Ranweli Holiday Village is an eco-friendly resort located on a 22-acre peninsula where mangrove forests and winding rivers converge to meet the sea. Located only 18 kms from Colombo's International Airport, Ranweli is the perfect base to explore the fascinating history, culture and nature of Sri Lanka. The hotel is on Waikkal Beach & provides bungalows & rooms with a private bathroom. The resort has an outdoor pool and its own restaurant & bar. Each bungalow / room is air-conditioned, has a safe, sitting area and telephone. The attached bathroom includes a hot/cold shower. Guests can enjoy a beach volleyball, billiards or table tennis at Ranweli. Water activities such as paddle boating, canoeing and kayaking are available. Ranweli is able to organize boat rides and bird watching tours. You can experience multi-cuisine dishes at the buffets of the resort's restaurant & a variety of liquor is served at the pool bar.
Star ratings are intended to indicate the general level of features, amenities, and services to expect. This property is classified according to Giata.
The Ranweli Holiday Village was our first night stop over in Sri Lanka. It is situated in an idyllic location as to get to the resort you have to cross a mangrove lagoon to what is a lovely beach side location. The hotel rooms are with out a doubt looking tired and in need of some refurbishment but as mentioned above you cannot fault it’s idyllic location. On a plus point the food is very good we enjoyed a fabulous Sri Lankan buffet in the evening and the breakfast was equally enjoyable. On arrival we went straight to the beach poolside area and the attendant could see we had no towels and waited for us to come to him! We never used the pool but it looked inviting. For a one night stopover after 15 hours of travel it is a great location to start unwinding and enjoying your holiday in Sri Lanka.
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Date of stay: January 2020Trip type: Traveled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
This was our first night stay in Sri Lanka. A beautiful location to recover from long flights. The hotel staff were all very friendly and the food was fantastic. Free use of the canoes to paddle the mangrove river channels was great fun. There was entertain laid on both nights we were there. The boat trip to the nearby Dutch Canal and lagoon was well worth the effort. The individual accommodation units were very private and well furnished. A lovely surprise awaits you on arrival at the Holiday Village.
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Date of stay: February 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
My wife and i stayed at the Ranweli, in a deluxe bungalow for 5 nights from Wednesday 12th Feb.It s a very peaceful, relaxed, quiet site, perfect for a relaxing stay on arriving in Sri Lanka, or a relaxing end after touring Sri Lanka. It is ideal for travellers with small children, as it has a very good safe beach, and a dedicated childrens pool. The bungalows have recently been totally refurbished to a very good standard. The site is in a fairly isolated position so it is only really suitable for a few days stay for a relaxing time. The food is all buffet with a good selection of both local and western tastes. The property is accessed only by raft across a narrow waterway , which rather sets the pattern for the stay of a "laid back" "no hurry" vacation
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Date of stay: February 2020
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Room Tip:Â choose a deluxe bungalow,for a very small premium it is well worth the extra
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
***Guests please beware to not get SCAMMED by hidden extra charges*** Our trip was ruined by policies that hotel manager used to scam us our of our money. We were not told truth and lost around $300 to sketchy extra charges that management imposed 1. Hotel manager was charging $50 dollars for a credit card payment saying it's a charge from Visa/Mastercard. We checked with those card companies and they don't charge for using them, it's clear that hotel was getting this extra cash. 2. Every drink ordered had non optionary 20% tip, which was also failed to mention to guests 3. Instead of being charged $25 for all inclusive per day we were charged $35, additionally manager used their own made up foreign currency exchange, which results in losing 1/3 of your original currency worth, e.g. if normally $1 is around 300 rupees, the hotel would only give you around 200 rupees. Because of all this we were charged 2 times more for all inclusive package than we were told and lost almost $300 dollars 4. Manager informed us that the closest shop and restaurant is 40 minutes away from the hotel so we would buy all inclusive package. Only after we paid and gained access to wifi we checked that there is Antonio's restaurant and shop 3 minutes away from the hotel, on the other side of the river
Overall we are very dissatisfied how hotel management takes advantage of their guests
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Date of stay: July 2024
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Trip type: Traveled with family
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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We unexpectedly got one of these bungalows. Super comfortable, huge bed. Our homeboy cleaned everything every day and was there immediately if something was missing (small towel). The bathroom was clean but the shower was very calcified. There were little flowers on the bed every day. Tea, coffee and water were always replenished. Even our small terrace was mopped daily. The restaurant offers different dishes every day, some of which are very spicy. You can have fresh egg dishes prepared for breakfast and there is fresh fruit with every meal. But always the same types. Anyone looking for cheese or cold cuts will be disappointed. Staff top. There are a lot of cats and dogs running around the complex, but they are not intrusive at all. The pool is also cleaned daily. You have to look for the pool boy. The loungers and cushions are a disaster. The wheels fall off, the pads are dirty and broken. The facility is not suitable for children. Food too spicy and no play equipment or anything similar. Overall, the facility is a dream if something were to be done. The manager apparently has no interest in keeping everything instant. Unfortunately everything is a bit run down. Nevertheless, we had a nice stay, which is also thanks to the very friendly staff
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Date of stay: March 2024Trip type: Traveled with friends
Room Tip:Â Unbedingt an Sonnencreme denken, die Sonne ist heftig.
Immer freundlich bleiben. Die Menschen...
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
A touch of nostalgia in a charming but dated hotel
We had the pleasure of staying at the charming Ranweli Village, and although it is a few years old, our experience was still unforgettable.
The first impression when I entered the lobby was a touch of nostalgia. The decor was reminiscent of times gone by, and the staff greeted me with a warm hospitality that is rare to find these days. This hotel definitely has its own personality and charm.
Our lovely beachfront bungalow, although a little dated, exuded a certain charm. The wooden furniture and classic interior design gave a homey feel. The beds were very comfortable, and I was still able to enjoy modern comforts like air conditioning. The flowers in a terracotta pot were renewed by Fernando every day.
The food in the hotel's restaurant was varied and delicious. There were both traditional dishes and international options, and the staff made sure nothing was missing. There was always something special for my son too.
A highlight of my stay was the hotel garden. Although not everything is managed anymore, it still exudes a certain romance. Here you could retreat in peace and escape the hustle and bustle of the city.
The location of the hotel was also very convenient as it was close to many attractions and restaurants. An ideal starting point for excursions. The river behind the hotel, the ferryman, the waves of the Indian Ocean, the Ayurveda treatments - all this and much more are second to none.
Of course, there are some aspects that were not perfect due to the age of the hotel. The bathrooms could do with modernization and there were occasional minor technical problems.
Overall, my stay at Ranweli was a trip back in time with all its charm and hospitality. If you are looking for a unique experience and are willing to overlook a few minor inconveniences, then I can highly recommend this hotel. It is a place that has stories to tell and will give you an unforgettable time in Sri Lanka.
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Date of stay: September 2023
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Trip type: Traveled with family
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hotel chosen by the agency as part of a tour. Good overall, friendly and helpful staff! Atypical access by the river but pleasant! Clean and comfortable bedding, spacious room consistent with the photos but bathroom leaves something to be desired (rusty plumbing, trash can, etc.). Bottles of water, coffee, tea and sugar as well as kettle present and free for self-service in the room. Fridge available in the room (practical for large bottles of water). In terms of catering, it’s a fairly varied buffet.
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Date of stay: January 2024Trip type: Traveled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
I’m super exited to recommend this place for a couple to book for your honeymoon. Staff was really friendly and always give their best effort for our service. Food was so delicious and we can get some customized food and beverages as well. Room was so clean and tidy to use. I appreciate your special arrangements for our room. Finally I would like to thank all the staff for making our day memorable.
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Date of stay: June 2022Trip type: Traveled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
After a bad experience in arie lagoon, we visited this lovely property which is situated in Waikkal. Entering the hotel using the ferry was a nice experience. We were given a room right on the beach. The buffet is not as big but they had delicious food including fresh seafood. A shout out to Ajith for his excellent service. We will be back again.
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Date of stay: January 2022
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Room Tip:Â Ask for a room on the beach and they will give you one
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Wow! Short yet careful ferry service. Warm welcome, delicious food, comfortable accomadation, caring room service, hospitality from arrival to departure, lovable and touching service at the restaurant , scenic beauty with the sea, tranquality and caring massages at the ayurvedic treatment made our day filled with joy and leisure
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Date of stay: May 2024
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Trip type: Traveled with friends
Room Tip:Â As it was a weekday , no rush at all. We enjoyed as we wished
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Nottinghamshire, United Kingdom8 contributions4 helpful votes
The staff and hotel are fabulous it was very clean and well looked after, it is an old hotel but very well maintained, we had the best time of our lives so relaxing and worth every penny you will enjoy.
Don’t take any notice of some reviews it seems some people you will never please!!!
Colombo, Sri Lanka425 contributions65 helpful votes
Ferry is free provided by the hotel. Think you will need 30-45mins to pass through immigration and collect bags. Then another 30-45mins maybe to get to the hotel. You can either arrange for airport pickup by the hotel or get a prebooked taxi at the airport. The moment you pass customs it’s the first counter on the right hand side. I’ve used it many times and they are reasonable.
The TV's in the hotel are old, so don't know if they have the right connection interface (if they have one)! This hotel isn't the right place to use innovative soft and hardware!
There are more places to choose from in the Waikkal area.
ALSO KNOWN AS
ranweli holiday village waikkal, ranweli holiday village hotel waikkal
LOCATION
Sri LankaCentral ProvinceWaikkal
NUMBER OF ROOMS
88
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