Hotel Elephant Bay Reviews

Had a great room with an incredible view. It could do with a deep clean for sure and some modernisation, but for what I paid I didn’t have high expectations, all that aside I was comfortable enough and slept well. The staff were very attentive and lovely. I stayed for 3 nights which was a bit too long, I would say 1 or 2 would be sufficient as not alot to do there. The view of the elephants was incredible and I didn’t see any mistreatment as mentioned in previous comments (definitely no chains, not under the water or above when I was there).

The location of this property was AWESOME!! A few minor things still have to be ironed out, but being in the swimming pool and seeing elephants and dusk swimming with hundreds of bats flying overhead are experiences once in a lifetime. Be careful booking an elephant experience. We booked an elephant experience for four (with hotel-provided 'free' transportation) only to arrive and be charged 10,000 per person when similar experiences are advertised at around 750--＞850. Be warned. Also, room cleaning is only provided if you are in your room. Don't expect to be gone during the day and return to a room serviced and in addition, water pressure is weak in the higher rooms. However, the location far surpasses these minor issues.

This place idd as absolutely amazing! Everyone must visit this hotel, such an incredibly experience ! You will never be able to see elephants that close! Beautiful hotel with amazing service!

We had great emotions from staying at this hotel 😍😍 Excellent service, great view from the rooms of the raging river. And, of course, an unforgettable meeting with elephants that walk and bathe right in front of your eyes😍😍 I highly recommend staying at this hotel!

You can take pictures of elephants in the hotel swimming pool. The room is in a good location, but the smell in the room is very strong, probably damp, it is very unpleasant. I hope the hotel can improve it in the future.

Convenient location, good environment, recommended family room

We stayed at the hotel for 1 night. I didn't like the dinner. They don't know how to cook here. The fish was dry, the shrimp were burnt, and the shrimp cocktail had tails. There was a sauce on the menu for the fish, which was not brought. We asked for the sauce and it was the best thing we had at dinner. They don’t make alcoholic cocktails here, but they can pour strong alcohol from bottles into a glass. You can also dilute it with juice yourself. Why you can’t learn how to mix cocktails is a mystery. There was wine and beer here too, but the selection was small. The food problems didn't end there. At breakfast, the girl frying an omelet had her head in the clouds. The oil from the small frying pan was a second away from catching fire. She didn't hear my order at all. When she came to her senses, she poured the unbeaten eggs into the frying pan. It immediately became different from the scramble I asked for. I decided that the fried egg would be fine, and then she started piercing the yolk with a fork. I asked not to do this. Then the cook came up. I said it’s enough to mock the eggs, move them. While they were torturing the frying pan, the second yolk also spread. It seemed to me that these people saw the stove for the first time, and cooking was not their strong point. There is a kettle and refrigerator in the room. I liked the bathroom renovation. The air conditioner was not very cold. There was no internet on WiFi. It wasn't fixed until I went to the reception. There are no adapters in the sockets, so we had to charge everything in the morning when an employee came with a screwdriver and plugged our chargers. The main feature of the hotel was a balcony overlooking the river where the elephants bathe. This is the main advantage of the hotel, along with the swimming pool, from which you can watch the elephants and take photos. There is a spa near the hotel. Don't go there for anything. Nobody speaks English, although the price tag is touristy. They don't know how to do massage. I recommend the hotel if you find somewhere else to eat. We spent so long watching the elephants that we didn’t go to the elephant sanctuary itself.

It’s super nice, the photos are great, the service staff are also very nice, the hotel’s evening buffet is also great, you can also watch the sunset and flying birds from the balcony, perfect score, very quiet ~

Amazing place, great view and clean pool

When you check in, be careful, tuk tukers fit and can behave like hotel employees, stand near the sign, I know everything about check-in time and other nuances They strive to take you to the herbal garden, where, for a commission, you will be shown various spices and plants and goods from them at exorbitant prices, then they take you to buy tickets for elephant riding and so on, rather persistently offering to make an advance. And then they show how to get to the hotel, and it is very difficult to find this turn. Well, according to the classics, they ask for money for their alleged services. The turnoff is across the street from the public tourist car park, this is a very narrow concrete road going down and one turn left. I wrote about the hotel in another review, everything is fine with it, it is still here.

Loved this character filled very simple hotel. Amazing staff who accommodated us and the guests we had visit for the day with lunch( my partner used to live there) There is something truly special about being able to watch the elephants bathing while sitting in the pool. Whilst it's not a 5 star hotel it has loads of local character and atmosphere. Loved our two nights there.

My wife and little son got harassed by visiting guests and horrible manager and staff didn’t even attend to solve. Horrible stay. Most of the room facilities are broken including telephone, A/C no tv remote I returned my all 3 meals I ordered because no taste at all. Not cooked well and disgusting

I visited this hotel during March. I was given awesome room on second floor. The room had balcony opening to vast jungle and river flowing outside ur room. The river is bathing place for elephant of pinawala. So u can see elephant in river through the hotel itself. It was so amazing. The swimming pool is also wonderful overlooking river. Liked the place overall. Tips for improvement. They need to have more vegetarian option. They did have few veg options but I think you guys can improve a bit on this aspect. Overall the hotel and the room assigned to me was amazing. It was super start of the memorable trip for me

Everything! The location perfect,the staff so nice and helpfull. The breakfast buffet was great,and the bedroom was amazing,we had the deluxe family room with river view. Best time ever......thank you again........................