What a beautiful place Cinnamon Lodge is. We chose to stay for seven nights here to make a change from just a beach holiday. Most guests stay a night or two as part of their Sri Lanka tour but the longer stay meant that we got to know the staff a bit better. We were treated very well from the moment we arrived.
We had a deluxe room which overlooked the lake, very comfortable with an impressive range of complimentary toiletries and ayurvedic balms, an in-room safe and iron/ironing board, and so much more than I can list here. The bathroom was large, with a separate walk-in shower in addition to a bathtub. There were only two small criticisms of the room: firstly, that it would have been nice to have had the outside furniture on the verandah overlooking the lake, rather than on the other side of the building, in order to take advantage of the peaceful setting & pretty view; secondly, the scatter-cushions and runner from the bed were put on the chaise in the sitting area and stayed there for the duration of our stay which meant that our seating was reduced, not a huge problem as we didn’t spend too much time in the room.
The grounds of the lodge and around the lake abound with wildlife; monkeys, monitor lizards, squirrels, mongoose, plenty of birds – I could go on! There is a butterfly garden within...What a beautiful place Cinnamon Lodge is. We chose to stay for seven nights here to make a change from just a beach holiday. Most guests stay a night or two as part of their Sri Lanka tour but the longer stay meant that we got to know the staff a bit better. We were treated very well from the moment we arrived.
We had a deluxe room which overlooked the lake, very comfortable with an impressive range of complimentary toiletries and ayurvedic balms, an in-room safe and iron/ironing board, and so much more than I can list here. The bathroom was large, with a separate walk-in shower in addition to a bathtub. There were only two small criticisms of the room: firstly, that it would have been nice to have had the outside furniture on the verandah overlooking the lake, rather than on the other side of the building, in order to take advantage of the peaceful setting & pretty view; secondly, the scatter-cushions and runner from the bed were put on the chaise in the sitting area and stayed there for the duration of our stay which meant that our seating was reduced, not a huge problem as we didn’t spend too much time in the room.
The grounds of the lodge and around the lake abound with wildlife; monkeys, monitor lizards, squirrels, mongoose, plenty of birds – I could go on! There is a butterfly garden within the lodge’s own farm, which certainly kept me and my camera well occupied, and the gentleman who is in charge of this is incredibly knowledgeable about the different plants, birds and species of butterfly. The pool was superb, large and cool, and mostly very quiet (like the rest of the hotel) unless, as when we were there, a corporate event was being held. Unlike another reviewer, we found the pool guys very helpful and polite, just like the rest of the staff.
The food in the Ehala restaurant was incredible, all of it so tasty, good quality and such a variety. The chefs were only too willing to tell you what was on offer and show you around the various stations. The chilled dessert room was so beautiful and I’m so mad with myself because I was going to ask for a ‘doggy bag’ of their coconut macaroons and marshmallows when we left but I forgot. For our ‘last supper’ we were treated to a six course meal at the Lotus restaurant, very special with top class food and service.
We booked some activities through the hotel, all at a reasonable price. They offer safaris to the three national parks nearby, elephant rides, excursions to the historic sites, amongst others.
I’m glad we stayed longer than most, we were really able to take advantage of the peaceful surroundings, the great facilities, and enjoy the superb hospitality that the staff and management provide. As the first hotel of our two-centre stay in Sri Lanka, it spoilt us for the second hotel at the beach. We knew then we’d been privileged to spend time at Cinnamon Lodge, a big thank you to everyone, both those who helped by email before we arrived and those while we stayed, who made our time so special.More
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