Reviews of The Ivy Lake 3 stars
115 Dharmapala Mawatha, 50000 Anuradhapura, Sri Lanka
#27 of 107 hotels in Anuradhapura
Guests' ChoiceReview score
Based on 274 hotel reviews
8.5Score breakdown
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Cleanliness
8.8
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Comfort
8.8
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Location
8.5
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Facilities
8.4
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Staff
9.3
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Value for money
8.9
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Free WiFi
8.1
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Reviewed: 6 September 2025
Sascha
Netherlands5 reviews1 helpful vote10“A lovely stay with great staff!”- • Leisure trip
- • Couple
- • Deluxe Double Room
- • Stayed 1 night
- • Submitted via mobile
Nothing
The staff is so lovely and they have a coffeeshop which serves great food.
Stayed in September 2025
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Reviewed: 4 September 2025
Ava
United Kingdom6 reviews1 helpful vote9.0Superb- • Leisure trip
- • Couple
- • Deluxe Double Room
- • Stayed 2 nights
- • Submitted via mobile
Nothing !
Rooms were very comfortable, clean and a good size. Nice outdoors with a restaurant for breakfast, lunch and dinner where we ate at as there is limited restaurants nearby. Staff were very welcoming and friendly and super helpful with us in booking a doctors appointment when I needed one.
Stayed in September 2025
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Reviewed: 28 August 2025
Federico
Italy18 reviews8.0“Great short stay in Anura”- • Leisure trip
- • Couple
- • Deluxe Double Room
- • Stayed 1 night
- • Submitted via mobile
The staff was very welcoming. The restaurant had a great choice and the dishes we ordered were very good.
Stayed in August 2025
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Reviewed: 24 August 2025
Kasun
Canada9 reviews10Exceptional- • Leisure trip
- • Solo traveller
- • Deluxe Double Room
- • Stayed 1 night
- • Submitted via mobile
Great location, clean, and friendly staff.
Stayed in July 2025
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Reviewed: 22 August 2025
Norbert
Hungary23 reviews5 helpful votes9.0“A little oasis in Anuradhapura.”- • Leisure trip
- • Couple
- • Deluxe Double Room
- • Stayed 2 nights
- • Submitted via mobile
Could have been a bigger warderobe for clothes. A bit noisy as the traffic increases on the neighboring road.
A very nice hotel in a real little oasis. Super friendly young staff. Comfortable bed, spacious room and bathroom. ( the only thing we missed is a bit larger wardrobe to unpack our clothes). The small restaurant run by the staff is an absolute bonus as there are no restaurants nearby. There are srilankan and western foods also ( We only tried the Srilankan both for breakfast and dinner: they were absolutly delicious). In the hotel We could also rent bikes for a day. It was the best choice we could have made to discover the sacred city of Anuradhapura.
Stayed in August 2025
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Reviewed: 10 August 2025
Mirco
Italy106 reviews11 helpful votes9.0“Great experience overall”- • Leisure trip
- • Couple
- • Deluxe Double Room
- • Stayed 1 night
- • Submitted via mobile
The staff is super helpful and kind, the place is quiet and nice especially the breakfast place in the garden
Stayed in August 2025
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Reviewed: 8 August 2025
Channakaviraja
Sri Lanka5 reviews8.0Very good- • Leisure trip
- • Couple
- • Deluxe Double Room
- • Stayed 1 night
N/A
Very close to Ruwanwelisaya
Stayed in July 2025
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Reviewed: 28 July 2025
Ilona
United States15 reviews1 helpful vote8.0Very good- • Leisure trip
- • Family with young children
- • Deluxe Double Room
- • Stayed 1 night
- • Submitted via mobile
Lovely little spot with a cute outdoor area and tasty menu.
Stayed in July 2025
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Reviewed: 18 July 2025
Lucas
Netherlands1 review1 helpful vote10“Amazing staff, clean hotel and amazing food!”- • Leisure trip
- • Couple
- • Deluxe Double Room
- • Stayed 2 nights
- • Submitted via mobile
The staff was fantastic! We arranged a full-day safari and a full-day city tour with them. We highly recommend doing the city tour with a guide, he was amazing. They also provided breakfast and lunch for the safari, which was a nice touch. Breakfast and dinner at the hotel were also really good. We definitely recommend staying here if you need a place in Anuradhapura!
Stayed in July 2025
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Reviewed: 16 July 2025
Marine
Netherlands13 reviews1 helpful vote8.0Very good- • Leisure trip
- • Couple
- • Deluxe Double Room
- • Stayed 3 nights
- • Submitted via mobile
Very kind people and nice and calm garden
Stayed in July 2025
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Reviewed: 16 July 2025
Sue
Brunei Darussalam3 reviews10“See above but would definitely recommend this place for travelers”- • Leisure trip
- • People with friends
- • Deluxe Double Room
- • Stayed 2 nights
- • Submitted via mobile
Can’t think of anything - maybe 1 room with twin beds?
Small family run business with 4 rooms and an onsite restaurant. Room was beautifully clean and tastefully decorated. Beds were super comfortable too. The meals were simply devine, home cooked to order with very generous portions. Staff were incredibly friendly and nothing was too much trouble. We hired bikes from the property and they were in super condition and came together with a sturdy lock. They were more than happy to make any adjustments to ensure we were comfortable. Host made sure we took socks with us when we visited the Stupas which was an absolute blessing and prevented our feet getting seriously burnt.
Stayed in July 2025
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Reviewed: 7 July 2025
Claire
Saudi Arabia25 reviews1 helpful vote10“Excellent service and location”- • Leisure trip
- • Group
- • Deluxe Double Room
- • Stayed 1 night
- • Submitted via mobile
Nothing to criticise
Great small hotel. Excellent coffee, excellent service and an excellent comfortable bed. I would definitely stay again!
Stayed in July 2025
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Reviewed: 2 July 2025
Harinarayan
Malaysia15 reviews3 helpful votes7.0Good- • Leisure trip
- • Couple
- • Deluxe Double Room
- • Stayed 1 night
- • Submitted via mobile
The bathroom door couldn't close properly, requiring some gymnastics with it. AC wasn't effective
Good location. Fairly clean rooms
Stayed in July 2025
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Reviewed: 2 July 2025
Niels
Netherlands6 reviews1 helpful vote9.0Superb- • Leisure trip
- • Couple
- • Deluxe Double Room
- • Stayed 2 nights
- • Submitted via mobile
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The staff was so kind and helped us out with everything we could've asked for. Laundry, city tours and the safari in Wildpattu National Park were arranged for fair prices. Breakfast, lunch and smoothies were great :).
Stayed in July 2025
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Reviewed: 1 July 2025
Samahito
United States19 reviews27 helpful votes10Exceptional- • Solo traveller
- • Deluxe Double Room
- • Stayed 5 nights
- • Submitted via mobile
Nothing to report. I enjoyed my stay immensely.
Stayed here for several nights to explore the ancient architectural sites of the Anuradhapura Kingdom and Wilpattu National Park. Exceptionally confortable, quiet, clean, and relaxing space to recharge after long, adventurous days in the sun. My room was lovely, the breakfasts and coffee were great, and the staff super friendly, relaxed, and accommodating in every way. Looking forward to staying here again.
Stayed in July 2025
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Reviewed: 30 June 2025
Boonen
Netherlands2 reviews10Exceptional- • Leisure trip
- • Couple
- • Deluxe Double Room
- • Stayed 3 nights
- • Submitted via mobile
Host Mahinde was amazing
Stayed in June 2025
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Reviewed: 30 June 2025
Pathirana
Sri Lanka3 reviews1 helpful vote8.0“It's a small, nice setup”- • Business trip
- • Couple
- • Deluxe Double Room
- • Stayed 1 night
- • Submitted via mobile
Only 1 staff member present. No toiletries, No fresh towels.
Easy access from town. Small place. Nice, modern setup.
Stayed in June 2025
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Reviewed: 26 June 2025
Stan
Netherlands1 review9.0Superb- • Leisure trip
- • Couple
- • Deluxe Double Room
- • Stayed 3 nights
- • Submitted via mobile
We can really recommend this place! There are only 4 rooms, the rooms are very clean, airconditioned, and you can also have very good breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Also the staff is very kind and helpful!
Stayed in June 2025
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Reviewed: 12 June 2025
Dishanthini
New Zealand3 reviews10“Will definitely come back.Beautiful experience.staff at the place ( Mahinda, Rushani and Kusum )were amazing”- • Leisure trip
- • Group
- • Deluxe Double Room
- • Stayed 3 nights
- • Submitted via mobile
Bathroom door did not shut. Aircon was dripping water but amazing staff fixed it immediately
Clean property. Very friendly helpful staff. Food was amazing.
Stayed in June 2025
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Reviewed: 7 June 2025
Christina
Germany27 reviews10Exceptional- • Leisure trip
- • Couple
- • Deluxe Double Room
- • Stayed 2 nights
- • Submitted via mobile
We had an incredible two-night stay at The Ivy Lake, and we’re truly touched by the warm hospitality. From the heartfelt welcome to the exceptional service, every moment was special. A young staff member went above and beyond, waking up at 4 AM to prepare breakfast for our early morning trip to wilputta National Park—an unforgettable gesture! Everyone was so kind and friendly, making us feel truly at home during our first days in Sri Lanka. Highly recommend this gem as you continue your backpacking journey!
Stayed in June 2025
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Reviewed: 2 June 2025
Kathleen
Australia31 reviews6 helpful votes9.0Superb- • Leisure trip
- • Solo traveller
- • Deluxe Double Room
- • Stayed 3 nights
- • Submitted via mobile
there was nothing to dislike
it is a small intimate hotel, that made me feel like family
Stayed in May 2025
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Reviewed: 31 May 2025
Rutger
Netherlands6 reviews10“Perfect place to stay”- • Leisure trip
- • Couple
- • Deluxe Double Room
- • Stayed 2 nights
- • Submitted via mobile
Perfect location, good breakfast, kind staff
Stayed in May 2025
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Reviewed: 29 May 2025
Janaki
Sri Lanka17 reviews1 helpful vote9.0Superb- • Leisure trip
- • Family with young children
- • Deluxe Double Room
- • Stayed 1 night
- • Submitted via mobile
Really friendly staff. Tasty food. Clean and simple rooms. Absolute value for money.
Stayed in May 2025
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Reviewed: 25 May 2025
Kishan
Sri Lanka1 review10Exceptional- • Leisure trip
- • Couple
- • Deluxe Double Room
- • Stayed 1 night
- • Submitted via mobile
Room and the exterior was so nice and clean and also food was yummy.
Stayed in May 2025
