Hotels with Bars in Matale

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.

A famous chain resort hotel in Sri Lanka. The overall design style fits in with the natural environment. The rooms are not luxurious but they are of good quality. The service is good, there are many service staff, and the labor is cheap.

The hotel location is good sigiriya lion rock is not much far from here. Many birds particularly peacocks are there in the property making it a good experience. The room and bathrooms were clean. Hand towels were not there in the room by default have to ask reception both day but upon asking they were delivered promptly. Breakfast spread was good enough. Just that the food on order is not good enough atleast for our taste, but in buffet it is good like many options are only available in buffet but not in ala carte.

Stayed in room 234. Lets start with the bad. The shower rose did not work. Extreme caution is needed when using the shower, as the water could potentially give you third degree burns and the floor was very slippery. Now the average. I personally thought the dinner menu was a little restrictive and food quality lacked. Now the good. Very spacious room and bathroom. Quality bed linen and towels. Comfortable bed and good AC. Staff very polite, responsive and helpful. Would stay again, but they need to get the shower sorted, as it is dangerous.

Elephas Resort was chosen because of its serenity and space, a mid way break during our trip, we wanted some quiet space to chill and we did by the pool, alomg the paddy fields, in our rooms and walking around the lake our room faced. we rode a TukTuk and the lake view room we had was spacious and definitely worth journey in to the resort, clean and bright, toilets are well equipped and staff are friendly and welcoming, giving us advise on where to go eat and what to see around Sigiriya. it's a very quiet resort and i would recommend room 223, upper level, it's a special place for our 2 nights there and we already miss the beautiful, quiet settings Elephas delivered.

Seerock The King’s Domain offers an impressive stay with super spacious rooms, a beautiful outdoor environment, and excellent service. The only downside—though not the hotel’s fault—is the occasional wild peacock screaming at night, which might disrupt light sleepers. Otherwise, a fantastic getaway for nature lovers.

Abbiamo pernottato qui due notti per poter godere delle due attrazioni principali della zona. I ragazzi sono molto disponibili ed il responsabile è un giovane simpatico che ci sa fare! La posizione è molto tranquilla anche se non molto lontano dai locali. Camera buona e anche la colazione servita all'ultimo sulla terrazza che guarda sulla rocca. Di notte la strada sterrata è completamente buia e vi sconsiglio di andarci a piedi meglio se con una macchina o un tuktuk.

We chose this hotel based on the location! We arrived, looked and booked 3 rooms. Moreover, it was cheaper to book through the website than at the hotel. When they showed us the rooms, a very sharp, specific smell hit our noses, I asked what it was, they told me that these were their air fresheners and they could be washed off. I said that I could not live with such a smell and needed to be removed, they said ok and we went to check in. Then I threw my things and went swimming and eating. In the evening, I returned to the room, the smell was there and then it dawned on me that it was a cockroach repellent!!!!!! The victims were already lying all over the room, and very large ones. At the reception, they silently moved me, without even apologizing. This moment, of course, spoiled the impression. After all, I immediately said that the smell was very sharp. The bathroom is very interestingly made, it is as if outside, in the shower there is a net and an outside nook. Leaving the cool room there is a strong contrast, but this does not spoil the rest. I liked the design of the disposable sets, they looked very stylish. In the evenings, musicians played in the restaurant (the first day there were mantras to the music, on the second day a guy sang very chicly. In the restaurant you can eat from the menu or dinner/lunch buffet. We tried both options, everything is very good. Very attentive staff in the cafe, the administrator saw us and ran to prepare a table for us. They also served by the pool. The territory is not large, but it is conducive to relaxation. Monkeys even came running. Friends went to the spa, they said the massage was good. From the hotel we went to Sigiriya (20 minutes by car) and on a safari in the park.

This hotel is located in the forest within walking distance of Sigiriya. Since it’s in the forest, I expected there to be a lot of insects, but to my surprise, there were hardly any inside the room, and I was able to stay comfortably. I had booked for two nights, planning to climb Sigiriya Rock in the morning and then relax by the pool in the afternoon. However, it seems that the hotel has a policy of turning off the electricity in the rooms during the daytime. Although I asked a staff member to turn the main power back on and they did, it was soon turned off again. When the main power is off, the room becomes completely dark, and neither the Wi-Fi nor the air conditioner works. It was clear that even if I asked them to turn it back on again, the same thing would just keep happening. I felt it would only add to my stress, so I decided to move to another hotel.

Great stay here only for one night though . Staff were super friendly and very helpful. Bed was big and comfy and great air conditioning. Very close to the rock which is the reason to go.