Ella Willow Cottage

My favorite place I stayed in Sri Lanka! ❤️ Such a beautiful and peaceful place surrounded by nature, with fresh air, amazing views, and a stunning sunset. Everyone was so kind and welcoming, and the homemade food was absolutely delicious! If you’re visiting Ella and looking for a relaxing place surrounded by nature, I highly recommend staying here. I’ll definitely come back when I visit Sri Lanka again! Thank you so much for the wonderful stay! 🙏☺️

La vue sur la montagne et le sourire de la mère de l’hôte qui nous préparait le petit-déjeuner. Les chambres sont spacieuses.

L’emplacement car les chambres sont situées en dehors d’Ella. Il faut bien 30 minutes pour rejoindre le centre à pied, et non pas 20 comme l’annoncent certains commentaires, à moins de la faire au petit trot. Et il faut de plus emprunter une route de montagne très fréquentée et pas sécurisée pour des enfants. Nous n’avons vu notre hôte qu’à notre arrivée. Et on ne nous a pas proposé les bons repas srilankais dont parlaient certains commentaires. Le calme n’était pas vraiment au rendez-vous non plus car d’autres guesthouses/hôtels situés non loin organisaient des fêtes avec de la musique forte.

This Homestay is really enjoyable as it’s in nature. The rooms are spacious and clean. The family is so lovely and will do anything for you to have a great stay. We love it.

Nothing

So friendly and I always recommended

I came here for two nights and stayed 11 - I think that says it all ;) I absolutely loved my stay at Willow cottage. I stayed in the double room with balcony which was beautiful, spacious and super clean. The balcony view is incredible and you can see the sunrise from there every morning. The bed is comfortable and there is hot water, which I think is needed in Ella. Madu and his mom are lovely hosts, very helpful and the Sri Lankan breakfast prepared by Madus mom was delicious. The location is a bit out of town - a 20 min walk to Ellla train station but you get peace, quiet and lovely views. For me this was perfect as I didn’t love the noise of the town and preferred to stay outside. You can easily walk, take a local bus or a Tuc Tuc into town. WiFi was quite good. I was working and taking calls from here and that wasn’t a problem. Overall I can’t recommend this place enough, and felt like the pictures don’t do it justice. It felt like a home for me and I didn’t want to leave. Thanks Madu for having me!

Very warm and friendly contact with the family. The cottage down in the garden has a large room and bathroom. Dinner is especially recommended: very generous, authentic, and reasonably priced! Even though I didn't use it, there are many offers for transport and excursions.

nothing negative --

Environnement Gentillesse Serviable PD Sri-Lankais copieux et bon

Difficultés pour trouver Tuk Tuk le soir, même avec Uber et PickMe Et le Big Boss, malgré son TukTuk service, n'habite pas sur place et a son taff chez UFO, Faut s'organiser en conséquence !!😂😅sinon Walkwalkwalk

Madu and her mother made my stay very warm and welcoming altough it rained a lot. I truly recommend the sri lankan breakfast and dinner . Bless hands of the lady chef , her cookings are great ! Out of the city center you can enjoy and fall alseep to the jungle sounds. The balcony is great to relax.

The shower has very little pressure. The room felt wet and stuffy, prob thanks to the rain but still quite unconfortable with cold night.

Outstanding service from mother and son. I arrived later than expected and was starving because I'd only had breakfast. It was 7pm and Rani kindly cooked dinner for me. I was so grateful 🙏. I booked the balcony room which had beautiful views of the mountains. Quiet and peaceful. I'd definitely recommend a stay at Ella Willow Cottage. Oh,Madhu kindly offered to drop me off at the train station after my stay.

Absolutely nothing !!!

You need to remember that is cheap family business. 10/10 when it comes to price

- Los dueños son un amor, siempre con la sonrisa en la cara y te ayudan en todo lo que necesites! Auténtica hopitalidad esrilanquesa. - El desayuno típico de Sri Lanka es una pasada! Mucha cantidad y todo buenísimo!! - La tranquilidad del sitio, es un remanso de paz y tiene unas vistas maravillosas. Si buscas un stio tranquilo y apartado aquí es! - Solo hay 2 habitaciones y son "casas independientes" - La habitación tenía un dispensador de agua y podías hacerte tu propio té o café

- Quizá si vas en tu propio tuk tuk o vehículo, el final del caminito que hay para llegar es bastante complicado (básicamente piedras y rocas). Andando hasta el centro de Ella son 20 minutos, pero es todo un tramo de carretera. Si pides un tuk tuk son 5 min.

Madu and his mum are making this place perfect, it is simple accommodation in the tea plantation area, it has jungle feeling,, voices of the birds around... peacocks, chameleons..., breakfast great, Srí Lanka or English option, hosts very attentive to see what you like, Madu is very helpful with trips around informations, and also can arrange tuk tuk transfer, very quiet area, cca 25 mins by walk from Ella or 5 mins by tuk tuk, great view to the huge and beautiful budhistic temple on the hill nearby, do not look for European style hotel comfort, but this place is very authentic , Sri Lanka style, this is why it is unforgettable, after leaving this place, you feel like part of Madu familly, highly recommend, definitely will come back, when I go around again

in the beginning you can have feelings that some things are more difficult, but you will learn very quickly that there is no problem, and things are easier than they look, so everything was great and I can not say anything negative to this place

Très bon rapport qualité prix. Hôtes adorables et très arrangeants. Grande chambre avec une terrasse agréable. Logement situé légèrement à l’extérieur de la ville : idéal pour être au calme. Superbe vue du logement.

Die Unterkunft ist wunderschön gelegen mit einer sehr schönen Aussicht. Die Hosts sind wirklich super lieb und haben sich um alles gekümmert, was wir gebraucht haben. Wir haben einen Roller zu einem guten Preis gemietet, Frühstück für unsere Bahnfahrt zum Mitnehmen bekommen und wurden kostenlos an den Bahnhof gefahren. Insgesamt haben wir uns sehr wohlgefühlt!

Great stay just outside Ella with nice views of the surrounding hills. Very nice staff (mother and son) who run this place and they make a very tasty breakfast. I had both the Sri Lankan and western breakfast which where both great. Very good pricing as well. Defenitely recommend this place!

Nothing really, maybe its just a little out of town (25 min walk)

The view was so stunning, everybody was so nice and the Sri Lankan breakfast was really yummy.

The wifi didn’t work well.

camera molto semplice ma con bagno bello grande e soprattutto un bellissimo giardino tutto per noi. lontano dalla confusione di Ella (ma a soli 20 minuti a piedi). in camera ci sono il bollitore e le tazze. Madu e lo staff sono stati gentilissimi e hanno soddisfatto tutte le nostre richieste: zanzariera aggiuntiva, salviette aggiuntive, colazione prima dell’orario consueto. grazie a tutti.

nulla, segnalo solo che si arriva all’hotel con una strada sterrata che non tutte le auto possono percorrere perché l’hotel è immerso nella natura.

Questo cottage si trova fuori dalla chiassosa Ella ed è immerso in una lussureggiante foresta con vista sulle piantagioni di tè. Solo la vista dalla camera ti riconcilia col mondo. Staresti ore ad ammirare il verde circostante ed ascoltare il canto degli uccellini. Si trova a circa 600mt. dalla strada principale, si deve fare un pezzo di strada stretta e sterrata dove parcheggiare l'auto è una bella impresa (ma noi ci siamo riusciti quindi non è impossibile, basta avvisarli prima e si organizzano perchè il 90% della gente viene col driver o tuk-tuk). Sono 2 camere belle grandi, a noi è toccata quella sotto alla cucina e si sentivano i rumori fino a che non andavano a letto e poi di nuovo la mattina, ma la notte abbiamo dormito bene. La signora che ci ha acconto non parlava una parola di inglese ma tra sorrisi e gesti ci siamo capite benissimo. Ci ha preparato un'ottima colazione, un giorno english ed il giorno dopo srilanka, entrambe ottime. Ho adorato le sue crepes! La camera era pulita, ed il giorno dopo l'hanno pulita di nuovo (con noi presenti, non sarebbero mai entrati in camera senza di noi). wifi un po' lento e debole. Madu via whatsapp non ci ha fatto mancare niente e poi è venutoi anche a presentarsi e salutarci, tutti sono stati veramente molto gentili e premurosi. Grazie di tutto!

Cottage immerso nella natura, molto carino. Il personale gentilissimo e le colazioni molto abbondanti, a scelta tra tradizionale e inglese.

La posizione è leggermente fuori (5 minuti con Tuk tuk) ma va bene così, ti permette di stare rilassato lontano dalla confusione. Ci sono alcune formiche ma niente di preoccupante

La grande, confortable et jolie chambre. La vue. L'éloignement de Ella bruyant mais pas si loin en tuk tuk ou même à pied (20min)

Rien

The hospitality and the friendliness of the hosts are phenomenal. The sights from the balconies and in the garden is so beautiful. The breakfast was extremely well, we could choose and they always surprised us with something extra. We are travelling as a family of 4, our boys stayed in the cottage and we stayed in the room with balcony overseeing the beautiful landscape. It was very relaxing and I can recommend, these people deserve a lot of guests! We walked up to the street (2 min) to get a Uber or a Tuktuk, as we needed two it sometimes took a few minutes.

Nothing and if there would be anything the hosts would always solve this immediately.

Fantastic place! Takes 20/25 minutes walk to the city centre and you are surrounded by nature! The room was very big and had everything you need WiFi works well The breakfast was absolutely phenomenal and the owners and super kind

My best stay in Sri Lanka so far. Incredible little cottage tucked away in the beautiful Ella mountains. The cottage has everything you could need and even better the hosts are the nicest people I've come across in Sri Lanka. Mother and Son operation who do everything they can to ensure your stay is special. Would 100% return <3

nothing.

I liked everything,very nice, peaceful cottage surrounded by nature with beautiful garden,host was very much helpful polite and eager to help,he used to drop me on the main road in his tuk tuk every time free of cost suggested me to take bus to some attraction instead of taking tuk tuk hence I saved the money,they had only two cottage ,so the whole place was for you,lavish srilankan breakfast with eggs fruit and juice along with coffee or tea,they gave suggestion how to visit the attraction,20 minute scenic walk to center and ella railway station ALWAYS EAGER TO HELP ,VERY VERY NICE FAMILY

I liked every thing there was nothing to complain about 10 out of 10 I would rather give more

Everything was Perfect. So nice , Kind and helpful . Bad a nice Breakfast too.

Madu and his mother will do absolutely anything to make sure you feel comfy, safe, and have a memorable time in Ella. The cottage is adorable and in a beautiful garden setting. I sat outside on my laptop, and a peacock visited!! Situated beneath the beautiful monastery you can hear the monks chanting (briefly) a couple times a day. I loved having the tea kettle in my room, and the instant hot water shower was amazing (endless). Mom will cook and do laundry (for a fee) I felt SO LOVED. One thing to note- it’s a 20 minute walk to town which I did many times. But be sure to get the names of a couple of tuktuk drivers so that you always pay a fair price. Madu will help you with this! And anything else you need!

Perfect short stay in Ella! The room has everything you need, comfy bed, hot shower, clean room, water filter, tea, kettle, mosquito net and you get a delicious fresh breakfast! The hosts are super lovely and helpful. They went above and beyond during our stay You get a beautiful view each morning as well as only being 5 minute drive to the town where the shops and restaurants are Highly recommend - we would definitely come back here!

Our stay at this homestay in Ella was amazing! From the moment we arrived, Madu and his mother welcomed us with such warmth and kindness that we instantly felt at home. His mother, an absolute gem, was so loving with my little boy, Thiago. Watching her interact with him was heartwarming, and we felt truly cared for. One of the absolute highlights was the incredible dinner she prepared for us—easily one of the most delicious meals we had in Sri Lanka! Every bite was made with love, and we could taste the authenticity and tradition in her cooking. The location of the homestay is simply beautiful. While it’s not directly in the center of Ella, that only adds to its charm. We were surrounded by nature, with peacocks dancing gracefully, birds singing in the morning, and monks chanting in the evening, creating the most peaceful and enchanting atmosphere. On a practical note, the shower was the best I had in Sri Lanka—strong pressure and perfect temperature! And the internet was excellent! If you’re looking for a truly local, warm, and memorable stay, this homestay is the perfect choice. Thank you, Madu and your Mama Rani, for making our stay in Ella so special.

You might be able to walk the way down, but we needed a tuk tuk. But madu organised everything for us!

We had a great stay at Ella Willow Cottage! This charming cottage is nestled on a hill with a lovely view, offering a peaceful and cozy retreat. The mother-son team running the place is incredibly kind and goes above and beyond to ensure a great stay. They helped us with transportation, organized a tuk-tuk, gave great activity recommendations, and even took us to the train station while holding our bags after checkout. A highlight was learning how to make string hoppers as part of the delicious breakfast they prepared. The cottage also has WiFi, hot water, free filtered water and a soft blanket for extra comfort. Recommend for a warm and welcoming stay with a local family in Ella!

There was a little bit of construction nearby but stopped when we requested

They were so sweet and the breakfast (american) was the best we had in Sri Lanka, with smoothie, egg, champignons, spinach, sausages, toast, etc. They went to the garage with us with our broken TukTuk. One of the best guest houses. A quite area with bird sounds. With TukTuk it’s 5 minutes to town

A very pleasant and comfortable cottage. The hosts were very friendly and helpful. We enjoyed the terrace and yard. There were lots of birds to watch. Ella is a noisy and congested tourist town so we were glad we were staying a little out of town. Walking up to the main road at night is magical...lots of stars and an amazing view of the Buddhist Temple on the hill.

There were nearby restaurants for dinner but walking on the main road after dark was unpleasant because of all the traffic.

I spent 3 nights at Willow Cottage and really liked it. Madu is always there to help (scooter rental, right to visit, bus...). As for his mother, she prepares very good lunches. The place is very nice and 3 minutes from the center of Ella.

The room was spacious and homely. The hosts were welcoming, helpful and catered to all our needs. The breakfast was generous and delicious, huge comfortable bed and hot shower. It is the perfect accommodation for those wanting a quiet stay away from the hustle and bustle of Ella- but still so doable to walk into town and even more so with a tuk tuk or scooter.

We had an amazing stay at Ella Willow Cottage. Located just a 30-minute walk from Ella town, the cottage is nestled in nature, offering a serene and peaceful atmosphere. The hosts, a lovely mother and son duo, made our stay even more special. While the mom doesn't speak English, her warm smile and willingness to help made us feel incredibly welcome. Her son, who speaks English, was always ready to assist, even offering tuk-tuk rides to take us wherever we wanted to go. The internet was fast and reliable, which was great for staying connected. Breakfast was a highlight—each day, they asked us what time we wanted it and what we'd like to have, and they prepared a delicious meal just for us. The cottage is the only one on the property at the moment, so you get a truly private and peaceful experience. We had a wonderful time and would highly recommend Ella Willow Cottage to anyone looking for a tranquil getaway in Ella. The hospitality and natural surroundings make it a perfect place to unwind.

Definitely one of the best homestay I ever stayed. No doubt in that. Everything about this place is awesome and great. It is a family run business, so they do it with so much love and effort. They even took me along with them for the local festival to get the local culture feel. And the host was kind enough to drop off at bus stop in early morning. Let me list out about what best things you will get here. 1️⃣ The host & his family is very friendly, caring and welcoming. They treated me like their family member and took really good care of. I am a solo female traveller, I can guarantee this place is so safe for anyone. 2️⃣ Next about the location, it is a cute cabin located in a natural surroundings. The Mountain View is awesome from the room as well as outside the cabin. If you a bird watcher, you will love this place. I saw so many beautiful birds, dancing peacock and peacock walking around the yard. It was wonderful for me as a nature lover. 3️⃣ You will get yummiest Srilankan breakfast, better than the restaurant taste. Home made and tasty. Aunty serve it with so much love and care. 4️⃣ So clean and neat always. They clean it everyday. 5️⃣ Facilities - You will get all the amenities & facilities that you will get in big urban city. Fastest WiFi I ever had in this Srilankan trip. Water purifier, Kettle, 24 hours hot water, Iron box, private Kitchen(to make tea, basic cooking etc) and there’s even a speaker if you want to chill with your friends. 6️⃣ Room is so spacious that easily 3 - 4 people can stay. 7️⃣ All these great options come with very reasonable price. Price is very cheaper, even lesser than some hostels. That’s all from me. I felt so happy that I chose this place to stay in Ella. This is the best in the town. Just go and experience it by yourself, you won’t regret it. 😄

There’s nothing like that. Everything was perfect and awesome

Great place to relax, I recommend it to everyone. I stayed for one night, the hosts are wonderful people, they met me, gave me tea. Very good breakfast, great room, hot water. Thank you for the welcome.

Все отлично.

It was great! Nice if you wish to spend a peaceful day, this is the place. For the most part, the owner is extremely friendly and helpful. Amazing breakfast!🍳

Everything was good!

Amazing view, best breakfast l had in sri Lanka comfy bed super nice hosts! Liked everything about the place

Very nice stay. 🙏 Located in the nature (terrace with a beautiful view), a bit further from the main busy streets, but not too far :). Accomodating owners, very comfy and quiet big cottage... Tasty breakfast 🙂

Beautiful location. The room was very spacious and the bathroom was clean. 24 hours hot water available. Good breakfast

Nothing

Shan is a great a host. Upon request he made food in Indian style which is very tasty. Location is 5 mins away from Ella main road. We can see great Budha temple on the peak of the hill

Hot water and cold water have separate showers. I have informed host to replace them with one shower to have both hot and cold mix setup

The cottage is close to Ella, but far enough to have some silence. The owners are the kindest and helped us perfectly when our tuktuk broke down. And the breakfast is amazing!

The frame of the door is a bit low. Therefore my boyfriend bumbed his head like 20 times.

Amazing place, the staff was really nice and helped us whenever with ordering a tuktuk or renting scooters. The room is a private cottage surrounded by jungel green on the hillside.

It is not close to ella senter (10min tuk tuk ride) but we rented scooters so it was no problem

Great, quiet place with beautiful view, the room is nice and clean and the owners are lovely people who are always willing to help. You can eat tasty breakfast here too.

The hoster is one of the kindest persons I’ve met during my trip in Sri Lanka.

Lovely environment, nice views around the cottage with tea garden and front view with nice vegetables fields. Friendly staff with very good service. Had tasty breakfast. It’s about 1.2 km to ella city. Highly recommended to stay.

Beautiful place Ella is a great place to relax and get away from the city, we didn't think until we got there, it's such a beautiful place and a quiet place, the comfort was top notch, we loved it, the staff there are very friendly.