Kalu's Hideaway Udawalawe

A secluded small eco hotel, reached by a long track.Huge wooden gates at entrance to hotel grounds. Greeted by friendly staff and check in was quick. Our room was up two flights of stairs, no lift. The room was, as usual in Sri Lanka, large and clean. Food was excellent, an la carte menu if there are not many guests and buffet when there were more of us.They grow a lot of their own fruit and veg. Dishes were tasty and there was a cooking station, the egg hoppers were very good. The head chef was always around, greeting diners and explaining the dishes. The desserts and fruit were in a separate cold glass room. We found the prices reasonable. Eating out was not a choice for us, as there was nothing nearby anyway. The hotel is owned by a Sri Lankan cricket legend, he was at the hotel when we stayed and our driver was very excited to get a photo with him. The Udawalawe nat.park was a 20min drive and the Orphan elephant show the same.

Lovely, spacious room in an impressive building. Our balcony here was large enough for a table, two chairs and a double daybed. We made good use of the inviting pool and enjoyed walking round the gardens down to the river. The food was excellent. There was a choice of set menus -European or Sri Lankan- the first evening and buffets on the other two evenings. The Executive Chef Peter Ralph Pieters would came to chat about the food

A peaceful location with very welcoming staff Disappointed to find so much plastic - plastic straws, plastic water bottles and small plastic bottles of toiletries. Even toilet paper wrapped A la carts menu very limited. Mainly western such as pasta, sandwich and fish and chips. Disappointing.

Amazing grounds

Situated just 15 minutes from Uda Walawe National Park and owned by the famous Sri Lankan cricketer Romesh Kaluwitharana, Kalu's Hideaway is a lovely property off the beaten track, but still a great place in which to base yourself when visiting the Elephant transit centre and for a safari. The rooms are fairly basic and plain in design, but very spacious. The gardens were beautiful with a river running at the bottom. They grow a lot of their own organic fruit and vegetables for the restaurant. The food in the restaurant was very good, the chef came out at every meal to talk to the diners. Would recommend.

An attractive hotel in a splendid riverside setting. The gardens are varied and beautiful. It’s well positioned for the local attractions. Rooms comfortable and food very good. Worth extending your visit beyond just the safari and elephant feeding.