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  5. Reviews of The Sanctuary at Tissawewa

Reviews of The Sanctuary at Tissawewa 2 stars

Old Puttalam Road Old Town, 50000 Anuradhapura, Sri Lanka

#70 of 107 hotels in Anuradhapura

Guests' Choice

Review score

Based on 20 hotel reviews

7.7

Score breakdown

  • Cleanliness

    8.3

  • Comfort

    7.9

  • Location

    9.4

  • Facilities

    7.2

  • Staff

    8.7

  • Value for money

    6.5

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Showing 1 – 20

  • Reviewed: 25 April 2025

    8.0
    Lovely atmospheric stay in grand old hotel ideally situated for exploring Anuradhapura.
    • Leisure trip
    • Family with young children
    • Deluxe Double or Twin Room
    • Stayed 2 nights

    Bedroom air conditioning somewhat noisy.

    Ideal situation to cycle around Anuradhapura, bicycles free from the property. Ground floor rooms easy access and most pleasant to sit out on the verandah overlooking the pleasant extensive garden, eating absolutely excellent room service food. Atmospheric old colonial building. Manager very helpful indeed, staff courteous, smiling, and helpful.

    Stayed in April 2025

  • Reviewed: 9 March 2025

    7.0
    Beautiful building in need of maintenance
    • Leisure trip
    • Couple
    • Deluxe Double or Twin Room
    • Stayed 2 nights
    • Submitted via mobile

    The bedrooms are of uneven quality, and need updating. The hotel requires extensive renovation. Overpriced given the current state of the facilities. Other Sri Lankan hotels at this price are of significantly higher quality.

    A beautiful old building, full of character with extensive grounds. Kind and helpful staff.

    Stayed in February 2025

  • Reviewed: 21 December 2024

    9.0
    The queen stayed here and I can see why
    • Leisure trip
    • Couple
    • Deluxe Double or Twin Room
    • Stayed 2 nights
    • Submitted via mobile

    No alcohol and no swimming pool BUT we used the pool and had a beer by the lake at the sister hotel so, all of our needs were met Thank you for a great stay. Not cheap but worth it

    Wonderful staff. Great service and excellent food. Free use of the bikes made visiting the sacred sites easy

    Stayed in December 2024

  • Reviewed: 9 August 2024

    7.0
    Good
    • Leisure trip
    • Couple
    • Deluxe Double or Twin Room
    • Stayed 2 nights
    • Submitted via mobile

    But hotel is a bit oldish, dusty (rooms were not neat nor 100% clean), and could be more animated to take care of clients. Prices are far too high for thé prestation.

    Historic mansion (ex British governor’s house) from 1907 transformed into hotel. Colonial style. Peaceful hotel. Welcoming is good and staff is kind.

    Stayed in August 2024

  • Reviewed: 28 April 2024

    8.0
    great stay- lovely hospitality and service. excellent food.
    • Leisure trip
    • Couple
    • Deluxe Double or Twin Room
    • Stayed 1 night
    • Submitted via mobile

    bathroom was a bit tired

    beautiful property- great food. team were friendly and helpful.

    Stayed in April 2024

  • Reviewed: 5 March 2024

    9.0
    Would definitely go back!
    • Leisure trip
    • Group
    • Deluxe Double or Twin Room
    • Stayed 2 nights

    This was exactly as advertised- an atmospheric colonial-era guesthouse.

    This was the best food we had on the trip- definitely recommend both breakfast and dinner!

    Stayed in December 2023

  • Reviewed: 9 February 2024

    8.0
    Very good
    • Leisure trip
    • Couple
    • Deluxe Double or Twin Room
    • Stayed 2 nights
    • Submitted via mobile

    Troublesome internet. No pool. Pricey.

    Large historic property. Extensive grounds with wildlife. Good food. Helpful staff

    Stayed in February 2024

  • Reviewed: 18 October 2023

    9.0
    Very genuine staff who went above and beyond! Including a surprise birthday cake. Helped us email Air Sri Lanka about le
    • Leisure trip
    • Family with young children
    • Deluxe Double or Twin Room
    • Stayed 2 nights
    • Submitted via mobile

    Great location and easy to see all the sites

    Stayed in October 2023

  • Reviewed: 22 April 2023

    9.0
    Really nice, stylish and green!
    • Leisure trip
    • Couple
    • Deluxe Double or Twin Room
    • Stayed 1 night
    • Submitted via mobile

    The do not serve alchool at the restaurant. The door of the room locks itself when you close it from outside, we left the key inside twice in less then 24 hours.

    The colonial building is just amazing, the room was cosy and clean. The garden around the property is so lush and full of animal life: we saw monkeys and a huge monitor lizard. The food was really good for both breakfast and dinner.

    Stayed in April 2023

  • Reviewed: 7 April 2023

    8.0
    A perfect place to rest.
    • Business trip
    • Solo traveller
    • Deluxe Double or Twin Room
    • Stayed 2 nights

    IU was th one ly guest on one night, so no one to talk with.

    Very nice staff manning a beautiful facility at a slightly remote location. Exquisitely quiet.

    Stayed in April 2023

  • Reviewed: 28 March 2023

    9.0
    Great location in old, colonial style hotel
    • Business trip
    • Solo traveller
    • Deluxe Double or Twin Room
    • Stayed 1 night

    Service and comfort could be upgraded - although we didn't really have any issues. The hotel has an old world charm. The service is similar.

    Great location - beautiful old building! We could walk to many of the sites. And the grounds of the hotel are very quiet. It is also great value for the money.

    Stayed in March 2023

  • Reviewed: 13 February 2023

    7.0
    Beautiful bones but much room for improvement
    • Leisure trip
    • People with friends
    • Deluxe Double or Twin Room
    • Stayed 1 night
    • Submitted via mobile

    The property needs a bit of care and attention to detail as well as some improvements to make it aesthetically as pleasing as one would expect. The dining room is really dull/ugly. Some indoor plants, paintings, music, cushions for the sofa chairs could go a long way in making the space a little more friendly and comfortable. The magnificent upstairs terrace is totally neglected.

    The building is beautiful and the position in a large garden with peacock and parakeet and monkeys is lovely.

    Stayed in February 2023

  • Reviewed: 7 February 2023

    8.0
    Peace amongst ancient history and today's deep spirituality.
    • Business trip
    • Solo traveller
    • Deluxe Double or Twin Room
    • Stayed 2 nights

    The dining area is a bit soulless and functional.

    This property was the Colonial Governor's house until Independence. Indeed, allegedly, QE II stayed here while on tour in 1954. It retains it's original charm and the welcome is very warm. The rooms are comfortable and clean. The staff are friendly and helpful. Being inside The Sacred City boundaries, all of the sites to be visited can easily be reached by bicycle. The food is good. Hardly surprisingly, the Sri Lankan dishes are much better than Western. The breakfast is a feast. This really is a Sanctuary although The Sacred City is a deeply calm and spiritual place. It important to be correctly dressed and to be respectful. Overall, our visit was a great joy.

    Stayed in February 2023

  • Reviewed: 11 July 2024

    3.0
    need to put better attention to the property
    • Leisure trip
    • Family with young children
    • Deluxe Double or Twin Room
    • Stayed 1 night

    have to take care of the monkeys. they are dangerous. There were branches on trees that were dead and hanging.

    food was good

    Stayed in July 2024

  • Reviewed: 3 January 2024

    5.0
    non descript
    • Leisure trip
    • Couple
    • Deluxe Double or Twin Room
    • Stayed 1 night

    we were in room 7 , the people above made a lot of noise , moving furniture around so difficult to sleep

    Stayed in December 2023

  • Reviewed: 15 August 2023

    4.0
    Its a waste of money, almost 500 USD without breakfast we booked to treat ourselves and it was not a treat at all. It ai
    • Leisure trip
    • Couple
    • Deluxe Double or Twin Room
    • Stayed 3 nights
    • Submitted via mobile

    Price vs quality is 100% unbalanced Dirty room, dirty and moldy bathroom Everything is neglected Service is incredibly slow and not efficient at all

    Architectural structure, restaurant staff

    Stayed in August 2023

  • Reviewed: 17 March 2024

    9.0
    Superb
    • Leisure trip
    • Couple
    • Deluxe Double or Twin Room
    • Stayed 1 night
    • Submitted via mobile

    There are no comments available for this review

    Stayed in March 2024

  • Reviewed: 24 December 2023

    8.0
    Very good
    • Leisure trip
    • Couple
    • Deluxe Double or Twin Room
    • Stayed 4 nights
    • Submitted via mobile

    There are no comments available for this review

    Stayed in December 2023

  • Reviewed: 18 August 2023

    8.0
    Very good
    • Leisure trip
    • Couple
    • Deluxe Double or Twin Room
    • Stayed 2 nights
    • Submitted via mobile

    There are no comments available for this review

    Stayed in August 2023

Showing 1 – 20

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