Review Author: Nethy B, United Kingdom

Review Date: 30 Oct 2019

Review Body: We booked a 2 night stay directly with the Lodge. I liased with them in advance and arranged transport from the Airport and onward transport to Galle. Camelia in the office was extremely helpful. We were met by Lucky who drove us 4 hours to Deniyaya. By then it was pitch dark and we were transferred to the Lodge’s purpose built, very comfortable 4x4 for the 45 min bumpy hill climb, it was a great trip. We were met by Chanuka and his delightful staff. We were amazed to find we were the only visitors- wonderful for us but sad for all those missing out! We were shown to our ‘shipping container’ which was just ideal and very comfortable. Our meals were all absolutely delicious and after each one we had a chance to meet the chef and thank him personally. We had a fun trek with a knowledgeable eco guide, explaining about the Rainforest all the way. We had a chance to have fish therapy to our feet in a pool- fine after at last being able to relax and stop giggling! I enjoyed another night trek and enjoyed the novel sights and sounds. We are thrilled that we found the Lodge and recommend at least 2 nights to anyone who has the chance. Our journey down the hill in the 4x4 was fantastic with panoramic views of the area-we were sad to leave.

Review rating: 5

Review Author: DillyR

Review Date: 10 Apr 2019

Review Body: What a place! If you visit Sri Lanka , please don't leave without visiting this unique and beautiful part of the Island. The drive up to the lodges/hotel is breathtaking. But you MUST get a driver and a jeep which is suited to this terrain. The eco lodge will provide you with one and will pick you up from Deninyaya. Don't attempt to go up in a minibus or car. We had a wonderful driver and minibus for our stay in Sri Lanka, but the minibus was not suitable at all for this epic, exciting journey full of hairpin bends, sheer drops and simply breathtaking views. Travel up in the morning as the clouds and rains begin to descend around after lunch time and you don't want to miss the views going up. The guide we had was incredibly passionate about this fragile and precious area of the country and very knowledgeable. there are many different tours you can do. We didn't have much time, so we did the 3 hr Jungle walk - it was amazing, not strenuous at all . Great place for birdwatching too and a must see place if you are at all interested in nature and it's beauty. This rainforest should be treasured and preserved as it is now and not built upon any more.

Review rating: 5

Review Author: Lankan2015, United Kingdom

Review Date: 09 Apr 2019

Review Body: My wife and I spent one night at this lodge with friends and family. As a group, we occupied 3 chalets. The highlight of our stay was the lovely location, proximity to Sinharaja forest and the two treks into the rainforest, topped off by a pedicure by rocksucker fish (aka Gal Pani in Sinhala). Given the proximity of the lodge to the edge of the rainforest, we were visited by purple-faced langur monkeys, Sri Lanka blue magpies plus a few other species of birds. A few weeks prior to our arrival the lodge had also been visited by a lone elephant - our guide showed us photographs of this majestic beast he had snapped on his smartphone. The food was amazing - all of us, bar one member of our group, is Sri Lankan, and every single one of us thoroughly enjoyed the spread that lay before us at each of the three meals. Very professional, courteous and helpful staff. The slight downside is that the accommodation and facilities are in need of an overhaul, which I understand is in the process of being carried out. A brand new chalet that will sleep 4 was in the process of being completed.

Review rating: 5

Review Author: ruth0872, United Kingdom

Review Date: 20 Oct 2019

Review Body: I loved my two night stay here, it’s a must visit if you are going to Sri Lanka - the staff are amazing and can’t do enough for you, the food is top class, the “Container” I stayed in was an amazing experience - spotlessly clean, wished my main rainforest shower worked though! The views are amazing, and the sounds of the rainforest are just amazing especially at night. Our tour guide went out of his way to help me (not the slimmest or fittest person ever) we saw the Sri Lankan Magpie which apparently is quite rare, hiked through the rainforest... wow what an experience (Make sure you wear your leach socks...not a good look but you definitely need them!! Sadly it was too wet to visit the waterfall, but had an amazing experience (apart from the scary drive up and down...I’m not good with heights though lol) highly recommended... you need to stay here!! Thank you for an amazing stay!

Review rating: 5

Review Author: Madushani P

Review Date: 05 Nov 2019

Review Body: November1was the unfortable day..because it was my husban's birthday.the hotel my freind jayanath was got a wonderful day by arranging room very memorable&fantastic with the help of chanaka,avishka&other members..husban was suprised😙😙thank you so much all of you.foods & room service were excellent.100%quality.high quality foods &top class cleanness.it was very attactive arrangement at the resturent.thanks for all chefs staff members especialy including mr.suninda. The walk were very very memorable &enjoyble with the knowledgeable guide.& help with photos. nimesh thank you for you. I recomend this place for all nature lovers..it was not change rroom...bathroom...resturent..garden..all were very attactive.the day was one of the unforgotable day for us.thank you brother jayanath & others.. I would be happy to visit again to enjoy...

Review rating: 5

Review Author: mike j, United Kingdom

Review Date: 30 Apr 2019

Review Body: What an amazing place. The trip up to the hotel was "exciting" with stunning scenery and views down the mountainside! On arrival, the staff were charming, very welcoming and obviously very proud of their hotel and environmental credentials. Dilan on reception was particularly helpful and we very much enjoyed chatting to him. The food was delicious and well presented. The rooms, in stilted containers, were a little basic but perfectly comfortable and well appointed with a good selection of products.The highlight for us were the two nature walks we went on. Our guide, Nimesh, was extremely knowledgable and pointed out many more birds and and other animals than we could have spotted by ourselves. We were only there for one night and would have liked another to take full advantage of this fabulous location.

Review rating: 5

Review Author: Jack K, Australia

Review Date: 01 Apr 2019

Review Body: Stayed here for two nights as part of a group tour. So amazing to be part or next to the rain forest. You could hear the birds and some members of the group saw monkey from their rooms. The walks were great and it was an experience wearing leech socks which are provided by the lodge. I would recommend putting deet on your arms and legs as well. The guide was really knowledgeable. Our group saw lots of birds, Great Squirrel and Purple faced leaf monkeys. The food was great and i even had a massage in the spa which was excellent. The best i had in Sri Lanka. On our way down we stopped at the temple and it has a beautiful view. This lodge was the only place that i needed to use a blanket. It was lovely to be up high in the cool fresh air.

Review rating: 5

Review Author: Diana G, United Kingdom

Review Date: 20 May 2019

Review Body: After an amazing and quite scary drive up very steep narrow windy roads, we arrived at the Eco-Lodge. It is all built using recycled materials, shipping containers on stilts, railway sleepers etc, and the eco ethos is very important. You really feel that you are hidden away in the rainforest. But this does not mean it is not luxurious - the rooms are very comfortable with good bathrooms (shower water heated by solar panels on the roof) - it is all very well laid out. The food is superb. The walks and talks which are available are excellent. I had a great back massage in the on-site treatment rooms. This place was one of the highlights of our trip. Highly recommended.

Review rating: 5

Review Author: Unlikely Nomad

Review Date: 20 May 2019

Review Body: I stayed at The Rainforest Ecolodge for two nights. It is in a really beautiful spot and the whole place is incredibly picturesque. The accommodation is in very classily converted shipping containers and it was really relaxing to lay in bed at night listening to the sounds of the rainforest! During the day you can also spot a variety of birds and monkeys in the trees around the resort. The food was good and the staff were all very friendly and helpful. Spa treatments were also available. We also took a rainforest walk with one of the very personable and informative guides which I would recommend. I would definitely go back!

Review rating: 5

Review Author: PrabathRatnayake

Review Date: 10 Sep 2019

Review Body: We visit the place during school vacation. It was a very beautiful place with full of natural beauty. Hospitality is superb with all the welcomed and treated us as their own friends or family member even the security personals. Last 9Km were little bit different to drive by a car but manegable other than that it was great. Hotel offer trails to the forest which was very exciting and beautiful and spending time with nature it's a very different experience. Food was excellent there is no buffet but meals as good as you can get. If you are a nature lover visit the place and participate in trails.

Review rating: 5

Review Author: steve k, United Kingdom

Review Date: 01 Apr 2019

Review Body: Staying in the Ecolodges was a great experience. The rainforest and tea plantations were fantastic to see and the guide we had was very knowledgeable. The accommodation was relatively basic but considering the location was perfect for us. We enjoyed being at one with the nature and thoroughly enjoyed seeing the wildlife come right up to our cabin! The restaurant created excellent meals and the staff were very friendly . The approach roads to this location are very narrow and steep, a four wheel drive vehicle and experienced driver is recommended. I would certainly recommend this place.

Review rating: 5

Review Author: Gary C

Review Date: 10 Apr 2019

Review Body: a lovely hotel right at the top of a mountain in the rainforrest. The guides were lovely and spotted lots of animals etc for us. The rooms were really nice considering the remoteness of the place. They were more luxurious than we had expected. There is no nightlife up there so go prepared with a few drinks if that's your thing. I was glad we had brought a mosquito net as the rooms are in the rainforrest. The road leading to the lodge is a very long and winding unmade track but our driver managed to get his Toyota saloon up there - but it took a long time! a great place to stay.

Review rating: 5

Review Author: Ruwan E, Sri Lanka

Review Date: 20 Jul 2019

Review Body: We stayed 2 nights at this plce. Such a wonderful experience. One of the best places to getvth real experienc of nature. Misty environment with fresh air. Good views over lodge. If you want to be fully relaxed and hve some meditation this is the exact place you should visit. Dont forget to have the jungle tracking and bird watching. Can experience lovely waterfalls. Better to go with fourwheel vehicle, however even a light vehicle can go with careful driving. Because on the way you have to take some dangerous bends and road width is not that much.

Review rating: 5

Review Author: Lasha82, United Kingdom

Review Date: 10 Apr 2019

Review Body: Visited this beautiful place and was blown away by the beauty of the rainforest. Our walking guide was so knowledgeable and we not only had a gorgeous walk through the forest, but we learned tons as well. Rooms are in shipping containers and are good. My only issue was the bathroom door was only an old cowboy saloon style so wasn’t very private. Chanaka and Dilan were great hosts during our stay and helped us get safely back to Colombo in the uncertainty after the terrible events of Easter Sunday. I will be visiting again!

Review rating: 5

Review Author: HopefulTraveler99, Australia

Review Date: 20 Sep 2019

Review Body: The accommodation was good, very clean. The staff were approachable and helpful. The walks were great with very enthusiastic, accommodating and knowledgeable guide, Jagath, happy to answer questions, share a joke and help with photos. Wonderful peaceful, enriching start to my holiday. I highly recommend this ecolodge for its philosophy including tourists, nature and the community. I would be happy to visit again to enjoy the world heritage rainforest. Sorry I could not leave a video.

Review rating: 5

Review Author: Moltka1001, China

Review Date: 20 Jun 2019

Review Body: Set between lush tea plantations on the one side and a rainforest on the other, the Ecolodge offered a perfect introduction to the diversity that is Sri Lanka. The cabins made from recycled materials are simple but clean, spacious and welcoming, the food was very tasty and the service extremely friendly. Topping it off was a guided tour of the rainforest with a very knowledgable and friendly guide.

Review rating: 5

Review Author: Attanayake P, Sri Lanka

Review Date: 06 Nov 2019

Review Body: A beautiful hotel located 'within' the sinharaja forest. A great place for bird watching, specially one of the most beautiful endemic birds of Sri lanka The Srilankan blue magpie. They even came to the chalet we were staying. Very friendly and helpful staff. Superb location. Tasty food. I highly recommend this place if you are planning to visit Sinharaja forest.

Review rating: 5

Review Author: Lahiru H, Sri Lanka

Review Date: 30 Oct 2019

Review Body: This was a unique experience and I’m really glad we did it. This is a perfect way to visit Sinharaja Forest, creative rooms, very private. Tours offered by the hotel are well organized and can be private. The staff is extremely helpful and has thorough knowledge about the forest. Restaurant staff were friendly and food also very delicious.

Review rating: 5

Review Author: Shiranee G, Sri Lanka

Review Date: 20 May 2019

Review Body: We had a wonderful drive upto the location. The lodging was unique and the view was beautiful. The staff was very attentive and helpful and the food was good. The environs was excellent for bird watchers. Even from the room one could get a good glimpse and also photograph the iconic birds of the area.

Review rating: 5

Review Author: ilse g, Australia

Review Date: 30 Aug 2019

Review Body: This is a lovely hotel located among tea plantations and the rain forest. The staff are very friendly and helpful, and the rooms are made from recycled shipping containers, and are very unique inside. You need to feel comfortable with your traveling companion, as the bathroom/toilet door is in the style of an American Western saloon, where they are two swing wooden doors that don't completely meet with gaps at the top and bottom. So if you were standing behind them, they would cover you from the knees up, and neck down, but when sitting on the toilet I had a very good view of the bedroom. But the room is unique in its design, and the views from your windows and balcony are beautiful. Don't expect this to be a 5 star resort style room, it is basic but nice. We did a number of walking tours, and our guide was fantastic. When he realised that we were photographing small insects, frogs etc. he would look for these and didn't rush our treks. We asked for a snake and after he said it would be unlikely as it was monsoon season, he found one for us 5 mins later. Unbelievable! The only thing I recommend being aware of is that there is a small a-la-carte menu to order from. We were told it was set menu only, and after being charged a large fee for this meal, and we said we couldnt afford to eat set menus for lunch and dinner the next day, only then did they say we could order off the a-la-carte menu. It makes quite a large difference in cost, and we were spending a fair bit of money on walks instead. Its a difficult drive up to the hotel, and it isnt easy to go up and down the hill for alternative food options, so you really are restricted to eating at the hotel. Having said that, all of the food we ate was delicious. The breakfast selection is large and tasty.

Review rating: 4

Itinerary Day 1

Itinerary Summary: Discover Rainforest Eco Lodge.

Itinerary Description: Arrive at the Rainforest Ecolodge at your leisure

Itinerary Day 2

Itinerary Summary: Hiking in Sinharaja Forest

Itinerary Description: Spend the next day on a medium-intensity 4-5 hour hike exploring the surroundings of the lodge, within the Sinharaja Forest Reserve. After the hike, depart early afternoon.