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About
4.5
#2 of 12 hotels in Kataragama
Location
Rooms
Value
Cleanliness
Service
Sleep Quality
Tripadvisor gives a Travellers’ Choice award to accommodations, attractions and restaurants that consistently earn great reviews from travellers and are ranked within the top 10% of properties on Tripadvisor.
Set on the edge of Detagamuwa Lake, the serenely stylish boutique hotel offers 23 air-conditioned rooms and two exclusive suites, each individually appointed and afforded Tamarind Lake’s impeccable service and style.
Star ratings are intended to indicate the general level of features, amenities, and services to expect. This property is classified according to Giata.
HOTEL STYLE
Trendy
Centrally Located
Location
Rajamaha Vihara Mawatha, Kataragama 91400 Sri Lanka
Grand Tamarind Lake
355 reviews
Getting there
Car recommended
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Grand Tamarind Lake Hotel has received commendations for its cleanliness and spacious rooms, many of which offer impressive lake views, according to satisfied guests. While the hotel's atmosphere is described as royal and elite, with luxurious touches throughout the property, some guests feel room coziness could benefit from enhancements.
Opinions on the hotel's service and value are mixed; praises are given for the friendly staff, but critiques mention responsiveness and value for money. Amenities generally earn rave reviews, although there's room for improvement noted by some reviewers.
Atmosphere
Regal
Rooms
Spacious
Value
Reasonable
Cleanliness
Mixed
Service
Inconsistent
Amenities
Satisfactory
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Grand Tamarind Lake is a very rare find at a location such as Kataragama. Our 12 family member group was warmly welcomed by the staff members who always had a refreshing smile on their face. Every staff member was neatly dressed, polite and very efficient in offering their services.
The hotel was kept in a beautiful condition with walls painted pure white, beautiful and expansive gardens trimmed perfectly and the refreshing pool maintained to a high standard. What became a pleasant surprise to all of us was the ginormous size of the rooms and the spectacular views it offered of the Detagamuwa Lake and the Garden area underneath. To add a cherry on top of the icing, the iconic "Wedasiti Kanda" (historic temple at the top of the mountain at Kataragama) is directly visible from almost all lake facing rooms.
The rooms were well appointed with all modern amenities you could think of. The rooms offer superb air conditioning that makes you forget that you're in a dry, arid climate. The bathrooms were of a matching size and state when compared to the luxury of the rooms.
The food and beverages were served in the adjacent restaurant by a skillful and well trained team of staff. The Head Chef Samarakoon, along with the F&B Manager Mr. Gerad, Restaurant Captain Sewwandi, offered a mouth watering array of beautifully matching spread of cuisine that tantilized everyone's taste buds to the heart's content. It has to be specially noted that they were very forthcoming in accommodating my 1 1/2 Yr old daughter's food requirement as they went the extra mile of preparing special dishes for her, even when we were not requesting for such a service!
The hotel is situated right by the border of Kataragama Sacred City and therefore, traveling to the places of interest in Kataragama is easy. Furthermore, the hotel enables the arrangement of excellent safari tours to the nearby iconic Yala National Park.
Last but certainly not least, we extend our sincere gratitude to Mr. Nandadewa Jayaratne, Chief Resident Manager of the property for the humble hospitality offered to us throughout our stay at the hotel. He was very proactive in accommodating all our requests and runs the hotel to a high standard, incorporating all COVID-19 safety protocols into the hotel operations. We felt very safe and enjoyed our holiday to its fullest extent.
Grand Tamarind Lake made a lasting impression in our minds as it made our weekend family holiday truly memorable and special. We are sure to check in again at this hotel the next time we are in Kataragama. Wish the hotel and its management best of luck...
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Date of stay: August 2020Trip type: Travelled with family
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Nandadewa Jayarathne, General Manager at Grand Tamarind Lake
Responded 10 Aug 2020
Dear Guest.. Greetings from Grand Tamarind Lake.... Thank you for choosing to stay with Grand Tamarind Lake Kataragama and for sharing such a wonderful experience on TripAdvisor.We are very happy to say that you had a excellent stay with us and enjoyed the facilities and services of our staff. We all looked forward to welcoming you again very soon to Grand Tamarind Lake... Regards, Nandadewa Jayarathne Senior Resident Manager, GTL
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I had 2 days staying at this great hotel which is near a national park. The small town had almost nothing to offer so it was good to have a fine hotel where we could relax. The room was large and I loved the balcony where one could sit and chill out. The staff were very attentive and the food was great. Breakfast was excellent and my evening dinners were very good. The swimming pool is very large but only 4 feet deep for the whole pool. This is a minor negative. Perhaps there would not be enough sunbeds if the hotel were full. I very much enjoyed my stay and I must say that when the housekeeping manager asked if there was anything missing in my room, I said that there was no soap dish. When I came back to my room there was a soap dish and a new bar of soap! Now that is what I call service and all with a smile. Lovely experience
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Date of stay: February 2020
Location
Service
Sleep Quality
Room Tip:Â All the rooms will be quiet as this is in a very rural location
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Nandadewa Jayarathne, General Manager at Grand Tamarind Lake
Responded 7 Apr 2020
Dear Guest, Greetings from Grand Tamarind Lake, Thank you very much for talking moment of your valuable time to share your resent experience with other travelers on TripAdvisor... We are absolutely delighted to lean that your holiday at our resort was exceptional. This valuable comment is very important for us and it will certainly motivate them to continue delivering exceptional service. We look forward to welcoming you back in the not too distant future... Nandadewa Jayarathne, Senior Resident Manager,
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We spent a weekend at Tamarind Lake hotel in July 2020. Our group consisted of 6 people and we booked one quadruple room and one double room. The reservation team made sure that we got adjacent rooms which became very handy as we traveled with our parents and grandmother. The environment of the hotel was the first thing that came to our observation as it was truly amazing and close to the nature. The entire hotel was covered in green foliage with the view of southern mountain range which was breathtakingly beautiful. The cool breeze of the surrounding lake was embracing us throughout the day. Rooms are the most interesting thing about this hotel, as I haven't encountered any hotel room before, with such high ceilings as in Tamarind Lake. The rooms were super spacious due to this and also very ventilated as well. The food tasted very homely and more than ample considering the amount we paid for the entire stay. The staff was another highlighting factor as they were very friendly and always available whenever we needed something, specially when serving the food to our elderly grandmother. They walked the extra mile to make sure our stay was comfortable. I should mention Tharaka from the staff specially as he was really attentive and very helpful all the time. I hope this quality will remain throughout. As for the improvements, I would suggest that a Chilled Tamarind drink could have been served as the welcome drink, signifying the name of the hotel. For the buffet also they could have included some drinks made of tropical fruits given how common such fruits in the area. Other than that everything else was carefully attended as per the needs of the guests. I would like to thank the entire staff for the great service and I totally recommend this hotel for a getaway close to the nature in down-south.
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Date of stay: July 2020
Location
Cleanliness
Service
Room Tip:Â Top-most floor with a view [Balcony]
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Nandadewa Jayarathne, General Manager at Grand Tamarind Lake
Responded 7 Aug 2020
Dear Guest, Greetings from Grand Tamarind Lake, Thank you very much for talking moment of your valuable time to share your resent experience with other travelers on Trip advisor... We are absolutely delighted to lean that your holiday at our resort was exceptional. This valuable comment is very important for us and it will certainly motivate them to continue delivering exceptional service. We look forward to welcoming you back in the not too distant future... Nandadewa Jayarathne, SRM
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Our room was huge with the highest ceilings I have ever encountered in a hotel room, they must have been 20 feet high (actually I don't really know, but they were really high). The dining room had similar dimensions, and as a result both rooms tended to echo voices around. We actually liked the cavernous nature of our room, the lack of too many furnishings emphasized the effect. Think spacious. Everything was very clean and modern, including the bathroom, which actually didn't have the same high ceilings, but was very roomy, with double sinks. Dinner and breakfast were included, dinner was OK, although it had some Sri Lankan offerings, it was geared to Western tastes, and so tended to be bland and mainstream, typical "hotel food", though for some reason the dinner rolls were really good. Breakfast also had Western and Sri Lankan options, and again, the baked goods were standouts including the donuts (who knew?) as well as some yummy milk rice. The staff were all friendly and welcoming. The pool was large, and looked over a pretty lake and mountains.
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Date of stay: March 2020
Rooms
Service
Sleep Quality
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Nandadewa Jayarathne, General Manager at Grand Tamarind Lake
Responded 17 Mar 2020
Dear Guest.. Greetings from Grand Tamarind Lake.... Thank you for choosing to stay with Grand Tamarind Lake Kataragama and for sharing such a wonderful experience on TripAdvisor.We are very happy to say that you had a excellent stay with us and enjoyed the facilities and services of our staff.We all looked forward to welcoming you again very soon to Grand Tamarind Lake... Regards, Nandadewa Jayarathne Senior Resident Manager, GTL
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Visited here with couple of families & enjoyed the transcendent hospitality embedded in spacious atmosphere. Ample greenery for outdoor entertainment & well supported friendly staff makes our get-together a success. Nearby attractions, Yala safari, ease of access, tranquil ambience & variety of cuisine served in hygienic environment guaranteed our return
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Date of stay: August 2020Trip type: Travelled with friends
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Nandadewa Jayarathne, General Manager at Grand Tamarind Lake
Responded 14 Aug 2020
Dear Guest, Greetings from Grand Tamarind Lake, Thank you very much for talking moment of your valuable time to share your resent experience with other travellers on Trip Advisor... We are absolutely delighted to lean that your holiday at our resort was exceptional. This valuable comment is very important for us and it will certainly motivate them to continue delivering exceptional service. We look forward to welcoming you back in the not too distant future... Nandadewa Jayarathne, Senior Resident Manager,
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If you visit Katharagama without a doubt this is the best place to stay. From the first impression created by the FO staff of the time of the reservation , until the check out the service received was outstanding and consistent from all the staff members. It is understood the most of the staff was from the area and despite the challenging times they make you feel accepted and homely.
Rooms are spacious and have all the necessities required for your stay. Buffet spread was decent and most certainly get the value for money.
One recommendation for future improvements - A towel rack in the room would be useful , specially for Sri Lankan guests travelling with children.
A special thank should go to Resident Manager Mr Nandalal for creating such a wonderful environment and hospitable staff & also to Asanka and FO team for making our stay a pleasant one. We will surely be back.
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Date of stay: December 2020
Rooms
Service
Sleep Quality
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Nandadewa Jayarathne, General Manager at Grand Tamarind Lake
Responded 22 Dec 2020
Dear Gihan.. We enjoyed reading your review of your stay at Grand Tamarind Lake and a heartfelt thank for you taking the time to share your experience with other travelers on Trip Advisor. Great to hear from you and many thanks indeed for taking the time to let us know how much you enjoyed your stay. End of the day that is what our staff needed. We always strive to make sure our guests leave happy and content and we look forward to seeing you very soon. Once again highly appreciate your great available comment... Good Luck... Nandadewa, SRM
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The hotel is located on the shore of Tamarind Lake and has a beautiful view of the lake itself and the mountains beyond. Located in a convenient location within an extremely short distance to Kataragama and relatively easy journey to Yala National Park.
The staff at the reception were very friendly and incredibly obliging, as we requested to change the rooms that we had originally booked. The restaurant staff were lovely, both helpful and proactive during every meal, particularly going out of their way for my elderly grandparents. The food was really good, particularly the Sri Lankan food was brilliant, though the other cuisines were also great.
We booked a Yala safari through the hotel and the kitchen staff were kind enough to make a packed breakfast for the five of us who went that morning. Particularly stood out as we left for the safari at 5:30am and they were ready with the vehicle and the food by that time.
The rooms were spacious and comfortable with facilities for making coffee/tea, a generous balcony and a lovely bathroom.
Overall, our stay was very comfortable and we were well looked after.
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Date of stay: February 2020
Value
Cleanliness
Service
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from tamarindlake, Manager at Grand Tamarind Lake
Responded 12 Feb 2020
Dear Guest, Greetings from Grand Tamarind Lake, Thank you very much for talking moment of your valuable time to share your resent experience with other travelers on TripAdvisor... We are absolutely delighted to lean that your holiday at our resort was exceptional. This valuable comment is very important for us and it will certainly motivate them to continue delivering exceptional service. We look forward to welcoming you back in the not too distant future... Nandadewa Jayarathne, SRM
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We visited the Grand Tamarind Lake on the 12th Oct and stayed for 3 nights. The hotel was ready to receive us with necessary procedure standards during the Covid 19 pandemic when we arrived. The armostphere is so calm and beautiful with a clean pool. The rooms and bathrooms are very spacious and clean and room service duties are carried out daily unlike most places in the area. The staff is professional, kind and supportive to give my family a comfortable Stay including my 90year old grand mom. Tharaka and Sameera was always there to take care of our needs with a smile and The little chef Nadeesha did a wonderful job decorating my Birthday cake. Both the local and western food dishes were equally lovely and prepared, we didn't miss the buffet much. Well done GTL team and keep up the good work.
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Date of stay: October 2020Trip type: Travelled with family
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Nandadewa Jayarathne, General Manager at Grand Tamarind Lake
Responded 24 Oct 2020
Dear Guest.. Greetings from Grand Tamarind Lake.... Thank you for choosing to stay with Grand Tamarind Lake Kataragama and for sharing such a wonderful experience on TripAdvisor.We are very happy to say that you had a excellent stay with us and enjoyed the facilities and services of our staff. We all looked forward to welcoming you again very soon to Grand Tamarind Lake... Regards, Nandadewa Jayarathne Senior Resident Manager, GTL
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Six of our family stayed at Grand Tamarind Lake on 3rd and 4th August2023. We were warmly greeted on arrival with a much-appreciated welcome drink. Our baggage was brought to the rooms after they allocated rooms on the second floor. The many trees all around made me feel close to nature.
The airconditioned rooms were large and spacious measuring 6m x 5.5m. The king size bed was comfortable with clean white sheeting. Other items in the room were the fridge, overhead fan, bedside tables, tv, dressing table with mirror, safe, benches to hold our bags, a cupboard, a table and two comfortable chairs with a circular table. The veranda outside the room was quite spacious with two chairs and a table. Upper rooms were accessible by lift. The bathroom was quite spacious too with clean neat toweling. Hot water shower was most welcome after our trips into the park. Liquid soap, vanity kit, shower caps, conditioner were all available. There is no bar at the hotel. We had our meals in the spacious dining room downstairs. Each of us chose our meals from their ala-carte menu both for lunch and dinner. They provided packed breakfast for our morning visit into Yala National Park. The food was tasty and nice. The staff were helpful, courteous, friendly and attended happily to our smallest need. We enjoyed our stay. Thank you.
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Date of stay: August 2023
Value
Location
Service
Trip type: Travelled with family
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Grand Tamarind Lake, Revenue Management at Grand Tamarind Lake
Responded 9 Aug 2023
Greetings From Tamarind Lake ! Dear Guest, Many thanks for selecting Grand Tamarind Lake as your holiday destination. so glad to hear that overall you had a great time at our property , Thank you very much for spending your valuable time to write this review. We hope to see you soon. Tyronne Andrew Buultjens Manager Hotels Grand Tamarind & Okrin Kataragama
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The hotel is always recommended for great service and we have been in the hotel almost every year for 2 occations. This time we felt that the hotel may need reinvestment to upgrade the standards for cleanliness. Wishing the team success.
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Date of stay: January 2020Trip type: Travelled with family
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from tamarindlake, Manager at Grand Tamarind Lake
Responded 11 Jan 2020
Dear Guest.. We enjoyed reading your review of your stay at Grand Tamarind Lake and a heartfelt thank for you taking the time to share your experience with other travelers on TripAdvisor. Great to hear from you and many thanks indeed for taking the time to let us know how much you enjoyed your stay. End of the day that is what our staff needed. We always strive to make sure our guests leave happy and content and we look forward to seeing you very soon. Once again highly appreciate your great available comment... Good Luck... Nandadewa, SRM
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Lol. You are joking right?
NO.... to answer your question.
Why did you think an elephant will be tied to the front of this fine hotel? It is an exquisite hotel to say the least. You will enjoy your stay here - I know I did.
There are more places to choose from in the Kataragama area.
PRICE RANGE
AU$107 - AU$196 (Based on Average Rates for a Standard Room)
LOCATION
Sri LankaUva ProvinceKataragama
NUMBER OF ROOMS
25
Prices are provided by our partners, and reflect total costs of the stay, including all taxes and fees known to our partners. Please see our partners for more details.
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