5-Star Hotels in Central Province, Sri Lanka

Nice location. Beautiful view. Great service as well. Staff is nice. Breakfast spread is good - although many items were very salty. Same for dinner buffet. One issue - no lift. So people who cant take stairs are unable to go to bar above or spa below.

Amba Yaalu — A Second Home for Soulful Rejuvenation My first stay at Amba Yaalu by Thema Collection was pure discovery. I came out of curiosity—wanting to experience, for the first time, the novelty and energy of a women-led resort. I left enchanted. But this second visit felt different—more intentional, more existential. I rebooked to continue my solo quest for soulful rejuvenation, tranquility, and serenity—the kind of restorative pause that leaves you resettled for the life you love, yet must return to: a job and day-to-day that asks a great deal. From the moment I arrived, I was beautifully cared for. The à la carte dining—with both Western and Sri Lankan options—did more than simply nourish my body. It re-ignited my appetite in the most genuine way. I ate with joy and intention, and somehow it even made me feel lighter and steadier within myself. I also took a private cookery lesson with the chef, and it was unforgettable. I didn’t just leave with a chef’s hat and a printed recipe book—I left with real skills, spice knowledge, and techniques I can bring home. I can already see myself sharing this with my colleagues, my friends, and of course my beloved family. And yes—I even had to tease the chef, because I loved her food so much that this post-menopausal woman ate so well that my cholesterol and blood pressure readings came down…and I genuinely started to develop a “food baby”. 😂😂😂 Finally, to the management and leadership: as an educator in ancient history, I know great women when I meet them—Helen of Troy, Cleopatra… and beyond. At Amba Yaalu, the leadership feels like that same kind of powerful grace. It isn’t only about running a beautiful resort—it’s about building something that matters. To Amba Yaalu and everyone who made this stay feel like a true haven: thank you for giving me a serenity I could feel in my bones—and a renewed strength for what comes next.

I absolutely loved this hotel! The location was great, and the views were nice. I only wish I could have stayed longer to enjoy more of the peaceful atmosphere. My room was cozy and relaxing, and I especially loved the bathtub which was perfect for unwinding after a long day. The infinity pool was another highlight with gorgeous ocean views, though it was a bit on the cool side. I do wish it had been heated, but it was still a beautiful spot to relax. Room service was great too! Good selection and reasonably priced for a hotel. Cons: On my last day, I treated myself to a 90-minute aromatherapy massage at the spa. Unfortunately, I’d rate the spa a 5/10. Living in Thailand has definitely spoiled me with incredible massages, so I admit my standards are high! Still, I think the spa could use a bit of a refresh. The rooms smelled a bit old and weren’t very visually appealing. It was also quite cold during the body scrub and massage, which made it hard to fully relax. Breakfast was okay, but I wish there were more Western-style options available. Overall, I’d definitely stay here again. Everything about the hotel itself was lovely, I’d just skip the spa next time!

The hotel is nice, spacious beautiful room at check in we were treated to a refreshing juice. There is a big pool on the grounds and a big jacuzzi with hot water in the room.  Minuses of the hotel: Far from the attractions. Taxi from the center only go there for the price of pick me x2. Hotel taxi are 3 times more expensive. There are no stores and restaurants near the hotel, so inside the hotel prices for food x3, Also after 6pm it is dangerous to be outside because elephants are walking around. Now let's talk about the premium status and the five races. In 7 years of traveling, this is the first hotel that did not have a bathrobe, slippers and toothbrush and toothpaste in the room. The plumbing in the shower leaks, and the doors creak so much that you could call the spirits at night. Regarding the attention to the customer. I mentioned my upcoming birthday in conversation with the manager, but this fact was not used in any way to show any form of attention from the hotel. This is a huge miscalculation on the part of the staff at a premium hotel. We also had a late departure and our request to delay in the hotel for a couple of hours was refused. This was not due to the arrival of new customers, as the manager offered to extend our stay for a fee. For future customers this fact may be decisive in their choice. In general, the hotel is not bad, but the service and flexibility of the staff, as well as individual approach to customers, does not correspond to the premium level and requires improvement.

At one time this was likely a good hotel, however it is now tired, run down and old. We booked the all inclusive rate as we have four children and it made sense as it included drinks and snacks. However, when we arrived the hotel refused to honour it. The manager was exceptionally rude and insisted it was an error on our part despite it being advertised on numerous booking platforms. There are much nicer hotels that offer the same rate within the town that we would have booked had we realised the all inclusive was not an option. The rooms were ok but the extra beds were camp beds and the carpets were extremely dirty throughout the hotel with a strong smell of urine outside the fitness suite. The food was average at best but would not recommend. If you are staying for one night then this would be ok as the location is extremely central but not for any longer.

Honestly, it's a pretty standard hotel, but I really liked it because it was comfortable. The hotel was clean, and the balcony overlooked Kandy Lake, offering picturesque views. The rooftop bar had a great promotion on beer, which was a nice bonus! The hotel's location is super convenient, close to everything. Plus, while there aren't many elegant and pleasant neighborhoods in Sri Lanka, this one definitely is!

Absolutely fantastic rooms with great views and an attentive service staff. Place wasn't without issues, though. It is very much a tourist trap hotel, and the entire region just gives off vibes of a giant tourist trap. I felt shuffled around within the hotel itself. My room was a bit close to the lobby/bar area, and the noise was insufferable. Had serious issues getting to sleep before midnight. And the great bathtub that looked out over the lake and had the monkeys that would come up to the window? The way the shower head and faucet were located, it was impossible to shower or fill up the tub without getting the entire room soaked in water. I was looking forward to hours soaking in the tub and reading, but there wasn't any dry surface to keep a book or cell phone on. Also annoyed me that dinner wasn't served until 7. Nothing about the place made it easy for early to bed, early to rise people. Enjoyed the breakfast they served. Loved the views from basically any window in the hotel. The little bar was great, with some decent drinks and just the friendliest of staff. If I were ever to come back to the region, I'd stay here again for sure, I'd just ask for a room further from public spaces.

The room looked clean and big, but it smelled very bad, and the air conditioner was very powerful! The buffet at our own expense was really great, and the price was not expensive. The food was better than in China!

A wonderful stay with absolutely breathtaking views. Wherever you look, you’re surrounded by rolling mountains, and the grounds are beautiful with lots of native wildlife; you really feel at one with nature. The service was exceptional throughout. All staff were attentive, kind, and genuinely eager to help. A special mention to the reception team, especially Jenovia, who was incredibly friendly and helpful, showing us around and making us feel very welcome from the start. The hotel is also very family-friendly, with a small play park and thoughtful touches like towel animals from housekeeping (Ravi) that made our little girl’s day. Breakfast was very good with plenty of choice, including both Western and Sri Lankan options. A few very small improvements (such as having bacon readily available, colder milk at breakfast, and ice with poolside drinks) would make the experience truly five-star, but these are minor details. Rooms were clean and comfortable with all amenities provided, and overall the level of service really stood out. If you’re looking for stunning views, a peaceful setting, and excellent hospitality, this is a fantastic choice and one I’d happily recommend.

This place is truly absolutely stunning, but what made our stay even more special was the incredible people who work here. From the moment we arrived, every staff member welcomed us with such a warm smile and genuine kindness. They were always friendly, attentive, and ready to help, and no matter what we asked for, they went above and beyond to make sure we were happy and comfortable. You could really feel that they cared about making our stay special. My wife and I fell in love with this place. It wasn’t just a beautiful vacation; it was the warmth, hospitality, and little touches from the wonderful team that made it truly unforgettable. Leaving was honestly very emotional for us. We were so sad to say goodbye, because it already felt like we were leaving a place that had become very special to us. A huge thank you to the entire team for giving us such beautiful memories. We will definitely be back on our next vacation, and we cannot wait to experience this wonderful place again. We wholeheartedly recommend this place to everyone — you really have to experience it for yourself! ❤️