Hotel Pinnalanda
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Summary of reviewsHotel Pinnalanda is widely praised for its remarkable location along the scenic Maha Oya river, providing guests with unparalleled views of elephants bathing daily—an experience that is both serene and unique. This prime vantage point adds immense value, complemented by the hotel’s tranquil environment, enhancing relaxation and nature-watching opportunities. Although some activities outside of elephant watching are limited, the exceptional proximity to the main attraction makes it a favored spot for many travelers.
The breakfast experience at Hotel Pinnalanda is frequently lauded for its delicious and varied buffet, offering both Western and local Sri Lankan dishes. Guests can enjoy this luxurious spread while taking in the stunning river views, further enhanced by the presence of elephants. Despite some mixed opinions about the variety and suitability for Western palates, the overall consensus is that the breakfast is flavorful and diverse, standing out as a highlight of the stay.
Dinner receives a mixture of reviews. Many commend the delicious and enjoyable meals, especially the buffet and occasional live music, which adds to the dining ambiance. However, others noted some less favorable aspects such as the taste and cost of the meals. Despite these few criticisms, many guests still find satisfaction in the dining experience, particularly when enjoyed on the terrace overlooking the elephants.
Rooms are described as clean, spacious and comfortable, often equipped with modern amenities and boasting spectacular river views. Special touches for occasions like honeymoons are appreciated. However, some guests observed issues like dated decor, mold, stuffiness and discrepancies between room photos and reality, pointing to areas needing improvement in maintenance and cleanliness.
Cleanliness overall elicits mixed feedback; while many find the rooms spotless and well-kept, others report issues like mold, greasy floors and inadequate cleaning during their stay. The need for better room maintenance and cleaning standards was noted by some guests.
The staff at Hotel Pinnalanda are consistently praised for their exceptional friendliness and attentiveness, providing a high level of customer service that enhances the guest experience. Key individuals like Andrew and Ahmed are often specifically mentioned for their outstanding service and the overall hospitality demonstrated by the team contributes significantly to the welcoming atmosphere of the hotel.
The Wi-Fi service receives mixed feedback; while some guests describe it as fast and reliable, others report weak and intermittent connectivity, indicating room for improvement in providing a consistent internet experience.
The pool area is another highlight, being well-maintained and offering a picturesque view of the river, making it a pleasant spot for relaxation. Guests enjoy the added touch of nature with views of elephants from the poolside and the pool's cleanliness and appearance are often noted positively.
Regarding the beds, the majority of guests find them comfortable with clean, fresh bedding. However, a few guests noted issues with hard or worn-out mattresses, suggesting that some improvement in bed quality could enhance the sleeping experience.
Overall, Hotel Pinnalanda offers a unique and memorable stay primarily driven by its superb location next to the river with close-up views of bathing elephants, coupled with friendly staff and a satisfying breakfast experience. Nonetheless, attention to room maintenance, cleanliness and dining costs could further elevate the guest experience.
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The breakfast experience at Hotel Pinnalanda is frequently lauded for its delicious and varied buffet, offering both Western and local Sri Lankan dishes. Guests can enjoy this luxurious spread while taking in the stunning river views, further enhanced by the presence of elephants. Despite some mixed opinions about the variety and suitability for Western palates, the overall consensus is that the breakfast is flavorful and diverse, standing out as a highlight of the stay.
Dinner receives a mixture of reviews. Many commend the delicious and enjoyable meals, especially the buffet and occasional live music, which adds to the dining ambiance. However, others noted some less favorable aspects such as the taste and cost of the meals. Despite these few criticisms, many guests still find satisfaction in the dining experience, particularly when enjoyed on the terrace overlooking the elephants.
Rooms are described as clean, spacious and comfortable, often equipped with modern amenities and boasting spectacular river views. Special touches for occasions like honeymoons are appreciated. However, some guests observed issues like dated decor, mold, stuffiness and discrepancies between room photos and reality, pointing to areas needing improvement in maintenance and cleanliness.
Cleanliness overall elicits mixed feedback; while many find the rooms spotless and well-kept, others report issues like mold, greasy floors and inadequate cleaning during their stay. The need for better room maintenance and cleaning standards was noted by some guests.
The staff at Hotel Pinnalanda are consistently praised for their exceptional friendliness and attentiveness, providing a high level of customer service that enhances the guest experience. Key individuals like Andrew and Ahmed are often specifically mentioned for their outstanding service and the overall hospitality demonstrated by the team contributes significantly to the welcoming atmosphere of the hotel.
The Wi-Fi service receives mixed feedback; while some guests describe it as fast and reliable, others report weak and intermittent connectivity, indicating room for improvement in providing a consistent internet experience.
The pool area is another highlight, being well-maintained and offering a picturesque view of the river, making it a pleasant spot for relaxation. Guests enjoy the added touch of nature with views of elephants from the poolside and the pool's cleanliness and appearance are often noted positively.
Regarding the beds, the majority of guests find them comfortable with clean, fresh bedding. However, a few guests noted issues with hard or worn-out mattresses, suggesting that some improvement in bed quality could enhance the sleeping experience.
Overall, Hotel Pinnalanda offers a unique and memorable stay primarily driven by its superb location next to the river with close-up views of bathing elephants, coupled with friendly staff and a satisfying breakfast experience. Nonetheless, attention to room maintenance, cleanliness and dining costs could further elevate the guest experience.
Hotel Taking Steps Towards Sustainability
Family Friendly Hotel
Hotel with Swimming Pool
Outdoor Pool
Business Hotel
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Cheap Hotel
Small Hotel
3-Star Hotel
Hotel with Outdoor Pool
Guest Reviews
Nestled along the scenic Maha Oya river, Hotel Pinnalanda boasts an extraordinary location that offers unparalleled views of elephants bathing in the river daily. Guests consistently rave about the stunning, picturesque backdrop and the immense convenience of being right next to the river. Many highlight that the hotel offers the best vantage point for observing these majestic creatures, creating a serene and unique experience that is unmatched by any other accommodation in the area.
The hotel's setting is frequently described as ideal with balconies and rooms directly overlooking the river where elephants from the nearby orphanage come to bathe, providing guests with incredible close-up views. The tranquil environment is enhanced by the soothing sounds of the river, making it a perfect spot for relaxation and nature-watching.
Though some reviews mention limited activities in the area outside of elephant watching, the hotel's prime location compensates by offering direct access to view the elephants, considered by many as the main attraction. The hotel's proximity to the elephant bathing site, its superb vistas from any part of the property and the added convenience of being located along the high street, make it a favored spot for visitors coming from the airport.
In summary, Hotel Pinnalanda's location stands out as its most significant advantage, creating a serene and visually captivating experience for guests who are keen on observing elephants in their natural habitat.
Hotel Pinnalanda offers an exceptional breakfast experience that consistently impresses its guests. Most reviews highlight the delicious and varied options available in the buffet, which includes both Western and local Sri Lankan dishes, catering to a broad range of tastes. Guests particularly appreciate the appetizing and luxurious breakfast selections, often mentioning the wide range of foods, from fruits, pastries and fish to fresh juices. Dining quality is further praised with some referring to the breakfast as superb.
The breakfast experience is made even more memorable by the stunning views available from the breakfast terrace. Guests frequently mention the unique opportunity to watch elephants, enhancing the overall dining ambiance.
However, there are a few mixed opinions. While some guests find the breakfast too typical of local tastes, others believe it lacks options suitable for Western palates. Yet, the majority view is that the breakfast is excellent, flavorful and varied, solidifying it as one of the highlights of staying at Hotel Pinnalanda.
The dining experience at Hotel Pinnalanda's restaurant has received a mix of reviews. Many guests have praised the delicious food with specific mentions of a nice dinner, a delicious buffet and overall very good meals. Evening diners can also enjoy the convenience of dining on-site, accompanied by live music, which adds to the ambiance. One of the highlights mentioned is the unique opportunity to have breakfast and dinner on the terrace, offering a view of elephants.
However, not all feedback is positive. Some guests found the dinner tasteless and the meals mediocre. Additionally, there are concerns about the price with opinions that the dinner is not worth the cost and the food being unreasonably expensive. Despite these criticisms, the positive comments on the quality and enjoyment of the meals suggest that many guests do have a satisfying dining experience.
Hotel Pinnalanda offers a mixed experience when it comes to room quality, but there are plenty of highlights for potential visitors to consider. Guests often rave about the clean and spacious rooms, many of which come equipped with modern amenities such as air conditioning and well-maintained bathrooms. Comfort seems to be a consistent theme with several reviews describing the rooms as tidy, comfortable and pleasant.
Another major selling point is the stunning view of the river that many rooms provide. Some rooms even offer a direct view of elephants bathing in the river, which adds a unique and memorable touch to the stay. Couples on their honeymoon can expect thoughtful gestures like rooms decorated with flowers.
However, not all feedback is glowing. Some guests noted that the hotel and its rooms appear old and worn out with reports of mold on walls and ceilings, stuffy air and broken items detracting from their comfort. Additionally, a few reviews mentioned that photos of the rooms can be misleading and that the actual state of some accommodations does not meet expectations. Concerns about cleanliness also surfaced with a few guests finding their rooms inadequately cleaned or maintained during their stay.
In summary, Hotel Pinnalanda offers comfortable, spacious rooms with spectacular views of the river, making it a charming choice for many travelers. However, potential guests should be aware of mixed reviews regarding maintenance and cleanliness.
The guest reviews of 'Hotel Pinnalanda' offer a predominantly positive perspective on the hotel's beds. Many guests found the beds to be comfortable, citing clean sheets and fresh bedding. The kingsize bed received commendations for being great and the general consensus highlighted the comfort and freshness of the beds. However, there were a few mentions of issues such as hard or worn-out mattresses and suggestions that some beds could be improved. Despite these comments, the overall sentiment leans towards a comfortable sleeping experience.
Hotel Pinnalanda receives mixed reviews when it comes to cleanliness. On the positive side, many guests appreciated the clean rooms, describing them as spotless and incredibly clean. The air-conditioned rooms were frequently highlighted for their cleanliness and comfort. Several guests found everything to be clean and tidy, meeting their expectations.
However, there were notable concerns. Numerous reviews pointed to less-than-ideal cleaning standards with some rooms described as dirty or not very clean. Issues such as mold stains, greasy floors and broken items were mentioned. Additionally, some guests reported that their rooms were not cleaned or replenished with consumables during their stay and towels were not changed. Complaints also included an unpleasant musty smell in some rooms and areas leading to the rooms needing better maintenance.
In summary, while many guests had a positive experience regarding cleanliness, others found significant areas for improvement at Hotel Pinnalanda.
Staff at Hotel Pinnalanda consistently receive rave reviews from guests, who praise their exceptional attentiveness and friendliness. The staff are frequently described as very kind, polite and respectful with a high level of customer orientation that ensures any issues are quickly and effectively resolved. Special mentions are given to individuals like Andrew from the tour desk and Ahmed from PR, highlighting their commitment to making each guest's stay as pleasant as possible. The team is noted for its helpfulness, hospitality and ability to create a welcoming atmosphere. Uniformed employees are clean and neat and their attentiveness does not go unnoticed. Instances like preparing a birthday cake for a guest exemplify the thoughtful and personalized service guests can expect. Whether interacting with reception, restaurant staff or cleaners, visitors to Hotel Pinnalanda can look forward to an exceptional level of care and attention from an all-around fantastic team.
The Wi-Fi at Hotel Pinnalanda has received mixed feedback from guests. Some guests have reported fast and good Wi-Fi, describing the connection as working great. However, others have experienced weak signals, particularly in their rooms with some noting that the Wi-Fi didn't work or was not reliable throughout the hotel. Overall, while there are positive remarks about the Wi-Fi, there are also consistent reports of weak and intermittent connectivity issues.
Hotel Pinnalanda boasts a charming pool area that consistently receives positive feedback for its cleanliness and maintenance. The pool, while modest in size, is impeccably maintained and offers a picturesque view of the river, enhancing the overall experience. Guests often highlight the unique aspect of the pool overlooking the river and some even mention the delightful view of elephants from the poolside, adding a touch of nature to their swim. The adjoining restaurant is noted as a complementary feature with some referring to the pool as "Instagram-worthy." Overall, the pool at Hotel Pinnalanda is regarded as a well-kept and pleasant spot to relax with the added benefit of scenic river views.
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Location
The hotel's setting is frequently described as ideal with balconies and rooms directly overlooking the river where elephants from the nearby orphanage come to bathe, providing guests with incredible close-up views. The tranquil environment is enhanced by the soothing sounds of the river, making it a perfect spot for relaxation and nature-watching.
Though some reviews mention limited activities in the area outside of elephant watching, the hotel's prime location compensates by offering direct access to view the elephants, considered by many as the main attraction. The hotel's proximity to the elephant bathing site, its superb vistas from any part of the property and the added convenience of being located along the high street, make it a favored spot for visitors coming from the airport.
In summary, Hotel Pinnalanda's location stands out as its most significant advantage, creating a serene and visually captivating experience for guests who are keen on observing elephants in their natural habitat.
Breakfast
The breakfast experience is made even more memorable by the stunning views available from the breakfast terrace. Guests frequently mention the unique opportunity to watch elephants, enhancing the overall dining ambiance.
However, there are a few mixed opinions. While some guests find the breakfast too typical of local tastes, others believe it lacks options suitable for Western palates. Yet, the majority view is that the breakfast is excellent, flavorful and varied, solidifying it as one of the highlights of staying at Hotel Pinnalanda.
Dinner
However, not all feedback is positive. Some guests found the dinner tasteless and the meals mediocre. Additionally, there are concerns about the price with opinions that the dinner is not worth the cost and the food being unreasonably expensive. Despite these criticisms, the positive comments on the quality and enjoyment of the meals suggest that many guests do have a satisfying dining experience.
Rooms
Another major selling point is the stunning view of the river that many rooms provide. Some rooms even offer a direct view of elephants bathing in the river, which adds a unique and memorable touch to the stay. Couples on their honeymoon can expect thoughtful gestures like rooms decorated with flowers.
However, not all feedback is glowing. Some guests noted that the hotel and its rooms appear old and worn out with reports of mold on walls and ceilings, stuffy air and broken items detracting from their comfort. Additionally, a few reviews mentioned that photos of the rooms can be misleading and that the actual state of some accommodations does not meet expectations. Concerns about cleanliness also surfaced with a few guests finding their rooms inadequately cleaned or maintained during their stay.
In summary, Hotel Pinnalanda offers comfortable, spacious rooms with spectacular views of the river, making it a charming choice for many travelers. However, potential guests should be aware of mixed reviews regarding maintenance and cleanliness.
Beds
Cleanliness
However, there were notable concerns. Numerous reviews pointed to less-than-ideal cleaning standards with some rooms described as dirty or not very clean. Issues such as mold stains, greasy floors and broken items were mentioned. Additionally, some guests reported that their rooms were not cleaned or replenished with consumables during their stay and towels were not changed. Complaints also included an unpleasant musty smell in some rooms and areas leading to the rooms needing better maintenance.
In summary, while many guests had a positive experience regarding cleanliness, others found significant areas for improvement at Hotel Pinnalanda.
Staff
Wi-Fi
Pool
Yes, Hotel Pinnalanda has pool(s) that belong to one or more of the following categories: Outdoor Pool.
No, a spa isn't available at Hotel Pinnalanda.
No, Hotel Pinnalanda doesn't allow dogs.
Yes, parking facilities are available at Hotel Pinnalanda.
No, Hotel Pinnalanda doesn't have a gym.
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