Accomodation page

This now has post-hoc comments.

 Villa Talangama, Colombo

This place seems to be owned by Jetwing.  Gets large scores from others!   An excellent place.  On reflection I cannot remember better accommodation anywhere in the world.  Being across a little used, dead-end road from Talangama Tank makes the birding very very good.

Martin's Simple Lodge Sinharaja

Some others views here.  Redmill Lodge at Daintree (FNQ) is well known to me, so I take their views as a good guide!  Certainly very basic and of no interest to people who are not there for the birds and other wildlife.  Our views may have been a little lower than otherwise because of the rather wet weather while we were there.

 Centauria Inn, Embilipitiya
Sounds a tad basic - but close to the park.  we checked in after dark, Had a meal and a sleep and checked out (after grabbing a bix breakfast) before sun-up.  It met all those requirements well, but this is a partocular set of circumstances and other situations may have different views.

Yala village

Here is a link to the resorts page.  A bit more upmarket.  In fact very much more upmarket.  A great place to stay from every perspective.  One adverse comment could be that there was nowhere to sit fr relaxation inside the rooms: the verandah was very pleasant but not appropriate after dark.

St.Andrew’s Hotel, Nuwara Eliya
Another Jetwing establishment.  Looks pretty good.  Some comments suggested it was a bit tired and old fashioned.  These should be ignored.  The place was very pleasant in terms of reflecting days gone by, but was generally in very good shape and the food was excellent.

Kithulgala rest house

Looks pretty good, especially closeness to the reserve.  One can imagine the tune of choice here.  What a disappointment.  Very badly run down (eg smelt damp and lots of saltdamp in the structure) and had the amazing distinction of a restaurant with no wine.  We felt really sorry for the staff of the place  - who generally tried hard and were excellent in their reaction to the snake situation - because the place has got to be in great risk of closing.  There must be other better alternatives in the area.

Chaaya Citadel, Kandy
Another bit of colonial splendour although it is totally modern, being opened in about 1986.   A fantastic place in a great setting.  The only issue I had with it was the use of muzak in the dining room, rather than proper music as at at Amaya Lake. 

Amaya Lake Dambulla

Looks like a good last place to stay.  Indeed it was excellent with brilliant birding on site, well designed accommodation and very helpful staff. 

Tamarind Tree, Negombo.
 This was an addition to the trip as we realised it would be better to be "day visitors" at a hotel rather than do our marsh trip and then have to spend from 4pm to 1 am at the Airport.  So I don't know what it was like as a place to stay but the pool was good, the lobby was good to sit in and the food was excellent and tasty.  It is also close to the airport so if not going for Villa Talangama I believe this would be a good spot to head for on a night after arrival.  The grounds are extensive so there is ever some wildlife viewing to be done!