Sigiriya Water Cottage

Our room was beautiful, spacious and extremely clean, the swimming pool area is confy and wide (pool was clean and this is not quite common when travelling in Asia in three stara hotels), breakfast was delicious. Moreover, even though we have been recommeded to go to the Coconut Shades Restaurant - which it is close to the hotel but was unfortunately full when we went there - we tried different restaurants in the area and among these, Ranithu Restaurant was great!

This is not really related to the hotel which was really great, but cleary staying in Kimbissa (close to Sigiriya) is like staying in a small village but if you want to relax and enjoy the pool is definitely perfect.

The (very clean and well maintained) facility is run by a very friendly and helpful family. Communication is easiy because everyone speaks English. They can arrange everything for you: excursions, transport , lunch packages , you name it! We especially loved their sweet daughter Liara who was very social and open while serving (fantastic) breakfast and lovely dinner (cooked by mother and grandmother!

The bungalows are a real treat! We loved our stay and enjoyed every minute of it. Super large bed and very comfortable too :) The pool area is also beautiful and we could observe some langur monkeys, peacocks, buffalos, birds and cows roaming around. Toast and fruit were offered as a vegan breakfast. Comfortable parking space for our hired jeep too. The place was also very close to Sigirya Lion Rock and many tasty restaurants (we recommend you try Step Up restaurant that is a few minutes away).

Having covered some ground across Sri Lanka, we found this property very unique. A Family run business in a beautiful property.

There are a few areas that could enhance the overall experience. Firstly, I found the main front desk rep to be somewhat snooty and hesitant to assist guests. A more welcoming demeanor, accompanied by a friendly smile, would go a long way in creating a positive atmosphere. It's important for staff to engage with guests warmly and be approachable, as this can significantly impact the overall impression of the establishment. We were relieved that we only had two nights here, as the villa was not very comfortable. A random bath sits in the primary space where perhaps a dressing table or mirror could be placed instead. Additionally, the bathroom is large enough to be redesigned to make it more functional. There are also random steps across the villa, which pose a risk of tripping. While I understand the theme the family was aiming for, I don’t think they quite hit the mark. Overall, a little more attention to guest interactions and the design of the space could elevate the experience at this lovely location.