Kalundewa Retreat

“Excellent stay with exceptional staff and amazing food”

We had a wonderful stay and truly enjoyed every moment. Most importantly, we have never met staff like this in any hotel we have visited before. They genuinely cared about our comfort and went above and beyond to make sure everything was perfect. Their warmth, attentiveness, and dedication made our… lisää

We had a wonderful stay and truly enjoyed every moment. Most importantly, we have never met staff like this in any hotel we have visited before. They genuinely cared about our comfort and went above and beyond to make sure everything was perfect. Their warmth, attentiveness, and dedication made our stay very special. The food was exceptional. Although the variety was limited, every dish we tried was incredibly delicious and full of flavor. The quality and taste were outstanding, showing great care in preparation. The room was simply heaven. It was beautifully blended with nature, allowing us to feel fully connected to the natural surroundings. Waking up to the soothing sounds of birds and being surrounded by such beauty was truly refreshing. The room was also very spacious, comfortable, and offered a perfect view, creating a peaceful and calming atmosphere. The bathroom had a slight smell at times, but it was not a major concern. It would be even better if additional amenities such as conditioner, body lotion, and shower caps were provided for extra comfort. Overall, it was a memorable and relaxing stay, and we would highly recommend this hotel to anyone looking for a peaceful, nature-connected, and welcoming experience.

vähemmän

“Wonderful staff, hotel needs a little care”

Whereas the hotel grounds and rooms need a little loving care, the staff were out of this world -- so thoughtful and accommodating and wanting to please. The food was very good; enjoyed the cook's attention to our requests. Nice hotel at mid-range, good location and friendly ambiance.

“Mixed review, more eco lodge less luxury”

Beautiful natural setting with a peaceful, private feel. Our water chalet was spacious and scenic, and waking up to birds, lakes, and greenery was genuinely lovely. The grounds are tranquil and it’s a pleasant place to switch off after busy travel days. Prior to arrival, I contacted the hotel due t… lisää

Beautiful natural setting with a peaceful, private feel. Our water chalet was spacious and scenic, and waking up to birds, lakes, and greenery was genuinely lovely. The grounds are tranquil and it’s a pleasant place to switch off after busy travel days. Prior to arrival, I contacted the hotel due to the concerns raised by previous guests. I was reassured that the website accurately reflected the experience. Unfortunately, this proved not to be true, immediately creating a sense of mismatched expectations. Despite what’s presented online and in the welcome information provided on arrival, there is no scope to consume anything other than bottled water — at odds with the eco‑luxury positioning and further highlighting the gap between expectation and reality. The staff were incredibly kind and abundantly helpful throughout our stay — warm, attentive, and genuinely welcoming, which made a significant difference. The food was exceptional — Michelin‑star quality. Executive Chef Eranda, along with Chefs Isuru, Ishan, Nadun, and Kavindu, created meals comparable to experiences we’ve had at Michelin‑rated restaurants. A genuine highlight. Significant, however, is the retreat’s confused identity — marketed as eco‑luxury, but in reality far closer to an eco‑lodge, with a few luxury touches and many rough edges. The property is over 20 years old, and this shows in both maintenance and overall finish. These issues have clearly been raised by previous guests, yet meaningful corrections do not appear to have been made, instead leaving frontline staff to manage potentially difficult conversations (especially about different beverage options). This feels less like oversight and more like a conscious failure to address known problems and to potentially deceive guests. On a human level, this is unfair to staff, who work tirelessly to make stays special. Management appeared chaotic, with little evidence of clear systems or processes. As guests, we were confused on what options were available to us during our stay. Overall: a serene setting with wonderful staff and exceptional dining, but ultimately overpriced for the level of polish, organisation, and transparency. Without significant correction to the business model and management approach, the current trajectory feels ill‑fated — which would be a real tragedy, at the very least for the staff who work so hard and genuinely care about guests.

vähemmän