We have just stayed overnight in this 4 star rated Hotel. My husband is Sri lankan and we visit the island every year. We have stayed in a number of hotels in a variety of places over the last twenty years. Sri lanka is a beautiful, tropical but very poor island something you need to remember if you are planning on going here. The hotel was very good and we had very few complaints. Our rooms were clean, furnished to a good standard with very efficient air conditioning (something you do need to keep on as the atmosphere outside is incredibly humid which can result in a feeling of dampness- all part of being in Sri Lanka.) The food was excellent offering a very good selection of Sri lankan dishes. The service was friendly and polite and as always helpful. The hotel is busy with local sri lankans at the weekends particularly during school holidays but all of the hotels are not just the Kanilanka. We found that non-local tourists are treated very well often at the expense of the local tourists, contrary to what is said in one of the other reviews. All rooms have either sea or lagoon views but some are better than others something to think about if you are to be charged a supplement. Our only criticism is the beach by the hotel, it is dirty and not a particularly nice place to walk. The beach further down the coast at Bentota is much better.

This hotel has the sea on one side and a river on the other and the location is undoubtedly very nice.

However, on arrival we were given a sea view room - great we think, but after being left in the room (after the obligatory tip, more of that later), I notice that the floor is wet and the bedclothes feel damp and cloying (and smelly). We decide to give it one night but following morning complain as the air con hasn't improved the situation. Having been shown several rooms we settle on one facing the river, which is still damp but not nearly so bad. You can however see where the mould has been painted over and some of the cushions still smell.

I thought the food was pretty average, they seem to bland everything down, and I was sick of the sight of buffet after buffet. There were one or two nights where it was better. The bar was OK, but had no air con so was very hot some nights.

The hotel does not have a private beach so you cannot use the beach for fear of being hassled by people selling you stuff. The Sri Lankan's may be 'nice' as everyone kept telling us, but this seemed to be mainly in an attempt to get your money (to be fair some were very nice). We were asked for money by various members of staff including two security guards. And the 'special night' (at extra cost) was pushed on me about 6 times in the same day.

I lost track of the use of the "can you buy (expensive) milk powder for my child" routine (one even said his kid was 7 - a bit old for milk powder). Seriously they're as bad as the Egyptians, just less rude, which is worse because you don't feel you can be rude back.

Also the location leaves you a bit captive, as it's a little too far to walk to town, but you can take a short taxi or tuk-tuk ride (expensive if you go through the hotel reception).

On the positive side, there was free internet use (2 PCs in the library and wifi in the suites) although it wasn't always working. I also enjoyed the Kyaking and seeing the fire flys at night.

We also stayed in the Mount Lavinia hotel and I'd definitely recommend that over the Kani Lanka. The food is much better, the service seemed better (less asking for cash) and the private beach made a world of difference. There's alos a bit of history. That said it's still not perfect and you have to watch out for them trying to fob you off with a dodgy room.

Overall I'd rather go back to Thailand, nicer people, better hotels and food and scenery that's at least as beautiful.

We stayed at the kani Lanka Hotel,for 2 weeks, all inclusive during which we got married,there were 10 of us,some with First choice and some with Kuoni,unfortunately the weather was still stormy,mostly in the afternoons,But this did have big affects to the beach (see photo).
Apart from that the Hotel its self is quite nice,the storys you hear about the ground floor rooms smelling are all true.so try for 1st/2nd floor rooms

A couple of things we didn't like was the hard push to get you to purchase wine at dinner times,and to try to get you to have the seafood BBQ on a friday evening,we think the waiters are on commision. if your with Kuoni your intitled to a glass of wine with Dinner & lunch,which nobody was told about untill the last 2 nights(guess they must of forgot !!!!!!)

The staff are all very friendly and can't do enough for you,but ant shy in coming forward for tips tips & more tips,not suprising when they only earn about £2 per day,

The one big problem we had on the wedding day,was,some members of our party went out and purchased champagne for after the wedding,as it was around £90 a bottle in the hotel,we were told by a member of staff this was OK and that he would keep it on ice for us,untill after the wedding,for which he received a nice tip, that was fine untill we wanted to drink it,when we were told by a senior member of staff that there was a £75 corkage fee for every bottle, it got sorted in the end but did sort of put the dampers on the day for a while.( Be warned)

Beach Boys,they were great !!! will take you anywhere for a lot less than the tour opperators, We used a real nice lad called Fredee,who took us out on mass in either tuk-tuks's or mini-bus,we had some nice trips and so full of local knowlege.
He also invited us back to his house for lunch one day,to meet his family,Lovely people.

Sri lanka is a nice place to visit ,lots to see and very pretty,but is a very poor Country with lots of poverty.

The Kani Lanka is an alright hotel,but wouldn't rush back.
Give me Tailand anyday !!!!

I live in Sri Lanka and, therefore, have an opportunity to visit many hotels (usually on the week-end). This week-end I took my local family to Kani Lanka for the day.

I like swimming and took the togs along intending to get changed there. That was ruled out as the hotel wanted to charge me £20 to hire a room for the afternoon. Strange that they have a free changing room for the pool.

At the pool side I asked for a tomato jiuce. Sorry, we don't have any. I asked for a King Coconut. Sorry, we don't have any. Anything expensive? Oh yes sir, lots.

The buffet was disgusting. Roast Lamb that I could have soled my shoes with and no gravy. Oh, I could have had mushroom gravy if I wanted.

I agree withy many of the previous posters that service is not existant and, sadly, like many other establishments here, they simply want the money.

There are many hotels in this country who genuinely want to serve their customers and make them feel welcome.

This is not one of them.