Thambapanni Retreat

Great hotel it’s a little oasis. Newly decorated and extremely clean. Staff cannot do enough to help you. Food excellent in the restaurant. Asok is always there to recommend a dish, along with the chef who will cook whatever you ask for. The resort is up a little side street. You would miss the retreat if you didn’t look carefully. Pretty and green with beautifuflowers in the garden, a small refreshing clean pool. The beach is nearby and so are the restaurants. Beach has great waves! There were lots of people on the beach when we arrived! The beach is nice but not wow. We enjoy it though! Unawatuna definitely has the vibes, lovely boutique hotels, nice food and a nice beach. Also lots smiley faces and Yes we would come back! Beautiful Sri Lanka and its people. Loved it!

Amazing authentic hotel in the jungle but also near the Main Street with restaurants and shops and also Uwanatuna beach. Staff was soooo friendly and helpful. In the balcony have seen and monkeys and other animals such as frogs, lizards 🦎 amazing authentic space. Breakfast was also good.

I returned back to the amazing hotel and was not disappointed! The staff are attentive and can not do enough o make your stay enjoyable! This hotel is tucked up one of the side streets minutes away from the beach and is surrounded by trees and nature. The room was clean and super comfortable! The pool was clean and well maintained under the dappled shade of the surrounding jungle. The breakfast was varied and fresh and was well stocked. Stay here if you want a relaxing hotel close to the beach with amazing staff!

I fell in love with the hotel from the first sight: the vibe, nature, smell, wildlife, hospitality.. everything! Our room 121 is not in the main building and I guess it's even better as there's silence. We have everything for the comfortable stay: 2 fans on the ceiling, an a/c in the corner which is great as you may not get a cold, a huge bathroom with all the necessary stuff, a tea set and a bottle of water which are refilled daily. People are hard-working, friendly, happy. They are ready to welcome you with pleasure. The chief manager at the restaurant (a handsome, hospitable man) gives the guests some extras, Lucky man brings coconuts for free (Thank you, my friend 🙏) etc. Breakfasts are awesome !!!! I still can't try all the dishes as I am quickly full. Don't hesitate, Tambapanni is a good value for money. Our friends stayed at Seaview Beach hotel that is closer to the beach and the price is nearly the same, but...the difference is enormous. I am ready to give 10 out of 10, but unfortunately I have to minus 1point for the drawback named Inesh or smth like this. He is the only one who behaves as a peacock. He works at the restaurant and probably one of the managers, big size,drives a motor bike and wears a blue uniform. He is the most unpleasant spot at the place of Paradise as he is friendly only to the people who pays extra (for dinner,some smacks for example). All the other guests don't exist for Peacock he even doesn't say Hello to them. That's why Tambapanni gets 9 out of 10 from me. Hopefully, next time you will be able to get rid of him With all my love, Natalie

Thambapanni Retreat was de laatste stop van onze rondreis van 3 weken. En wat zijn we verwend op deze prachtige, relaxte en rustige plek in het drukke Unawatuna. Allereerst de hartelijke ontvangst bij de receptie. We hadden een geweldige kamer met airco, ruim en met een mooi balkon vanwaar we de taferelen van de apen goed konden volgen. Al het personeel dat zo gastvrij en vriendelijk is, elke ochtend, middag en avond en lach, een vriendelijk woord en oprechte belangstelling hoe het met ons gaat, hoe warm het ook was. Asoka is een voortreffelijke gastheer die ons telkens goed adviseerde over de vegetarische menukeuzes. Ook Bony droeg zijn steentje bij. Lionel, de chef van de keuken heeft voor ons telkens heerlijke maaltijden bereid. De BBQ op Valentijnsdag werd, ondanks de regenbui eind van de middag, en groot succes. Voortreffelijk verzorgd, mooie decoraties, heerlijk eten en live muziek. En, last but not least, Nilanga die ons een heel fijn de Thambapanni massage van een uur gaf. Dit alles maakte ons verblijf hier onvergetelijk.

This place took me by surprise. Leaving the loud main road, you wind up briefly to a perfectly serene, quiet retreat, staffed by some of the most kind and genuinely invested human beings I’ve ever met. Our rooms were great, wifi worked without a problem, and there was never any power outage. The kitchen is what really got me, though. I normally don’t eat much at hotels, seeking more local experiences outside. But during my three days in Unawatuna I did not once eat anywhere other than Thambapanni. The food here is nothing short of divine. Margarita pizza better than I’ve had anywhere, sautéed Tuna that redefined how fish could be prepared for me, hell even the base salad was masterfully seasoned and actually full of flavor. I actually got to know the chef, Lionel, just to thank him for his effort and the clear attentiveness and knowledge he brings to his craft. The waitstaff was also very helpful. Deshan in particular was so helpful, ever attentive without being obtrusive. At one point he even offered to bike into town to get some antihistamines for my wife, who was suffering an allergic reaction at the time. And the owner, Alex, even took me and my wife on a tour of his farm! This was the other secret to why their food is so amazing—aside from Lionel’s experience and professionalism, they locally source their ingredients! Alex showed us where they grow cinnamon, coconuts, bananas, and the chickens, so full and contented. Everything about this place was clearly the product of dedication and love, from the field to your plate. When we had to leave, my wife and I actually felt sad to go. And the receptionist at the front desk, having noticed my wife photographing flowers, actually made her an adorable little flower keychain from folded ribbons. Delightful location, unbelievably good food, kind and genuinely invested staff, 5/5 would do it again.

Although Unawatuna has changed drastically the last years ( Many Russian tourists) this hotel gives you the vibes of what it used to be. The rooms are lovely and clean, with all the needed facilities. The view is lovely, the chef knows what he is doing and for every question they will find an answer. We were welcome in the hotel of the same company with large decks and both salt and sweet water. They go out of their way to may your stay as pleasant as possible. We loved it.

Very good service. Rooms are huge. Very good value for money. Massage services is also very good. Free transfer to the other than thanphanni resort. Pool area and sunbathing beds are amazing. One of the nicest we have stayed in. Warm feeling through out