The Lake Forest Hotel
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The Lake Forest Hotel

Traveller (294)
Beautiful view of Anuradhapura from the room, which was uninhabitable from 11:00 AM to 4:00 PM during loud Sri Lankan weddings.
Room & Suite (52)
Pool & Beach (22)
What is Travellers’ Choice?
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.

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Avg. AU$266 /night, 2/7 - 2/8
AU$271
per night
AU$269
per night
AU$266
per night

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About

#1 of 45 hotels in Anuradhapura
4.7 of 5 bubbles
Location
4.5 of 5 bubbles
Rooms
4.6 of 5 bubbles
Value
4.4 of 5 bubbles
Cleanliness
4.5 of 5 bubbles
Service
4.5 of 5 bubbles
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.
The hotel is an eco-friendly structure that is designed to blend with the surrounding nature. It is an ideal setting for Yoga meditation. The spacious rooms have been designed and furnished to provide a quality and comfortable stay for guests. The private balconies offer panoramic views of the Tissa wewa, the scenic nature and the sacred places surrounding the hotel.
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Property amenities
Free parking
Free High Speed Internet (WiFi)
Yoga classes
Pool
Free breakfast
Bicycle rental
Bicycles available
Kids stay free
Secured parking
Wifi
Pool with view
Outdoor pool
Bar / lounge
Restaurant
Breakfast available
Breakfast buffet
Breakfast in the room
Complimentary Instant Coffee
Complimentary tea
Complimentary welcome drink
Kid-friendly buffet
Kids' meals
Snack bar
Wine / champagne
Hiking
Bicycle tours
Fishing
Walking tours
Airport transportation
Car hire
Taxi service
Meeting rooms
24-hour security
BBQ facilities
Baggage storage
Concierge
Mosquito net
Newspaper
Outdoor furniture
First aid kit
24-hour check-in
24-hour front desk
Express check-in / check-out
Private check-in / check-out
Clothes dryer
Dry cleaning
Laundry service
Room features
Blackout curtains
Soundproof rooms
Air conditioning
Desk
Coffee / tea maker
Cable / satellite TV
Extra long beds
Walk-in shower
Bathrobes
Housekeeping
Room service
Safe
Sofa
Telephone
Wardrobe / wardrobe
Bottled water
Clothes rack
Iron
Private bathrooms
Tile / marble floor
Wake-up service / alarm clock
Minibar
Electric kettle
Flatscreen TV
Bath / shower
Complimentary toiletries
Hair dryer
Room types
Mountain view
Landmark view
Pool view
Non-smoking rooms
Suites
Family rooms
Good to know
HOTEL CLASS
Star ratings are intended to indicate the general level of features, amenities, and services to expect. This property is classified according to Giata.
3.0 of 5 stars
HOTEL STYLE
Business
Romantic
Languages Spoken
English, Sinhala
4.5
4.5 of 5 bubbles158 reviews
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Reviews summary
This summary was created by AI, based on recent reviews.
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The Lake Forest Hotel garners compliments for its spacious rooms that offer stunning lake views and comfort, set in a picturesque lakeside location that's close to religious sites. While the service is generally applauded for its friendliness and attentiveness, some guests have encountered specific service issues. The hotel's atmosphere is appreciated for its scenic charm, though disturbances from events have been noted. While there are mixed reviews on value, with some finding the Sri Lankan cuisine an excellent deal, others consider pricing for rooms and certain dining options steep. Cleanliness receives high marks overall, despite occasional inconsistencies.
Location
Picturesque
Atmosphere
Inviting
Rooms
Spacious
Value
Expensive
Cleanliness
Mixed
Service
Attentive
Amenities
Satisfactory

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Detailed Reviews
SE18Dweller wrote a review Oct 2023
London, United Kingdom
+1
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Check in was simple and quick, which was aided by a refreshing welcome drink.

We were shown to our 1st floor rooms, which were very large, with lovely views out over the lake, which you could walk down to through the gardens.

We only stayed one night so didn’t unpack but wardrobe space was adequate and, for a change, there were 2 frames to put our suitcases on rather than the usual one.

The bed was large and comfy. There was a Mosquito net over the bed but ours had a small hole in it, which was closed care of some cotton in a travel kit. My sister in law’s room faired worse though and she asked them to replace the net whilst we were at dinner. There were a lot of mosquitos but again to be expected due to the proximity to the lake.

The bathroom was a good size and the water from the shower both powerful and warm enough. Like most hotel bathrooms, it lacked hooks/rails for the towels to dry on, whilst we’d been left only bath towels and no hand towels. For the one night we managed.

There was a standalone fridge in the room big enough for water bottles. We’d been left 2 bottles of water but my sister in law, in the room next door, had 6!

The balcony was large from which you could sit and enjoy the view. The only real negative in the room was the safe, which was temperamental. It didn’t work as per the instructions but it locked (eventually) and opened (eventually). Just be patient!

Rather than the buffet for dinner we went for the a La carte. That was a mistake. They wouldn’t cook chicken curry as there was one in the buffet. What we did order took an hour to come and wasn’t really as described. Chicken biryani was basically vegetable rice with a cooked chicken thigh and leg on top. That said, the portion was huge and it did taste ok. The buffet option would have been much quicker by a long way.

Breakfast choices were more limited than the hotel we’d been at in Colombo but that was expected as lake forest was smaller and with fewer guests but you could still get juice, some bread and pastry, traditional Sri Lankan food plus, what has become my breakfast staple in SL, an egg hopper.

I liked the hotel and the view is lovely. I found the service at the restaurant a little frustrating and consistency of the servicing of rooms would make it better but all in all, a really pleasant stay and a great stop to explore the city.
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Date of stay: October 2023
5.0 of 5 bubblesValue
4.0 of 5 bubblesLocation
3.0 of 5 bubblesService
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 Renuka Rathnayake, Marketing at The Lake Forest Hotel
Responded 26 Nov 2023
Dear Sir/Madam, Thank you very much for the feed back. regards Renuka Rathnayake Manager Reservations
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Report response as inappropriate
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
RDDS91 wrote a review Jan 2024
Melbourne, Australia
4.0 of 5 bubbles
We stayed here for two nights. The room was clean however the knob on the bathroom door was broken which was annoying. The towels were quite dirty and when we asked for new ones, they were dirty too so hopefully this issue is solved. It was also disappointing as we left to go sightseeing early in the morning and we came back in the afternoon and our room still hadn't been cleaned. We had a wonderful view from our hotel of the ancient Buddhist stupas. The food was nice and there was a nice view from the buffet area.
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Date of stay: May 2023
4.0 of 5 bubblesValue
4.0 of 5 bubblesLocation
3.0 of 5 bubblesService
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.
A lot to digest? Read an AI-generated summary of recent traveller reviews.
S.asha wrote a review June 2024
London, United Kingdom
5.0 of 5 bubbles
I stayed here with my family in March this year, and we had a brilliant experience! The views are stunning and it was an ideal location to base ourselves to visit all the religious sites. We visited Ruwanweliseya and Sri Maha Bodiya in the evening around 6 pm and then came back to the hotel afterwards for dinner.

The communication throughout the booking process was also very good. We had no issues checking in although I had booked one room online and the others via Whatsapp/Email.

The staff at Lake Forest were exceptional. Their warm hospitality and attentiveness made us feel and well cared for throughout the stay. They were always ready to assist with any request, ensuring that our experience was nothing short of perfect.

We stayed in the lake view family suites. We were very happy with the rooms. They are very spacious with stunning views. All the amenities were also available.

I would highly recommend this hotel and we are looking forward to staying here again :)
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Date of stay: March 2024Trip 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.
Kate wrote a review Aug 2024
2.0 of 5 bubbles
During two afternoons of our three-day stay at Lake Forest Hotel (August 14-17), the entire premises boomed with dance music from weddings on the third floor and roof. When we wanted to relax in the touted tranquility and air conditioning of our US$230 (plus tax) room, instead the room pounded with the base of the dance party happening literally on the other side the wall. We complained to the hotel and received the response, “But the music ends by 4:00 PM.” Apparently, the hotel’s “safe haven” status only applies in the evenings. When our driver intervened, the hotel offered to move our room, but it wouldn’t make a difference. The rooms, elevator, garden, and entire property (including the drivers’ rooms in the building across the parking lot) pulsed like a nightclub.

Lake Forest can be a pricey luxury hotel for reconnecting with nature, or it can be a booming dance hall for loud and large Sri Lankan weddings. It cannot be both.

At our driver’s request, I am giving this hotel one additional star for offering him a free room and food. He felt very well taken care of.
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Date of stay: August 2024
1.0 of 5 bubblesValue
1.0 of 5 bubblesRooms
3.0 of 5 bubblesLocation
5.0 of 5 bubblesCleanliness
2.0 of 5 bubblesService
4.0 of 5 bubblesSleep Quality
Trip type: Travelled as a couple
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.
IndySig wrote a review Dec 2023
Indianapolis, Indiana
3.0 of 5 bubbles
We spent two nights at Lake Forest. While the view was nice and the room was large, we certainly would not consider it a 4 star resort.

We had issues with no hot water the first day, issues with not being allowed to charge to the room and issues with untrained staff. Not things we should experience with a 4-star hotel. We did discuss it with the manager.

If you are going on a safari at Wilpattu, this was a bit far away (35-40 min) especially is you are leaving early in the am and arriving back after dark.

The hotel will do laundry but make sure to specify that you want the laundry totally dried. Make sure you have bug lotion because at dinner the mosquitoes can be a bit of an issue.
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Date of stay: December 2023Trip type: Travelled as a couple
Room Tip: Have bug spray for mosquitoes
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.
Nigel M wrote a review Apr 2024
3.0 of 5 bubbles
The location is great on the lake and the buffet was good, but the a la carte menu is poor and very western tourist oriented. Good swimming pool. The service is poor. No door person and unhelpful ladies at reception. Checkout was a joke - told me my card was rejected when in fact it was their machine which had no connection. Argued they would only take local currency or USD and couldn’t take sterling. Most unhelpful. Staff need to go to hotel school as they appeared to lack basic hospitality skills.
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Date of stay: April 2024Trip 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.
Chris V wrote a review 1 Feb
3.0 of 5 bubbles
Would have liked to give a higher rating, but there is stiff competition in Sri Lanka. We had a very spacious room with an epic view of the lake and its wildlife. That was all 5 rated. The room was a bit tired though-somebody needs to look at the decor etc. I downgraded it because of the food which largely revolved around a buffet at both dinner and breakfast. Buffets are OK, but I have a problem when a lot of the hot dishes are cold! Similarly cold self-service coffee at breakfast did not float my boat! I cannot comment on value for money as this hotel was part of a package.
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Date of stay: January 2025Trip type: Travelled as a couple
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.
Navoda G wrote a review Oct 2022
+1
1.0 of 5 bubbles
We stayed at Lakeforest hotel on 08th October 2022 and we arrived at the hotel around 7 pm. When we arrived the security guard told us to park the vehicle in-front of the hotel near the vines hanging.

And the next day in the morning there were lot of ants on our vehicle. We wiped ants several times and left the hotel. But we informed the hotel manager regarding this, he said that they know there are lot of ants in the vines.When we arriving home still there were lot and lots of ants coming out from the vehicle. We cleaned the vehicle three times from service stations and about 10 days later still there are ants on it. Meanwhile when we informed several times to the hotel manager Mr Sanath Pushpakumara he said it's a simple thing and the won't take responsibility for that eventhough they knew there are ants in the vines. Mr Sanath Pushpakumara do you have any favourable answer for this?

Also there were lot of ants in the washroom and in the room as well. We had to wipe off them every time we use the washroom.

I'm writing this post after 9 days (attaching photos) with no response from manager Mr. Sanath Pushpakumara and 3 cleaning sessions which cost me Rs 60000.

For future customers if you stand against these unethical things please think twice before booking this hotel.
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Date of stay: October 2022
1.0 of 5 bubblesCleanliness
1.0 of 5 bubblesService
2.0 of 5 bubblesSleep 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 Renuka Rathnayake, Marketing at The Lake Forest Hotel
Responded 24 Oct 2022
Dear Mr.Navaoda, Thank you for spend your time to write a review about our service, first of all we are pleased to apologize from you for the inconvenience situation you had to face. The lake forest hotel is a Nature friendly hotel surrounding lake & the forest, due to that we don't use high volume of chemicals for the insects. We got this kind of guest complain very first time from the beginning & we didn't get any complain from other guest who parked there vehicle next to each other at the same day. please go through our comments on the web site & check there were no any complain like that. any way sorry for the inconvenience.
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Report response as inappropriate
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Richard R wrote a review Feb 2024
Northumberland, United Kingdom
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Our introduction to Sri Lanka and what a good one - this is just a lovely hotel, spotlessly clean with wonderfully helpful staff. Set overlooking a beautiful lake with amazing views across to the huge stupas in the old city. Our large room was beautifully decorated with a balcony overlooking the lake so great for bird-watching! The food was really good and they were so helpful providing packed breakfasts for us when we wanted an early start. Would thoroughly recommend this hotel to anyone visiting the Anuradhapura area. Richard & Aileen
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Date of stay: February 2024
5.0 of 5 bubblesValue
5.0 of 5 bubblesLocation
5.0 of 5 bubblesService
Trip type: Travelled as a couple
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.
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Nadine L wrote a review Nov 2023
+1
4.0 of 5 bubbles
We were greeted warmly and given a welcome drink straight away. Check-in was very efficient.

The room was spacious and had a large balcony with two deck chairs and a great view of the lake right in front of the house.

Outside of the rainy season you can walk or cycle around the lake. At the time we were there, however, some of the paths were a bit flooded. However, as we were focusing on visiting the Sacred City anyway, this was no problem at all.

As soon as we arrived, we asked reception to book us a tour guide and a tuk tuk for the next day, with which we could visit the Sacred City. This all worked out wonderfully, our guide and tuk tuk driver were there on time and the guide spoke very good English and was able to tell us a lot about the Sacred City.

The breakfast buffet is fine but a little limited in our opinion. The dal was our favorite and one of the best we ate on the trip.

One minor annoyance was that the rooms were very noisy. For example, you can hear the chairs being moved in the next room and since our room was right next to the elevator, we heard the elevator ringing/"ping" every time it arrived. We stayed in the hotel for two nights and on the first night a large group must have left early in the morning because we heard the elevator ringing every minute.

Nevertheless, we would recommend the hotel.
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Google
Date of stay: November 2023
4.0 of 5 bubblesValue
5.0 of 5 bubblesLocation
4.0 of 5 bubblesService
Trip type: Travelled as a couple
Room Tip: Kein Zimmer neben dem Aufzug
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.
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
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CharmJD wrote a tip Apr 2024
United Kingdom92 contributions37 helpful votes
4.0 of 5 bubbles
"Pool is slightly on the small side and close to front of house"
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carolewelltravelled wrote a tip Feb 2024
Northampton, United Kingdom1,817 contribution135 helpful votes
4.0 of 5 bubbles
"We had room 1109 and the dogs barked most of the night!"
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IndySig wrote a tip Dec 2023
Indianapolis, Indiana4,151 contributions745 helpful votes
3.0 of 5 bubbles
"Have bug spray for mosquitoes"
Read full review
Sajee U wrote a tip Dec 2023
Dehiwala-Mount Lavinia, Sri Lanka11 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
"Excellent selection. "
Read full review
PinUpBoy wrote a tip Oct 2023
Washington DC, District of Columbia533 contributions116 helpful votes
4.0 of 5 bubbles
"If you want to see the stupas lit at night, get a 2nd or 3rd floor higher number room."
Read full review
Not the right property for you?
There are more places to choose from in the Anuradhapura area.
PRICE RANGE
AU$260 - AU$2,850 (Based on Average Rates for a Standard Room)
LOCATION
Sri LankaNorth Central ProvinceAnuradhapura
NUMBER OF ROOMS
22
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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THE LAKE FOREST HOTEL (AU$260) - 2025 Prices & Reviews (Anuradhapura, Sri Lanka) - Photos of Hotel - Tripadvisor

Frequently Asked Questions about The Lake Forest Hotel
Which popular attractions are close to The Lake Forest Hotel?
Nearby attractions include Ruwanwelisaya (3.6 km), Jethawanaramaya Stupa (5.1 km), and Sri Maha Boodhi Temple (3.3 km).
What are some of the property amenities at The Lake Forest Hotel?
Some of the more popular amenities offered include free wifi, free breakfast, and a pool.
Which room amenities are available at The Lake Forest Hotel?
Top room amenities include a minibar, air conditioning, and a flat screen TV.
What food & drink options are available at The Lake Forest Hotel?
Guests can enjoy free breakfast, an on-site restaurant, and a lounge during their stay.
Is parking available at The Lake Forest Hotel?
Yes, free parking and secured parking are available to guests.
What are some restaurants close to The Lake Forest Hotel?
Conveniently located restaurants include Little Paradise Anuradhapura, Palhena Restaurant, and Bamboo Restaurant & Juice Bar (pvt) Ltd .
Are there opportunities to exercise at The Lake Forest Hotel?
Yes, guests have access to a pool and yoga classes during their stay.
Does The Lake Forest Hotel have airport transportation?
Yes, The Lake Forest Hotel offers airport transportation for guests. We recommend calling ahead to confirm details.
Are any cleaning services offered at The Lake Forest Hotel?
Yes, dry cleaning and laundry service are offered to guests.
Which languages are spoken by the staff at The Lake Forest Hotel?
The staff speaks multiple languages, including English and Sinhala.
Are there any historical sites close to The Lake Forest Hotel?
Many travellers enjoy visiting The Royal Palace (Vijayabahu Maligaya) (4.4 km), Short Handed Statue (5.1 km), and Wessagiriya (4.1 km).
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