Matale Hotels with Bars

Amba Yaalu — A Swan-Like Masterclass in Women-Led Luxury I arrived at Amba Yaalu by Thema Collection without quite knowing what to expect—after all, it was my first time staying in a “women-led” hotel. I wondered what the experience would feel like, and what new energy the concept might bring. What I found was exceptional: the service was of the same highest standard I would expect from this caliber of hotel chain—yet delivered with a distinctive style, unmistakably described as “swan-like.” 🦢 There’s no question the women are working ferociously—in the way a swan’s feet move beneath the water to create effortless beauty. And that’s exactly what you feel here. Under the surface, everything is operating with precision, speed, and strength. But what guests experience is something else entirely: grace. poise. warmth. smiles that arrive with such ease that it feels like the entire property glides. The atmosphere is genuinely welcoming. I noticed it not only from the staff, but in the way kindness seems to move through the whole guest experience—women, men, and children all smiling in a way that is tender, natural, and beautifully effortless. And yes—because luxury should be truly thoughtful—all of my bags were carried to my room for me. No fuss. No lifting. Just seamless, dignified care from arrival onward. If you’re looking for a stay that pairs top-tier hospitality with a rare, elegant spirit, Amba Yaalu is it. A hotel that doesn’t just host you—it makes you feel quietly cared for, beautifully welcomed, and entirely at ease. Truly unforgettable.

Stayed in room 234. Lets start with the bad. The shower rose did not work. Extreme caution is needed when using the shower, as the water could potentially give you third degree burns and the floor was very slippery. Now the average. I personally thought the dinner menu was a little restrictive and food quality lacked. Now the good. Very spacious room and bathroom. Quality bed linen and towels. Comfortable bed and good AC. Staff very polite, responsive and helpful. Would stay again, but they need to get the shower sorted, as it is dangerous.

The moment we walked in, the staff greeted us with a refreshing juice and walked us to a viewpoint — the sight of Sigiriya Rock was absolutely mesmerizing. The room is incredibly cozy with beautiful, interesting wooden decor that gives such a warm local feel. Breakfast was delicious with plenty of fresh fruit and great coffee. A perfect stay for exploring the ancient rock fortress!

We chose this hotel based on the location! We arrived, looked and booked 3 rooms. Moreover, it was cheaper to book through the website than at the hotel. When they showed us the rooms, a very sharp, specific smell hit our noses, I asked what it was, they told me that these were their air fresheners and they could be washed off. I said that I could not live with such a smell and needed to be removed, they said ok and we went to check in. Then I threw my things and went swimming and eating. In the evening, I returned to the room, the smell was there and then it dawned on me that it was a cockroach repellent!!!!!! The victims were already lying all over the room, and very large ones. At the reception, they silently moved me, without even apologizing. This moment, of course, spoiled the impression. After all, I immediately said that the smell was very sharp. The bathroom is very interestingly made, it is as if outside, in the shower there is a net and an outside nook. Leaving the cool room there is a strong contrast, but this does not spoil the rest. I liked the design of the disposable sets, they looked very stylish. In the evenings, musicians played in the restaurant (the first day there were mantras to the music, on the second day a guy sang very chicly. In the restaurant you can eat from the menu or dinner/lunch buffet. We tried both options, everything is very good. Very attentive staff in the cafe, the administrator saw us and ran to prepare a table for us. They also served by the pool. The territory is not large, but it is conducive to relaxation. Monkeys even came running. Friends went to the spa, they said the massage was good. From the hotel we went to Sigiriya (20 minutes by car) and on a safari in the park.

This is a hotel nestled in the mountains! Excellent location! Fresh air! Cleanliness: Clean and tidy! Facilities: Good Environment: Excellent, with many small animals Service: Okay I would still recommend it, although it's a bit of a drive in.

The hotel is nice, spacious beautiful room at check in we were treated to a refreshing juice. There is a big pool on the grounds and a big jacuzzi with hot water in the room.  Minuses of the hotel: Far from the attractions. Taxi from the center only go there for the price of pick me x2. Hotel taxi are 3 times more expensive. There are no stores and restaurants near the hotel, so inside the hotel prices for food x3, Also after 6pm it is dangerous to be outside because elephants are walking around. Now let's talk about the premium status and the five races. In 7 years of traveling, this is the first hotel that did not have a bathrobe, slippers and toothbrush and toothpaste in the room. The plumbing in the shower leaks, and the doors creak so much that you could call the spirits at night. Regarding the attention to the customer. I mentioned my upcoming birthday in conversation with the manager, but this fact was not used in any way to show any form of attention from the hotel. This is a huge miscalculation on the part of the staff at a premium hotel. We also had a late departure and our request to delay in the hotel for a couple of hours was refused. This was not due to the arrival of new customers, as the manager offered to extend our stay for a fee. For future customers this fact may be decisive in their choice. In general, the hotel is not bad, but the service and flexibility of the staff, as well as individual approach to customers, does not correspond to the premium level and requires improvement.

We stayed here two nights to enjoy the two main attractions of the area. The boys are very available and the manager is a nice young man who can do it! The location is very quiet even though not very far from the rooms. The hotel is very comfortable and it is very comfortable and it is very comfortable and it is very comfortable and it is very good.

Kalundewa Retreat has an amazing concept and a beautiful, secluded location that really stands out. The surroundings are peaceful and unique, making it a lovely place to disconnect. That said, there are visible signs of wear and tear in certain areas, and some aspects of property maintenance could be improved. However, what truly made up for this was the hotel team — their service was warm, attentive, and genuinely welcoming. The food was excellent and clearly prepared with care, which added greatly to the overall experience. With better upkeep, this place has the potential to be exceptional.

Thank you for a great stay. The staff were amazing and friendly. We enjoyed the breakfast and conversation learning about the area from the staff. The location is excellent as it's close to attractions and food. We definitely recommend it.

The hotel is a bit off the main road, nestled in the jungle. It has a large, beautiful property with a decent restaurant that served tasty food. In the room, there's a concrete bed and concrete countertops, and the outlets are inconveniently located under the nightstands. Maybe the design was cool initially, but now it looks a bit tired. What I didn't like was the lack of soap (though they brought some when I asked), and the shower gel and shampoo bottles were already half-used. Also, the toilet seat didn't fit properly. The hotel staff, in general, were willing to help with any issues within their power.