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Rainforest Edge – reviews, photos

Balawatukanda | Waddagala, Kalutara 1200, Sri Lanka
Hotel amenities
Rainforest Edge
Ranked #6 of 8 hotels in Kalutara
3.5 of 5 stars 18 Reviews
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18 reviews from our community

    Trip type
Traveller rating
    4
    6
    4
    2
    2
Date Rating
Brighton, United Kingdom
Senior Reviewer
7 reviews 7 reviews
Reviews in 3 cities Reviews in 3 cities
14 helpful votes 14 helpful votes
“Very over priced, not great value at all, dont bother”
1 of 5 stars Reviewed 18 September 2011
2
people found this review helpful

We stayed here as part of our honeymoon and paid a lot of money. However, what we got for the money was prabably the worst value place i have ever stayed in.

The pool is a positive health hazard with frogs in it. It was described as a fresh water pool, where as it looked more like a dirty pond.There is also no where to sit around the pool, except for one concrete bench.

The food, well, there is no choice, no menu, you get what you are given. On several occasions i had stated that i was vegetarian, only to be fed meat in the potato curry.

There is no written information on tours or activities, the website states bike hire is for free and they tried to charge us. There were dead ants in the bed and a light fitting falling out of the bathroom ceiling.

Also be aware of the road approaching the place, our driver had to stop before we reached the the end of the road as he simply could not cope with the very very rough road. He also damaged the bottom of his car.

The setting is lovely, that much is true.But this choice was a huge mistake for us and for the money. I have travelled extensively and slept in a wooden hut in the Amazon with no facilities. I enjoy roughing it, but not on my honeymoon and not for the price that was charged at this place.

  • Stayed September 2011, travelled as a couple
    • 1 of 5 stars Value
    • 5 of 5 stars Location
    • 2 of 5 stars Rooms
    • 1 of 5 stars Service
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Knutsford
Senior Reviewer
10 reviews 10 reviews
Reviews in 7 cities Reviews in 7 cities
21 helpful votes 21 helpful votes
“Utterly different!”
4 of 5 stars Reviewed 21 March 2011
1
person found this review helpful

Well we loved our 2 night stay there..... but it is very distinctive.

Beautiful views over jungle and next to a tea plantation. The rooms are clean but Spartan. The food is very simple but plentiful. The staff could not be nicer. The furniture couldn't be more uncomfortable.

We visited Sinharaja rainforest which was good but the journey ruined what had been a perfectly good 4x4 (no it survived...but what a boulder strewn road! )

  • Stayed March 2011, travelled as a couple
    • 3 of 5 stars Value
    • 5 of 5 stars Location
    • 3 of 5 stars Sleep Quality
    • 1 of 5 stars Rooms
    • 5 of 5 stars Cleanliness
    • 5 of 5 stars Service
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Haywards Heath, United Kingdom
Reviewer
3 reviews 3 reviews
Reviews in 3 cities Reviews in 3 cities
4 helpful votes 4 helpful votes
“Fantastic location fantastic staff and great food”
4 of 5 stars Reviewed 3 March 2011
1
person found this review helpful

We had three nights recently at rainforest edge and loved it. the staff were friendly and couldn't do enough to mkae our stay a memorable one. The food was Sri Lankan but really nice. If we requested something it was never too much trouble. The staff were helpful and very friendly. The views were stunning and it was great for getting to the rain forest. It is quiet but so relaxing.

  • Stayed February 2011, travelled as a couple
    • 5 of 5 stars Value
    • 5 of 5 stars Location
    • 4 of 5 stars Sleep Quality
    • 5 of 5 stars Rooms
    • 5 of 5 stars Cleanliness
    • 5 of 5 stars Service
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This review is the subjective opinion of a TripAdvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC
Kaduwela, Sri Lanka
Top Contributor
84 reviews 84 reviews
Reviews in 71 cities Reviews in 71 cities
269 helpful votes 269 helpful votes
“Almost heaven, but....”
4 of 5 stars Reviewed 24 October 2010
1
person found this review helpful

On top of a hill close to the Sinharaja access road. Well-maintained rooms and nature pool, the 'shack' look is only an outside ecofriendly gimmick and does not represent the value. Friendly staff, though they have some difficulty understanding extra needs like lunch. Lovely balconies in the room and high-quality breakfast. Smaller and bigger limitations, though:
* Dinner solely rice & curry though of a high standard, and no laundry service
* Big limitation 1: access road is killingly bad for a 2 WD (we had to leave the car and walk for 200 m otherwise cannot pass the boulder humps), they should either invest for major repair or supply a safe parking spot downhill and a free 4WD jeep transfer service
* Big limitation 2: if you're on a tour with driver, he gets okay food but a totally horrible rat-infested bedroom in a hut. Force the hotel to get better acco, if needed a guesthouse nearby which THEY should pay as for the current price you deserve better/

Not really recommended for other travellers until they fix the limitations or drop the price.

  • Stayed October 2010, travelled as a couple
    • 2 of 5 stars Value
    • 5 of 5 stars Location
    • 5 of 5 stars Sleep Quality
    • 3 of 5 stars Rooms
    • 5 of 5 stars Cleanliness
    • 5 of 5 stars Service
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Arad
Senior Contributor
24 reviews 24 reviews
Reviews in 21 cities Reviews in 21 cities
16 helpful votes 16 helpful votes
“Nature lovers: this is for you!”
4 of 5 stars Reviewed 27 September 2010
2
people found this review helpful

We stayed at this hotel for one night only and wish we could have stayed for more.
It is in a stunning location, right in the middle of the forest. When we satyed it was pouring, so the name "rain forest" was more than appropriate.
The rooms are very simple, with no frills but charming non the less.
The staff were the kindest we met on our 10 days tour.
Food wise - there is not much choice, but what we got was tasty and delicious.
They also have a spa which was under refurbishment during our stay, so I can't comment on that.
This is definitely the place for nature lovers, the views are superb!

  • Stayed September 2010, travelled as a couple
    • 5 of 5 stars Value
    • 5 of 5 stars Location
    • 4 of 5 stars Sleep Quality
    • 3 of 5 stars Rooms
    • 5 of 5 stars Cleanliness
    • 5 of 5 stars Service
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Additional Information about Rainforest Edge

  • Rainforest Edge Hotel Kalutara
Address: Balawatukanda | Waddagala, Kalutara 1200, Sri Lanka
Price range (per night):* INR11,202 - 25,204

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