The River House by Asia Leisure
No. 70 Uthamanyana Mawatha, Balapitiya 80550 Sri Lanka
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$83
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Full view
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Pool & Beach (66)
Room & Suite (60)
What is Travelers’ Choice?
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What you can expect during your stay
- All linens sanitized in high-temperature wash
- Face masks required for staff in public areas
- Hand sanitizer available to guests & staff
- Stay-at-home policy for staff with symptoms
- Regularly sanitized high-traffic areas
- Staff required to regularly wash hands
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Updated 05/29/21 Safety precautions are provided by the property and are not checked by Tripadvisor for accuracy.
A note from The River House by Asia Leisure
Updated 05/29/21 Safety precautions are provided by the property and are not checked by Tripadvisor for accuracy.
About
#3 of 12 hotels in Balapitiya
Location
4.7
Cleanliness
4.8
Service
4.8
Value
4.6
Travelers' Choice
The River House is an artistic escape of sheer seclusion on the banks of the Madhu River. Surrounded by tropical wilderness, this is a place of romance and sensuality. Each of the five luxuriant suites speak an imaginative language of design and are a sanctuary unto themselves. Private gardens that encase your suite and jacuzzi's with an overhead waterfall are more to enjoy. The Menik Suite is ranked as one of CNN Travel's '21 Sexy Skinny Dip' spots around the globe for its private plunge pool for two. You will truly treasure how this place will make you feel.
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Property amenities
Free parking
Free High Speed Internet (WiFi)
Pool
Free breakfast
Fishing
Airport transportation
Concierge
Sun loungers / beach chairs
Wifi
Lazy river
Pool / beach towels
Outdoor pool
Bar / lounge
Restaurant
Breakfast available
Special diet menus
Butler service
Dry cleaning
Laundry service
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Room features
Air conditioning
Private balcony
Room service
Safe
Minibar
Flatscreen TV
Room types
Non-smoking rooms
Suites
Good to know
HOTEL CLASS
HOTEL STYLE
Quiet
Romantic
Location
Full view
Contact
No. 70 Uthamanyana Mawatha, Balapitiya 80550 Sri Lanka
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296Reviews3Q+A66Room tips
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Most Recent
Wow what can I say about this property it is a beautiful hidden gem, out of the Jungle Book. it is quite remote so very chilled and more for peaceful visit which is what we were after. The views of the river and the wildlife and our room was the highlight! The staff were amazing, Manoj couldn’t do enough to make your stay perfect, Chef Amal prepared amazing Sri Lankan dinners and the waiters were so professional and thoughtful. The river safari was unforgettable! Everything was fabulous! To improve I would upgrade the tired sofas in the lobby and create more garden lounging areas to read books, relax etc. I’d suggest There is enough space and climate for a tropical garden for guests to sit amongst lower down near the river. Mattress toppers for the beds would improve comfort further.. the room decor is 10/10! Sone traditional background Sri Lankan playing softly in the reception area would create ambience :) Overall this was amazing and we will definitely be back!…
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Date of stay: April 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.
1 Helpful vote
Helpful
Response from Asia Leisure, Marketing at The River House by Asia Leisure
Responded May 13, 2022
Dear Sir / Madam Greetings! Thank you so much for choosing The River House Balapitiya for your stay. Your valuable review have been a great help for our staff motivations and for future betterment. Looking forward to serve you better during your next stay. Thanks
Read more
It was one of the most unique experiences of our stay in Sri Lanka , the poolside space was like a forest book and we watched monkeys and very very large lizards and a variety of beautiful birds while we swam, our room was extraordinarily large and beautiful and It was clean, the quality of the food was excellent and the hotel and restaurant staff were very professional and polite, we experienced a beautiful sunrise with the beautiful sound of birds. It was a whole new experience and it is definitely recommended.
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Date of stay: March 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.
Helpful
Response from Asia Leisure, Marketing at The River House by Asia Leisure
Responded Apr 4, 2022
Dear Sir / Madam Greetings! Thank you so much for choosing The River House Balapitiya for your stay. Your valuable review have been a great help for our staff motivations and for future betterment. Looking forward to serve you better during your next stay. Thanks
Read more
One of the best accomodation experience with spectacular sourrounding facing to Madu river where you would have a calm and quiet stay with delicious food and beverages , excellent hospitality from the staff.
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Date of stay: January 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.
1 Helpful vote
Helpful
Response from Asia Leisure, Marketing at The River House by Asia Leisure
Responded Mar 9, 2022
Dear Sir / Madam Greetings! Thank you so much for choosing The River House Balapitiya for your stay. Your valuable review have been a great help for our staff motivations and for future betterment. Looking forward to serve you better during your next stay. Thanks
Read more
+1
River House is located in a beautiful, calm and quiet place at Balapitiya away from all the city noises. Me and my husband travelled there for our first Wedding Anniversary. And I should say the relaxed ambience close to nature captured our hearts mostly. Not to forget the friendly staff with Manager Manoj (who was very attentive to all our needs), delicious food and the lovely surrounding with the pool was at highest quality. They also organised a lovely surprise dinner by the pool for our anniversary. Would definitely love to travel here again and I can recommend this place as ideal to anyone looking for a calm and quiet place with a stunning view for a reasonable price.
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Date of stay: January 2022
Value
Cleanliness
Service
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
1 Helpful vote
Helpful
Response from Asia Leisure, Marketing at The River House by Asia Leisure
Responded Mar 9, 2022
Dear Sir / Madam Greetings! Thank you so much for choosing The River House Balapitiya for your stay. Your valuable review have been a great help for our staff motivations and for future betterment. Looking forward to serve you better during your next stay. Thanks
Read more
The staff are amazing, so friendly. The food was amazing, and there outdoor space was well kept and very peaceful. Reasonably priced. I would definitely recommend staying here. I know I would go back.
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Date of stay: January 2022Trip type: Traveled with family
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
1 Helpful vote
Helpful
Response from Asia Leisure, Marketing at The River House by Asia Leisure
Responded Mar 9, 2022
Dear Sir / Madam Greetings! Thank you so much for choosing The River House Balapitiya for your stay. Your valuable review have been a great help for our staff motivations and for future betterment. Looking forward to serve you better during your next stay. Thanks
Read more
We LOVED the river house. It was a rich oasis of calm, beauty and peace, with excellent food, wonderfully polite and helpful staff, and excellent facilities. The room was enormous, and had a beautiful outside space. Good location, and easy to explore many west coast hotspots! And now I’m an engaged man!
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Date of stay: January 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.
1 Helpful vote
Helpful
Response from Asia Leisure, Marketing at The River House by Asia Leisure
Responded Mar 9, 2022
Dear Sir / Madam Greetings! Thank you so much for choosing The River House Balapitiya for your stay. Your valuable review have been a great help for our staff motivations and for future betterment. Looking forward to serve you better during your next stay. Thanks
Read more
First of all let me start by saying that Mr Lasantha (manager) and his staff are very nice and responsive to your needs. While the English may be a barrier with some staff members, that’s what you should expect when you come to a secluded hotel in the Sri Lankan suburbs. So please stop the western entitled complaints about staff having poor English. That being said, as hotel guests, we expected a warmer welcome on our arrival and did at times feel that management of the House was in fact weak. Now about the hotel, unfortunately, Asia Leisure seriously mis-sells this hotel on their website and booking.com. They say they offer in-suite messages, fishing, yoga, bird watching, cookery demonstration, all of these are not available (which were some of the selling points for why we booked in the first place!). In-fact, there’s very little to do in the hotel, which is why we had to find other hotels close by to spend our days. Based on this, River House unfortunately does not offer value-for-money. We did the river cruise, which was nice, however, would not be considered a “luxury cruise” as shown in the picture included on Booking.com and the hotel’s website; the boat was old and worn out. Furthermore, linens and towels were not clean (after some complaints, the manager provided us with clean towels on our last day), the beds were way too firm for anyone’s comfort, a lot of the menu was not available including ALL dessert options, fridge was old and rusty, phone wasn’t working. On the last point, this meant we physically had to go to the reception to make our request there which takes away from the relaxation that is meant to be on offer. Furthermore, the fridge was also completely empty which is not the standard for a hotel that positions itself as a luxury destination. The scenery is beautiful, however, the experience is far from the luxurious serenity that is sold by Asia leisure. It was a little bit of an inconvenience in an otherwise wonderful trip to Sri Lanka.…
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Date of stay: January 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.
Helpful
Response from Asia Leisure, Marketing at The River House by Asia Leisure
Responded Mar 9, 2022
Dear Sir / Madam Greetings! Thank you so much for choosing The River House Balapitiya for your stay. Your valuable review have been a great help for our staff motivations and for future betterment. We are extremely sorry about the fact that you couldn't experience the activities which where mentioned on our online forums, post covid most of the activities had to halt due to safety guidelines. However we will escalate the same to the management. Looking forward to serve you better during your next stay. Thanks
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After two nights at the River House we are so sad to leave such a peaceful oasis. Everything was perfection - we stayed in the garden suite, which has a large private garden and stone jacuzzi. The room was huge with a very comfy bed. The pool is one of the most beautiful we’ve swum in - you’re completely surrounded by palms and can watch the monitor lizards as you swim/tan. The staff were incredibly friendly and attentive, nothing was too much trouble. They arranged a river boat tour (I’d recommend doing this, it’s great), and made the place feel like home.. albeit still very luxurious. Finally, food was incredible. We mainly ate Sri Lankan food but had one western lunch. I can’t recommend the river house highly enough. Thank you to all the staff for making it such a magical stay.…
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Date of stay: January 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.
Helpful
Response from Asia Leisure, Marketing at The River House by Asia Leisure
Responded Mar 9, 2022
Dear Sir / Madam Greetings! Thank you so much for choosing The River House Balapitiya for your stay. Your valuable review have been a great help for our staff motivations and for future betterment. Looking forward to serve you better during your next stay. Thanks
Read more
-Beautiful and quite location nearby a lake -Nice wildlife Negative: -Ice cold check in and check out. The Manager has just handed over the credit card slip. Room rates were charged before arrival. No welcome, no small talk, no explanations, nothing. -Food and hot beverages (breakfast and dinner) disappointing. Tasteless, bland. -Service standard not existing at all at any time. Bored staff with no English knowledgement ran around all the time without knowing what to do, say and offer. -Housekeeping not existing at all. We had to ask the so called manager, if someone could clean the room during our stay. Dirty linen were used. -Pool area beautiful, but abandoned. No bar, no drinks were offered at any time. Fresh towels dirty and in bad condition. -Beautiful location was ruined by untrained staff/ useless manager.…
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Date of stay: January 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.
Helpful
Response from Asia Leisure, Marketing at The River House by Asia Leisure
Responded Mar 9, 2022
Dear Sir / Madam Greetings! Thank you so much for choosing The River House Balapitiya for your stay. Your valuable review have been a great help for our staff motivations and for future betterment. We will escalate the same to the management. Looking forward to serve you better during your next stay. Thanks
Read more
+1
Stunning location, excellent staff; attentive, helpful and welcoming. Great food. The General Manager Lashanta is a particular superstar. He was very helpful with onwards transit and arranging activities. Highly recommend the river safari, with a stop at cinnamon island. The earlier in the morning the better. The view through the garden to the river is like something out of Jungle Book.
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Date of stay: December 2021Trip 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.
Helpful
Response from Asia Leisure, Marketing at The River House by Asia Leisure
Responded Mar 9, 2022
Dear Sir / Madam Greetings! Thank you so much for choosing The River House Balapitiya for your stay. Your valuable review have been a great help for our staff motivations and for future betterment. Looking forward to serve you better during your next stay. Thanks
Read more
PRICE RANGE
$95 - $118 (Based on Average Rates for a Standard Room)
ALSO KNOWN AS
the river house hotel balapitiya, the river hotel
LOCATION
Sri LankaSouthern ProvinceBalapitiya
NUMBER OF ROOMS
5
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Claim Your Listing Frequently Asked Questions about The River House by Asia Leisure
Which popular attractions are close to The River House by Asia Leisure?
Nearby attractions include Suduhansa Tours (3.8 miles), Ahungalla Beach (3.3 miles), and Big Brother Tours And Travels (3.8 miles).
What are some of the property amenities at The River House by Asia Leisure?
Some of the more popular amenities offered include free wifi, free breakfast, and a pool.
Which room amenities are available at The River House by Asia Leisure?
Top room amenities include a minibar, air conditioning, and a flat screen TV.
What food & drink options are available at The River House by Asia Leisure?
Guests can enjoy free breakfast, an on-site restaurant, and a lounge during their stay.
Is parking available at The River House by Asia Leisure?
Yes, free parking is available to guests.
What are some restaurants close to The River House by Asia Leisure?
Conveniently located restaurants include Bord'eau, Jungle Beach Restaurant & Watersport Ahungalla, and Oruwa Beach Restaurant.
Are there opportunities to exercise at The River House by Asia Leisure?
Yes, guests have access to a pool during their stay.
Does The River House by Asia Leisure have airport transportation?
Yes, The River House by Asia Leisure offers airport transportation for guests. We recommend calling ahead to confirm details.
Is The River House by Asia Leisure located near the city center?
Yes, it is 0.9 miles away from the center of Balapitiya.
Are any cleaning services offered at The River House by Asia Leisure?
Yes, dry cleaning and laundry service are offered to guests.
Does The River House by Asia Leisure have any great views?
Yes, guests often enjoy the river view available here.