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Reviews of The Sanctuary

12th Mile Post, 61306 Vannativillu, Sri Lanka

#1 of 1 hotels in Vannativillu

Guests' Choice

Review Score

Based on 7 hotel reviews

9.7

Score breakdown

  • Cleanliness

    9.9

  • Comfort

    9.8

  • Location

    9.4

  • Facilities

    9.5

  • Staff

    10.0

  • Value for money

    9.6

  • Free Wifi

    10.0

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Showing 1 - 7

  • Reviewed: February 26, 2025

    9.0
    Good as a base for a Wilpattu safari.
    • Leisure trip
    • Couple
    • Double Room with Patio
    • Stayed 2 nights
    • Submitted from a mobile device

    It was hot while we were there and we found it a struggle without air con (there is a fan). Earlier than stated finish to the safari, so missed the elephants.

    The family who run The Sanctuary are friendly and helpful and mum’s cooking is lovely. The grounds are well kept and attractive, although the pond was dry when we were there. The room was spacious and the bed comfortable. We used it as a base for the safari at Wilpattu, and booked our safari through The Sanctuary too, and for that it was good value. We had a wander around the village but there wasn’t much else to see. The safari was amazing but we found the full day to be too long and too tiring. The morning was perfect, many birds, deer, crocodiles, leopard and much more, but by midday it was very hot and had become much quieter. Our driver and guide finished at about 4 (we thought it went on until 6), so the elephants hadn’t yet come out for the cooler late afternoon, which was disappointing. Our advice would be to book a half day.

    Stayed in February 2025

  • Reviewed: February 13, 2025

    10
    Perfection within nature.
    • Leisure trip
    • Couple
    • Double Room with Patio
    • Stayed 2 nights
    • Submitted from a mobile device

    The Sanctuary is an outstanding place. The building itself it’s beautiful designed and decorated, fitting in well to the natural surroundings. The room and all the fittings feel high quality and a luxurious, a real treat when budget back packing. The nature that it is surrounded by is truly beautiful and peaceful. The perfect place to sit back and relax! What makes The Sanctuary so special is the staff. So welcoming, friendly and accommodating. Their knowledge of the animals and plants that you will see on walks around the premises is amazing, so well educated and genuine. The food cooked by mum is 10/10 and you will not leave hungry. They made our safari day so enjoyable and truly perfect!! I can not recommend this place enough, it’s a new venture for the team and they do it so well!! Thank you so much to everyone involved.

    Stayed in February 2025

  • Reviewed: January 13, 2025

    10
    Exceptional
    • Leisure trip
    • Couple
    • Deluxe Double Room
    • Stayed 1 night
    • Submitted from a mobile device

    1 night was not enough!

    Amazing hospitality, attentive staff, very comfortable rooms and the food was lovely too!We saw some amazing animals on the property on our guided walks, and the guide was very knowledgeable. Strongly reccommended

    Stayed in January 2025

  • Reviewed: March 4, 2025

    7.0
    Lovely play to stay but wasn’t great value for money
    • Leisure trip
    • Couple
    • Double Room with Patio
    • Stayed 1 night
    • Submitted from a mobile device

    Felt it was overpriced compared to other places we’ve stayed. We were given welcome drinks (fresh juice) on arrival and surprised to find that we were charged 600 each for them! Also expected that the taxes/ charges would be obligatory payments but, when we queried the $18 payment on top of the $58.23 paid for the room, we were advised it included 10% service charge for the “hard work of the staff”!! Surely such a charge would normally be included in the room rate???

    Spacious, comfortable and stylish room. Lovely staff (Dinesha is a fabulous cook - our breakfast and dinner were both superb; Achini and Dula were knowledgeable and passionate about nature and we enjoyed our walking tours). It was a shame we couldn’t get to Wilpattu National Park due to flash floods making the road impassable

    Stayed in March 2025

  • Reviewed: August 1, 2025

    10
    Amazing bird watching excursion
    • Leisure trip
    • Solo traveler
    • Double Room with Patio
    • Stayed 1 night
    • Submitted from a mobile device

    I am a return guest and on this brief visit I chose to take a bird watching excursion to Nelum Vila (a local water hole) with Appe Kale Adventures which is an arm of the Sanctuary. The excursion was led by Suraj who is a qualified wildlife expert and the bird sightings were amazing. Binoculars are provided and really enhance the bird watching experience. Suraj has a wealth of knowledge which he is very happy to share.

    Stayed in July 2025

  • Reviewed: July 31, 2025

    10
    Excellent stay and great value for money.
    • Leisure trip
    • Group
    • Deluxe Double Room
    • Stayed 1 night
    • Submitted from a mobile device

    This is the second time we have stayed at The Sanctuary. It is amazing how successful the re-wilding project at the property has come on in the last 10 months and the small animal sightings were amazing. On the complimentary night safari, we saw several rare Loris and otters, the mouse deer, porcupine, several owls and any small reptiles. The guides Achini and Dula are very good at spotting animals and were able to share lots of interesting facts about the animals we saw. The accommodation is very spacious and clean and the food prepared by Dinesha was excellent. Unfortunately, on this occasion our stay was a short one, but we will definitely return for a longer stay. We will promote The Sanctuary to our friends and family on our return to the UK.

    Stayed in July 2025

Showing 1 - 7

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