Bandarawela Hotel

Bandarawela Hotel descritpion

Bandarawela Hotel is a colonial style mountain resort located along Welimada Road in Sri Lanka’s Uva Province. The hotel offers a restaurant, bar and a 24-hour front desk.
Rooms at the Bandarawela Hotel come with air conditioning, a TV, radio and hairdryer. Accommodations and meals are free for hired drivers of in-house guests.
Guests can enjoy recreation facilities such as tennis, badminton and a pool table. A fitness room lets guests exercise. A currency exchange and tour desk is available.
A variety of eastern and western dishes are served at the hotel's main restaurant, which offers views of the surrounding tea plantations. A bar and lounge offers drinks and live music.
Bandarawela Hotel is about a 3 hour drive from Colombo.

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Facilities of Bandarawela Hotel

Outdoors ：Grounds

Pets ：Pets are not allowed.

Food & Drink ：Bar | Buffet-Style Restaurant | Special Diet Meals (upon request)

Internet ：No internet access available.

Parking ：Free!Free public parking is available on site (reservation is not needed).

General ：Safe | Non-smoking Rooms | Facilities for Disabled Guests

Reviews for Bandarawela Hotel

Review 1：So I read in my guidebook, that Bandarawela isn't really worth a stay. I can say that that is very true. There is really nothing to do and other places like Ella or maybe Haputale are much nicer.BUT my guidebook also said that in Bandarawela there is this really nice old hotel in an old colonial style building from the year 1893, where for decades the owners of the surrounding tea plantations would gather for wine and cigars, exchange gossip and discuss the current market prices of their merchandise. That did sound good.So although the reviews I read here weren't very enthusiastic about the place I booked one night at the Bandarawela Hotel. Mainly because I have this thing for nostalgia and I imagined it to be a little like living in a museum. After all, tea is what the region is all about.For all of you who might have the same thought: Don't do it. This place is just old. And not really nice at all, no feeling of nostalgia whatsoever. Even felt a little cheap. The owners are milking the last drops out of this place, no investments will be made here anymore.There are these hotels here and there in the world, which had a reason to exist at some point in time - but that reason is gone and now they just hold on, cause what else should they do? The staff meet you with this expression of "Yes I know I'm working on a sinking ship". I never really felt welcome as a guest, no one really cared about whether I was there or not.I talked to two other single travelers and they both regretted their stay at the hotel just like me. The only other guests were two large parties probably from some organized tours, none of them younger than 65 I guess.In the end when I checked out there was just one more annoyance as the hotel charged me 26% extra for tax, service etc., which I thought wasn't adequately displayed during the booking process, but I guess you can argue about that. It was just the cherry on top of a grand waste of time and money.

Review 2：-

Review 3：I love this hotel having stayed many times, its everything a heritage hotel should be..good service, old fashioned rooms but comfortable, a bath to enjoy.. good food.. lovely gardens, whats not to like..

Review 4：Don't stay at rooms 101 and 102. Both rooms should be closed for good as there is a bad chemical smell and mould on walls.

Review 5：Location and colonial history of the hotel are wonderful. Very attentive staff at the restaurant, bar and for room service. The rooms facing courtyard, especially at the second floor are good and had some upgrades. Buffet is very good (especially SL curries) and the chef deserves recognition.

Review 6：Nothing to say. We liked everything!

Review 7：Everything. It looked like we were on the set of an old movie. Spotless clean. Maintenance is a constant concern that's why there's no sense of decadence. It looked like we were on a colonial era. Beautiful.

Review 8：Can upgrade their rooms and the interior

Review 9：Loved their sit-down dinner!!! Great presentation and it was very tasty as well!! Never expected such high class food!

Review 10：Nothing really.

Review 11：Everything, we got what we expected. It was a nice colonial type hotel, so we didn't go there expecting a modern hotel. Even though it looked old and colonial type, the facilities were excellent and most importantly clean.

Review 12：Bedrooms were a tad Spartan but perfectly clean & comfortable.. Well worth a small compromise for an interesting & enjoyable experience.

Review 13：Staff were delightful. Fascinating glimpse into the past.

Review 14：Loved the atmosphere and the little garden behind the reception area! They served a beautiful tea upon arrival that was so refreshing after a long day traveling! Friendly staff and nice clean rooms! Enjoyed it very much!

Review 15：Nothing

Review 16：- The hotel is a very nice colonial setting - Rooms spacious - One minute from the train station . The train from Bandarawela to Badulla is spectacular. - Appreciated half board in the room rate

Review 17：Some may be put off by the antique fixtures, etc., but, really, they are a part of what makes this hotel unusual.

Review 18：A unexpected pleasure, as one travels back in time at his timeless hotel. Nice service, great ambiance, classic dining room.

Review 19：The bar and billiard room was closed Overall the hotel looks like its best years are gone

Review 20：Nice old hotel with specific atmosphere you can accept or not Good breakfast

Review 21：I had to sleep with earplugs as you can hear every step and spoken word outside the rooms in the basement, maybe it's different in the upper floor. Tours in the areas around Bandarawela are promoted by the hotel but very poor organized - the driver on the Ella tour had to call the reception during the tour as he did not know where to go and missed some places. On the way back from the Horton Plains Tour we should go to the Benedictine Monastery but the driver did not go there as it was closed this day - nobody told me when I was booking the trip.

Review 22：The house and the history is very special and you can feel the spirits of the past while youre there. The charme of the old furniture is great - if you like it. Staff is very friendly, WLAN in all areas, Restaurant is very good. Bandarwela is a good place to explore areas like Ella, Lipton's Seat, Horton Plains and other.

Review 23：The facilities were poor - eg. Hot water ran out after 10 Mins, breakfast was lukewarm. "Cold feel" - everything needs updating.

Review 24：The olde worlds feel. Cleanliness was good.

Review 25：The rooms were nice and big, old bathtubs with old brass tabs. The food was excellant. The town is busy - yes, but the people are very nice and not to used to foreigners, the fresh food market is full of very nice people, who sells their goods with a very nice attitude

Review 26：Food is good but would have been nice if you provide more options.

Review 27：I like the colonial style environment. Staff is very kind and friendly. Located in a very convenient place. Overall very good hotel.

Review 28：some mosquitos in the rooms, no safe box, staff not so professional

Review 29：Good position (centre of the "city"), very good dinner, clean and presence of open air common areas.

Review 30：liked every bit of it

Review 31：loved everything. service,food,etc

Review 32：booking.com charging extra without informing

Review 33：good location

Review 34：Wonderful historical hotel centrally located in Bandarawela

Review 35：The beds are old and uncomfortable

Review 36：location and staff

Review 37：The old world ambience. Good breakfasts.

Review 38：Good staff good condition..friendly staff....

Review 39：Toilet facilities was very poor. There was an unusual odour in the room and it was difficult to sleep. Mattress was too soft.

Review 40：lovely hotel, everything was great

Review 41：the location is ok, but not much for tourists.

Review 42：I had a great stay at bandarawela hotel.no words to say it was amazing.everything was excellent.

Review 43：Dinner wasn't that impressive, I think there should be more choices.

Review 44：Overall it's a nice place for a colonial style

Review 45：needs to improve the wash room facilities.

Review 46：food

Review 47：the sound of the morning mosque. its really irritating when you have to wake up at 4.30 a.m.

Review 48：I wish you had played some music to match the surroundings, cause in fact I did not hear anythig

Review 49：food, the bed and recreation facilities(pool table)

Review 50：Hospitality

Review 51：No hot water kettle or facility to make yourself a coffee!

Review 52：The comfy bed!

Review 53：Easy access to Ella, Adisham Bangalore etc...center of the city.....

Review 54：They only show what was. Too little understanding of 'modern times'.

Review 55：But off course, with a touch of british old colonial history.

Review 56：Excellent service, good food very tasty. Scenic place and lovely people

Review 57：Matras far to thin.

Review 58：Super athmosphere. Back to the past.

Review 59：The bed was made up in a most peculiar way with sheets which were too small, made up across the bed so that half way down the bed we had asheet which got tangled up with our legs!

Review 60：The Tortoises. The old world charm. The massage in house!

Review 61：The weather, may day rallies and weddings which was not a fault of the hotel.

Review 62：The location was a special plus point with the positive attitude of the staff being another plus. There are plenty of sight-seeing if you are willing to take a few detours so suggest you go prepared.

Review 63：One hundred year plugs so don't expect to recharge your phone

Review 64：If you have nostalgia for colonial style accommodation this place offers a bit of nostalgia. It's not a luxury accommodation hotel but we liked the big rooms.... The bath run with claws...the little seats outside room where u can sip a local gin...and the waiters in their white sarongs.

Review 65：Bathrooms - bit outdated and, may be due to theme. But it is certianly no to me , all looks very cheap and old. Rooms- though large, due to size of the bed ( king size) all room is congested.

Review 66：Front Office - Excellent support on C in and C out. Dining - awesome and food was excellent and ample. Rooms - mmm.. good but bit old type. could have done bit much. Garden - Small yet very nice and neat. Place - very convenient and though no scanic, but nice place. Staff - very supportive and very professional, specially manager and the fornt office staff, very nice and warm people. Next visit - yes we will be coming back to BH. This time we were rushing, but next time few days to explore the area..

Review 67：There are only two staff who serves breakfast in the restaurant on the26th of Jan. Both of them are chatting with a guest. They are not awareof other guests until I call them to serve a cup of coffee. However,they are very kind of European tourist.

Review 68：The room was a bit small and the facilities were rather old. As our room was in the first floor, it was noisy when we were sleeping.

Review 69：I really like the British style of this hotel. The restaurant served fine food. The little garden was lovely. The hot shower was very confortable as well. Good value for money.

Review 70：The bathrooms were dirty on all but the obvious surfaces. The loo seat was cracked and stained. We had to share 1 bath plug with two other rooms! The bedrooms have no sound proofing from the corridor - chatting staff, the prayer chant at 6am left us exhausted.Worst of all is that the hotel seems to use its ‘green’ credentials as an excuse for not washing fabrics. The waiters’ white uniforms at breakfast were utterly filthy, sticky tablecloths were re-used. Clean tablecloths and sheets have clearly been washed in cold rather than hot water and are grey. The bed covers looked as if they have seen many guests between washes. This is an example of where the ‘eco’ cause has been used as an excuse to cut costs.

Review 71：The staff were charming, the reception rooms characterful and the food fine although it is odd to provide 'juice drink' at breakfast rather than fresh juice in Sri Lanka. Omelettes to order were great and the hotel had gone to great efforts to decorate with a charming crib. My boys loved the four tortoises.

Review 72：Food wasn't that great and serving staff was overbearing and reallyworking only for tips. When we checked in the guy who carried our bagsto the room expected a tip.. We gave it... Then 3 minutes later hereturned with "welcome tea" and stood there waiting for a nexttip. This was common for the staff and became annoying.

Review 73：English colonial style was interesting and the spaciousness was great.Also an interesting atmosphere.

Review 74：We stayed over one night on our way to Kandy. Had a lovely welcome and was put in decent rooms for the price. The food was fantastic and the garden with playground for the kiddos was wonderful.

Review 75：room is very small. no space to move. bath room very very poor condition.. very unsafe to use bath tab and no chance for elderly people to use it. .

Review 76：this hotel is good for use only as A transit point.

Review 77：Old World Charm. Loved the idea of experiencing accommodation thatreflects history. Good location for a short stay if travelling to Yalanational Park. Great way to see some of the inland parts of Sri Lanka.Quiet location despite position. Good breakfast.

Review 78：basic room facilities should be upgraded such as TV, toilets,tea and coffee making facilities etc.

Review 79：1. facilities are too old; 2. bed is not comfortable for sleeping; 3. room is cold and wet.

Review 80：the breakfast

Review 81：Bathroom... too old to be fit in to a tourist hotel

Review 82：Service and location

Review 83：customer service is very poor.

Review 84：Bathroom needs to be modernized, TV channels have limited options

Review 85：Cooperative staff, tasty food Location

Review 86：Very unique experience.

Review 87：Traditional

The Fine Print

Please present the same credit card used to guarantee your booking when checking in or making payment at the hotel.If you are making payment using another cardholder's credit card, please provide the following to the hotel prior to your arrival:1) Authorisation letter with cardholder's signature2) Copy of the cardholder's card (front and back of card with cardholder's signature)3) Copy of the cardholder’s passport or driver’s licensePlease note that the hotel may contact the cardholder for verification purposes.