Amba Kola

We stay 2 nights in Amba Kola and what a fantastic time we had. Janik the owner wasn’t here but Greshan and Swarne (Janik’s mum) I believe were exceptional hosts and really looked after us. We did a safari which was brilliant - we saw dozens of elephants, buffalo, deer, monkeys galore, even a crocodile or 2. This exceptional trip was organised by Janik and the driver was amazing with fantastic eyesight- he spotted things that we would have just driven past. This said, the 2 highlights for me were Swarne and her cooking. Swarne was warm and friendly and very funny she really couldn’t do enough for all of us, but her cooking…. This was some of the best food I have had in Sri Lanka- fresh and beautifully presented. If you are going to do a safari please stay here at this small family run place and be fed by Swarne and I promise you won’t be disappointed.

We stayed at Amba Kola for 2 nights and both my wife and myself agreed it was the best time spent on our holiday. Janik and his mom were the 2 warmest, kindest, friendliest and welcoming people we met on our trip. They couldn't do enough for us to make our time amy more special. They arranged our transfer from Ella for us and it was cheaper than anyone else we had priced, they surprised us with food when we arrived,. Janik mom is a fantastic chef and all our meals were the nicest we enjoyed on our holidays in Sri Lanka. The breakfasts were out of this world from pancakes, to freshly made juice, homemade granola etc and the evening meals were equally beautiful. Our room was beautiful and so comfy. We also did our safari with Janik which was an amazing experience . There are beautiful walks through sugar cane plantations surrounding Amba kola and we were accompanied by one of there dogs for our walk. Janik organised for us free of charge to go to the nearby town to pick up some supplies we needed for our travels and even bought us ice cream on the way back. The atmosphere at the house is so relaxing and chilled that you just never want to leave. The love that Janik and his mom show for animals has no boundaries also , so because we feel the same it made the stay feel more perfect. All in all my wife and myself couldn't recommend staying here enough. Its beautiful, perfect, definitely 5 star, beautiful food. Fantastic safari, fantastic people and atmosphere and super affordable. Thank you both for making 2 days so special in our lives and thank you for giving us memories to hold in our hearts forever.

Thank you Janik, amma and Selva for a great stay at Amba Kola. You don’t go the extra mile, you go the extra 10 miles! At Amba Kola they take care of you. If you don’t know what to do for the day you don’t worry, Janik will know and will keep you busy😊 thx again for everything, for your help, kindness and availability, it has been a pleasant stay!

Wow where to start with this review. I have visited many places in the world and this has to be the experience that will stick with me forever. The hospitality I received from Janik and his mother from the moment I arrived, to the moment I left, was simply outstanding. As a solo female traveller, it is important to feel secure and the reviews for this hotel were what initially stuck out to me; I can confirm they are not wrong. In the short two days I was there, I felt like I was home. Starting with the room, it was super clean & spacious and the bed was very comfortable. The outdoor bathroom was very private and it was a real treat to shower under the stars; the accommodation is even better than the pictures! Next onto the food: I ate all my meals at the property for two days and Janik’s mother is an outstanding cook of Sri Lankan food. I also took her cooking class offering and we had so much fun cooking up the biggest feast you can imagine - I would totally recommend doing this. The garden is packed full of all different sorts of organic fruits and vegetables and we picked some of these in the morning, ready to use when making dinner. Janik was also kind enough to show me the area and the sugar cane fields, which was a great insight into local life. The property is tucked off the main road which makes it very quiet and peaceful, but still it is only minutes from the national park entrance. Lastly onto the main event of the safari, which was the most wonderful experience; Janik organised everything with an experienced driver and even accompanied me which I really appreciated. We saw many elephants (absolutely beautiful), crocodiles, birds, buffalo, deer and wild boar. I also loved the dogs and cats at the house too who were super adorable, but also very chilled and non imposing (in case you don’t like animals!). All I can say is be quick and do not hesitate to just book this place if there is availability - you will not regret it! A completely magical experience in the heart of Udawalawa.

Great place to be… stunning room and very attentive staff . Loved everything about this place . Great safari jeep with a young talented driver . Overall exceptional experience.beautiful area . Calm and quite environment .

My visit at Amba Kola Yesterday, on the way to Sigiriya, I stopped for a couple of hours at the Amba Kola Cafe and Hotel in Udawalawa, an area in the interior of Sri Lanka some 75 kilometers from the southern coast. The purpose of my visit was to honor the invitation I received from a fellow Canadian, Louise McCluck, who is part owner of Amba Kola and an awakened person. Louise and I were brought together by Deborah Jennings who is Louise's cousin and a longtime supporter of mine. Had I not booked in advance my hotels in Sri Lanka, and not been hampered by a tight budget, I would have liked to spend at least a night at Amba Kola to experience the hospitality of an authentic Sri Lankan B&B run in partnership between a native Sri Lankan and an expat Canadian. During my two-hour stop I was feasted with delicious Sri Lankan food prepared with local ingredients by the establishment's chef who also teaches cooking classes. Some of the fruit used come from Amba Kola's own garden and are organic. Since Louise knows a thing or two about the depop program, the water is served in glass bottles and not in plastic, the coffee is brewed in an espresso machine and is of the best imported quality, and the straws used for the cocktails are from stainless steel. The two rooms available for overnight guests are spacious and tastefully decorated since Louise is an artist and much of the art displayed in the house was made by her. Most importantly, I had her pleasant company during lunch and it was great to talk about the world and about Sri Lanka with someone who speaks my language and is awake and aware, vaccine free, and with her feet planted solidly on the ground. I highly recommend spending a few nights in Amba Kola and going on a safari with the resort's own jeep to see elephants and other wildlife without sacrificing any of the creature comforts we spoiled westerners have come to expect even in places off the beaten track. Louise and her staff will satisfy all your demands and meet all your expectations. Of that I'm bsolutely certain.