The best word for describing this hotel is ew. The staff was friendly so i feel bad for hating it so much but ew ew ew ew ew. The room was more or less falling apart (you could tip the toilet over) and it seemed to have a layer of perma dirt. They were having some problem with the laundry so there was a dearth of clean linens.

The bartender was funny and made us great drinks but there was a loud and unavoidable TV in the bar.

The food was inedible. There was so much in the buffet but it had three flavors: sweet, salty, and rancid. Even breakfast was a total miss. I am a really adventurous eater but there was not a single thing to eat to just get the job done so I could continue on not hungry.

I called twice from Batticlo to book two rooms in this hotel both times they hang up the phone. When we arrived to Polonnaruwa, it was too late to look for another hotel. So we decided to check in with sudu Araliya. When I went to front desk, I requested two rooms and gentleman there was very polite and gave me the rates and availability, just before we start booking his supervisor (I believe) showed from the back room. He (I don’t want to put is name here but it start with P so I called him Mr.P) was rude, no smile (believe me I have travelled lots but never ever seen any one like this) and he was telling me I have to get three rooms for 6 people. Finally he agreed with two triple rooms. Then went to the room and found huge pool of water middle of the room. It was a long day for all of us we went to the pool (an hour before pool closing time) no lights around the pool, no towels, no pool attendant.
Shower was leaking. Next morning breakfast was okay found lots of bugs in milk rice.
I went to front desk to check out. Two ladies were nice and help me with the process, I saw Mr. P back of the room. He never came to ask how our stay was.
These people think only to make money for the day. Nothing about customer service or reputation.
I do not recommend this hotel to any one

Can't really understand the other reviews. manybe management has changed or we just got lucky, in fact we stayed two nights instead of one as we loved the gardens and pool so much (especially for cooling off after a morning at the ruins), yes its understaffed as it looks like it has about 10% occupancy but there are major renovations still being undertaken, there is a wierd pool bar shaped like a mushroom which is closed but we didnt mind just popping into the lobby if we wanted anything and they'd bring it out immediately. We paid about 40 euros for a large room. It was clean as were the sheets etc and the bathroom. The aircon worked well and there was a mosquito plug in working also. Yes there were dead bugs each morning on the balcony but for heavens sake this hotel is in the middle of a tropical forest bordering a 'tank' (very large lake).
A boon for us was the really fantastic huge, recently renovated pool with a lovely kids pool alongside. we also loved the tame mongooses playing in the garden. The view from the balcony of the sun going down over the lake was simply stunning.
We found the staff lovely and helpful although yes, the reception desk people could be slow and rather obtuse at times.Getting a tuktuk to the ruins is easy and its also nice walking along the edge of the tank to get there.
I agree that he food isn't great at all but we didnt see anything better around either, and they will make things for you or the kids with pleasure if you ask.
We travelled more than 3 weeks around Sri Lanka. Outside Colombo you really have to realise with the hotels this is not a rich country and just enjoy its marvels and lovely people and chill out rather than just expect western standards everywhere.
Overall we have lovely memories of this place

Stayed in this HORRIBLE Hotel for two nights and it was a nightmare! The rooms were not clean and there were hundreds of little insects.... creeping their way from under the door... Had a time dealing with them.. I got Housekeeping to help get rid of them, but it was a makeshift solution where they inserted toilet tissues to block the gap between underneath the door and the floor... horribly disgusting!!!!!
Later on... When I was unlocking the door to enter my room, the key broke into two, with one part still stuck inside.. Once it was sorted out, i had to settle for a room change, as the Hotel did not have a duplicate key for that particular room..... and the most unbelievable part... at the time of check out, there was a bill added for Rs 500 for 'broken key'.... and the front office guy at that time said that "I broke the key!!!".. whereas the stupid key just broke into two with no effort at all!!!!! Customer focus nil!!! Horrible Hotel!!! DO NOT STAY IN SUDU ARALIYA!!!!!!