Hotel Pinnalanda

Hotel Pinnalanda

Musician while you dine !
Traveller (204)
Dining (18)
kamer 1
Room & Suite (18)

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Avg. C$27 /night, 2/14 - 2/15
C$37
per night
C$32
per night
C$27
per night

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About

#1 of 1 inn in Rambukkana
4.6 of 5 bubbles
Location
3.8 of 5 bubbles
Rooms
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Value
4.1 of 5 bubbles
Cleanliness
3.8 of 5 bubbles
Service
4.1 of 5 bubbles
Sleep Quality

See why so many travellers make Cafe Pinnalanda their inn of choice when visiting Pinnawala. Providing an ideal mix of value, comfort and convenience, it offers a family-friendly setting with an array of amenities designed for travellers like you.

As your “home away from home,” the inn rooms offer air conditioning, and getting online is easy, with free wifi available.

Guests have access to 24 hour front desk, 24 hour check-in, and room service while staying at Cafe Pinnalanda. In addition, Cafe Pinnalanda offers a restaurant, which will help make your Pinnawala trip additionally gratifying. And, as an added convenience, there is free parking available to guests.

Travellers looking for Asian restaurants can head to Pinnalanda Hotel Restaurant.

If you’re looking for something to do, Pinnawala Handicrafts Emporium (0.1 km) is a nice way to spend some time, and it is within walking distance of Cafe Pinnalanda.

We’re sure you’ll enjoy your stay at Cafe Pinnalanda as you experience all of the things Pinnawala has to offer.

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Property amenities
Free parking
Free High Speed Internet (WiFi)
Free breakfast
Children Activities (Kid / Family Friendly)
Airport transportation
Currency exchange
Gift shop
24-hour check-in
Internet
Bar / lounge
Restaurant
Breakfast in the room
Shuttle bus service
Car hire
Taxi service
Non-smoking hotel
Shops
24-hour front desk
Express check-in / check-out
Private check-in / check-out
Laundry service
Room features
Soundproof rooms
Air conditioning
Private balcony
Room service
Telephone
Bottled water
Bath / shower
Complimentary toiletries
Clothes rack
Room types
Non-smoking rooms
Good to know
HOTEL CLASS
Star ratings are intended to indicate the general level of features, amenities, and services to expect. This property is classified according to Giata.
3.0 of 5 stars
HOTEL STYLE
Family
Mid-range
Languages Spoken
English, Sinhala, Tamil

Location

Rambukkana 70130 Sri Lanka
Getting there
Somewhat walkable
Places to stay are graded on a 0-100 scale. The higher the grade, the easier it is for travellers to find restaurants and things to do within walking distance.
Grade: 70 out of 100
70
Bandaranayake Intl Airport
56.9 km
See all flights
Polgolla Reservoir Airport
28.9 km
See all flights
Traveller rating
  • 48
  • 38
  • 27
  • 7
  • 8
Time of year
Traveller type
Language
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Detailed Reviews
Brett wrote a review Aug 2023
Papamoa, New Zealand
+1
4.0 of 5 bubbles
The view of numerous elephants bathing in the palm-fringed Maya Ora River in front of the Pinnalanda Hotel is an iconic promotional image of Sri Lanka that looks as good in real life as it does on the tourist brochures. And the location in Pinnawala is half way from Colombo to Kandy or Sigiriya.
On our arrival, management confided to us that their deluxe rooms were actually basic with a communal balcony. They upgraded us to a private balcony room overlooking the river in the next door hotel. The room was great, bed comfortable, and view over the river and elephant bathing in the morning was excellent. There will be elephants bathing in the river from about 8.30am until 12 noon, although the biggest number will be between 10-11am.
The hotel pool overlooking the river was great, (although you had to walk through the restaurant to get to it) and the hotel staff were friendly and helpful.
Unfortunately, their restaurant food was poor quality. Dinner in the restaurant was a selection of badly cooked western food. Breakfast buffet was not much better. Unfortunately you have no other options for eating.
If you arrive at the hotel before 4pm, you will be required to pay the Elephant Orphanage entry fee, even if you don't visit it.
The hotel has many flights ofstairs and no elevator. This was difficult for my wife as she has some mobility issues.
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Date of stay: August 2023Trip type: Travelled as a couple
Room Tip: Request a private balcony room overlooking the river.
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Almostgreynomad wrote a review Jan 2025
Sydney, Australia
5.0 of 5 bubbles
i was staying next door, but came here for dinner - great choice !

A lovely evening.

Soft music playing when I entered and of course, a gorgeous view ! 

I went at sunset ... watching the bats flying back to roost is magical.

Attentive professional waiters, great atmosphere. I had the pepper steak - it was delicious !

I was eating early ... 6 pm.
About 7 pm a musician arrived, playing soft acoustic guitar & singing gentle, lovely songs.

Twas a lovely night.
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Date of stay: January 2025
5.0 of 5 bubblesValue
5.0 of 5 bubblesRooms
5.0 of 5 bubblesLocation
5.0 of 5 bubblesCleanliness
5.0 of 5 bubblesService
5.0 of 5 bubblesSleep Quality
Trip type: Travelled solo
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Vera G wrote a review Aug 2023
United Kingdom
+1
5.0 of 5 bubbles
We had a lovely time at Grand Hotel Pinnalanda, this was our 2nd time at theirs. Such lovely and helpful staff, always goes above to help their guests. “Ela” and Miraj both were very attentive to all the guests and helpful at their best. There was some issues with the electricity in our room, but Mahesh (electrician) and Miraj took care of it during our stay, going above and beyond to ensure we are not disturbed with the power issues. A huge thank to Shantha, the manager who is a people pleaser and always tries to make every guest returns to them again. He even helped us buying tickets for the elephant bathing session. The two lovely ladies at the reception (sorry we couldn’t take their names) were welcoming, polite and friendly. We are definitely going there again next time we visit Sri Lanka.

To the owners of this property - Your strength is your lovely staff, take good care of them! There’s a lot of room for you to improve things in this property for more guests to return to you on their next visit to Pinnawala. Try and invest some money on improvements in the property and your guests will pay happily to enjoy as your hotel has the best view of the river. Also we believe that you don’t need to keep the minibar filled in all rooms, not even 5 star hotels do that nowadays. Instead, invest some money on improvements and maintenance of the property. It’s a lovely property that needs a bit of love from the owners.
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Date of stay: August 2023Trip type: Travelled with family
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
These reviews are machine translated from their original language. Show machine translations?
sugarmountain2016 wrote a review Aug 2024
Nagakute, Japan
3.0 of 5 bubbles
The tour took us from an elephant orphanage to an elephant bathing tour, where we had lunch while bathing. There is a bathing area in front of you and it is an excellent location for visiting. On the other hand, the food content was Viking, but not many kinds of food and the taste was very normal. After this, I learned that there is only about the same Viking in Sri Lanka everywhere I eat.
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Automatically translated
Date of stay: August 2024
3.0 of 5 bubblesValue
3.0 of 5 bubblesRooms
4.0 of 5 bubblesLocation
3.0 of 5 bubblesCleanliness
3.0 of 5 bubblesService
3.0 of 5 bubblesSleep Quality
Trip type: Travelled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Yana G wrote a review Feb 2022
1.0 of 5 bubbles
Yes you see lot of elephants in the property- if you looking for a safari kind of experience this is the place for you. The elephant being brought every morning on 8:30 just in time for your breakfast to "enjoy " the view. The keepers will suggest you to take photos with them and will give you fruits to feed them and of course your money for that after.

Not wild in the nature, not a "shelter" only one big tourist trap.
The hotel even suggested a "free" tour in a ayrovidic farm- off course nothing comes for free
And the "guide" will ask you kindly for your money and to buy their very poorly products....
NOT OUR CUP OF TEA
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Date of stay: February 2022Trip type: Travelled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
SunnyW358 wrote a review Sep 2024
Albuquerque, New Mexico
4.0 of 5 bubbles
We spent one night in this simple hotel. There were at least 3 hotels in close proximity. We were not sure how the restaurant functioned because the hotel attached to our hotel was not the one we were asked to dine in. We also did not have a pool.
The food was ok for high prices. There was live entertainment in the evening. Breakfast buffet was ok.
The best thing about the hotel was the access to seeing elephant bathing. It was heart- warming.
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Date of stay: August 2024Trip type: Travelled with friends
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Les O wrote a review Mar 2020
Calgary, Canada
3.0 of 5 bubbles
Good location and very inexpensive. Bring your own shampoo however as they only provide basic bars of soap. Room has air-con and small balconies. Bathroom was neat and modern-ish. Comfortable and reasonable. The Sri Lankan breakfast is a must. I'd stay here again if I need a basic but clean well appointed room for 1-2 nights.
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Date of stay: March 2020
4.0 of 5 bubblesRooms
3.0 of 5 bubblesService
3.0 of 5 bubblesSleep Quality
Trip type: Travelled on business
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Ljc2933 wrote a review Jul 2022
Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
3.0 of 5 bubbles
We (family of four) stayed at the Hotel Pinnalanda for one night after our arrival into Sri Lanka.

The hotel is basic but has everything you need for a short stay. The staff are very welcoming and friendly. The view and the close proximity to elephants is what makes this place. It is truly amazing to experience the elephants so close, even whilst having breakfast in the morning. We didn’t see or witness any bad treatment towards the elephants at all (some reviews suggest this takes place) and we also didn’t get pressured into feeding them or having pictures with them.

The food was good and the staff very helpful and willing to change certain things for my fussy daughter. There was limited options but that was understandable and not the hotels fault, due to the current crisis.

Overall this is a good base for a very short stay (1-2 nights max as nothing else to do in the area) if wanting to see elephants close up.
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Date of stay: July 2022Trip type: Travelled with family
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Sanath Kaushalya wrote a review Jan 2020
Colombo, Sri Lanka
+1
5.0 of 5 bubbles
It is very clean and nice room, washrooms also very clean. Well maintained. Foods are also ok.

This is situated in front of pinnawala elephant orphanage. Staff also friendly. You will have a buffet at ground flow resturant, with few varieties.
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Date of stay: December 2019Trip type: Travelled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Isuru_din wrote a review Mar 2024
Colombo, Sri Lanka
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Hotel with a grate view & very friendly staff. Rooms are good. well cleaned. It was heavy rain when we visit there. They warmly welcome us. Food was Ok. but can improve. unfortunately there was no elephant to see in the river due to high water level. the elephant orphanage is within the walking distance. will visit again surely.
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Date of stay: November 2023
4.0 of 5 bubblesValue
4.0 of 5 bubblesRooms
5.0 of 5 bubblesLocation
4.0 of 5 bubblesCleanliness
4.0 of 5 bubblesService
4.0 of 5 bubblesSleep Quality
Trip type: Travelled as a couple
Room Tip: Road is close when elephants are at the river. need buy a ticket to enter at that time. check in...
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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Isuru_din wrote a tip Mar 2024
Colombo, Sri Lanka91 contributions2 helpful votes
4.0 of 5 bubbles
"Road is close when elephants are at the river. need buy a ticket to enter at that time. check in time is at 4.00pm so contact them early."
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Brett wrote a tip Aug 2023
Papamoa, New Zealand2,012 contributions970 helpful votes
4.0 of 5 bubbles
"Request a private balcony room overlooking the river. "
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ishara u wrote a tip Jan 2020
1 contribution
5.0 of 5 bubbles
"easy access"
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Tracey wrote a tip Feb 2019
Wellington, New Zealand7 contributions1 helpful vote
5.0 of 5 bubbles
"request a room downstairs with balcony"
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Ranjith K wrote a tip Jul 2018
Ganemulla, Sri Lanka2 contributions1 helpful vote
5.0 of 5 bubbles
"Actually I didn't stay in the hotel this time. Just visited it for a lunch and really enjoyed the place and activities."
Read full review
Not the right property for you?
There are more places to choose from in the Rambukkana area.
PRICE RANGE
C$27 - C$79 (Based on Average Rates for a Standard Room)
LOCATION
Sri LankaSabaragamuwa ProvinceRambukkana
Prices are the average nightly price provided by our partners and may not include all taxes and fees. Taxes and fees that are shown are estimates only. Please see our partners for more details.
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Hotel Pinnalanda - UPDATED 2025 Prices, Reviews & Photos

Frequently Asked Questions about Hotel Pinnalanda
Which popular attractions are close to Hotel Pinnalanda?
Nearby attractions include Elephant Freedom Project (3.7 km), Millennium Elephant Foundation (2.8 km), and Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage (0.5 km).
What are some of the property amenities at Hotel Pinnalanda?
Some of the more popular amenities offered include free wifi, free breakfast, and an on-site restaurant.
What food & drink options are available at Hotel Pinnalanda?
Guests can enjoy free breakfast, an on-site restaurant, and a lounge during their stay.
Is parking available at Hotel Pinnalanda?
Yes, free parking is available to guests.
What are some restaurants close to Hotel Pinnalanda?
Conveniently located restaurants include Channa, Yummy Burger Restaurant, and Pinnalanda Hotel Restaurant.
Does Hotel Pinnalanda have airport transportation?
Yes, Hotel Pinnalanda offers airport transportation for guests. We recommend calling ahead to confirm details.
Which languages are spoken by the staff at Hotel Pinnalanda?
The staff speaks multiple languages, including English, Tamil, and Sinhala.
Does Hotel Pinnalanda have any great views?
Yes, guests often enjoy the river view available here.
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