Mapakada Village - Wild Trails & Lake Retreat - Mahiyanganaya

Tout était parfait !

Le perroquet enfermé

Tout ! Le personnel était très gentil, on a adoré y séjourner. On a eu le chance d’être surclassé. C’est notre plus belle nuit de notre séjour au Sri Lanka. C’est l’arrêt à faire !

Beautiful location, we saw an elephant swimming across the lake which was so special. The staff were exceptional - so attentive to every need. Room so spacious and comfortable. We absolutely loved our stay here.

Nothing - it was all perfect.

Very friendly and welcoming team offering great hospitality and service Lakefront with jungle and elephants, birds, directly observable from the room Offering kayaking and breakfast on the boat + nature trecking Delicious food Good amenities. A lot of cultural and spiritual places nearby Off the beaten trail, quiet and peaceful environment Worth staying for multiple days and to rewind/reenergize

Bel établissement. Personnel charmant. La vie sauvage avec parfois un éléphant qui traverse le jardin, les chauves souris le soir qui s'envolent par milliers, le lac... mais pas grand chose à voir aux alentours.

Peu de choses à voir aux alentour (une cascade et un temple). Le rassemblement de voitures autour de la piscine durant une journée entière. Les beauf du coin qui vont te pourrir la journée. Le patron qui te dis que c'est juste pour le déjeuner, mais à 16h30, ils sont encore dans la piscine avec la musique. Bref départ précipité une journée plus tot. Tout est bien, sauf la gestion du patron.

Excelente hotel, es todo perfecto...instalaciones, habitación, piscina, todo!!! ;-) Gran hotel gestionado de forma excelente por su manager. Por si fuera poco, está justo delante de un lago al cual van elefantes a refrescarse. Una de las noches estábamos descansando en la habitación y uno de los chicos del hotel nos avisó que había un elefante en el jardín, obviamente bajamos a verlo. Respecto la cena y el desayuno...está todo buenísimo. Hotel muy recomendable.

Nada.

L’emplacement de cet hôtel est unique. Nous avons pu observer un éléphant traverser le lac au lever du soleil, c’était magique. Le staff était aux petits soins, tout a été fait pour que nous passions un bon séjour. Nous avons également eu un upgrade de chambre pour notre deuxième nuit sans le demander. Le naturaliste était très sympathique et nous a accompagné pour une démonstration de poterie et un déjeuner dans un restaurant local, très belle expérience. Merci pour cette étape reposante !

Hospitalidade inigualável Área piscina linda Verdadeiramente envolvido em natureza animal Com várias atividades para apreciar da melhor forma

Nada a apontar.

Nous étions de passage pour une nuit.  L'hôtel est très joli, bien entretenu et au calme face à un magnifique lac (piscine à débordemment idéale face à la vue).  L'accueil était très chaleureux et le service irréprochable. La chambre était confortable, très propre, avec une bonne litterie, mais nous n'aurions pas été contre un peu plus d'espace. La cuisine était excellente ainsi que le petit déjeuner buffet. Mention spéciale pour le menu enfant qui nous a été offert pour notre fils de 2 ans, ses repas étaient parfaits et cela a été très pratique (seule fois que nous avons croisé un menu enfant en 1,5 mois de voyage au Sri Lanka). Une longue ballade en barque nous a également été organisée sur le lac avec les magnifiques lumières de fin de journée et nous avons eu la chance de voir plein d'éléphants. Nous recommandons cet hôtel pour la qualité de ses services et le très bon accueil.

Très bel hôtel, situé dans un très bel environnement, extrêmement apaisant. L’équipe est aux petits soins et fourni un excellent service. Nous recommandons le petit déjeuner sur le bateau, et regrettons de ne pas avoir eu le temps de faire le kayak. Un de nos hôtels préférés au Sri Lanka !

Rien, tout est parfait et nous avons vivement regretté de ne pas rester plus longtemps !

The view is amazing

Nothing

Le personnel, la chambre et les repas sont très bien. Je recommande fortement cet hôtel.

Wunderschön in der Natur gelegen. Wir konnten vom Pool aus sogar einen wilden Elefanten beobachten, der im Garten am See gelaufen ist. Sehr nettes Personal und wir haben sogar kostenlos ein Zimmer-Upgrade bekommen. Sehr sauber und toller Pool. Wir können den Aufenthalt sehr empfehlen.

Wir hatten einen absolut fantastischen Aufenthalt in diesem Hotel! Die Gastgeber und das gesamte Personal waren unglaublich zuvorkommend, herzlich und hilfsbereit. Das Servicepersonal war stets freundlich und aufmerksam, und man hat sich von Anfang an willkommen und bestens aufgehoben gefühlt. Besonders beeindruckend ist die einzigartige Lage des Hotels mitten in der Natur. All diese wunderbaren Tierbeobachtungen konnten wir direkt vor dem Hotel erleben: Die Affen spielen quasi im Garten und lassen sich dabei wunderbar beobachten. Auch Elefanten konnten wir in unmittelbarer Nähe sehen, ein wirklich unvergessliches Erlebnis! Die Bootstour am Abend war ebenfalls fantastisch. Dabei haben wir noch einmal einen Elefanten gesehen und konnten außerdem Fledermäuse und Pelikane beobachten. Die Natur und die Tierwelt direkt vor der Haustür zu erleben, war für uns etwas ganz Besonderes. Das Hotel selbst war zudem sehr sauber und gepflegt. In Kombination mit dem herzlichen Service, der tollen Lage und den einzigartigen Erlebnissen war unser Aufenthalt einfach perfekt. Wir würden jederzeit wiederkommen und können dieses Hotel von Herzen weiterempfehlen. Vielen Dank an das gesamte Team für diese wunderschöne Zeit!

Nous venons de vivre une experience incroyable a Mapakada village. L'hotel est situé au bord d'un lac magnifique. Tout d'abord nous sommes parti en kayak en famille et avons pu observer de tres pres des elephants sauvages. Moment inoubliable. Le soir l'hotel nous a organisé un diner sur un bateau, a la lumiere de la lune. Tout simplement magique. Et ce matin, petit dej egalement sur le bateau, pour voir les oiseaux... mais nous avons revu un elephant qui à traverse le lac devant nous. Bref ce lieu est incroyable, le personnel aux petits soins. Le diner délicieux. Certainement le souvenir le plus authentique de notre sejour au Sri Lanka. Nous nous en rappelerons longtemps

Rien tout est fait pour nous faire plaisir et rendre le séjour inoubliable

Schön an einen See gelegen. Wie durften nachmittags eine Bootstour über den See machen. Alle Mitarbeiter sind sehr bemüht. Schöner Pool.

Die Badezimmer haben übelst gerochen. Frühstück war nur in Ordnung.

La amabilidad del personal y la ubicación, junto al lago.

Que la habitación no tuviera vistas, pero lo solucionaron regalándonos un paseo por el lago que bien lo compensó. Un detallazo.

Wir waren für eine Nacht auf Durchreise in diesem wunderschönen Hotel. Unsere Kinder wurden bei der Begrüßung direkt mit einen Kuscheltier in Empfang genommen. Unser absolutes Highlight war als am Abend beim Essen Elefanten am See vorbeigekommen sind. Einfach unvergesslich.

Un véritable petit coin de paradis au cœur du Sri Lanka 🌿💚 Nous avons adoré notre séjour au Mapakada Village, dans un cadre magnifique et paisible au bord du lac. Les chambres avec vue sur le lac sont très agréables, et le petit-déjeuner servi sur le lac est une expérience vraiment magique. La piscine, superbe et entourée de verdure, offre une vue magnifique et invite à profiter pleinement du calme des lieux. Gros coup de cœur également pour toutes les activités proposées par le naturaliste : balades, découverte de la nature, observation des oiseaux, canoë… de très beaux moments à partager en famille et une excellente façon de découvrir la région autrement. Ajoutez à cela un personnel adorable et attentionné : une très belle étape, authentique, dépaysante et reposante, que nous recommandons sans hésitation. 🇱🇰✨

RAS

An Unforgettable Stay in the Heart of Nature 10/10. We just had the most amazing stay at Mapakada Lake and we honestly didn't want to leave. From the moment we arrived, Mr. Dinesh, the Manager, made us feel so welcome. He personally checked in with us, made sure everything was perfect, and went above and beyond to make our trip special. His hospitality and attention to detail really set the tone for the entire stay. A huge shoutout to him. The staff were incredible too. So warm, attentive, and genuinely cared about us. They looked after us so well throughout our time here, nothing was too much trouble. You can tell they take pride in what they do. A special mention to Ranga, our Naturalist. He took us on the boat rides and was amazing. So hard working, knowledgeable, and passionate about the wildlife. Because of him we saw so much and learned a lot about the lake and the animals. He made every boat ride fun and safe. We also loved that the property is not very far from the Wedda village. We had the chance to visit and experience their way of life. We also tried pot making and got to experience a traditional village lunch, which was a warm and authentic experience. The stay itself was the best we've had in a very long time. Waking up to the lake and jungle around you is magical. One of the highlights was spotting elephants on and off. during our stay we'd randomly see them coming to the lake. It felt so close to nature but still very comfortable and safe.Our little one especially loved the batik painting experience he got at Mapakada lake, It was such a fun and unique activity for kids, A beautiful way to connect with local culture. The breakfast on the boat was another 10/10 experience. Having breakfast floating on the calm lake with birds and the jungle around you, unreal, Peaceful, unique, and the food was delicious too. Overall the whole vibe here is calm, serene, and surrounded by nature.

Vue sur le lac de la chambre. Personnel arrangeant et très serviable. Nous avons vu des éléphants, singes et chauve souris. Très dépaysant et calme

Posto incantevole, atmosfera rilassante, una bellissima struttura a contatto con la natura, soggiornando qui abbiamo visto molti animali. Durante un giro in kayak nel lago, abbiamo persino ammirato tre elefanti fare il bagno nel lago. Lo staff è molto gentile e professionale, la cena e la colazione sono ottime.

Solo un consiglio, segnalate nel buffet quali sono le pietanze piccanti, noi Europei non siamo abituati :)

Location, view, amazing surroundings & great service

Extremely overpriced. Room was really simple, small, lacking some basic things, old and could easily cost half the price. Very very basic. We were disappointed as it was nothing to do with the Booking images.

Diese Unterkunft war der Wahnsinn. Super freundlicher Empfang. Essen war wunderbar. Haben auch zu Abendgegessen alles wurde uns von den Lippen abgelesen.

Das wir nur eine Nacht geblieben sind. Die Kajak miete war mit 18 Dollar pro Person/1h sehr Hoch !

Impresionante hotel en plena naturaleza. Haz un paseo en barco por el lago. Verás fauna

Location in nature

The location with different animals

The room was very poor and one day the noisy presence of customers from outside was very inconvenient

De rust en gastvrijheid

Het personeel is enorm vriendelijk en behulpzaam. Geen vraag is teveel! We waren bijna opgelicht door iemand voor een safari, maar Kanishka redde ons door wat belletjes te plegen en een safari via het hotel te regelen nog voor dezelfde dag! We zijn heel dankbaar voor zijn hulp en genoten van een top-safari met Niram (we hopen dat we zijn naam goed schrijven). In de avond liepen zelfs nog de olifanten voor het verblijf langs!

De badkamer had iets schoner gekund, verder was alles top!

Prachtige plek met mooi zwembad. Bij boottocht ook olifanten gezien en flying foxes.

Buffet voor diner relatief beperkt.

Great hotel, friendly personel, lots to do

Chambres Deluxe confortables avec une magnifique vue Personnel très sympathique Activités proposées par l’hôtel Ne manquez pas les éléphants

Een PRACHTIG resort met ontzettend lief personeel! Ondanks dat wij last minute boekten, was alles mogelijk. Speciaal bedankje voor manager Dinesh voor het regelen van de boat safari in Gal Oya National park. Dit wilden wij heel graag. We zijn zo blij. De kamer met het uitzicht is prachtig en het bed ligt goed. Er is een fijne airco op de kamer en de douche is lekker warm. Het eten van de kaart en het buffet is heerlijk. De omgeving aan het meer en de wilde dieren maakt het verblijf compleet. Het personeel tipte ons toen ze olifanten zagen zwemmen. Daarnaast bieden ze in de ochtend een boot tripje over het meer. Daar kan je duizenden vliegende honden zien en kingfishers. In de avond zagen we ontzettend veel sterren aan de hemel. Ook zagen we de Melkweg. Al met al een dikke 10!

The staff were lovely, welcoming and friendly. The manager Dinesh showed us elephants across the lake and staff at dinner were attentive. Location by the lake was stunning and the boys loved the pool.

I booked deluxe rooms and there was nothing about them that was deluxe, everything was very tired and needs refurbishing. The bathroom in our room was very dated and smelled of drains. Two plastic chairs on a tiny balcony is not deluxe to me. The food in the restaurant was not great, my son ordered the Japanese chicken burger, there was nothing Japanese about it (a boiled chicken breast cut in half) and the other meals were just ok. We checked out early before breakfast so can’t comment on that. This was more than I paid for other hotels on our 15 night tour of SL and was not as good as cheaper hotels.

What a beautiful peaceful setting at the lake! Unknown destination in Sri Lanka but so happy we discovered and stayed for 2 nights. Could easily have been longer! Very very nice people helping where they can, crazy beautiful pool with lakeview. You can sit there for hours. Nice food and setting of the restaurant with the elephants passing by in the evening. Incredible! We did a day trip to Maduru Oya national park with Rangana. Spectacular!! Only jeep in the park and we saw many many elephants, beautiful birds, deer, ...all accompanied with drinks and food. A must do! So thankful for this and it's one of those places I'll never forget. It sticks into your heart! Big bravo for the whole team 💕

Nothing

Het aller aardigst, service minded personeel en de prachtige ligging aan het meer, waar soms spontaan olifanten langslopen aan de oever.

Met reizende gezinnen in de zomervakantie is het misschien fijn als er meer dan slechts 3 bedjes bij het zwembad zijn.

Tuvimos la suerte de que vimos un elefante pasar por delante del alojamiento.

Todo estuvo muy bien.

Prachtige ligging aan het meer, heel mooi zwembad. We huurden een kayak en kregen maar liefst 3 olifanten te zien die stonden te drinken aan het meer op slechts 200 meter van het hotel. Vriendelijk personeel.

Extreem dure excursies ( bezoek waterval met lunch en bezoek pottenbakkerjj voor 60 dollar pp) wetende dat onze chauffeur ons moest brengen. Dus op eigen houtje gegaan ( 11 dollar pp) Dan voel je je als toerist in het zak gezet. Uitzicht familiekamer op achterzijde hotel was drama.

The staff on reception were friendly

It's not as good as the photos and the restaurant service wasn't very good and food average and it was hot with flies and birds eating your food (the staff didn't do anything about it!)

The lake, the simplicity of the place

מקום מקסים, תחזוקה גבוהה, מאוד נקי. לקחנו קייק בערב , פעילות חובה, המון ציפורים מסביב.

לא לכל החדרים יש נוף לאגם

We were celebrating a significant anniversary whilst staying here and the staff went out of their way to make it memorable for us with a decorated chocolate cake and a personalised message on our bed complete with rose petals. So sweet!

Bel endroit pour une étape entre Kandy et la côte est. On y voit parfois des éléphants. Très jolie piscine propre,, bon restaurant

Demander des chambres dans le nouveau bâtiment, elles sont vraiment mieux que dans l'ancien où elles sont trop chères, et bruyantes à cause de clients qui boivent jusqu'à 4h du matin dans la cour intérieure... Un pauvre cacatoès blanc s'ennuie dans une cage. Libérez le !

We stayed at Mapakada Village for 3 nights and had a fantastic experience from start to finish. The hospitality was exceptional. The staff were genuinely friendly, attentive, and always willing to go the extra mile to make our stay memorable. One of the highlights was the range of excursions offered by the hotel, all of which were very well organised and absolutely worth it. The Rathna Ella excursion was particularly memorable. Not only did we visit the beautiful waterfall, but we also had the opportunity to experience traditional pan weaving, try our hand at pottery, and enjoy a delicious village lunch. Learning about the Vedda community was fascinating, and the breakfast on the lake was a truly special experience that we will remember for a long time. The food was consistently excellent, with plenty of variety and delicious local flavours. We also really enjoyed the pool, which was well maintained and a great place to relax while taking in the peaceful surroundings. Mahiyanganaya itself is such an underrated destination. It offers stunning scenery, unique cultural experiences, and a much more authentic atmosphere than many of the better-known tourist areas. If you're wondering whether it's worth stopping here, the answer is definitely yes. Having visited Sri Lanka eight times, we can confidently say that Mahiyanganaya was one of the most pleasant surprises we've experienced on the island. Mapakada Village is the perfect base from which to explore the area, and we would happily stay here again.

Beautiful location on the Mapakada Lake. The road view dose not do justice. Very friendly staff and staffed by a Internationally recognized Chef. Had Breakfast and Dinner, both were excellent. More of a local cuisine.

Lot of steps to climb to the rooms.

Very unique location, right next to a large beautiful lake. Canoieing on it with the whole lake to ourselves was a highlight. The hotel is clean, the staff is friendly and professional, and there are a lot of nice places to relax (pool, hammocks, etc).

The Sri Lankan food was absolutely delicious. Don't order the Western stuff.

Makapada Village is located near the beautiful lake. We enjoyed a cup of coffee and pizza feasting our eyes on it. This hotel is ideal nature lovers. There is a beautiful cockatoo that you can talk.The hotel is not far from the Mahiyanganaya Viharaya Temple. The shower has excellent pressure! We upgraded our room and got a new one with a lake view (yet, not for free!, despite there were plenty of free suites). The next day, we crossed the lake by kayak with Rangana and swam in the channel on the other side of the lake. It was a great experience!!! The staff were amiable and helpful, especially in the pizza restaurant Wewa Addara and the young girl at the reception.

We pre-ordered breakfast and dinner, but portions of soups and salads were small. We mostly enjoyed coffee, fresh juices, and pizza from their restaurant during day time. There were a few vegetarian options with fresh ingredients. My advice would be to try the vegetarian options, which include fresh salads (without mayonnaise), greenery and soups, as well as natural Sri Lankan curd (without jelatine), which can be used to make a variety of healthy dishes. Also, if there are enough free rooms, the hotel management could upgrade guests' rooms for free. Guests would be happy and write good reviews about the hotel's generosity :)

Beautiful lakeside stay with a peaceful, relaxing vibe. Staff are incredibly friendly and helpful, and the views over the lake are stunning—especially at sunset. Rooms are clean and comfortable, and they were accommodating with charging my electric tuk-tuk, which was a big plus. Overall a great place to unwind for a night or two.

The reception, the rooms and the grounds

The staff were amazing. The grounds around the lake were stunning. I was a solo female traveller, and staff couldn't do enough to help me and ensure I was looked after extremely well. They arranged an evening boat tour and took some pictures, and did some videos for me. I loved this hotel and all the staff made my stay unforgettable. Thank you so much for your warm hospitality. Definitely the best place i have stayed In sri lanka. I would highly recommend

I wish I had stayed for longer

Tout est super à Mapalada Village : La vue, la chambre, le service, la nourriture La nature est dingue autour de l’hotel Je recommande vivement

Rien

Hôtel très propre, chambre agréable, manager au petit soin

On est arrivé une partie de l’hôtel était réservé par des locaux qui ont fait la fête dans beaucoup de bruit et on occupant de toute la piscine. Le manager nous a fait une réduction acceptable pour les désagrément. Sans ça l’hôtel est bien!

Beautiful pool, gorgeous lakeside location, kind and helpful staff, delicious buffet breakfast. Because of the negatives with our room they kindly took us out for a sunrise boat ride where we saw many birds and a huge bat colony. Was also fun to take out the kayaks.

Our family room had a small balcony with a view of air conditioning units and a communal hallway, with strong smells from the kitchen. Also I don’t think the floor had been properly mopped before our stay as the floor was still dirty.

Gute Lage zwische Ella und Sigiriya. Wir haben den Zug von Ella nach Badulla genommen. Von dort sind wir dann mit einem Stop in Mahiyangana nach Sigiriya gereist. Die Kinder hatten freude am Pool und auch das Personal war sehr kinderfreundlich. Es gab auch eine kleine Überraschung... Die Fahrt auf dem See war auch sehr schön. Leider haben wir keine Elefanten gesehen. Dafür gab es viele Vögel, Flughunde und auch einen Varan zu sehen...

Mapakada Village was a lovely peaceful stay. We needed to relax after many days of travelling and we spent two days by the pool/lake just relaxing and taking in the beautiful view and immersed in nature. The the seafood rice and curry was delicious and the staff were all friendly and super nice :) we chat a lot with the general manager Dinesh and with Kansihka from f&b. Also super thanks to Sajath at the front office and the waiter Siyam. We would definitely recommend for a nice relax stay and they also have many lake activities like renting kayaks and boat tours Thanks guys :)

Cet hôtel est exceptionnel !! Un havre de paix et pour un prix très raisonnable je vous conseille les yeux fermés cet hôtel, nous avons tous adoré notre temps là bas et nous avons même vu un éléphant ! 🐘

Rien

I spent a few really lovely days at the hotel. Room 703 with a view of the lake is highly recommended. Since I had booked several nights, the hotel offered me a free kayak tour, which was truly unique. I saw two elephants coming out of a kind of mini jungle, entering the water and swimming - and all of this from very close (within a safe distance, of course). Apart from a single fishing boat, we were the only ones on the lake, which made the whole experience feel very authentic. I was also spontaneously invited to join a nighttime boat tour, which the hotel staff organizes once a week to document wildlife. It was a very special feeling to be out on the lake at night, watching the birds. On my last day, just before departure, I was told that elephants were at the other end of the lake, so we quickly grabbed the kayak again and paddled over. As a farewell gift, I received two jars of homemade chili and jam. Depending on where you sit at breakfast, you can watch monkeys - but be careful, they like to snatch food!

When it comes to the food, I would have preferred it to be fresher (especially the pastries at breakfast). Otherwise, everything was great: staff was extremely attentive, room was clean, WiFi and AC worked well, and filtered water was provided free of charge.

We stopped here on our drive from Galle and when we arrived there was a wedding function still going. We had to wait a while until it finished to book in however as a thank you the staff were very kind in upgrading us to a balcony room. The view of the lake was so beautiful both at night and first thing in the morning. Unfortunately my husband was not well but the care shown by the manager was outstanding, above and beyond his role he contacted me after we left offering help if needed. Highly recommend visiting this hotel.

Nothing

- beautiful lake, very peaceful surroundings - the boat tour was amazing

- at least one of the rooms is just a bit weird and not at all worth what we paid for it - ac unit really loud, the toilet didn’t flush properly so was always running, shower kept flooding bathroom, right next to staff staircase so loud from 6am - pool not as nice/big/clean as pictures - the staff were really lovely but there were quite a few issues/mistakes - all rectified with a smile but we just would have preferred not to have so many happen

Great hotel overlooking the beautiful lake , amazing staff and large rooms with great a/c. Definitely do the high tea cruise around the lake see birds , fruit bats and elephants washing each other in the lake amazing

We had the only room without a lake view but maybe that's the only triple room , restaurant is a bit slow , and seems a bit disorganised, but food very good

We had a wonderful stay at this hotel! The entire staff was incredibly kind, attentive, and welcoming, making us feel comfortable from the very first moment. A very special highlight was that my boyfriend celebrated his birthday during our stay. The hotel staff spontaneously organized a birthday cake in the morning, which was such a thoughtful and lovely surprise. We truly appreciated this gesture – it made our stay even more memorable. We also had a last-minute request to have our laundry washed, and the team handled it immediately and very efficiently. The service was outstanding. The pool was beautiful and a perfect place to relax, and the hotel’s location by the lake was absolutely stunning and very peaceful. We can highly recommend this hotel to anyone and would like to sincerely thank the entire team for their warm hospitality and for making our stay so special. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Nothing

We enjoyed our stay at Mapakada Village and seeing the wildlife!

For the most part the experience was great! We did have a few mix ups in our dinner orders which the staff handled well.

De plek. Prachtig zwembad. Super lieve mensen de kok Nuwan heeft zelfs speciaal voor ons gekookt. Even geen rijst en curry 😉 Heel bijzonder. Uitzicht van de kamer. Omgeving naast het hotel staat vaak een tuk tuk taxi hij brengt je overal naar toe.

Die Lage der Unterkunft ist ein Traum. Wundervoller Blick auf den See und wir hatten das Glück, dass wir sehr lange zwei Elefanten beim planschen zuschauen konnten. Die Mitarbeiter waren überaus freundlich und hilfsbereit und haben uns wertvolle Tipps für unseren nächsten Stop gegeben. Wir waren nur eine Nacht dort, da wir dies als Zwischenstopp nach Ella genutzt haben und haben uns für eine Nacht sehr wohl gefühlt.

Amazing location and helpful staff! We booked kayaks during sunset and was such a beautiful experience. Great value for the money

I would have appreciated more non-spicy food options at the dinner buffet for our babies

We had a amazing stay in Mapakada village! We stayed with our 1,5 year old daughter. Our room had a great view over the pool and lake and was very clean and looked nice. Really friendly staff and warm welcome. Food was good and the view over the lake was stunning. We even saw a elephant crossing during our dinner. We could only stay here for one night, but we would stayed longer if we had the time. Really recommend this place and if you do, don’t forget to do breakfast on the boat. It’s like a mini safari with breakfast.

Rooms are clean and modern. Helpful and kind staff. Beautiful view of the lake.

.

L’emplacement est de toute beauté. La vue sur le lac, notamment de la Chanbre. L’esthétisme Entier de l’hôtel Le personnel qui se plie en quatre. La diversité de la faune et de la flore Nous avons nagé dans le lac tous les jours La literie.

Newly renovated spacious well designed room overlooking a garden and large lake with wild elefants visiting and many birds nearby. Very helpful and kind staff.

I stayed at Mapakada Village Hotel in Mahiyanganaya on the 6th of February 2026. I initially planned to stay for two nights (6th and 7th), but unfortunately the hotel was fully booked on the 7th due to high demand. After experiencing my stay, I completely understand why — it truly is a wonderful place. Mapakada Village is a charming boutique hotel, yet the rooms are maintained at a five-star level. The ambiance and architecture give the property a refined and elegant character while still blending beautifully with nature. It offers the perfect balance between luxury and serenity. The staff were exceptionally friendly and welcoming. It is very clear that they are properly trained, as everyone greeted us warmly with genuine smiles. A special thank you to Mr. Dinesh, the General Manager, for his friendliness and hospitality. I would also like to especially appreciate Navindu — his service was outstanding. He is extremely attentive, active, welcoming, and responds immediately to every request. His friendly attitude and professionalism truly stood out. I would confidently give him a 10/10 for service and I strongly believe he has a very promising future in the hospitality industry. The property itself is beautifully maintained and offers a calming environment. The birds within the premises create a lovely natural atmosphere, adding to the peaceful experience. The infinity pool overlooking the lake is absolutely stunning. Even though it is slightly on the smaller side, it is perfect for relaxing while enjoying the breathtaking lake view. The surrounding garden is filled with lush greenery and majestic, age-old trees, giving the place a truly natural and serene feeling. You can see flocks of birds flying across the sky almost every minute, which adds to the magical ambiance. The hotel is also located facing an elephant crossing. If you are lucky, you may witness wild elephants walking right in front of the property — a once-in-a-lifetime experience.

Areas for improvement: While the overall experience was excellent, I believe the food can be improved. The taste and combinations were average compared to the high standards maintained in other areas of the hotel. With such a beautiful property and exceptional service, enhancing the culinary experience would elevate the overall stay significantly. Investing in a well-experienced F&B Manager could make a remarkable difference. Additionally, although the bathrooms were spacious and comfortable, I noticed that some of the hinges were slightly oxidized. Using higher quality fittings would further enhance the premium feel of the rooms. Overall, it was a truly memorable stay, and I would happily return again — hopefully next time for two nights!

We stayed at Mapakada Village for 1 night and we wish we could stay longer..The hospitality and the standard was top notch from the point we entered the hotel..The rooms have been renovated recently and I loved interior of the hotel as well as the rooms..It gave the vibe of a cozy boutique hotel..The view was the most exceptional thing here..We got a superior double room and it had a beautiful view covering the lake as well as the swimming pool..The infinity pool facing the lake was beautiful as well..And we could use the pool anytime we wanted to..The food was also good and they were nice enough to cut a cake for my mother who stayed with us when they got to know it was her birthday ..The staff was very helpful and never hesitated to cater to our requirements..It is just 12 minutes from the Town and the transportation is really easy even if you use public transport..Definitely would come back if we visit Mahiyanganaya again.

The buffet spread of the breakfast could have been bit more expanded..

From the moment I arrived, the staff went above and beyond to make sure every request was met with warmth and efficiency. A heartfelt thank you to the resident manager, Dinesh, whose dedication and care truly set the tone for my stay. His leadership shines through the entire team, and together they delivered an exceptional level of hospitality that made me feel valued and cared for. The property itself is a hidden gem—serene, peaceful, and tucked away from the noise of the world. Surrounded by lush greenery and the calming presence of the lake, it felt like stepping into a sanctuary of tranquility. The atmosphere is both rejuvenating and inspiring, making it the perfect escape for anyone seeking rest and reflection. I salute Dinesh and his crew for creating such a memorable experience. Their genuine kindness and professionalism turned a simple one-night stay into something truly special. Mapakada Village is a treasure in Mahiyanganaya, and I cannot recommend it highly enough.

An incredible good value and luxurious hotel overlooking a beautiful lake. The hotel has an infinity pool overlooking the most beautiful landscape we saw wild elephants and eagles. The staff are so kind and helpful. Everything was just perfect.

We chose this resort to celebrate our anniversary, and the experience was absolutely delightful. The staff was kind enough prepare a complimentary cake which made us feel truly welcomed and valued. The entire stay had been quaint and peaceful... The food was delicious, the staff were friendly and attentive. The swimming pool overlooking the lake was really beautiful.. Both the room and the bathroom were clean and equipped with badic amneties. The resort is perfectly in harmony with nature, making it an ideal place to relax and unwind on a special occasion or during a quiet getaway...

Location sul fiume suggestiva, personale cordiale.

The food was great and the property was beautiful. Nice little pool that my kids enjoyed. What really stood out was the staff. They stopped to visit and check on us whenever they saw us. Genuinely wanted to make sure we enjoyed our stay. I would definitely stay again.

Nothing stood out as a negative.

We booked every accommodation before coming to Sri Lanka except for the route from Sigiriya to Ella, because we weren’t sure if we would do the famous Kandy–Ella train trip. In the end, we decided not to do it since we don’t really like big cities like Kandy, and we simply didn’t feel like doing what everyone else does. So we booked this hotel just one night before, and it turned out to be the best decision we made on this trip. Mapakada Village is an incredibly beautiful and peaceful place. Especially the drive from Sigiriya — oh my god… it was sooooo beautiful and became one of my favorite days in Sri Lanka. Everyone at Mapakada Village welcomed us with warm smiles and such kindness. The room was spotlessly clean, modern, and beautifully decorated — easily one of the best hotel rooms we stayed in during our time in Sri Lanka. We went kayaking around the lake, and it was so much fun! We saw many birds and bats, and kayaking through the jungle felt like being in a movie. We were honestly so sad to leave this place. We will definitely come back. Thank you so much to the team at Mapakada Village ❤️

Nothing

Прекрасный отель. В номере комфортно и чисто. Вкусные завтраки и ужины. Ухоженная территория.

Prachtig uitzicht, lekker bed en fijne badkamer. Zwembad met uitzicht en heel fijn personeel dat alles voor je wil doen. Wij hebben met Ushan genoten van breakfast on the boat, een aanrader!

Niks!

Really niceee stay like the pictures! Perfect "Motel" on the way from Sigiriya to Ella with tuktuk 🤪🌴☀️

Di gran lunga la struttura più bella del nostro viaggio in Sri Lanka! L'unica con un architettura così curata e sulle sponde di bellissimo lago. Appena arrivati ci hanno organizzato subito un uscita sul lago per vedere un elefante. Fantastico

The service from the staff was outgoing. We also saw lots of animals from from pur room. The food was really good and you should definitely do a kayaking tour around 17:00 pm, you will see thousands of bird and other animals in the park. We also had breakfast on the lake, which we should definitely recommend.

Great location, clean, friendly service

Schitterend verblijf aan het meer! We werden warm welkom geheten en kregen een fantastische kamer met uitzicht over het meer en een heerlijk bed. Ook het diner en ontbijt waren heerlijk. Wij hadden Kayaks gehuurd en kwamen naast prachtige vogels ook twee wilde olifanten tegen! Zou dit verblijf aan iedereen aanraden die een beetje van de toeristische route af wil!

Niks

I absolutely loved this place. The location is slightly away from the main tourist areas, which made our stay feel truly authentic and peaceful. One evening we went for a kayak ride and didn’t expect to see so much wildlife. There were flocks of herons, flying foxes hanging in the trees, a swimming monitor lizard, and most memorably, two wild elephants — all accompanied by a breathtaking sunset. The hotel and room were very nice and comfortable, and the pool was amazing and always clean. The staff were incredibly kind and welcoming. We also joined a jeep tour to Maduru Oya National Park, and we were the only jeep there, which made the experience very special. It was much more enjoyable than the overcrowded Yala. We saw many birds, elephants, and even foxes. A perfect place for anyone looking for nature, wildlife, and a genuine, non-touristy experience in Sri Lanka.

Het personeel was heel vriendelijk en behulpzaam. Ze hebben ons geholpen met een taxi voor onze vergeten spullen. Dat was super fijn.

De deur was stuk waardoor onze kamer niet op slot kon. De kamer rook naar schimmel en het was heel gehorig. We hebben een erg slechte nacht gehad hierdoor.

Die Unterkunft ist super schön gelegen. Überall sind schöne Vögel unterwegs und sogar einen Elefanten haben wir gesehen. Zudem schwamm mehrmals am Tag ein Varan vorbei. Einfach super spannend. Die Zimmer waren gemütlich und die kleinen Schönheitsfehler im Bad haben uns nicht weiter gestört. Obwohl es viel geregnet hat, hatten wir einen schönen Aufenthalt. Jedoch: Beim ersten Abendessen waren wir etwas enttäuscht. Es gab einen Appetizer, Vorsuppe, Hauptgericht und Nachtisch. Für uns unnötig und übertrieben. Wir wollten kein westliches Essen, es war auch leider nicht wirklich gut. Das Nasi goreng war auch nicht so unseres und wir haben auch schon Indonesien besucht. Jedoch muss man dazu sagen, dass das Hotel auch direkt das Essen angepasst hat, als wir gesagt haben, dass wir lieber rice & Curry zum Frühstück und auch zum Abendessen haben wollen. Das war dann sehr gut (nur etwas scharf für uns als Europäer). Das hat uns aber nicht gestört. Am schönsten hätten wir es gefunden, wenn richtig einheimisches Curry mit Tontöpfen angeboten worden wäre. Die Dinnerzeit war uns mit 7:30-9:30 pm auch viel zu spät. Teilweise hatte man auch das Gefühl, dass das Gemüse aus der Tiefkühlung benutzt wurde. Dabei hat Sri Lanka so tolles Gemüse. Die Getränke waren zudem extrem teuer. Man bezahlt halt den tollen Ausblick... Für den Preis hätten wir uns nur einfach etwas mehr gewünscht

De locatie, het uitzicht, het personeel, alles was perfect! We zijn met de tuktuk door Sri Lanka aan het reizen en wilde de trein van Kandy naar Ella pakken. Door de cycloon ging de treinreis niet door en om het hele stuk tussen Sigiriya en Ella te rijden was te ver. Gelukkig kwamen we per toeval deze parel tegen en dit is het allermooiste hotel wat we tot nu toe gezien hebben. Het personeel is ook echt geweldig. We hadden een heerlijke relaxte middag/avond gehad en ik raad het letterlijk iedereen aan. Top verblijf!