very friendly and helpful

Review 13：We had several unfortunate incidents but the management were not helpful at all. Firstly we were delayed checking in as our room wasn't ready even though it was past the 2pm checking time. Then we had no hot water that night. So not hot shower or bath. Not ideal for a young family. Then there was gecko poo on the bed even though it looked like mouse poop we were assured it wasn't although I don't know. That all had to be changed late in the evening. But the biggest insult was when we were eating in the air conditioned bar. We were told it wasn't a good 'look' for the hotel even though there were other people eating in there?! We explained that it was because it was more comfortable in there with air conditioning as opposed to outside in the main dining area. Three other families/groups were eating there over the two nights we were there so I have no idea why it was a good 'look' if we ate there. Disgraceful from management staff. We were made to feel very unwelcome with our toddler. We caused nobody any harm and as anybody with yoddlers knows you eat and go within a short timeframe so I don't know what the problem was. That really ruined our night. And to top it off we had a 5:45am wake up call for breakfast packages that we didn't order?! Our daughter was woken up and our day started an hour earlier than it should have and we had a cranky infant for the rest of the day. There was barely an apology for the list of grievances we had upon checkout. Just another blank stare from a so called member of 'management'. The sad fact is unless you want to rough it you have to stay here for proximity to the udawalawe park.

Review 14：Nice friendly staff (not the management) and perfect location for doing a safari at udawalawe. Lovely setting and nice facilities. Nice safari 'feel' rooms. If you have no issues or problems you will have a nice stay.

Review 15：We were bitten by BED BUGS. Never having experienced bed bugs before my wife thought the small red blood marks were from a cut.The staff knew our room was affected and tried to cover it up by changing the bedding. On the second morning the bed was full of small blood marks particularly on the pillow. At that point we realised something was not right! When questioned about bed bugs the management said they had never had them before. A lie.We now see from previous reviews they had bed bugs in April 2015. The staffs actions by trying to cover it up was totally irresponsible. My wife suffered a serious reaction to the bed bug bites and a month later she is still scarred by the bites.

Review 16：Locality to National Park

Review 17：Friendly and helpful staff, simply one of the best experiences of courteous service that I have experienced in Sri Lanka. This hotel and its people live up to the old adage of 'Sri Lankan Hospitality'. They do the simple things well.

Review 18：Somewhat tired canteen-like restaurant area and food was pretty average (but not expensive)

Review 19：Good proximity to the National Park. Well landscaped grounds. Colonial feel of the place.

Review 20：however, being in the safari/jungle area, I highly recommend anyone who goes their to have some medical cream for the mosquito bites, it can really get nasty and spoil your 3 days trip.

Review 21：the hotel is very nice , the pool and the restaurant is good

Review 22：Really poor check-in experience. They tried to give us a different room but it had no beds for the kids - it was completely farsical. Wasted half a day trying to sort out. Wifi was really poor also.

Review 23：Great location near Udawalawe national park

Review 24：We were upgraded (so can't really complain) to a room with a jacuzzi, but there wasn't enough hot water to fill the tub. Restaurant food also not great.

Review 25：Friendly staff and good location

Review 26：Rubbish wifi, only available in the foyer. Confusion over whether this was permanent or they were having 'upgrade problems'. No buffet restaurant during 'low season' although the a la carte food was pretty nice. Bar drinks a bit of a hit or miss; choose the local beer and you won't go far wrong!

Review 27：Nicely located near the Udawalawe elephant forest where you can see them and a whole lot more. Friendly staff. Lovely restaurant but in low season there is no buffet. Drinks in the attached small bar a bit limited. Rooms quite large and airy, air con only so-so.

Review 28：The price on booking is cheaper 30$ then they will give me for one more night. Just need every day special offer for wine ;)

Review 29：Welcome drink in second sec.in room . Buffet dinner untill 22:00 excellent. Breakfast was great and perfect organize because safari finish 9:00 and breakfast is untill 10:00. Personal help with everything. Room was perfect . This was something special and different like is normal in SL. Is good get sometimes europe breakfast. Everything was quickly ;)

Review 30：The AC noise in the room is horrible. If it is turned off then you can hear everything around like if the walls were made of paper!

Review 31：The environement is superb!

Review 32：Given the size of the hotel, the restaurant was specifically designed to cater for large group (buffet style dinner). Quality of the food was acceptable but nothing more.

Review 33：Location, professionalism of the staff, spacious rooms with all modern amenities and excellent WIFI connection.

Review 34：Air con could have been quieter.

Review 35：Modern hotel room design. Large windows. Slept well for an early start safari. Stayed just 1 night. Extensive choice for breakfast & buffet dinner.helpful staff

Review 36：The main hotel resturant/bar staff were useless. Slow to act, forgetful and at times abrupt. The lack of training & interest in the job was obvious within seconds of walking into this part of the venue. Food wise (& as suggested in another review) it is only "ok", albeit again that may have been effected by the abrupt staffs attitude as trying to order from the menu, when being urged to have the buffet didn't ho down well!

Review 37：Last minute bargain meant this hotel over our normal guest house preference. Initial impressions were good with genuine welcome & impressive facilities. The new spa & its staff was awesome & highly recomended!

Review 38：the buffet, even if the food is quite good, is not well maintained. cooking station aren't at all clean as they should be (as if nobody take care of them, and they're left as they are from breakfast to lunch to dinner). this spoils a bit the experience, that otherwise is positive.

Review 39：spacious room, super clean bathroom, helpful staff, nice pool. no complain on the hotel itself, different story for the restaurant.

Review 40：Our stay in Uda Walawe was really made by staying at this resort. It is real luxury. We were welcomed by very friendly attentive staff that couldn't do enough for us. We seemed to end up in an even nicer room than we had booked, which was lovely and the nicest place we've stayed - tall wooden ceilings, massive bed, balcony and a nice bathroom with bath. The dinner buffet was great, and the breakfast was also very good - fresh food is cooked at both. We were very happy to have stayed here as after the safari (which we did at 6am!) there was little else to do, luckily the pool meant that we had a lovely relaxed afternoon. It is quite pricey, but I can't complain as we think it was worth it.

Review 41：Our air conditioning unit was noisy, but the one in our kids room was ok.

Review 42：This is a beautiful resort with great amenities and spacious rooms (cathedral ceiling on first floor) with a relaxing balcony. The food served is good and is varied, including Sri Lankan dishes. Our kids enjoyed the pool. The premises are well manicured.

Review 43：- speed of service need to improve - no bar on the pool (all has to be ordered by the usual kitchen and this can during!) - fitness room

Review 44：- beautiful rooms - nice, new hotel

Review 45：The poor, poor service!! They messed up our safari, they didn't pick up our laundry, the dining area is not equal to the rest of the property-it's dingy, poorly lit, not exceptionally clean, flies on food.

Review 46：Swimming pool and area, room, grounds, breakfast buffet.

Review 47：The food. We tried both the food in the restaurant and room service :(( Breakfast was especially grim

Review 48：The room was fantastic - queens suite, couldn't ask for better.

Review 49：This is an excellent hotel, just a short drive from the Safari Park - we went there for the opening at 6am and saw so much it was fantastic. Also visit the Elephant Feeding station in the village - its a must do sort of thing. I promise you wont forget it. Hotel was everything we needed and more.

Review 50：however I got bad food poisoning from the first dinner we had there which sadly lead to a horrific 24 hours and still had to pay for the meal at the end of the stay

Review 51：The hotel and room was perfect - lovely room and pool

Review 52：Nothing to complain about...

Review 53：The location was awesome, I saw Monkeys on the property. There's an omelette and waffle station. The rooms are fabulous as well! The staff was also excellent!

Review 54：I think it was off season as it was a little quieter, meaning the staff were extremely attentive. This is no bad thing if you're used to 1st class service, but we found it a little overbearing at times. Overall a lovely stay though and I'd come back- perhaps when it's more peak time.

Review 55：It's a beautiful place with very attentive staff. There isn't a whole lot to do in Uda Walawe apart from the safari and elephant transit home (which takes 30 minutes) so it's great to have somewhere to relax and lay by the pool. The buffet had a great choice of food at breakfast and dinner and the bar is in a great spot! We went for a superior room on the top floor, which was particularly stunning.

Review 56：Buffet food. One night one dish was even spoiled. We informed of this. They took away although we did not receive an apologize. Must work in that area.

Review 57：You can notice you are in a good hotel just at the reception area. Staff was very kind, asking us for our needs. Rooms are incredible, big, cleaned and well decorated. Nice balcony to have lunch or dinner at your room. Best swimming pool of our trip.

Review 58：No complaints.

Review 59：Large room, comfy bed, proper baby cot, wifi, AC etc - they have all the facilities you need. Massive swimming pool with warm water, our 1,5yr old refused to come out. Nice restaurant with yummy food. They also provided breakfast packs for our early morning safari. Drivers accommodation was also good. Very happy with the place.

Review 60：Excellent service and food. The hotel is very conveniently located near the Udawalalwe park. Rooms are big and comfortable.

Review 61：Friendly and helpful staff, lovely setting and nice facilities. I recommend it.

Review 62：Slow pool bar service,

Review 63：The location, near to safari park. Pool area, pool attendant.

Review 64：Handling my luggage was very bad it cause me breaking of a valuable item.

Review 65：Rooms

Review 66：Far overpriced.

Review 67：Good location.

Review 68：Ambience. Pool

Review 69：Nothing

Review 70：Staff .. bed .. tv .. shower .. design .. comfort

Review 71：Food mediocre

Review 72：Pool. Rooms.

Review 73：Everything

Review 74：Bathroom has room for improvement and kitchen staff tried to charge us 400 r for a glass of milk for our son.

Review 75：Huge rooms, and great pool for toddlers

Review 76：Nice location. Excellent architecture with very good surrounding. Friendly and helpful staff.

Review 77：No buffet breakfast available

Review 78：Excellent location&facility

Review 79：Staff were good. Wife reliable. Room comfortable.

Review 80：Swimming pool , location. Restuarant services and all friendly staff

Review 81：Dinner was average and expensive for the area

Review 82：Location Facilities (especially the pool)

Review 83：Room cleanliness and dated facilities

Review 84：Location and dinner buffet

Review 85：The Restaurant- the buffet was not impressive to me.

Review 86：The room was comfortable

Review 87：dark and no walk in shower

Review 88：good location

Review 89：nothing

Review 90：everything

Review 91：Very nice and comfortable indeed. Good food, spacious rooms.

Review 92：the restaurant : poor value for money

Review 93：the swimming pool

Review 94：Location, food, swimming pool

Review 95：The quality of the restaurant (decor and food) should have been a little better given the high quality of the rest of the hotel.

Review 96：Location Nice, large and clean rooms Helpful staff

Review 97：The aircondition in the room is very noisy. That is why we did not stay an other night. No WIFI in the room, which one expect in a 4 star hotel.

Review 98：Nice location, friendly staff, nice rooms.

Review 99：Extremely noisy on a night, walls are paper thin, worse nights sleep all holiday. Bar is a bit basic.

Review 100：Ideal location for visiting safari. Excellent room, and breakfast. Pool is very good.

Review 101：Whilst it is stated at the time of booking, bear in mind that up to 22% in taxes (VAT, service etc) added to final price/room rate.

Review 102：Location is close to Uda Walawe national park, maybe 10mins by car. Resort has clean, comfortable rooms with well-functioning air conditioning. Restaurant is buffet style but has a large variety of offerings. Staff were helpful and also provided a pre-packed breakfast that we could take on our early morning safari.

Review 103：Breakfast was bland. No wi-fi in the room, only in public places.

Review 104：The bed was comfortable, a great pool and a nice place to relax after traveling around for days. Staff was very friendly. Was able to get clothes cleaned for a very good price. Very close to the Safari park.

Review 105：only one worker at the reception desk spoke or understood english!!!! only VERY overpriced car and drivers available for guests. the shower/bathtub leaked all over the bathroom floor. rooms definately overpriced.

Review 106：very spacious rooms, very comfortable bed, very convenient location for park safari, great pool, very large selection of foods at both breakfast and dinner buffets, nice spacious balconies.

Review 107：The food was not great. The staff were inexperienced and struggled to get our orders right. The hotel was swamped with mosquitoes and because the restaurant was open air we couldn't eat there as we were getting eaten alive. Would recommend the hotel encloses a section of the restaurant with air conditioning and daily sprays the hotel area for mosquitoes!

Review 108：The pool area was amazing! Location was excellent for the Elephant Sanctuary and the Udawalwe National Park. Even just by the pool we saw a family of monkeys and Sri Lankan "Giant Squirrel". The bedrooms were new, modern and comfortable.

Review 109：Sadly the food was at best "Tepid" Breakfast and Evening meal unless you ordered i.e. omelettes/ waffles.

Review 110：Ideal for Safaris and Elephant Orphanage. Hotel only 18 months old. Prices very fair/reasonable. Good swimming pool. Rooms modern, ideal. Food choices and Quality. Wild Monkeys on site.

Review 111：Location is a bit distant from the national park. The hotel signage was not clear enough about its location, would appreciate if it told you whether to pass the river or not.

Review 112：buffet dinner was very good. staff was helpful.

Review 113：We must have been given the worst rooms as it was old and run down.We could not sleep at all the first night as we were badly bitten by mosquitoes despite switching on the insect repellent . We realised next day there were rooms with mosquito netting but just not our two rooms! Upon request( complain), one room was changed but the other room was not. 3-4 workmen had to come in to the room to install the mosquito net which means my children had to vacate the room and thereafter for housekeeping to change sheets and clean room. There were multiple black outs with no backup generator. As the doors and windows to rooms had to be closed to keep out mosquitoes, a black out means we had to come out of the rooms as there is no light and A/C. Overall an uncomfortable and disrupted 2 day stay in hotel for our family.

Review 114：There is nothing to like about the hotel apart from there being no better hotels around.

Review 115：Staff is friendly, but slow and not smart. When we arrived they wantedto add 30 dollars for the bed of our 4 year old daughter. Not a nicewelcoming when you have booked for 2 adults and a child below 5 yearsold. After we made our point clear they didn't charge us anymore.

Review 116：Very good hotel. Great service. Nice and comfortable beds.

Review 117：The pool was great The rooms were modern, spacious and clean There was a good selection of food, which was all delicious The staff were extremely polite, helpful and friendly

Review 118：Warning for check-out they automatically charge your credit card in your home currency and not local currency LKH, therefore adding a huge surcharge for the currency exchange. None of this is apparent until after your pin has been added and they pass you your credit card receipt which mentions the % added on to the bill.

Review 119：Stayed two nights 13th and 14th August 2013. Very relaxed setting around the pool. Comfortable room furnishings. Both buffet and A la carte choices for dinner.

Review 120：The bathroom is small compared to the room size and is inconveniently laid out. The restaurant staff tried to push the buffet and it was difficult to get the a la carte menu and subsequently some decent service. The aircon in the room was very noisy.

Review 121：Very good location following an afternoon safari in the nearby park. Nicely decorated resort with a beautiful swimming pool.

Review 122：The resort setting is simply superb and the rooms and facilities are first class and eco-friendly; a great blend of Sri Lanka's wonderland and modern sustainable sophistication. It is also exceptionally well located for visiting Uda Walawe National Park.

Review 123：We been a group of 18 persons from 03th of may till 05th of may.One of the greatest hotel we been stayed, very nice staff, everything is very beautiful.I recomand this hotel.

Review 124：There was a misunderstanding about a breakfast order we tried to place to take on the wildlife tour we arranged in the morning - think a language barrier was to blame - resulted in us having no breakfast for the trip which was disappointing.

Review 125：The resort was new and conveniently located to Udawalawe National Park and elephant orphanage. They were happy to allow us to have a wheel-in bed so we could accommodate 3 children in one room.

Review 126：Excellent in every way, pictures that are available don't do justice to the place. Highly recommended

Review 127：Luxery!

Review 128：Food wasn't served very hot.

Review 129：Beautiful room, plenty of space. Lovely pool area & grounds

Review 130：Staff knowledge

The Fine Print

Please note that the property has a mandatory Gala Dinner on December 24, 2015 and December 31, 2015. All charges are to be paid at the property directly. Rates are as follows:USD 50 per person