"The hotel has a beautiful building and setting, rooms are big enough and staff is friendly, but that is about where it stopped for us. Our booking was not made or lost, we luckily got two rooms, took about 30min to get ready, safe was locked, no toilet paper and shower went cold after 2 min. Smaller bed than expected and room looks and feels like it is neglected. Bar only has one red and one white wine and one beer, although the bar menu is about 1 full page of items. On the dinner menu about 30% of the menu was not available. I must say the dishes that was available was very tasty. The whole hotel lacks a vibe, that touch that makes one feel home is just not there and more availability of F&B Proximity to nature reserve is great, but I think one can do a bit better and still be in the same area."

"From the scenery to the service to the food, everything was great. I have to give a thumbs up to the hotel staff and their careful preparation. The hotel's Safari was also very attentive, lasting a full 5 hours."

"Stay at this Hotel at your own risk, while accommodation was ok with all the ammenites like safe & wifi connection, clean & serviced thoroughly the food was awful and the resturant staff rude and disinterested in anything remotely resembling service, unless you were Indian. The location was certainly ok and we managed some lovely works outside the Hotel grounds. Pool area was fine but the pool itself was encrusted with dirt about 2ft below the waterline. In all with a good clean and some staff training this could once again be a lovely place to stay. We are surprised at the 4 star rating. In our view this Hotel should rate as three stars."

"Excellent value for money! Massive double beds, clean and very comfy. Staff were very helpful and friendly. Lovely breakfast Lovely swimming pool"

"Whilst I’ve stayed at Mandara Rosen many times, I’ve honestly never taken the time to write a review. But this time, something felt different — and I thought it was time to finally pen my two cents. In the past, my experiences have always been lovely. The staff have been helpful, the rooms clean and well-kept, and the atmosphere calming — a perfect space to unwind after a day in Kataragama. The pool has always been a personal highlight, especially after being out in the hot sun during religious observances. It’s been a place I’ve recommended without hesitation. The food, too, has never disappointed. I remember the buffet spreads — generous, delicious, and satisfying in every sense. Something for everyone, and nothing to complain about. This time, however, was a shorter visit. I was in Kataragama briefly, with two things planned — lunch at the hotel, and arrangements for a day room so those of us traveling (a group of five) could freshen up before heading back to Colombo. I had called ahead and was informed that a day room would be provided for Rs. 15,000, which I agreed to. But once at the hotel, that offer was off the table. Instead, I was told I’d need to take two rooms — totaling Rs. 30,000 — just for a quick change and refresh. That felt unreasonable. In today’s context, where most travelers aren’t staying overnight and hotels are struggling to fill rooms, this seemed like a short-sighted way to recover costs — at the guest’s expense. I did have lunch at the restaurant, and once again the food was fantastic. Though it was à la carte this time (understandable given low occupancy), it was still flavorful and well prepared. The restaurant staff were kind and welcoming, and I appreciated their service. In the end, I went to another hotel that offered a day room at nearly one-fifth the price. A hotel of similar standard was also willing to offer one room at the same rate of Rs. 15,000, as initially promised here. Unfortunately, the only reason I didn’t go there was the distance — otherwise I would have. What saddens me is that instead of gaining business, Mandara Rosen lost it that day. All for the sake of an extra room rate. And that’s the only reason I’m giving this a 4-star rating — not for the hospitality, the setting, or the food, which remain excellent — but because it felt like the focus shifted from understanding the guest to maximizing the margin."

"Our return to Leopard Safaris in Yala was nothing short of exceptional. Having loved it previously, this camp was the main reason we came back to Sri Lanka and it more than lived up to our expectations. This time, we were the only guests, giving us the entire camp and a truly personal experience. As on our previous visit 2 years ago, the service was impeccable - thoughtful, attentive, and heartfelt, but never intrusive. We enjoyed 4 private safaris, encountering a sloth bear, a leopard, a cobra, and so much more - exactly what we hoped for. The guided nature walk around camp, learning about the smaller creatures, was a delight, especially for the children. A lovely touch was planting a tree which was a meaningful nod to their environmental ethos. The guides also gave my children ranger certificates for completing a fun activity around camp - something they were both very pleased with! The food was outstanding - an array of traditional Sri Lankan dishes we all enjoyed, and our final night’s barbecue under the stars was truly magical. The guides were extremely knowledgeable and so passionate about the camp’s values and ecology. While the camp was quiet due to travel disruptions, we still received top-tier service. It was simply perfect, and we can’t wait to return again."