Amaya Lake Dambulla

Amaya Lake Dambulla is five stars in hospitality, including rooms, food, location, premises and staff.  The restaurant offers a delicious set menu and a buffet with local and international food. Reserve half board/breakfast and dinner, or have breakfast included. The breakfast buffet with fresh omelettes, juice and waffles was a highlight. I also enjoyed a delicious dinner by the pool with a special menu, which I highly recommend. The views of the mountain and the lake, and I mean it, are truly stunning. The grounds, gardens, and pools are perfectly maintained, and the staff is helpful and happy. I was honoured to meet the General Manager (Mr Amith), who looked after me during my stay. Mr Amith was highly professional and talented. I also met the Food and Beverages Manager (Mr Tennekon), who organised a fantastic dinner under the direction of the General Manager. I also met the Assistant Food and Beverages Manager, who helped me with essential enquiries during dinner, and Ayesh and Imeisha were both super helpful during breakfast and dinner. The Ayurvedic massage, a unique feature of Amaya Lake Dambulla, was a standout experience. What made it even more impressive was that it was supervised by an Ayurvedic doctor, adding a layer of authenticity and trust. The pools are great, and one has a bar. The pools are good for swimming, and kids must be supervised even though there is plenty of staff to assist you. Lastly, the hotel's strategic location, nestled near the safaris and a stone's throw away from the magnificent temples and mountains, offers a perfect blend of convenience and tranquillity, ensuring a memorable stay. I look forward to returning soon!

The welcome at Amaya Lake was wonderful, from the gentleman who met us at the car to the receptionist, to the lovely mango juice and cold towel. Our guide was also welcomed and treated which we appreciated. The lobby area is lovely with a nice breeze blowing through. The hotel is perfectly placed for exploring Sigirya and Dambulla which were amongst the highlights of our tour. The accommodation is in bungalows within the grounds and we enjoyed our short walks to breakfast and dinner. Meals are buffet style and the food is good. We found breakfast could be very busy as there were quite a few tour groups staying, especially around the omelette station. The chef was very calm and did a wonderful job on the omelettes but it might be worth considering an additional chef at busy periods. After a busy day exploring the local area it was wonderful to come back to the hotel and relax around the pool in the late afternoon. We had a couple of issues with the safe and the bath plug and the housekeeping team were excellent and immediately rectified any issues. We would highly recommend this hotel and would definitely stay again if we return to Sri Lanka.

Location was perfect for our stay in Dambulla and to be able to visit Sigiriya, Minneriya National Park and Pidurangula. Stayed half board and food on both evenings including the breakfast was good with live cooking stations. Restaurant is open-air so it was nice to be sat outside and the staff were very friendly and accommodating. Hotel has buggies to take you back and forth to your room if required. My daughter rented a bike and enjoyed cycling around the grounds.

Our first trip to Sri Lanka, and this the first hotel. Such a beautiful spot. Large wooded and well maintained garden situated on a lake. The birdsong is so lovely and the lake and its surrounds are teeming with wildlife. I could just sit for ages, eyes closed, listening to the birds and other sounds from the wildlife - including inquisitive monkeys. Our villa had a superb private swimming pool, which we enjoyed. The villa, if somewhat dated in its decor, was atmospheric and an enjoyable space to be in. On the recommendation of Davinda, the Residence Manager, we booked the treehouse at the lake for a private supper. Beautifully prepared tasting menu by the head chef. It was such a personalised, atmospheric and sensory experience we can strongly recommend. Being in a stilted structure overlooking the lake, rain and lighting about, abundance of night sounds from the surrounding wildlife, the delicious food prepared by the chef, to the great service of our dedicated waiter, Manjula, made it a night to remember. The stilted tree house is redolent of more rustic functional structure in rice paddy fields from where the farmer keeps his watch for roaming elephants who have a taste for the green shoots. All the staff at the hotel made a considerable effort for us to feel welcome and comfortable, with the warmth of the Sri Lankan character. Thank you to all of them. In particular, Davinda’s generosity as “our host” went well beyond any expectations we might have had to ensure that our stay represented the best of Sri Lankan hospitality and the kind humility of its people. Davinda and his team are a great asset to the hotel.

Amayal Lake is a remarkable hotel harmoniously integrated into the dense green, opulent surroundings. Indulge in pure relaxation and tranquility at this retreat, an ideal destination to conclude your vacation. The hotel boasts an array of facilities conducive to relaxation, ensuring an unforgettable stay. We spent two nights at the property and enjoyed an abundance of activities. The rooms blend seamlessly into the natural environment, though occasional encounters with insects are understandable. We highly recommend this place and eagerly look forward to revisiting in the future.