TheLakeHostel

The staff , the lake , the peaceful living.

Nothing

The animals treat you better than the property managers

Carefree, Pretty solo female travelers PLEASE run away from this place. Having backpacking solo for the last decade all over the world it’s the first time I write a negative review. After living and working in this hostel for over 4 months last year,one year later today I make a booking only to hear from them that I have been banned from the hostel. Slut shamed and ridiculed at the cost of being a wild free woman. While drugs and narcotics are allowed it’s not allowed to be your Self. The story I was told was that after I left last year in January “some tourists” came looking for me and made his girlfriend uncomfortable asking if she was me? lmfao Basically they labelled me a whore and didn’t want me returning to the hostel. Cause Whores aren’t welcome. You dress pretty and flirt with guys - not allowed Cocaine - yes What I find most amusing is that they waited one year to tell me this- of course they needed time to perfect the story. I’m in touch with my lawyer to file a case against defamation of my name and reputation. A pity to this beautiful location. Other than the people running the hostel the space is truly beautiful. Wouldn’t recommend for solo female travelers

Beautiful place and environment. Loved the opportunity to kayak in the morning.

Too many people in the shared room. And the bunk beds are not comfortable and it has no curtains for privacy.

A beautiful oasis by the lagoon - wish we’d stayed longer. And taking the kayak out for sunset and sunrise was super special

Nothing!

Das beste Hostel, das ich in Sri Lanka hatte. Der Host hat uns mit allem geholfen, es wurde sehr gutes family dinner angeboten und auf Nachfrage konnte auch ein Transfer zu vielen Orten organisiert werden.

The whole environment was very peaceful, with lovely pets around. It is just 5min away from the center in scooter.

Nothing :)

loved my stay here and will be back! Kiri is lovely and the space feels very open and friendly with everything you need

Das war wirklich eins der besten Hostels in dem wir je waren. Das Hostel liegt direkt an einem wunderschönen See. Die Unterkunft ist sehr sauber und es gibt sehr viele Ecken in denen man chillen kann. Dadurch entsteht auch eine sehr schöne Atmosphäre. Kiri und alle Mitarbeiter sind wirklich extrem hilfsbereit und freundlich. 10/10 nur zu empfehlen!!!!

​I spent three weeks here and it was, without a doubt, the absolute highlight of my travels so far. ​The peace and beauty of the lake are incredible, but what truly makes this place special are Kiri and Mani. Their kindness, hospitality, and the amazing food made me feel right at home from day one. I especially loved our long chats, they really go above and beyond for their guests. ​If you’re looking for a place to recharge with outstanding service, this is it. I’m already promising myself a return trip. Thank you both for everything see you very soon!

L’endroit est merveilleux, c’est perdu dans la forêt, parfait pour se couper du bruit D’hikkaduwa ! Le kayak et le vélo sont gratuits aussi, ce qui est un vrai +

Rien

Can't recommend this place enough, came for 2 nights and extended again and again. The place is so calm, and feels relaxing but sociable at the same time with family dinners. I work remotely and the wifi was perfect for video calls and a great base. Thanks so much to all the lovely staff who went above and beyond!

Le personnel était incroyable. Très gentil et de bons conseils dès que j’en ai besoin. Le repas du soir est un repas « familial » on peut manger tous ensemble et faire de nouvelles rencontres, ce qui est super intéressant.

Il ne faut pas avoir peur de sortir le soir seule car il faut sortir d’un long sentier dans lequel il faut tout noir.

Great people, very social and comfortable. The lake is very peaceful and pretty and the staff and guests were very friendly and welcoming.

Awesome place if you like wildlife. We spent the days on the beach, then came back to the lake to bird watch on the jetty morning and eve. There were monkeys & monitor lizards about which was cool too. A bit further out from town, so need to get tuktuks for about $1 to beachfront/restaurants, so all good. Hosts were great & made good food that catered to vegan/veggie

The Propertys location is a traveller’s delight. With the Property’s landscape rolling into a beautiful lake is its USP. Waking up in the morning with the chirping of the birds is a wonderful experience. The icing on the cake is the free boat rides and bicycle service provided by them. For those looking for peace and tranquility the buck stops here. A word about Mr Kiri the owner. His pleasant disposition and very helpful nature makes the stay more comfortable. Overall a win- win situation for those who happen to stay at the property.

Preferably a couple of solar street lights can be installed along the approach road to the property.

C'est un endroit calme , idéal pour se relaxer ,très joli au bord du lac . Personnel très sympa ,on apprécie les proximité,la simplicité.

Unfassbar nettes Personal und tolle Lage. Lecker Essen und schönes Beisammensein.

Frischluftzimmer, deswegen viele Insekten und kleine Tiere. Wen das nicht stört findet hier eine perfekte Unterkunfz

El jardín y el lago. Las instalaciones

Die Lage am See ist einfach nur schön, die Hosts wahnsinnig nett, hilfsbereit und freundlich und das Dinner war eins der besten die ich in Sri Lanka genießen durfte - das dürft ihr euch auf keinen Fall entgehen lassen! Außerdem gibt es Trinkwasser for free, was auch super ist! Ich hatte ein Einzelzimmer, aber mit geteilter Außendusche und Toilette - das hat alles einwandfrei funktioniert - dafür, dass vom Badbereich bei dieser Buchung alles draußen ist, ist es auch recht sauber! 😊

Amazing host, great animal companions, nice food and coffee and a really calm and relaxing location made this stay unique.

I wanted to come to this hostel for sure and it just matched all my expectations and even exceeded it. When I saw the tranquility of the lake and the jungle around for the first time, I felt that there is nothing more that I need in my life. Kiri and Manee are giving their best to make this place comfortable for us and they are also very sociable. All other staff are nice and kind too. I felt calm and relaxed. I also met many other hearted people here, with whom I became friends. The place always has good vibes. So I came back again cuz it feels like a home in Sri Lanka. Best love to all of you ❤️

Les hôtes sont supers accueillants, on se sent comme chez soi.

Das Hostel liegt fernab vom Touristen Gewusel direkt am Hikkaduwa Lake. Wer auf der Suche nach Ruhe bzw Einschlafen zu Dschungelgeräuschen ist, ist hier richtig.

Mir war nicht bewusst, dass es keine Klimaanlage hat und die Wände auf der Seite offen waren. Es störte mich aber während meinem Besuch nicht wirklich, man sollte sich dessen einfach bewusst sein.

Molto alla mano e accogliente con cani e gatti

The vibes of the place are amazing

Owner is amazing and helpful. If you love nature and animals this is the perfect place. Everything really cleaned

Kiri and his partner are the best hosts and they offer to cook a fantastic dinner for you in the evening for only $5. It’s a beautiful and peaceful homestay

Beautiful location at the lake, nice shared facilities

Location is pretty far from city center and due to bad road difficult to reach by bike or foot.

The hostel is by a lake which is just perfect for a serene getaway! The hosts are also very kind and accommodating, willing to help you out in whichever way they can. You'll be welcomed by wagging tails as soon as you enter the hostel, which is a great plus for travellers who love animals! Great setup with kitchen, for ones who wish to cook their own food. The canoe/kayak rides are free for those staying at the hostel. Can't wait to be back again! 💞

As the hostel is situated in the interiors of a jungle, the roads leading to it have no street lights. So one has to depend on public transport like tuks or cabs etc to get to and fro post sunset. But everything else about the property compensates for this lil concern.

The host was excellently accommodating and made my stay as much as possible at home right from the start.

Due to the lake location you will encounter a few flies

An oasis just outside of Hikkaduwa. The host Kiri and his girlfriend were super kind snd made my stay so pleasant! Can really recommend this place! Everything was clean, the wonderful garden was well-kept and the animals were supersweet!

My favorite place in Sri Lanka. Kiri, the host, is a beautiful soul and helps you with everything you need. The location is directly on the lake and so peaceful. I extended for a whole week and I wish I could stay longer. I felt so comfortable. The hostel has a kitchen with a lot of stuff to cook, but you can also order food for a fair price. The hostel is perfect to relax and calm down. I would always come back:)

Best place ever. Get ready to extend 😂

Care taker is excellent so kind and nice to sit around and chat! Can make some food/ drinks there and they can order you things from restaurant!

Great hostel and people. The set up is so scenic. They have really cute cats. Wish I could have stayed longer definitely recommend :)

I loved the location, a short bus ride away from the beach and Hikkaduwa, on the shore of the lake. I liked the green garden, the open spaces, the little jetty on the lake, the sound of the rain on the roof. The dorm is clean and spacious, the bathroom is nice. 8 beds in the dorm, but only 3 people stayed in when I was there, so it was quiet. The bed was comfortable. The fans are strong, it was not hot in the room at all. A well equipped kitchen and a fridge to use is available. I liked the communal area. Even if it was quiet during my stay, I could feel that it is a very social place. There are a lot of animals around (dogs and cats), and the occasional wild animals, that you can spot. If you don't like dogs and cats (and their hair) around, think twice. If you choose to arrive by bus or on your own wheels, use G map, as it is the only one showing the little road leading to the hostel. Open source maps may confuse you. Be aware: no signs on the main road.

Not all beds have a power outlet next to them. It requires a bit of extra trust or a bit of planning in charging your electronics, but this was no major trouble for me.

We had such a nice stay at this hostel. The room was clean and comfy. Location was so beautlyful, directly at the lake and outside of the town. Staff was really friendly! We also rent a kayak and bike for free. Highly recommended <3

Nothing!

Everything, it’s the best hostel I’ve ever stayed in. Loved the pups, the kitties, the peaceful location, the staff *really* felt like family… it was cleaned daily and overall just amazing.

That I couldn’t stay longer

Lovely staff and amazing vibes

Nothing

An amazing spot on the lake, very peaceful and beautiful. Very warm welcome by Robert, use of canoes a big plus, great to have the cat's around, altogether a perfect place to spend a few days. We didn't have time but will be back for sure . Loved our upstairs double room..

Only think I didn't like was the music.. I like to hear the nature, but I understand some people like it..

Awesome people, great location, & the place is amazing. With a lake view, kayaking. Also they provide breakfast and dinner and have shared kitchen

The place is beautiful, the garden go to a lake, all around you it’s a natural !

Amazing hostel with warm open-minded owners in a beautiful jungle setting at the lake. Felt really welcome and had a great time there. Also nice family style dinners in the evening. I stayed in a private room which was very comfy. Definitely recommended :)

Very good location, calm place. The staff are super friendly, they have a lot of friendly cats and dogs so there are always a good vibe.

There is a little bit short of space to put your clothes and other stuff.

This hostel was in the most beautiful location and they kindly offer free bicycles to ride into town (roughly 15min) A welcoming environment and exceptional design throughout. The stars of the show is Kiri and his wife who are so helpful in every way, literally never stop and helped us with anything we needed.

I can't really fault this hostel, the only thing I'd say is our washing was returned damp but then it was also heavy rain for a few days. And if you don't like creepy crawlies then maybe this isn't the place for you, although there wasn't a lot, it's just quite an open design

Good vibes, good people, beautiful hidden treasure with very clean and cozy facilities. Could easily get stuck here for weeks. Highly recommend!!

Best place ever 10/10

Great place to chill away from the hustle and bustle of Hikkaduwa...thanks to all the staff...especially Kiri and girlfriend

Everything!! This was my first stay in Sri Lanka and I couldn’t have wished for anything better!The hosts are super friendly and attentive, always around and ready to serve you a delicious cup of coffee in the morning or make or order food all together. The athmosphere is amazing, welcoming and safe, and so beautiful! Rooms are very airy and spacious, and you can just see all the details taking care of creating a lovely place. I’m still blown away by the good care and community vibe with everyone. Thank you so much!!!

Nothing!

Breakfast was so good. And mostly the location its wonderful. If you really need that kind of peace it’s a must place to visit. Specially the people over there, there are so lovely and kind. Really had a wonderful time and definitely we’ll be visiting soon again. We do miss akka and aiya who took care of us over there.

Everything was perfect

Perfect location. Close enough to town but very very quiet. Everything is so green. The hosts are wonderful and the dinner is also great. Nice chill area.

Very nice location. Free kayaking available. Very calming. They provide bicycles also. You can take them on rides. Open kitchen available. Very friendly staff.

I think one of the cleanest Guesthouses in Sri Lanka makes me really happy 🙏 White cotton sheets and towels like in a 4* Hotel 😍 The staff very nice, free drinking water, we could use the kitchen and frige. The beds very comfortable, everything is in wood also the foor. Good big ventilators on the roof and extra smals at the own bed. The living and kitchenarea is a huge big hall with beautiful wooden tables and banks. Very good place to stay here some days or longer. Washing mashine = 500LKR (23.12.24).

You can hear the main road and it gets hot in the rooms because metal roof.

The place in the middle of nature , the staff really amazing , the cleanliness

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Really wonderful nature area at the lake. Quiet place. Super friendly and helpful staff. Nice path for walking to Hikkaduwa and the beach.

Felt like home, but surrounded by jungle and with a lot cats and dogs.

Everything was phenomenal, location although not in city centre the facilities make up for it! It's an absolutely beautiful place in the jungle. Stunning lagoon you can kayak and explore. Beautiful unique nature inspired design, exceptionally clean for a hostel. Very creative and inspiring.

It was a complete escape from the busyness of Hikkadua centre. A natural retreat overlooking a gorgeous lake. Robert was incredibly welcoming and a pleasure to speak to, as were all the staff!

Welcoming, Great vibes. Perfect place to stay for a couple of nights or even weeks. Situated 2km away from the beach is the perfect location to chill and explore the surroundings. The hostel is in front of a beautiful lake where you can take a kayak or a small boat and navigate the water. The structure has a beautiful kitchen where you can prepare your meals and the spacious single rooms are ideal for a nice rest. The staff are doing a good job by maintaining the hostel in great condition, also they are very helpful with information and giving you the feeling of being in a family environment!

This was my 4th time visiting this place and I love every moment spent here, starting off with the hospitality from Roberto and Sudeepa, the free kayak rides, the awesome inhouse kitchen, the friendly guests and atmosphere added more memories to our vacation.

Everything! Roberto, Kiri and Mani are the best hosts! Also the doggies and the cats that make up the entire family 🤍 Absolutely magical location, beautiful and comfortable rooms, I had one of the best sleeps nestled in the jungle listening to the rain. The kitchen is well equipped and the location is perfect - not too away from town with a majestic landscape and also easy to reach town on a bicycle or tuc tuc. I have found my hostel in Hikkaduwa and I can’t wait to be back 🤍 Thank you for everything!!!

There are no curtains in the rooms and during the stay some outsiders came and stared through the windows while I had just got out the shower. The managers chased them off but still not a good experience when a hostel can't be bothered to invest in room or proper shower curtains. Also the 'managers' who are just a couple treating it like their home stole my bikini :(

Amazing location, comfortable stay, super helpful people. I loved my stay there. They have canoes and bicycles for guests to use for free. It’s so beautiful to wake up in a forest next to a lake and canoe for thing in the morning. Morning view on the lake is magical, don’t miss it!

Very friendly service , safe and lovely environment.

Quite location and the host is very kind. You can take bikes for free!

Dogs and cats are walking around, if you're not found of these animals, I would'nt recommend this place.

I loved everything about the place. Sri and Mani are wonderful people. I love all the cats and dogs there. Booked it for one night, ended up staying there for almost 2 weeks!

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The location

Environment

- Amazing location - super nice staff - available coffee and kitchen - you can take the boat and go on the lake for free

Nothing, this is just an awesome place.

One of the best hostel in srilanka and the owner of hostel amazing and staff too

Peace full location

the hostel is located at a beautiful lake. the atmosphere and vibes in the hostel are also beautiful and the people who work there are really nice. for breakfast they serve fruits and pancakes. can highly recommend this place! :)

Location is beautifully tucked away just outside of the town, but not too far to make it a chore to come and go to the beach. Nice places to chill and right on the lake for a kayak or a great sunrise. Great breakfast, coffee and the team are really friendly from minute 1!

😝