Grand Tamarind Lake Hotel Kataragama, Kataragama | Explore Room Options, Reviews & Pricing for 2025

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Key details

About the Hotel

Kandasuridugama Raja Mawatha, Kataragama, Sri Lanka

Five-star Grand Tamarind Lake sits within Yala National Park, offering a free daily manager's reception and a distinctive firepit gathering space.

Dual-Space Living Rooms

All 27 rooms at Grand Tamarind Lake feature separate sitting and dining areas with air conditioning and 24-hour room service.

Multiple Dining Venues

Two onsite restaurants and a coffee shop serve meals throughout the day.

Recreation and Trails

A playground provides recreation space while hiking and biking trails surround the property.

Strategic Park Location

Grand Tamarind Lake stands 31 miles from Mattala Rajapaksa International Airport, with landmarks like Detagamuwa Wewa 1 miles away and Yala National Park Sri Lanka within 1.5 miles.

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Getting around

Available transportation options

City Center

Kataragama3000 ft

Airports

Mattala Rajapaksa International (HRI) 28.8 mi

Mawella Lagoon SPB (DIW) 66.1 mi

Facilities

The hotel offers amenities for your comfortable stay and unforgettable experiences

Free Wi-Fi

Free parking

Baggage storage

24-hour services

General

Non-smoking rooms
Free Wi-Fi
Parking
Concierge desk

Services

Room service
Housekeeping
Car rental
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

Location

Kandasuridugama Raja Mawatha, Kataragama, Sri Lanka

Map view

Kandasuridugama Raja Mawatha, Kataragama, Sri Lanka

City landmarks

Main Office Ruhunu Maha Kataragama Dewalaya

Mari Amman Kovil

1.5 mi

Pagoda

Kirivehara

2.4 mi

Sri Mayura Golden Temple

4700 ft

No81

Yala National Park Sri Lanka

1.4 mi

Detagamuwa Wewa

1.1 mi

The United Pentecostal Church kataragama

1.1 mi

Kataragama Mahadevale

1.5 mi

Kataragama

Murugan Temple

1.3 mi

Sivam Kovil

1.3 mi

Khizar Thakkiya

1.3 mi

Ul-Khizr Mosque

1.3 mi

Events

Katharagama Museum

1.5 mi

Kataragama

Kebiliththa Dewalaya

1.5 mi

Arunachalam Pillai Ganesha devale

1.5 mi

Kataragama Archaeological Museum

1.5 mi

Archaeological Museum

1.5 mi

Bodhi Tree

1.6 mi

B202

Weheragala National Park

1.6 mi

Mahamevna Buddhist Monastery

1.7 mi

Sri Saddhasoma Pirivena

1.8 mi

Sella Kataragama Temple

2.2 mi

Wedihiti Kanda Viharaya

2.1 mi

Mahasen

2.1 mi

Jayasumanaramaya Temple

2.1 mi

Kataragama Kiri Vehera

2.4 mi

Shrines of attendant deities

2.5 mi

Sacred Bo Tree

2.5 mi

Sri Bhairava Kovil

2.5 mi

Visnu kovil

2.5 mi

Ganesha kovil

2.5 mi

Nearby

Detagamuwa Wewa

1800 ft

Reviews and Ratings

Feedback from previous guests about their experience.

76%

enjoyed the hotel and would happily return

7.6/10

Very good

Rooms

7.6

Location

9.2

Service

8.0

Dining

7.0

Vanessa

United States of America, March 2025

6.0/10

Overall, my stay at Grand Tamarind Lake was enjoyable with really good views and friendly service, though there were a few areas that could use some improvement. The spacious rooms offered stunning views, but the cleanliness was inconsistent. The dining experience provided a decent variety, but not all meals were excellent.

Rooms

6.0

My room was very spacious with a amazing view of Detagamuwa Lake, but there were issues with cleanliness (like the dirty bed linens).

Service

9.0

The staff provided lovely service and were always friendly and helpful, especially the executive chef Sujith, who created a good breakfast.

Location

9.0

The hotel's location was fantastic, right on the lake and close to the main Kataragama Temple, making it perfect for exploring the area.

Dining

7.0

I enjoyed the buffet meals, with a mixture of Sri Lankan and Western dishes, but the options felt somewhat limited. Breakfast was particularly good with traditional sweet meats.

Facilities

6.0

The hotel offered good facilities, but the lack of an elevator can be inconvenient for those on higher floors. Nonetheless, it had everything I needed for a pleasant stay.

Lawrence

United States of America, January 2025

7.0/10

My stay at Grand Tamarind Lake was mixed, highlighting both its stunning location and some service flaws. The massive rooms were a definite plus, but my initial experience with the reception staff was disappointing. The dining options were decent, but the restaurant atmosphere could have been better managed.

Rooms

8.0

The rooms are massive and very spacious, making it great especially when traveling with kids. However, they felt stark and sparsely furnished.

Service

6.0

While some staff were incredibly friendly and helpful, particularly in the restaurant, my experience with the reception staff was lacking. Their level of English and overall service left much to be desired.

Location

10.0

The hotel is in a truly beautiful location, with grounds that are perfect for bird watching and close to local temples.

Dining

7.0

The buffet had a mix of Sri Lankan and Western options, which was okay. though I found some of the Sri Lankan dishes less authentic than expected.

Facilities

7.0

The hotel boasts a decent-sized pool and offers various facilities, but I found the lack of information about services in the room to be a drawback.

United States of America, January 2025

7.2/10

My stay at Grand Tamarind Lake was a mix of wonderful experiences and some disappointments. The location is stunning, with amazing views of Detagamuwa Lake and the surrounding mountains. The service from staff like Indika was really good, but other areas, such as the dining experience and room service, could definitely improve. Overall, I appreciated the peaceful ambiance and the spaciousness of the rooms, though I encountered some issues that need addressing.

Rooms

8.0

The rooms were quite spacious and clean, providing a relaxing atmosphere with views of the beautiful Detagamuwa Lake. However, the chrome fittings seemed low quality, lacking shine.

Service

6.0

While the service from certain staff members like Indika was lovely and proactive, I found that response times were inconsistent and room service lagged behind.

Location

9.0

The hotel's location is idyllic, right near Kataragama and with easy access to Yala National Park. The view of Wedasiti Kanda from the lake-facing rooms is an added bonus.

Dining

5.0

Dining was good at times, especially with the array of traditional sweet meats prepared by the executive chef, but I encountered issues with food quality, including dishes that had dead flies.

Facilities

7.0

Facilities like the lovely pool and spacious garden were enjoyable, but the service and attention to detail in areas like room service and on-site amenities need improvement.

United States of America, November 2024

6.2/10

I had a pleasant stay at Grand Tamarind Lake. The spacious rooms were clean and offered beautiful views of the lake. However, the dining experience was somewhat limited, with fixed meal times and not many choices. Overall, it was a modern hotel with great potential, but there were a few areas that could use improvement.

Rooms

8.0

My room was really spacious with high ceilings, clean and offered a lovely view of the lush grounds and the lake. However, there were some amenities that didn't quite match the overall splendor.

Service

10.0

The staff were kind and proactive, especially in the restaurant. I appreciated their friendliness and attentiveness, which made my dining experience enjoyable.

Location

9.0

The hotel is ideally located for visiting Yala National Park, making it perfect for those looking to explore the wildlife. The serene surroundings and views of the lake added to the atmosphere.

Dining

7.0

Dining options were fairly limited, with a fixed menu for lunch and not many choices for breakfast. While the quality of the food was decent, it didn't stand out compared to other places I’ve visited.

Facilities

6.0

The hotel offered basic facilities, including room service and an ATM at the entrance. However, I missed having a bar or more casual dining options on-site since alcohol is not served in this area.

Robert

United States of America, November 2024

6.0/10

I had a lovely stay at Grand Tamarind Lake during my visit to Kataragama. The spacious rooms and really good dining experience stood out, though the loud air conditioning was a bit of a drawback. Overall, it was a comfortable and enjoyable visit.

Rooms

8.0

The rooms were super spacious and very ventilated, with high ceilings that added to the comfort. However, the decor felt a bit plain, which could be improved.

Service

9.0

The staff were incredibly welcoming, especially in the restaurant. I appreciated the friendly and helpful service, which made my stay even more enjoyable.

Location

9.0

The hotel is conveniently located near Kataragama and the game reserve, surrounded by beautiful nature. I even spotted various birds, which made for a good experience.

Dining

9.0

The dining experience was truly good! I loved the mix of Sri Lankan and Western cuisine, especially the roast pumpkin soup. The chef was accommodating and whipped up fantastic dishes, including special requests.

Facilities

7.0

Facilities like the pool and game room were great for relaxation. However, I felt that a dedicated bar area would enhance the social aspect of the hotel.