A wonderful oasis of nature and relaxation. We loved our stay here! Highly recommend.

Stayed in September 2025

Nothing. All was perfect, we would love to stay here again!

Very beautiful and peaceful place to stay. In the middle of nature, at the riverfront. The room was not that big, but ok. We got an extra bed for our son. The room was clean, with a terrace. Food was very good. We are vegetarians which was no problem for them. Staff was very friendly and helpful. After the safari's we could take a refreshing swim in the river. Which we really recommend. We did some kayaking too. No wifi in the room, only at the front desk and restaurant. However, no wifi required if you are in such a beautiful place. The place is a good spot for birdwatching.

Stayed in August 2025

Great atmosphere, as if you’re visiting somebody at home instead of being at a hotel. Very welcoming and homely. Fantastic and authentic Sri Lankan food. Amazing staff.

Stayed in August 2025

Nothing

In our opinion best place we’ve stayed so far. Such friendly and helpful staff and owner. Great activities and wonderful to swim in the river. Thank you.

Stayed in August 2025

Nothing

Backwaters lodge is the most serene location with a major push for eco environment , stunning location

Stayed in August 2025

The lodges: they were clean but in 1 of them there was a very strong smell of cleaning/disinfectant/anti-bug spray.

The location of the hotel is very serene. It is a nice and quiet surrounding. Staff is very friendly and the food is good. The lodges are basically 1,5 twenty foot containers on pillars. We enjoyed our dinner on the riverbanks by the bonfire.

Stayed in July 2025

Lovely people, you feel so welcome. The environs is amazing as is the park. Great walks. Food is very good

Stayed in July 2025

At the end, the price was much more than we were thinking, because of additional service fees on the room, the dinner was expensive, eventually adding an extra 100 dollars on the 235 dollars, which was quite disappointing.

The lodge was perfectly located next to the river, the staff was super friendly and the food was delicious.

Stayed in July 2025

For what you get the place is a bit overrated in price. Some seating inside the cabine would be nice, there are no chairs inside.

Good place near the river with nice seatings and terasses. Food is done very well. The cabines are sufficient. And the eco philosophy is great. The local tuktuk tour through the village is very interesting and pleasant, a must do.

Stayed in June 2025

A coil or vaporiser in the room to deter mosquitos would be a bonus. Otherwise all was excellent.

For people like ourselves who love the outdoors and wildlife, the location was perfect, as were the activities on offer. The food was excellent and the staff were friendly and helpful, nothing was to much trouble for them. The rooms were comfortable and the attached balcony offered good oppertunities to watch the local bird and butterfly life. All in all we had an excellent five night stay in the lodge. We were very sad to leave and will come again.

Stayed in April 2025

Close to the secondary gate to Wilpattu, very friendly staff and nice surroundings of the rooms! It does take a while to get into the park and we felt we didn’t see many animals in the first stretch, so book a full day safari to not be disappointed. Only comment is that I realized they charge a 10% service charge on the entire bill, including the room fees, which led to us paying close to 25 euros in service charges, which is a lot.

Stayed in April 2025

Only a small thing, there was some construction noise going on, which was a bit annoying when wanted to relax outside.

Loved our stay here. Backwaters is a really charming hotel close to the river. We stayed in the family suite room which had a lovely view over the surrounding forest, and we saw monkeys just outside the window in the mornings. We rented a kayak one afternoon and enjoyed paddling up and down the river. The food was really delicious and very generous. The staff were really friendly and happy to help with any requests we had. We would definitely visit again.

Stayed in March 2025

Beautiful location, quiet, lots of birds, lots of activities and close to Wilpattu NP. The team was very friendly, helpful and the food was lovely. Hope to come back next year!

Stayed in February 2025

Could have been a little more evening food variety as in reality I suspect not many people take a tuk tuk to eat elsewhere. If only staying a night or two then not a problem

Beautiful setting very well designed- so peaceful. Lakshi was amazing and went out of her way to make sure we were happy / she was very knowledgable and chatty but never “in your face” in fact all staff were perfect. Accommodation was very comfortable/ breakfast excellent.

Stayed in February 2025

Wonderful cabins in the forest very quiet and relaxing cool swim in the river. The staff were very kind and helpful when I had a migraine. They made the food more spicy for my husband. The owner is very helpful and interesting to talk too, they have done a great job of keeping the place part of the jungle. They organised a safari for us which was really nice we didn't see too many other jeeps and even managed to see a leopard.

Stayed in February 2025

Loved, it, shame about the weather!

Great location and wonderful staff, we enjoyed the food. The Slow Loris tour was excellent. In the morning we were sat by the river and a crocodile meandered by! Truly wonderful!

Stayed in January 2025

A bit isolated

Close to the safaris and unique accommodations in the middle of the jungle.

Stayed in January 2025

N/a

The breakfast was excellent. A mixture of local and western food

Stayed in January 2025

Not a lot of transport options to get to the property.

Very quiet and peaceful, nice area to sit and meet other travellers

Stayed in January 2025

The evening menu could have more for people who do not like spices or curry.

we liked the concept of the containers for the rooms and not being overlooked.

Stayed in January 2025

Everything was just as expected.

We had a most delightful stay. Our comfortable room allowed us to appreciate the soothing sounds of nature. The staff were incredibly kind and helpful, and we thoroughly enjoyed the breakfasts and dinners they prepared. They even surprised me with birthday cake and sang "Happy Birthday" to celebrate my special day.

Stayed in January 2025

Nothing

Set within the forest it is an oasis of calm. The staff were friendly and keen to help. The accommodation is quirky, fairly basic but comfortable. The food was excellent and plentiful. There are a number of activities and excursions available, or you can simply relax on your veranda up in the trees. There are a number of chill out zones.

Stayed in January 2025

Nothing

You enter paradise. Everything was perfekt. The rooms are nice, the people are absolutely friendly, helpful, thoughtful and top when it comes to organizing anything. Very reliable. The food is amazing as is tea and coffee. The place is so tranquil and beautiful. The place to stay!

Stayed in January 2025

The rooms were a bit more back to basic and a little less clean than the pictures make you believe. Does not have to be a problem, if you would know beforehand. This was the first two nights of our honeymoon and also new year’s eve and they mentioned when we asked before the booking that they would ensure to make it a special one, but in reality there was nothing extra special, except for the little NYE BBQ that ended way before midnight and everyone was sound asleep before midnight.

Location in the middle of nature was beautiful, right by the lake and the site was very idyllic. The friendly staff was great, always keen to help. They helped us arrange a great pick-up from the airport and a safari and boattrip which were great and with packed lunch. The food was nice, with a nice news year’s eve barbecue. Mubarak the boatdriver was great!

Stayed in January 2025