Ruins Villa

Celine V.

about 1 month ago

Great stay with spacious rooms

We truly enjoyed our time here. The rooms are large and well-maintained. Hot water is available for showers, and the food is fantastic. One evening, we even got to help prepare our meal in the traditional style. They offer free pick-up and drop-off at the bus station, which is a nice touch. The service is excellent. At night, there's also an option to take a walk and spot some wildlife. I would definitely recommend this place! The host speaks English very clearly and genuinely cares for his guests.

Food

5

Service

5

Willem L.

about 1 month ago

Friendly service and tasty vegan meals

We had a pleasant stay close to the entrance of the ancient city. The owner was very welcoming and prepared a tasty vegan meal for us. The rooms are quite basic, featuring small towels, and they don't have much ambiance, plus the bed squeaked. They do offer bike rentals for exploring the city.

Food

4

Service

5

Value

4

Ambiance

2

Nic R.

about 1 month ago

Wonderful stay with great hospitality

We had the best experience during our stay in Sri Lanka! Upali was exceptionally kind and welcoming, and our accommodations were both clean and modern. The breakfast and dinner were tasty and abundant. A standout moment was the night walk led by Upali, where we spotted hornbills, fireflies, a civet cat, and a mouse deer.

Food

4

Service

5

Iris M.

about 1 month ago

Wonderful stay at Ruins Villa

My experience at Ruins Villa has been one of the best during my time in Sri Lanka, all thanks to the host, Upali. He is exceptionally friendly and supportive, sharing my enthusiasm for bird watching. He identified so many birds I had spotted using his bird encyclopedia! Plus, I found three tiny birds snoozing on the branches in his garden, which was absolutely adorable. As I write this review from my next travel spot, I can’t help but wish Upali were here to help identify the birds I’m now observing and hearing. My room offered great value for the price—clean and very spacious. They had bikes available for rent. The meals prepared by Upali’s wife, both dinner and breakfast, were delicious. The location is conveniently close to the park entrance. Honestly, what more could you ask for from a hotel?

Food

4

Service

5

Value

4

Will B.

about 1 month ago

Ideal stay for wildlife enthusiasts

I highly recommend this place for anyone interested in wildlife and planning to visit the ancient city. Upali is an exceptional host who goes above and beyond to ensure you have a great experience. During our stay, he organized a complimentary nighttime wildlife walk where we spotted deer, turtles, slow lorises, and fireflies. Additionally, you can rent bikes from them to explore the ruins, and it’s super convenient since you can exit near the ruins villa.

Service

5

Natalie W.

about 1 month ago

Wonderful stay with great hospitality

We had an incredible experience here. The rooms were clean and spacious. Our host, Upali, was wonderful—very friendly and knowledgeable about the local wildlife. We enjoyed both dinner and breakfast, which were delicious. Upali also took us on a fantastic night wildlife walk where we spotted fireflies, deer, a turtle, and a slow loris. Thank you for such a memorable stay.

Service

5

Stephanie

about 1 month ago

Great stay with local insights

Our stay with Upali and his wife was fantastic. The room was clean and had a minimalist design, complete with essentials like a mosquito net and hand soap. We also liked having reliable hot water and wifi, which was great for planning our itinerary. I have a couple of minor suggestions for improvement: the towels could be larger, and a shower curtain or divider would be beneficial to keep the bathroom floor dry. We really appreciated Mr. Upali’s honesty about local travel; he offered practical tips for visiting places on a budget, which was useful since many tourist attractions can be pricey for foreigners. Additionally, he took us on a night walk to observe the local wildlife, making the experience very engaging. He provided us with genuine insights into life in Sri Lanka from a local viewpoint. Thank you, Upali and family, for your professional service and for welcoming us with such a sincere, human touch.

Service

5

Value

4

Sasha O.

about 1 month ago

Quiet stay with great amenities

I had a wonderful experience at Ruins Villa. It's situated a bit outside the town, which contributes to its peaceful and relaxing atmosphere. If you're planning to explore the sacred city of Polonnaruwa, one of the exits is conveniently close. Renting a bicycle is a great option, as there's a lovely, tranquil route alongside the canal that leads to both the town and the entrance to the ruins. The property itself—gardens, common areas, rooms, and bathrooms—is well-maintained and very clean. The prices are quite reasonable too. The owner is welcoming, friendly, and nice. You can also rent bicycles or order breakfast for an additional fee. Overall, I would rate it a 10/10—one of the best places to stay in Sri Lanka, and I would definitely return.

Service

5

Value

4

Ambiance

5

136ollieb

about 1 month ago

Great stay near the ruins

The homestay is ideally located for exploring the nearby ruins, just a quick bike ride away (bikes can be rented on-site). The rooms were tidy, and all amenities functioned as promised. We had dinner and breakfast there, both were ...

Martina C.

about 1 month ago

Wonderful stay at Ruins Villa

Our experience at Ruins Villa was truly memorable! Upali, the owner, is exceptionally warm and friendly. The room was tidy and roomy. The setting is stunning, surrounded by lush palm trees and tranquil ponds with soothing natural sounds. We asked Upali for help in finding fireflies, and he knew just where to take us. He has a deep understanding of the nature surrounding his property and is an excellent wildlife guide. Additionally, he assisted us in finding a fantastic driver for our trip from Polonnaruwa to Anuradhapura, and we were so pleased with him that we hired him again for our journey back to Colombo. Everyone we met in Sri Lanka was wonderfully kind, but Upali truly stood out as one of the most genuine people we met! This stay was magical, offering great hospitality, delicious food, and beautiful natural surroundings, all at an incredibly low price.

Service

5

Value

5

Ambiance

5