Winterfell Bandarawela

“Great Accommodation, Disappointing Billing Experience”

We had a very enjoyable stay at this property. It is conveniently located just 2–3 km from Bandarawela town, offering a peaceful environment. Accessibility might be bit challenging if you travel by a vehicle with low ground clearance. The rooms were spacious, each with an attached bathroom, and the overall cleanliness was well maintained throughout our stay. We booked the entire bungalow for three nights, and one of the highlights of our experience was the excellent hospitality. The cook and the butlers were exceptionally friendly, welcoming, and always willing to help, which made our stay even more pleasant. Overall, I would rate this property 9/10 for its comfort, cleanliness, and service of the in-house staff. The main issue we encountered was related to billing transparency and the communication surrounding additional charges, which originated from the owner not by the in-house staff. Before our stay, we chose the option of having all meals prepared by the in-house cook, with the understanding that we would cover grocery, transportation, and cooking costs on a daily basis. However, when the final invoice was presented, we found additional charges for tea, snacks, and increased cooking fees that had not been clearly communicated to us beforehand. These charges may be reasonable if disclosed in advance, but discovering them only at the time of settlement was disappointing. The unexpected costs represented approximately 38.7% of our total food expenses, which is a significant amount, especially for larger groups managing a travel budget. What was more concerning was the response we received from the owner after raising this issue. Clear communication and transparency regarding pricing expectations would have helped avoid misunderstandings and would have greatly improved our overall experience. Overall, this is a lovely property with excellent staff and comfortable facilities. However, I would strongly recommend confirming all meal-related charges upfront to avoid surprises. If you're prepared for a few unexpected additions to the final bill, this may be the place for you😅

Hasara·4 months ago

The houses and rooms are gorgeous, but the shower room could use a bit more modern comfort.

Melynis·8 months ago

“Great place , safe and clean , friendly staff”

The staff were amazing and the breakfast was very nice, though the Wi‑Fi was slow.

Nimesh·9 months ago

“NEW OWNERSHIP, REBOOK ELSEWHERE”

I’m writing this review even though I never stayed there because the hotel refused to cancel my booking, so I feel it’s important. I booked three months ago when the hotel operated under a different name. When I arrived in Sri Lanka, I learned the name had changed and I was immediately concerned. My taxi and I found the place, only to be told they didn’t have my booking even though I had received a confirmation notification the night before. They said they weren’t taking bookings but could offer me a room, which I declined because it was a fair distance from Bandarawela and there were better options. I can’t cancel this booking without a fee, and I’ve had no response from the hotel or anyone else.

Azriel·A year ago

“Wonderful Stay in a Calm Environment”

We had a really good breakfast (බන්ඩි ෆුල්). The rooms were comfy and clean, and the staff were friendly and helpful. Mr. Bandara, the caretaker, along with the owners, took the initiative to address any issues we had, and we’re grateful for that. It would be better if one or two extra staff members were available to handle tasks like cooking, because it seemed difficult for one person to cater to a full house of guests.

Thilinasj·A year ago