Allure Yala

Small, isolated & unique eco-hotel situated right next to a lake and a 15minute ride away from Yala National Park. The manager (&other staff) were all very friendly and would go out of their way to help. There is a nice pool to cool off and the rooms had good free Wi-fi as well as both air conditioning and a fan. The healthy food prepared by the chef/manager was outstanding at breakfast and dinner - the portions were very big. Although the hotel has not got a liquor licence, you can bring your own wine/beer (easily bought from the local shop in the nearby village). There were amazing views from the hotel rooms over the lake with water buffaloes, monitor lizards, a wide variety of birds and even the occasional crocodile or elephant right on your doorstep. I would have given the hotel 5* but we had a lot of ants in the room, a loss of power and water for nearly 2hrs - the staff resolved the problems as soon as they could. Well worth seeking out if you want to stay close to Yala National Park - be aware that the hotel is quite isolated on a sandy track and there is no signage to help you find it but you’d be missing out on a unique hotel if you went elsewhere.

We had four nights at Allure Yala and would have loved to have stayed longer. It has a nice mix of traditional and contemporary in its design and feels very luxurious. The staff were very friendly and helpful and the authentic Sri Lankan food was delicious. The room / bathroom / pool area / veranda were all excellent. More generally, the hotel and its grounds had an exclusive feel. They organised the two safaris we went on and both were excellent - we appreciated the certainty that came with them using vehicles / drivers they trusted. We visited both blocks 1 and 5 of the National Park and Allure Yala seemed very well placed for anyone wanting to do both of them. Out of interest, as at early Feb 25 the park entrance fee (which varies dependent upon the number of people in the vehicle) can be paid card or cash in block 1 but has to be cash in block 5. We spent one day just relaxing at the hotel. The hotel and surrounds are so beautiful and peaceful. In front is the large expanse of Yodha Wewa (lake or tank) and to one side, a lagoon off the lake which teemed with birdlife. If you are keen on birds, there was always something to look at and more frequently, lots to look at. We were fortunate to have one of the rooms that looked out over it and I spent plenty of time doing just that - all of my photos were taken either from the hotel grounds or within metres of it. Would we go again? Definitely!

What a Gem.... Although we were very late to check in since we had to visit kataragama on our way, it was indeed a great stay to remember. from service, to the room space and facilities, to the food, it was just amazing. Thank you sofia for extending our checkout since we were a very late to check in. We will definitely visit again with our family and friends.

We were highly impressed with this resort. The staff were friendly, helpful and professional. The food was amazing and the location was stunning. We would happily stay again and wouldn't hesitate to recommend it to others. All our needs were met in a friendly manner and a timely way!

Stayed 2 nights with family. It's a nice place to stay but you get what you pay for.. it is a 40+ min drive to the gate. Food is too salty, and I had to ask to replace curry that had too much salt. Extra beds for kids are not comfortable.. other than that it's a nice place to stay next to the lake.. do note that it is al a carte menu and food gets cold when it is served. Also, there is nothing nearby to buy snacks and drinks. So suggest you buy it before coming here..

We stayed two nights at Allure Yala in the suite with a private pool. The room was a great size - extra large and comfy bed, couch and TV, dining table, verandah with outdoor seating, and a separate bathroom with a large shower and tub. We loved sitting in the pool with the louvers open to look out to the lake. When we first arrived there was a large herd of water buffalo hanging out in the cool water next the hotel. The service we received was also impeccable. Nothing was a bother and the staff were always available and willing to go out of their way to help. We had some fantastic food during our stay too - extensive picnic packs for our morning safari, lunch on our return, afternoon tea, breakfast the next morning on the deck and two delicious dinners. The food was delicious and great portion sizes. A special thank you to the management team who kindly upgraded our stay to include our dinners and also assisted us with having our laundry done before our departure. Overall, a lovely visit!