North Gate Hotel

This was our very first trip to Jaffna, and I traveled with my parents. From the moment we checked in, the reception team, especially Praveen, made us feel as though we were already their most valued guests. He personally showed us to our room, explained the recreation facilities, and set such a welcoming tone for our stay. The housekeeping team also deserves credit, the room and bathroom were spotless, the mirrors gleamed, and everything felt fresh and well-prepared. Finding the hotel was easy too, with signboards along both the main and side roads. The location is excellent, the railway station is just a short walk away, and trishaws are available everywhere. But the highlight of our stay was undoubtedly the restaurant and its incredible staff. Over our two-night stay, we spent most of our time there and were deeply touched by the warmth and care shown to us. Sasiram, Subaram, Kayana, Pavitra, Kajeepan, Kabil, Sam, Tharshikan, Rushanth, and the entire team of chefs, went above and beyond. Their attention to detail and thoughtfulness truly made us feel special. And then, the food! I usually have a small appetite and can be a picky eater, but this time I couldn’t resist. The quality and variety were outstanding, the bakery items, iced coffee, banana smoothie, cookies, and every dish kept me going back for more. I told my parents, “This is the kind of food you only get to experience at North Gate.” A special mention must go to the chef who arranged crab curry for us to take back to Colombo. He ensured it was carefully packed so it would last for three days, and even asked us to call once we had arrived safely. That kind of genuine hospitality is rare. We left Jaffna with full hearts and full tummies. If we return to Jaffna, there is no doubt, North Gate will always be our first choice.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ We had a wonderful stay here! From the very beginning, the staff went above and beyond to make our experience comfortable. They upgraded our reservation, offered us economical room options to accommodate our group of 21 , and suggested the half-board package, which turned out to be a great choice. Dinner was excellent, and the breakfast spread with its wide variety was equally exceptional—we truly enjoyed both. The rooms were comfortable and well-equipped with all the necessary amenities, which made our stay relaxing. Facilities were convenient, and we loved how easy it was to access the rooms, pool, and restaurant—everything was close by and very guest-friendly. The restaurant interior was beautiful and welcoming, creating a cozy yet elegant atmosphere that made our dining experience even more enjoyable. We also appreciate the thoughtful gesture of keeping the pool open beyond the usual hours. We had a great time there, though it could be even better with some regular maintenance. One small area that needs attention is the rear elevator—it works fine but could use a serious makeover, especially on the floor and the corners of the entrance, to match the otherwise excellent standards of the hotel. Overall, the staff’s friendliness, the excellent food, and the comfort of the facilities made our stay very pleasant and memorable. Highly recommended!

I had a wonderful stay at North Gate Hotel in Jaffna. The staff were extremely friendly, welcoming, and always ready to help. The food was absolutely amazing, with great flavors and variety. The location is perfect, making it easy to get around and explore the city. A big thank you to all the staff for their excellent service and hospitality. I truly enjoyed my time here and will definitely come back again!

This marked our second delightful stay at this truly impressive hotel, and once again, it exceeded our expectations. From the moment we arrived, we were warmly greeted by the hotel’s reception team with a welcome drink and a swift check-in. Special recognition goes to Praveen and Kowshikan, whose excellent local advice proved invaluable throughout our visit. My wife and I occupied one of the suites, which was super large. There’s a separate spacious living area with a television and fridge with air-conditioning. It was consistently maintained in immaculate condition by the dedicated housekeeping team, particularly Sayanthan, whose commitment shone through each morning. His infectious smile and meticulous attention ensured our suite sparkled as if it were brand new daily. A special mention also to Kogil from Housekeeping - another bright star at this hotel. We also ejoyed amenties such as the pool and gym. The well stocked bar with its impresive choice of mocktails and cocktails was something we couldn’t resist. The only incident we encountered was entirely of my own making. I accidentally left my watch at the pool. Upon discovery I ran back only to discover it was gone. Upon reporting the missing item to manager Sam, the hotel team sprang into action. It had been found by guest who handed it in to the management team. It was promptly returned it to me. The quick action of the hotel made me feel that they would do everything in their power to find my precious watch, which they did. I am grateful to Sam, not only for resolving this matter so quickly, but for the grace and attentiveness he extended to my family and myself throughout our stay. This hotel is elevated further from its culinary brilliance. Quite simply, the food is outstanding. My wife, being Sri Lanken, always appreciates authentic food. The buffet dinner offered incredible value, a vibrant spectacle of flavor-packed curries – including mutton, fish, chicken, dahl, and various vegetables – complemented by an amazing assortment of sambols. The Al la Carte menu was equally good. As for breakfast, the chefs know how to bring the WOW factor. It was so sumptious with a vast array of traditional dishes with some Western additions. Tip: the Masala omelette is off the scale. In fact, after asking how it was made, Chef Sujeevan gave me a demonstration and even allowed me to assist. Such was the kindness of a truly magnificent kitchen team. This was a personal highlight for me – donning a chef’s hat and apron and being allowed behind the scenes to see how the magic works. Our memorable and delightful experience at this hotel is undoubtedly a reflection of General Manager Ramesh's outstanding leadership. He distinguishes himself through his hands-on approach, and interacting personally with guests and staff alike. He, along with his remarkable team is the number one reason why we eagerly await our next visit to this hotel. Last minute thank you to: S.Thamilanpan, J.Elamaran, S . PAVITHI

I was there for 3 nights. As I walked into the hotel, I was greeted by warm welcome and a cold towel and welcome drink. Check in process was quick and painless. Overall the staff was very friendly and always willing to help. The breakfast they provide is fantastic, best of local and western food. The waiters and staff always around you taking care and making sure all your needs were met. Senior staff members too would walk around and make sure the guest are well taken care. Definitely would make it again. The building was very clean and the rooms were cleaned everyday. I had fresh towels and I got good value for my money.

Northgate Hotel & Restaurant Review Stayed: May 19–21 I stayed at the Northgate Hotel for two nights and was pleased with the overall experience. The hotel is decent and well-maintained, and the staff were excellent—friendly, helpful, and attentive throughout my stay. Upon check-in, the hotel staff recommended the restaurant located on the first floor. I tried the seafood kothu roti on May 19 and was genuinely impressed. Though the dish was dark in colour, it was packed with flavour and had a great mix of seafood—I could taste shrimp, cuttlefish, and fish. It was very well prepared. The dish was reasonably priced at 1700. I also ordered a local arrack cocktail (arrack, passionfruit cordial, lime, etc.), which was refreshing and balanced. Priced at 770, it offered good value for both taste and presentation. Later that evening, I visited Machnag Bar, which is attached to the hotel. I had a 500ml Lion Beer (cost 635) and found the space comfortable and welcoming. The bar also serves food, though I had already eaten at the hotel restaurant. Breakfast was included with the room, and the buffet exceeded expectations. It featured a wide selection of traditional items such as puttu, string hoppers, fish kulambu, sambar, dhal, and various sambols. Fresh milk appam (hoppers) were available on order, and they were just as I remembered from childhood—fresh, soft, and full of flavour. Overall, I highly recommend the Northgate Hotel, its first-floor restaurant, and the Machnag Bar. The combination of good food, fair prices, and warm service makes this a great place to stay, dine, and relax with friends or family.