Kandasuridugama Raja Mawatha,
Kataragama,
Sri Lanka,
Moneragala District
Grand Tamarind Lake - A 5-star city center hotel in a national park with two onsite restaurants and a free airport shuttle
This 5-star hotel is located in the city center and within a national park, offering 27 rooms with 24-hour room service, air conditioning, separate sitting areas, and separate dining areas. All accommodations include free in-room WiFi. Guests can enjoy a meal at the two onsite restaurants or visit the property's coffee shop/cafe. Recreational amenities include a playground, a firepit, and nearby hiking/biking trails. A free daily manager's reception is available. The hotel provides a roundtrip airport shuttle to Mattala Rajapaksa International Airport, located 31 mile away. Nearby landmarks include Yala National Park (1 mile), Murugan Temple (1 mile), Detagamuwa Wewa (1 mile), Kebiliththa Dewalaya (1.5 miles), Mari Amman Kovil (1.5 miles), Katharagama Museum (1.5 miles), Sella Kataragama Temple (2 miles), and Tissamaharama Raja Maha Vihara (3 miles).
Pros
Located within both a national park and the city center.
Offers a complimentary roundtrip airport shuttle and a free daily manager's reception.
Rooms feature separate sitting and dining areas with 24-hour service.
Proximity to Yala National Park and multiple cultural landmarks within 3 miles.
Cons
The property does not allow pets or service animals.
The airport is 31 mile from the hotel.
View all
We are looking for rooms with better price.
Looks like there are no rooms available in this hotel for your dates.
You can check other available hotels or try other dates.
Price and Room Availability Calendar
Check availability and prices for your dates now!
Transportation and Accessibility
Transportation options
City Centre
Kataragama3000 ft
Airports
Mattala Rajapaksa International (HRI)
28.8
mi
Mawella Lagoon SPB (DIW)
66.1
mi
Facilities
This grand hotel provides facilities designed for comfort and memorable stays.
Free Wi-Fi
Free parking
Luggage storage
24-hour services
General
Non-smoking rooms
Free Wi-Fi
Parking
Concierge desk
Services
Room service
Housekeeping
Car hire
Dry cleaning
Tours/Ticket assistance
Dining
Restaurant
Picnic area/ Tables
Business
Fax/Photocopying
Spa & Leisure
Indoor swimming pool
Garden area
BBQ facilities
Leisure/ TV room
Room features
Air conditioning
Show more
Location
Kandasuridugama Raja Mawatha,
Kataragama,
Sri Lanka,
Moneragala District
Map view
Kandasuridugama Raja Mawatha,
Kataragama,
Sri Lanka,
Moneragala District
City landmarks
Landmark
Mari Amman Kovil
1.5
mi
Pagoda
Kirivehara
2.4
mi
Landmark
Sri Mayura Golden Temple
4700 ft
Landmark
Yala National Park Sri Lanka
1.4
mi
Landmark
Detagamuwa Wewa
1.1
mi
Landmark
The United Pentecostal Church kataragama
1.1
mi
Landmark
Kataragama Mahadevale
1.5
mi
Landmark
Murugan Temple
1.3
mi
Landmark
Sivam Kovil
1.3
mi
Landmark
Khizar Thakkiya
1.3
mi
Landmark
Ul-Khizr Mosque
1.3
mi
Event hall
Katharagama Museum
1.5
mi
Landmark
Kebiliththa Dewalaya
1.5
mi
Landmark
Arunachalam Pillai Ganesha devale
1.5
mi
Landmark
Kataragama Archaeological Museum
1.5
mi
Landmark
Archaeological Museum
1.5
mi
Landmark
Bodhi Tree
1.6
mi
Landmark
Weheragala National Park
1.6
mi
Landmark
Mahamevna Buddhist Monastery
1.7
mi
Landmark
Sri Saddhasoma Pirivena
1.8
mi
Landmark
Sella Kataragama Temple
2.2
mi
Landmark
Wedihiti Kanda Viharaya
2.1
mi
Landmark
Mahasen
2.1
mi
Landmark
Jayasumanaramaya Temple
2.1
mi
Landmark
Kataragama Kiri Vehera
2.4
mi
Landmark
Shrines of attendant deities
2.5
mi
Landmark
Sacred Bo Tree
2.5
mi
Landmark
Sri Bhairava Kovil
2.5
mi
Landmark
Visnu kovil
2.5
mi
Landmark
Ganesha kovil
2.5
mi
Nearby
Detagamuwa Wewa
1800 ft
Reviews and Ratings
Feedback from previous guests about their experience.
64%
enjoyed the hotel and leave a review
6.4/10
Nice
Rooms
8.4
Location
9.0
Service
8.2
Dining
7.0
Guest reviews
6.4/10
based on 5 reviews
George
United States,
March
2025
5.6/10
My stay at Grand Tamarind Lake was quite enjoyable, marked by excellent service and a beautiful setting. The rooms were spacious and offered lovely views, but the dessert selection could use some improvement. Overall, it was a good experience, especially for those seeking a serene retreat near historic sites.
Rooms
10.0
The rooms are very spacious, comfortable, and come with great amenities like a king-size bed and a generous balcony. I appreciated the lovely bathroom, too.
Service
8.0
While the service was not overly enthusiastic upon arrival, the staff, including Mr. Nandadewa, provided personal attention that made us feel valued, especially during meals. They were generally friendly and attentive throughout our stay.
Location
10.0
The location is fantastic, providing an unusual experience surrounded by forest. It's also conveniently close to the historic sites of Kataragama, making it a great base to explore the area.
Dining
8.0
Dining at the hotel was superb, featuring a variety of Sri Lankan, Indian, and international cuisines. I particularly enjoyed the traditional sweet meats prepared by the chef, although I think they could enhance their dessert offerings during dinner.
Facilities
9.0
The facilities offered were quite comprehensive, including room service, car hire, and assistance with tours and tickets, which made it easy to plan our activities.
Andrew
United States,
March
2025
7.2/10
I had such a fantastic time at Grand Tamarind Lake! The staff, especially Mr. Nandadewa and Mr. Asanka, were incredibly helpful, making me feel right at home. The beautiful location by the lake and the spacious rooms with stunning views definitely made it a nice stay, though the restaurant could use some noise reduction improvements.
Rooms
9.0
The rooms were super spacious, offering large showers and toilets, and they were kept very clean. I loved the amazing views of Detagamuwa Lake from my room! However, I did notice some dust and grime that could use a little more attention.
Service
10.0
The service was excellent! The staff went above and beyond to meet my needs, always cheerful and accommodating. I felt welcomed and cared for throughout my stay.
Location
10.0
Grand Tamarind Lake has a prime location, right by the lake and near key attractions in Kataragama. The lush greenery and views of the mountains added to its charm, making it truly picture-perfect.
Dining
8.0
Dining was a mixed bag for me. The buffet was decent, but the restaurant was really noisy, which made it hard to enjoy the meal. I also found there were sometimes delays in replenishing food at breakfast.
Facilities
9.0
The hotel had great facilities like room service and housekeeping. They also helped with tour arrangements, which made my trip even better.
Mike
United States,
January
2025
5.8/10
I had a generally enjoyable stay at Grand Tamarind Lake, with spacious rooms and great views, but there were some cleanliness issues that need attention. The service was friendly and attentive, especially regarding special requests. The dining experience was decent, though the a la carte menu left much to be desired.
Rooms
8.0
The rooms were truly spacious and had a big balcony with lovely views, but they could use some cleaning and maintenance. My room did have some grime and dirty spots that detracted from the experience.
Service
9.0
The staff were very friendly and helpful, providing great service overall. They even went out of their way to arrange a birthday cake for my son, which was a nice touch.
Location
8.0
The hotel is set in a calm and beautiful area, very close to Kataragama and convenient for visiting Yala National Park. The Christmas decorations added a charming touch during my stay.
Dining
7.0
While the buffet had a good variety of food options, the a la carte menu was limited and not very impressive. I appreciated the effort from the chef to provide traditional dishes, but there could have been more creativity.
Facilities
7.0
The facilities, like the spacious pool area, were inviting but not fully utilized during my stay. The game area could also benefit from some maintenance to enhance the experience.
Cliff
United States,
December
2024
6.4/10
My stay at Grand Tamarind Lake was marked by a stunning location near Yala National Park, where I enjoyed amazing views and serene surroundings. However, the service and dining options left a bit to be desired, with some inconsistencies that affected the overall experience.
Rooms
9.0
The rooms are enormous and supremely comfortable with at least 4-meter ceiling heights, adding to the relaxing vibe. Plus, the bathrooms are equally impressive, equipped with modern amenities.
Service
6.0
While the staff, including the dedicated chef Nandana, were helpful and friendly, the reception experience was less than stellar. They seemed confused at check-in, and some basic etiquette was lacking.
Location
10.0
The hotel boasts a amazing location alongside a lake, surrounded by a paradise of birds like peacocks and numerous other wildlife. It's truly a beautiful setting for nature lovers.
Dining
7.0
The dining experience varied; while the traditional Sri Lankan dishes were tasty, the overall food selection was somewhat limited. Plus, the noisy environment in the dining area made it less enjoyable at peak times.
Facilities
6.0
I appreciated the available services like room service and housekeeping. However, the lack of a dedicated bar or cafe somewhat limited my dining options.
Ray
United States,
December
2024
5.6/10
I had a pleasant stay at Grand Tamarind Lake in Kataragama. The location is tranquil with beautiful views, although the lake was covered with weeds, diminishing its appeal. The spacious and clean rooms were a highlight, but some maintenance issues needed attention. The friendly staff made the experience enjoyable, even if the food was just average.
Rooms
6.0
The rooms were very spacious and clean. The large shower and toilet facilities were convenient. However, the broken door handle was a bit of a hassle.
Service
8.0
The staff were hospitable and welcoming. I especially appreciated the friendliness of the restaurant team. They made an effort to engage with guests, which added a personal touch to my stay.
Location
7.0
The hotel is situated in a serene area, overlooking a mountain range. It's also very close to the sacred site, which I found convenient for my visit.
Dining
5.0
The food was okay, with a variety of Western and Sri Lankan dishes. While the dinner buffet was quite good, I expected a bit more from a star-rated hotel.
Facilities
5.0
The hotel offers several facilities like room service and housekeeping. However, I noticed some issues with the toiletries and kettle placement.