Hotels near Manik Stupa, Tissamaharama

Fantastic Yala Safari and great little hotel! We had a great time staying here - and went on a great Jeep safari with Pasanna organised through the hotel. The whole family (2 teenage boys) were totally enthralled by the safari and would totally recommend Pasanna! We went on the full day safari (starting at 430am … totally worth the early start to be the first in the park!!) - which allowed a full day of immersion and a slightly more relaxed pace. (The half day safaris seemed much less relaxed…). Pasanna the driver/ guide has over 13 years experience in the park, had great 4wd drive skills, clearly knew all of the possible routes in the park - and was passionate about showing us all that was possible in the park! He was excellent at spotting hard to see animals! Note that all jeeps have to have 12-2 as rest time in the park …. We easily passed it having lunch and reading books- when the jeeps are not allowed to drive around) . We managed to see a great selection of animals including 2 leopards (which I hear is very rare), multiple families of elephants with their babies which we were able to watch for an extended period of time, water buffalo, deer, samba deer, mongoose, jackals, monkeys, peacocks, lots of amazing birds, crocodiles, monitors and bats. It truly felt like the jungle book. We got home tired, but truly satisfied with the experience! Definitely felt like it was value for money.

My original plan of a 1-night stay turned into 3 nights purely based on the property and the team. The rooms are spacious and well appointed, with clean linen and towels. The wooden floors are a nice look and feel. The air-conditioning works very well. An unbelievable amount of space for work / lounging. The room itself has a work desk which is perfect for remote work. The balcony is small but functional, and overlooks the majestic Tissa Lake. Spacious terraces on the 1st and 2nd levels as well as a rooftop with spectacular views of the surrounding fields and the lake. I got plenty of work done and attended web-based meetings in peace, against an amazing backdrop. At the end of the day it is the people that make a difference, and this is where Yasith and his team were exemplary. From his kind, attentive service to the care he displays to guests and the property (and of course by the way he treats Kalu, the adorable orphaned puppy), Yasith leads from the front. I noted among other things his meticulous bookkeeping skills, which is a rare find for any property. Suffice to say I have found my stay whenever I return to Tissa. What better place for a morning/evening stroll than the bank of Tissa lake. For any reasonable person willing to stay at a 3-star hotel and not expect 5-star amenities, Serene Park Hotel by Ark has all the right things in place. Full disclosure, I did not have any meals at the premises; as I am very familiar with Tissa I enjoy the many local options available nearby.

Tisser is relatively small, and Baita and Man-made Lake are a few kilometers away from the shop, so you need to drive there. If you want to eat Chinese food, you need to take a tuk-tuk or drive there. It’s about a half-hour drive from Yala. Remember to pack breakfast for the next day in Yala. The overall hygiene is not bad, and there is a place to dry clothes. To stay in the store, you need to walk down the narrow stairs with your suitcase. Don't eat in this restaurant, it's unpalatable and expensive. Because I didn’t eat lunch here when I left, the boss didn’t help carry the luggage anymore. The room rate is more than ten yuan more expensive than the online booking. There is parking lot.