Clay Hut Village

Location: Rankotvehara Road, Nishshankamallapura Polonnaruwa, SRI LANKA, Polonnaruwa, lk

Star Rating: 9.3 Stars

Property Type: Bed and breakfasts

About this Property

Important Information

Policies

Check-in: 09:00 AM - 09:00 PM

Check-out: 12:00 PM

Amenities & Facilities

• Offsite parking discounted rates available
• Guest education on local ecosystems and culture
• Parking
• Non-smoking rooms
• Air conditioning
• Restaurant
• Room service
• Terrace
• Family rooms
• Pets allowed
• BBQ facilities
• Luggage storage
• Express check-in/check-out
• Fax/photocopying
• Tour desk
• Soundproof rooms
• Ironing service
• Car hire
• Packed lunches
• Currency exchange
• Private check-in/check-out
• Shared lounge/TV area
• Shuttle service (additional charge)
• Concierge service
• Grocery deliveries
• Kid meals
• Public transport tickets
• Outdoor furniture
• Fruits
• Staff adhere to local safety protocols
• Guest rooms disinfected between stays
• Cleaning standards that are effective against Coronavirus
• Physical distancing rules followed
• Hand sanitizer in guest room and key areas
• First aid kit available
• Sanitized tableware & silverware
• Contactless check-in/check-out
• Invoice provided
• Guests can opt-out any cleaning services during stay
• Shared stationery like menus, pens are removed
• Guest room sealed after cleaning
• Physical distancing in dining areas
• Key access
• Food delivered to guest room
• Process in place to check health of guests
• 24-hour security
• Cooking class
• ATM/banking
• Front desk (limited hours)
• Express check-in
• Free wired internet
• Self parking (surcharge)
• Offsite parking discounted rates available
• Internet access
• Housekeeping on request
• Private picnics
• Reception hall
• Japanese garden
• Secured parking
• Garage
• Water sports equipment
• Hosted evening meal (reserve)
• Bicycle-friendly property
• Charcoal grill
• Guest education on local ecosystems and culture
• Vegetarian menu options available
• Accessible shuttle
• No accessible shuttle
• Accessible train station shuttle
• No accessible train station shuttle

Rooms Available

• Bungalow with Garden View

  Each air-conditioned room here will provide you with a patio and a seating area. Featuring a shower, private bathroom also comes with slippers. You can enjoy garden view from the room. It can accommodate 4 guests.

  Max Occupancy: 4 (4 Adults)

  • Shower
  • Air conditioning
  • Seating Area
  • Fan
  • Toilet
  • Washing machine
  • Private bathroom
  • Private entrance
  • Tile/marble floor
  • Dining area
  • Hypoallergenic
  • Terrace
  • Linen
  • Dining table
  • Outdoor furniture
  • Outdoor dining area
  • Entire unit located on ground floor
  • Clothes rack
  • Toilet paper
  • Trash cans
  • Body soap
  • Socket near the bed

• Family Room with Private Bathroom

  Each air-conditioned room here will provide you with a patio and a seating area. Featuring a shower, private bathroom also comes with slippers. You can enjoy garden view from the room. It can accommodate 4 guests and offers additional space.

  Max Occupancy: 4 (4 Adults)

  • Coffee/tea maker
  • Shower
  • TV
  • Air conditioning
  • Seating Area
  • Fan
  • Toilet
  • Washing machine
  • Private bathroom
  • Private entrance
  • Tile/marble floor
  • Dining area
  • Electric kettle
  • Hypoallergenic
  • Terrace
  • Linen
  • Dining table
  • Outdoor furniture
  • Outdoor dining area
  • Entire unit located on ground floor
  • Clothes rack
  • Toilet paper
  • Trash cans
  • Body soap
  • Socket near the bed

Guest Reviews

• Hille (8/5): -
• KIMMEL (10/5): Magnifique - Très beau logement dans une atmosphère très calme et apaisante. Très bon niveau d’anglais de l’hôte facilitant la communication. Mise a disposition de vélo pour la journée pour aller visiter la ville.
• Samantha (10/5): I had a delicious, home cooked dinner followed by a great night’s sleep. - Very comfortable bed, beautiful surroundings, friendly and incredibly helpful staff, delicious food. Can’t think of anything.
• Saba (9/5): - The hosts were a big highlight for us, friendly, hospitable and helpful with a lot of local knowledge. They recommended an excellent guide for Polonnurawa and were able to provide estimated for costs of transport to the ancient city as well as costs for a Tuktuk tour. They got rid of the scorpion (non-poisonous I later found out!) and went to great lengths to keep the car away when they learnt my son was allergic and afraid. They went out of their way to confirm the chicken they would be cooking was halal as requested. The food was plentiful and tasty, served in a lovely dining area overlooking the pond. The room was simple but comfortable and the bathroom clean. The setting is pretty in the midst of a forest, our children enjoyed playing amongst the trees and on the hammock. There wasn’t much to dislike, just a few niggles. The electric shower delivered only lukewarm water. One of the sheets had a hole in it. The floor did feel a little dusty underfoot but otherwise the room was clean.
• Uwe (7/5): - Die Lage, direkt an einem Ausgang zur Ancient City. Tipp: Man kann mit der Tageskarte mittags raus und während der größten Hitze in der Unterkunft eine Pause einlegen und dann zu Fuß wieder reingehen. Die Menschen in Clay Hut Village waren wunderbar. Danke für die tollen Gespräche mit der gut Englisch sprechenden Tochter.
• Alessandra918 (9/5): - il personale fantástico.la cena buonissima Internet ok. Tutto perfetto Nada
• Marielle (9/5): Eenvoud in de natuur! - Een eenvoudig huisje in prachtige natuur. Gewekt worden met apen en herten in de tuin. De familie regelt fietsen voor je en je kunt langs het kanaal naar de oude stad fietsen. Er wordt heerlijk gekookt. Gastvrije en vriendelijke familie.
• Daniele (5/5): Un’esperienza immersa nella natura, forse fin troppo. - Atmosfera naturale e silenziosa, ideale per chi cerca isolamento e contatto con la natura. Appena arrivati abbiamo dovuto cambiare stanza per qualche formica di troppo. La posizione è molto isolata, senza attrazioni nelle vicinanze. Durante il soggiorno abbiamo incontrato diversi “ospiti” indesiderati come formiche, gechi e scarafaggi. La stanza dava l’idea di non essere stata usata di recente.
• Simone (9/5): - De locatie is top en de eigenaren zijn ontzettend lief! Het eten is hier echt geweldig!
• Andrew (8/5): - The huts were set by a seasonally dry pond within the grounds which attracted nature. We saw Otters, fabulous birds and bats. It was easy to rent bikes as soon as we arrived. The entrance to the ruins are reached by a 4km lovely canal side lane, ideal for biking. The lane passes a huge rice paddies at one point and local people wash clothes and take an afternoon swim in the canal. We saw kingfishers along there, a monitor lizard having a swim and a kite early in the morning. The accommodation is next to an exit for Polonnaruwa half way through the site which you can exit from for a midday break and return into if you have your ticket stamped as you exit. You can't exit another gate and go in this one however. Breakfast and rice and curry dinner at Clay Hut Village are very tasty and plentiful while more expensive than usual budget prices. Nothing
• Inderpal (8/5): Very good -
• Mollie (10/5): Little slice of nature in the ancient city - Clay Hut Village was a really great stay. We arrived and the accommodation was incredibly clean, set with lovely surroundings and a meal area overlooking a pond with amazing wildlife. We were really well looked after by the staff, lovely food, arranged bikes and tuk tuks for us, and made us feel very welcome. There are nice areas for relaxing like the hammocks and the tables, and in the rooms the AC and showers worked well. Thank you so much!
• Emma (10/5): Exceptional - Great location. Beautiful surroundings. Very comfortable. Delicious Sri Lankan breakfast and home cooked evening meal. Lovely staff who were so helpful. Nothing.
• Leo (10/5): Exceptional - We like the location and garden. Also the friendly People. Nothing
• Karel (8/5): A fine stay in Polonnaruwa - Kindness of the staff. The hotel keeper has booked a fine tuktuk driver for the visit of the ancient city. Very good food. Very quiet location. Unfortunately there was an unpleasant odor from the drain in the bathroom. Missing seats on the terrace.
• Kerry (9/5): Superb - The food was amazing, authentic, home cooked and Sri Lankan. Absolutely delicious and beautifully prepared, very generous portions. We had breakfast and an evening meal, where we had 13 dishes to share between 2 of us.
• Heather (10/5): Great place, great location, great value - Real gem of a place - great location close to the ancient city, very comfortable with lovely host. Fantastic value for money.
• Fran (9/5): Superb - Tranquil location by the exit to the ruins. Friendly, helpful host, and amazing dinner and breakfast made by his mother! Very peaceful and tucked away. Clay Hut Village is a few km from the entrance to the ruins. I caught a bus to Polonnaruwa which stops by the entrance, and toured the ruins before checking in - this worked for me and is useful if you want to save a little journey. 🙂 Take a mosquito net as they are very lively! I shut doors/windows at dusk and did a scan of room before I went to sleep.
• Jane (10/5): Exceptional -
• David (9/5): Very enjoyable - The gardens, the food and the staff.
• Mette (10/5): Absolutely wonderful place, highly recommended! - Lovely place at quiet and peaceful surroundings, next to one of the exits of the archeological site. Big garden with resident monkeys and where we saw deer both nights. 4 huts with lots of privacy. Big room, clean and comfortable, both with ac and ventilator. The owners are exceptionally friendly and helpful. Lahiru organised a canoe tour on the lake to one of the islands which was absolutely superb! His mother cooks really the best meals we had in Sri Lanka in more than 3 weeks! Highly recommended to stay at this place
• Boris (10/5): Great location with friendlystaff and great food - Great location between ruins and canal. Staff very friendly and knowledgeable. Greatmeals
• Marleen (10/5): Exceptional - The stay is in the middle of the nature. It is a beautiful garden on which you look out during breakfast. In the evening you can chill in the garden, in the hammock or at the table. The owners are very nice!
• Gary (10/5): Exceptional -
• Patrick (5/5): Passable -
• Marijke (10/5): Lovely stay in nature - Lovely hut, lovely service and hospitality. Niets
• Max (9/5): Beautiful grounds, good food. - Beautiful grounds! Not as many mosquitoes as I feared when I saw their pond (but still quite a few). Unfortunately it's right by an exit from Polunnaruwa but only locals can use it, sort of a tease, but it's only 10 min to the main entrance by 3-wheel or car. Very nice dinner and they were able to accomodate our request for veggies (I think made extra-mild for the other guests but still delicious, and they special made us some spicy sambol). Lovely kind family. see above, but really very nice.
• Rachel (9/5): Lovely place near Polonnaruwa park- would recommend - The owners are so welcoming and friendly. We had a lovely stay and ate both our dinners and breakfasts there. Loads of wildlife around the property. Very close to Polonnaruwa park A little cold at night when it’s raining
• Haley (10/5): Authentic stay in nature near the Ancient City - My husband and I had a wonderful stay in Polonnaruwa at Clay Hut Village! Clay Hut Village features a sizable property with a lake and ample wildlife viewing opportunities. In our short one-night stay, we were able to see tens of spotted deer, both macaques and langurs, and a variety of birds. The hosts were incredibly welcoming and nice to speak with. They shared a wealth of information about Sri Lanka’s wildlife, culture, and history, including information about the Polonnaruwa Ancient City and what to look for when visiting. This made our visit to the ruins even more special! We enjoyed a delicious traditional Sri Lankan dinner the night of our arrival and an early breakfast on their lake view terrace before heading out for sight-seeing. The property is conveniently located near one of the exits to the Polonnaruwa Ancient City, so we were able to tour the ruins bright and early in the morning with less crowds and arrive back at the hotel within minutes. We can’t forget to mention that we loved the company of their resident dogs Max and Charlie! Overall, we had a memorable stay in Polonnaruwa at the Clay Hut Village and would strongly recommend it for anyone visiting the Ancient City!
• Lari_a (9/5): Superb - During breakfast and dinner we could watch animals that came near the small pond at the property, monkeys, deers, kingfishers and a turtle. The meals were one of the best we had in Sri Lanka, abundant homemade food. The location is near one of the exits of the archeological site and there is a bike rental place nearby. Although we enjoyed the two nights we spent at Clay Hut Village, we thought the room was a bit worn out, it could be renovated or improved.
• Veemalavadee (10/5): Exceptional - Everything was as described. Lahiru was super helpful. Highly recommend!
• Nikhil (8/5): Calm and peaceful - A nice and calm place away from the city. You can even spot deer grazing in the grass at night. The rooms feel a bit old but will serve the purpose. The bathroom had a hot water facility. Ample parking space. Food was good and homemade, however the price is a bit high. It was a great time meeting & talking with Lahiru and his family. Best wishes! ~
• Gayanath (9/5): We stayed for two night nights. Lahiru and family who runs the place provided exceptional service. Rooms were basic but - Very clean and very good service. Close proximity to the ancient city. Nothing to dislike. All good.
• Suboda (9/5): Superb -
• Tavish (10/5): Exceptional -
• Moritz (10/5): Exceptional - We arrived from Trincomalee via bus and tuk-tuk, and were welcomed very nicely by the host and his mother. We stayed in a spacious and spotlessly clean clay hut with good AC and a comfortable bed. There's a food lounge and plenty of cozy spots to hang out and read a book, plan your trip, or relax in a hammock or on one of the benches. The area is lovingly maintained. The food here is really, really good and very plentiful. It feels bad to leave any leftovers, but we couldn’t avoid it. Our plan for Polonnaruwa was tightly scheduled: visit the Ancient City in the afternoon, go on an elephant safari the following afternoon, and then head to Kandy. However, we had to change our plans when my wife fell ill with a stomach bug on the first evening. The hosts took great care of us, offering emotional support, helping us reschedule (extending our stay by a night, skipping the Ancient City, and postponing the safari), cooking stomach-friendly food for my wife, and giving us useful tips, telling stories, and introducing us to their local friends. All of this felt very genuine and special to us—we felt so very welcomed here. Thank you so much!
• Sabrinaweber (9/5): Superb - Very friendly host whoms mom is a good cooker, so that you can enjoy breakfast next to nice little lake on the tarrace. The huts are very spacious and the beds are comfortable. Only the bathroom is a little bit "of age". But it is functional The whole stay was more memorablebecaus of Charly, the lovely dog :)
• Mieke (10/5): Amazing - I loved this place. The clay hut is very comfortable with a great bed. The owners are incredibly kind and helpful. Perfect location and most delicious dinner ever.
• Edirisinghe (10/5): Relaxed vacation - This is very nice place if your goal is to spend a quality time with your family. It is very close to ancient city.
• Edirisinghe (10/5): Dream vacation place - This is a fantastic place. Nice surroundings, friendly staff. Great hospitality. Perfect stay. Highly recommended. None
• Sara (10/5): Exceptional - I was warmly welcomed and shown to what I can only describe as an idyllic bungalow set back from the main property. The room was beautifully cool thanks to the ac, and there is also a wall fan. The bathroom was spotlessly clean, and there was hot water! Mama made me an evening meal and breakfast, her cooking is out of this world, if you get chance try the loofah it is so good. I can't recommend staying here highly enough, I wish I had found this place earlier in my stay as I would have definitely stayed longer. Everything was brilliant, the only thing I was missing was a kettle and mug and an outside seat to watch the thunderstorm 😀
• Stephen (10/5): Exceptional - Our "hut" was roomy and peaceful and comfortable, with quiet and powerful AC. Dinner and breakfast on the outdoor terrace were generous and delicious. Plus we really enjoyed conversations with the host/owner, who was also very helpful in arranging our bike rentals. The place is very close to one of the archeological site exits, really nice at the end of a day of touring. Nothing!
• Chathuranga (10/5): This is much more value for the price!! Calm, relaxing natural garden provides wonderful experience. The delecious food - - Calm, relaxing natural garden - Safe private parking - Comfortable A/C room with privacy - Lovely, responsible staff - Delicious meals and refreshments served very clean and respectful manner - Support for organizing extra arrangements such as Boat Ride, etc…
• Ben (10/5): Fantastic staff, location and experience - Where do I begin. The Clay Hut Village is a magical oasis in the heart of Polonnaruwa. The host and his mother were the most generous and kind hearted people we have come across in Sri Lanka. The dinner was incredible and the village itself plays hosts to families of Gray Langurs and Toque macaque and of course Charlie the loyal Labrador. It’s extremely close to the historic Polonnaruwa city and the hosts sorted a lovely evening at the lake. Ask about the local bakery and the local swimming spot. You won’t be disappointed! Thankyou for everything!
• Federico (9/5): Superb - The owner was very helpfull and we enjoyed a lot his tips about what to visit and the meals prepared there. Great.
• Marion (9/5): Excellent stay - Hospitality is amazing in a tranquil environment. We had great time with our hosts together including swimming and cooking!. They are very good with kids! Host gave good practical tips.
• Eoghan (10/5): Exceptional - Excellent hosts who, at short notice, helped us set up a birthday party and served a great meal. We ended up having a lovely evening chatting with them. Our children had space to play in and explore. Would highly recommend.
• Christof (9/5): Awesome and close to everything - Fantastic hut with bathroom, we were delighted with it. Two queen beds were so comfortable and the hosts were very kind, friendly and we will not forget them. Thank you very much
• Veronika (9/5): Great - go there! - The place is like a little garden Eden. There is a huge pond just in the middle of it where you can enjoy your breakfast with all the birds and turtles around. That is really special and made our stay even better. Lahiru and his mom are just the best, really welcoming and caring, the food was brilliant and so was the location (super close also to the archeological site). Lahiru organised bikes for us and brought us to the bus stop the next day. Thank you for everything - we had a great stay!!
• Ingrid (9/5): Superb - Lovely family and we had a fantastic dinner and breakfast. The place is very beautiful and quiet with a big garden and a pond with lots of birds. Highly recommended. We only missed some comfortabel chairs on the veranda, but they got us some chairs 👍
• Asia (10/5): Its wort the trip - The staff were very friendly and helpful. The breakfast a 10/10. The pets Kitty and Charlie are a very good company. the location was quiet, a perfect place to relax. Attention monkeys !!🙈🙈
• David (10/5): Relaxing stay in rustic but welcoming surroundings. - This is a delightful place to stay. So many good aspects to consider: friendly and kind staff, delicious meals, quiet location not far from the sightseeing, ability to arrange excursions and onward journey, wildlife on property: monkeys, deer, birds…, laundry service, ability to call in craftsmen to display their wares. And the meals…they are soooo good. And..suggest you ask your host any questions you can think of about Sri Lanka…you will learn a lot from his straightforward answers.
• Johnathan (10/5): Exceptional - This is a charming and delightful place to stay, run with a highly hospitable personal touch by the family who own it who also prepare fabulous meals. It's more like staying in a very friendly village than a hotel.
• Shakya (10/5): Exceptional - It was verry beautiful place near by ancient city and the owners were super nice people. They helped us with everything we needed and the rice and curry was verry tasty 🙂
• Camilla (10/5): Good value for a very pleasant family stay - We booked two simple, basic family rooms which were beautifully clean and comfortable. The staff were so welcoming and friendly and made the most delicious breakfast for us which we ate overlooking the lake whilst watching a king fisher fish for his breakfast!
• Philip (10/5): Excellent Sri Lankan Style Rental with Fabulous Food.... - The main thing we enjoyed about the rental was the staff....VERY helpful..Friendly...Knowledgeable.... The rental is very low keyed and very Sri Lankan in nature... While the location is very near the exit of the Polonnaruwa ruins, you must still go to the main entrance to access the area. The owners will gladly arrange for a Tuk Tuk.... The FOOD was Wonderful and prepared by Ajith's Mother...don't let him fool you...although he's a trained Chef....it's Mama that does the Fine cooking....Right Ajith ?.... We have been telling all for our friends about Clay Huts...and hopefully it will not result in there being "No Place at the Inn" upon our next visit.... We would have like to have seen either a screen door or opening windows in our unit but were fine without them...
• Reinhard (10/5): Exceptional - We were very happy that we have chosen clay Hut village! The owners are son and mother. The big advantage is, if you visit the Ancient city per bike, you can just exit from a gate near by and have some siesta. The home cooked dinner was extraordinary! The son can speak very good English. Don't miss to swim at the nearby water channel as the locals do. Everything was very fine!
• Kim (10/5): Exceptional host - The host is incredible. So helpful with literally everything Nothing
• Ales (8/5): Very good - Simple but cozy budget accommodation, very friendly staff!
• Jill (10/5): Exceptional - We loved this place! Everything about it was wonderful! The setting is idyllic, but what makes this place are the staff...they do everything to help make your stay the best! Also..the food was fabulous! We would definitely recommend staying here! nothing ..it was perfect
• Gavesha (9/5): Superb -
• Tanya (9/5): Memorable stay - Our host was responsive, generous and kind. The accommodation is basic but comfortable and clean. The setting is lovely with trees, greenery and visiting monkeys. Our dinner and breakfast was delicious- home cooked and abundant. A nice experience. It is basic but very inexpensive. If you are looking for a budget option, this one exceeds expectations.

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