Had the 'pleasure' of staying at this 'hotel' for 4 nights when we did the cultural triangle. Out of the 7 hotels we stayed in during our entire trip of the island; this was by far the worst. In fact: in all my years of travelling this surely is in my top 3 of worst hotels. Let's start with the positive: the location of the hotel is great. Next to the artificial lake (tank) and near the historice city of Pollonaruwa.
So far for the positive... The rooms are big, but not clean at all. The bedsheets are (very) dirty and there are (dead) bugs everywere. Hygenic condtions are very bad. Airconditioning was troublesome. What made it really terrible was the service-or lack of service-of the staff. On the first morning we noticed an English women becoming hysterical with the staff when asking for something. After 4 nights we understood why: the staff is terribly unmotivated, do not bring what you order, do not maintain the hotel and did not receive any proper training. The manager-when being asked for information or other-displays 'a sudden loss of the English language'. After hearing around a bit: problem with the hotels is known, but it seems that the manager is family/brother to a Sri Lankan minister...When staying in the Polonnaruwa area: look for another hotel or guesthouse. There's a lot better to find in Sri Lanka.

Stayed at the Sudu Araliya in April 2005 and regretted every minute. This was by far the worst hotel we've stayed in in Sri Lanka. It is unfortunately one of the "best" in Polonnaruwa - but there are nice hotels in Giritale and Sigirya Areas so if possible stay in that area and drive in. Of course if you do that, go early - your tourist pass is only valid for the day issued (which they will not inform you of even if you buy it at 4 pm).
This hotel exemplifies the attitude of they want your money but would like not to do anything in return.
Our hotel room was literally full of hundreds of mosquitoes who were probably looking forward to feasting on us. In addition to being a nuisance, in Sri Lanka many diseases are spread by mosquitoes, including Malaria. We told the front desk and they told us to wait and a long time later told us it's ok now. We went back up to discover that they had sprayed the room with stinky bug spray and the bed, furniture, floors were literally covered with the dead mosquitoes! Cleaning the mess up obviously was not an issue for them. Plus the window didn't close properly so I am sure we would have had the same problem later. So I went and complained again. This time I was told that they didn't have any of the better rooms available but whatever, I didn't care as long as it was clean and free from mosquitoes. They gave us another room - the window wouldn't close and the light bulb was blown. And they wouldn't change the light bulb. I actually saw the service staff hiding around the corner, peeking at me and giggling. How funny. Finally I insisted on speaking to the manager and this time surprise surprise one of the better rooms like what I had paid for was available and we were moved into that. Of course after dinner (which was not bad except for the sambol that was spoilt that they still served us - sniff all food and if it smells bad it probably is - the heat makes a lot of our coconut based cuisine spoil rapidly) we went to our room and tried to get some sleep. They kept turning off the air conditioner from the mains throughout the night. And you can imagine the heat we felt in a room with no ventilation. I am ethnically Sri Lankan and can cope with the heat but this was terrible - one of the worst nights I have ever experienced - and the sad thing is I even paid for it! I would wake up, turn it back on and try to sleep only for those people to turn it off again within the hour. Finally I just gave up and staggered from that place as soon as morning arrived.
This place is not cheap either and the pool is not clean. Stay away - there are lots more options that actually provide value for money.

The location of the hotel and the surroundings are very nice. Once upon a time this place might have been a nice place to stay, but not anymore. We booked a room online and prepaid for it. Upon arrival they couldn't find our booking. So we were first put in a room with dead geckos and bugs. We talked to the front desk and we were given another room (I noticed the sarcastic looks on their faces). The second room was not better. None of the lights were working except for one; phone was down, Dirty towels etc. The housekeeping staff is doing a lousy job. I don't have many complaints about the food, except it's quite expensive. When we were checking out we were given another bill for the room. We showed to them the email/bill that we received when we booked the room. After repeating our self over and over again for about 30 minutes, they found our booking in a file that kept canceled reservations (no show). I wouldn't recommend this place to anyone.