Pinnawala Elephant Front View Hotel

Lovely big room overlooking the Elephant orphanage. Clear view animals.

Lots of steps up to room. Not really a problem if you’re fit tho! Owner emphatic we did the Elephant bathe, so we went along to show willing….watch out for 20,000 rupees pp entrance charge ( 10 & 15,000 tickets too) if you want to be there for an hour, wash them and have a ride.. Don’t accept that! We bartered them and got it for less. We were then herded to the herb garden & after the sales tour we were taken into a ‘massage’ room and told to strip off our tops, which felt a little uncomfortable We were then given a 15 min ‘massage’ and charged another 5000, which we really had no choice about without seeming to be rude and tight… I personally did not enjoy the elephant experience as felt strongly it was animal exploitation and had I known what the your entailed pre visit, I would have abstained….

Welcoming host...location...view from balcony

Wonderful view from the Balcony. Hundreds of elephants can be seen in the morning from the balcony.

Everything is likable there .. location was away from the hustle.. surrounded by flora and fauna.. Gigantic rooms with the utmost clean and tidiness .. Wide balcony where you can just sit and chill.. From your bed you can see elephants roaming in their enclosure .. Hosts' hospitality is worth mentioning .. and last but not the least 'Home cooked breakfast was mouth watering'.. Highly recommended ...!!!

Our stay at Pinnawala] was truly exceptional, thanks to the incredible hospitality of Roshan, the hotel manager. He was kind, sincere, and went out of his way to ensure we had a memorable experience. From taking us around the local area to preparing a delicious traditional Sri Lankan breakfast, his dedication made all the difference. We stayed on the second floor, and the view was simply breathtaking—watching elephants from our room was an unforgettable sight. It was Roshan and his wonderful family who made this hotel stand out, and because of them, we would rate our stay as nothing short of exceptional. Highly recommended!

Large rooms. With AC large bed and amazing view

Great location big rooms. Quiet area.

Breakfast was good. The room was enormous. Loved sitting on the balcony watching the elephants.

The bed was not the most comfortable. There appeared to be an electrical socket next to the shower so we didn't risk using tha shower.

View onto the back of the elephant orphanage was good and it was lovely to watch the elephants through binoculars. The surrounding paths offered lovely early morning wanders and the birdsong was amazing. Just a short walk from the Main Street with cafes, restaurants and the also the zoo and elephant orphanage. The room was a good size, with good air conditioning and a fan, with a lovely window and balcony.

It didn’t correspond to the description on booking.com. There was no fridge, no drying rack, it “boasts a bath” -no bath and no hot water at the property. There was no garden as such to enjoy and the fence to the elephant orphanage was on a different level completely and not accessible. There were appliances in the room which were unusable: eg an iron with a dangerously broken plug, a bedside light with no functioning plug. There were sharp, dangerous, exposed bases for missing decorative knobs on balcony railing and stairway handrails. There was no kettle, no cups or welcoming tea bags etc. We asked and were given a kettle. We had to ask again for cups. The family had quite limited English, the poorest we had encountered in guesthouses in Sri Lanka, and this made things more difficult to negotiate. Breakfast was very poor, especially on the first morning. One banana each, a fried egg, thin toasted sandwich filled with a very small amount of some vegetable filling, a small bowl of plain boiled beans, a pile of white sliced bread and basic jam. There was water but we were only given a hot drink when we requested it. The coffee we received was poor quality. Photos shared are of day 2 breakfast. Breakfasts in other guesthouses have cost the same and been amazing.

I am beyond happy to have had the chance to visit this place. I spent three amazing days at your hotel with such a beautiful view of the elephants. Waking up in the morning to see them, hear their deep sounds, and watch them roam freely in the field was an unforgettable experience. It’s a wonderful opportunity to observe wildlife while enjoying the comfort of your hotel. The terrace is fantastic, the atmosphere is warm and welcoming, and everything is so cozy, clean, and beautifully designed. The hotel smells amazing, and it has everything you need for a perfect stay. My deepest gratitude goes to Roshan and his family for their incredible hospitality and for helping with the excursions. I am truly thankful for these wonderful three days. I was so happy to meet everyone involved in running this hotel and to get to know the culture of Penawawa. I’m already recommending this place to my friends, and many of them are eager to visit and experience the same emotions. I will definitely be back and would love to spend more time in this magical place!