MADULKELLE TEA AND ECO LODGE

We called them in the morning and asked whether We can come for lunch and they said lunch’s available as set menu and never mentioned restricted to 25% capacity of the hotel. Then I drove 2 hours to get there via an absolute nasty road and just 3 km to destination they said can’t take us since the 25% capacity is full. Totally uncourteous behavior. Will never go there

Date of stay: May 2021Trip type: Traveled with family

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Response from Management Madulkelle , Other at Madulkelle Tea and Eco Lodge

Responded Jun 23, 2021

Dear Sir, greeting from madulkelle thank you for your comment, we will take special note and hope you will visit future, we will do our best service at any time , we accept all the positive and negative comment from our guest any time, this will help us to improve our service

Chelsea wrote a review Apr 2021

Sri Lanka198 contributions103 helpful votes

Quirky, breathtaking property - but not a perfect experience

The property itself is just breathtaking, and worth the narrow windy journey up the mountain! Although they only had the smallest tent left available when we made our reservation, it was still a really neat experience glamping in a tea plantation! We sipped tea, read books and took in the view... what a peaceful escape. Unfortunately, many of the points raised in recent reviews continue to be issues. First, I would not recommend this place if you have not been vaccinated, as COVID protocols are not adhered to. No temperatures were ever checked, no health form needed to be filled out and bags were not sanitized. Beyond this, though, the first night we were aghast to see nobody at all wearing a mask - staff nor guests. The property was at 100% capacity, and social distancing was certainly not being adhered to either. What made it all extra unsafe was that dinner that night was a self-serve buffet, which is in direct violation of current COVID protocols. The fact that the cooks were not wearing masks, the servers were not wearing masks and the guests were not wearing masks led me to choose not to eat that night. We made plans to leave the property the next morning if things did not change. However, after contacting their customer service, I received an apology and the next morning all staff members were wearing masks, and by that afternoon there were no further buffets. I was grateful for the swift response to my concern, but the feeling of unease stayed with me throughout the stay. Next, I'm afraid I must agree with a recent comment about the quality of the food. The food was on par with diner food - soggy green French fries, overcooked flavorless chicken, watered down cocktails, etc. One of my favorite parts of Sri Lankan travel is the gourmet experiences at each resort, but this one left me wishing we had brought along trail mix. Our server was very attentive, but he was the only highlight of the dining experience. Finally, I would agree with another recent comment about the owner. Though the jolly Frenchman greeted us warmly on our final night there, the rest of the time he was engrossed with eating and drinking with friends. He seemed more like a VIP guest than the owner - which maybe would have been fine if the whole experience had been lovely, but the fact that he was clearly not bothered that so many of the COVID protocols were being ignored made it seem like he really isn't in the business to care for his guests, but instead has found a clever way to sustain his personal quality of life in a second country. Good for him, I suppose, but a bit more attention to guest safety and satisfaction would be a nice addition. Overall, the experience reminded me of my days of backpacking around the world and staying at hostels. Guests were from around the world, clearly enjoying themselves and being a bit rowdy. Decor was artsy but kitsch. Food was edible but not something you looked forward to. Personal health and safety was not on anyone's mind. But it was still an adventure. If you're more of a luxury resort person or not vaccinated, I'd say skip this place. But if you are looking for a bit more adventure with a $200 price tag, then you'll love it here!…

Date of stay: April 2021Trip type: Traveled as a couple

2 Helpful votes

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Response from Management Madulkelle , Other at Madulkelle Tea and Eco Lodge

Responded May 17, 2021

Dear Madam, Greeting from Madulkele , thank you for take your valuable time to give review for us, we are Eco friendly luxury boutique hotel in kindly and we hope we still keep our level .. we are very honest to take all the positive and negative comments , i want to apologies on behalf of madulkelle staff for inconvenience happens in your stay, please noted we work with 50% occupancy since last year till now , we have all 19 tents and we work only 9 rooms due to restrictions, as you mentioned we will take very special note regarding sanitizing process and we want ta say with food , we offer own garden fresh food every times and most of the times we get good comments on our foods as well, some how we will check that , but we cannot accept all the bad things you mentioned , as a our guest we will take all the note and take future actions , hope you will visit our place near future after this pandemic over ,

1LifeStand wrote a review Feb 2021

Colombo, Sri Lanka5010 contributions471 helpful votes

+1

What a place!

We drove from Colombo via Pitakanda Peak, which had the most amazing views, and no traffic at all. The staff, from the receptionist - waiter - room boy were all very welcoming and looked after us very well. The food was AMAZING and the tent was well appointed, and comfortable. We got tent No. 12 with twin beds, and an amazing view of the valley below. We just sat out for hours admiring the beautiful view and enjoying the cool breeze. It got pretty cold (14C) at night, and the blankets left in the cupboard were most welcome! We could not figure out the heater, but had a very comfortable sleep. If they can provide a hot water bottle in bed, it would be fantastic. On the 2nd day we were there, we were informed not to venture out, as there were more than 60 COVID positive persons identified in the village. We strolled around the hotel grounds and read books and lazed around at the natural spring and dipped in the pool. So relaxing! The reason I did not give an "Excellent Rating" is because the hotel lacked attention to safety protocols. We were not instructed to wash our hands before entry to the reception, nor was our temperature checked ever during our 3 nights there, our bags and footwear were not sanitised. We did not have to sign a health declaration before or on arrival, as is the protocol at 4 and 5 star properties. The lack of safety protocols was even more concerning, when one of the visiting guests (not wearing a mask) sneezed in close proximity to us. After our return, we were put through a day of worry, on being informed by the Receptionist, that one of the guests had tested positive for Corona at the end of the month, barely 5 days after we were there, at the same time as these guests. It would have been polite and adhering to best practices, if an official email was sent by the Management/ Owner re this matter, rather than a mere telephone call by the Receptionist. Hope the management makes appropriate changes and ensures better safety in these unsettling times. We take a big risk to travel and support local enterprises, and expect the basic safety protocols to be in place. If not for this, I would definitely recommend Madulkelle Tea and Eco Lodge to anyone! Go there for a min of 3 nights, just relax and enjoy the beauty of nature and fantastic food and facilities. Special mention must be made of Prince, the waiter who looked after our meals and compliments to the chef! We will be back! …

Date of stay: January 2021Trip type: Traveled with friends

1 Helpful vote

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Response from Management Madulkelle , Other at Madulkelle Tea and Eco Lodge

Responded May 17, 2021

Dear Sir Thank you very much for take your valuable time for give review on our property and thanks for stay with us, we are most luxury boutique hotel located in kandy district and middle of the tea plantation , we always try to give our best service for all the guest and that's our duty , we hope you enjoyed your stay with us . we most welcome you all at any time and be safe and healthy in this difficult time

#€$# wrote a review Jan 2021

Kandy, Sri Lanka116 contributions9 helpful votes

+1

A place to calm yourself

Nice place with supportive staff. We stayed at penthouse suite. They have a pond in it but unfortunately it was not cleaned. But it has the most significant view. Food was amazing. It’s a place to relax and calm yourself. You can only hear the the sound of birds chirping and water flowing.

Date of stay: January 2021Trip type: Traveled as a couple

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Response from Management Madulkelle , Other at Madulkelle Tea and Eco Lodge

Responded May 17, 2021

dear Madam/ Sir Thank you very much for take your valuable time for give review on our property and thanks for stay with us, we are most luxury boutique hotel located in kandy district and middle of the tea plantation , we always try to give our best service for all the guest and that's our duty , we hope you enjoyed your stay with us . we most welcome you all at any time and be safe and healthy in this difficult time

Sulakshana S wrote a review Jan 2021

Colombo, Sri Lanka44 contributions10 helpful votes

+1

Beautiful views and super accommodation!

This was by far the most gorgeous place I have visited in the hills so far. The views are stunning! U can catch a sunset and a sunrise if the weather is good! Make sure u check the forecast before u travel as what’s great about the place is the view! If u catch a full moon day even better ! Food is delicious and the staff is friendly and efficient! The lodging is super comfortable! Everything about the place was great! I have no complaints! Loved loved loved it!

Date of stay: January 2021Trip type: Traveled with friends

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Response from Management Madulkelle , Other at Madulkelle Tea and Eco Lodge

Responded May 17, 2021

Dear Madam/ Sir Thank you very much for take your valuable time for give review on our property and thanks for stay with us, we are most luxury boutique hotel located in kandy district and middle of the tea plantation , we always try to give our best service for all the guest and that's our duty , we hope you enjoyed your stay with us . we most welcome you all at any time and be safe and healthy in this difficult time

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