Nothing, it was ideal!

This is the perfect oasis of calm in the middle of a beautiful but busy city. The lakeside setting make for a gorgeous location, with a lovely pool and restaurant tables beneath the trees by the lake. Rooms are comfortable and clean. The staff were all really friendly and helpful, letting us use the pool even after checkout time and storing our luggage safely. The hotel provides bikes which are an ideal way to visit the ancient ruins and temples. We were sorry to only be staying one night and would recommend to anyone coming to Anuradapura

Peatumiskuupäev: september 2025

Internal sound proofing could be better as some noise room to room. Could be improved by quietening some of the doors ( very creaky and noisy to close)

Charming small hotel with decent facilities for its size, lovely staff (many very inexperienced but very pleasant and helpful, especially impressed with Madu (?) front of house in restaurant) good food and lovely situation. Pool lovely and on site bikes great for getting about on (We are both in our mid 60’s and felt very at ease cycling on the roads …. People are so forgiving and careful on the roads even if it seems slightly chaotic!) I see some of the complaints others have made but this is a very small (12 rooms?) hotel that does not charge a lot. What it offers is good value for money and decent quality. If you want a fully western high end hotel experience then that’s is what you’d need to book! Amazing venue for bird watching and also saw large monitor lizard and a mongoose. Situated on a 2.5km jogging track around lake which takes you directly to a selection of other eateries

Peatumiskuupäev: september 2025

Staff was amazing and very helpful. They really make you feel at home. Room and bathroom with the lake view were amazing. Also fantastic breakfast at the lake!

Peatumiskuupäev: september 2025

The younger staff that could use some proper training.

The serene location with a lovely lake

Peatumiskuupäev: august 2025

Outside of the owner who was very accommodating, the other staff especially the younger staff could use some proper training. We had spoken to them both in Sinhalese and English and they seem to not understand certain requests that we had. It is also difficult to find staff in remote places like that so I understand the owners issues here. I was pretty surprised as to the lack of understanding by some of the staff whom I would think would personally want to make the effort to improve their own work experience. But at times we felt like we had to spoon feed the staff. With that said we would definitely visit the hotel as it is a lovely little gem and the owner was super nice to all the guest. We do hope that they Improve the staff quality which can make this hotel a 10/10

That it was on a serene place surrounded by a beautiful lake. Very peaceful setting

Peatumiskuupäev: august 2025

Just a couple of small things stop me from giving a score of 10. Firstly, there is a rail in the open closet space but for some reason there are no hangers to hang up clothes. Secondly, there is no basic information provided in the room about the hotel such as times of meals, check in and check out times etc. We kept having to go to reception to ask. Also, the cost of breakfast was not disclosed until we paid our bill at checkout and it was a little more expensive than I expected.

We stayed in a lovely, clean and spacious room. The pool is fantastic. The staff are really friendly and kind. It is in a lovely location right next to the lake with beautiful bird life. You can also eat dinner and breakfast there. Very nice hotel!

Peatumiskuupäev: august 2025

DIYAKAAWA Boutique Hotel exceeded every expectation. The WiFi was excellent throughout my stay, the pricing was very reasonable, and the value you get here is unmatched. Rooms are spotless, cozy, and designed with care. The atmosphere is peaceful and quiet, giving it the perfect boutique hotel charm. Waking up to bird songs was magical — this place is a true treat for both bird and nature lovers. Special appreciation goes to Mr. Anura for his warm hospitality and to Mr. Deepthi for the outstanding service. Their city tour arrangements were fantastic and made exploring so much easier. This stay was simply the best. DIYAKAAWA is a hidden gem worth discovering.

Peatumiskuupäev: august 2025

I had the most wonderful stay at DIYAKAAWA Boutique Hotel. The WiFi was fast and reliable, the price was very reasonable, and the overall value for the price was exceptional. The rooms were spotless, neat, and beautifully maintained, making the stay truly comfortable. The entire place is serene and calm — exactly what you would expect from a true boutique hotel. For bird lovers, this is paradise with the soothing sounds of birds all around. For nature lovers, it’s the perfect getaway, as the whole property feels beautifully entwined with nature. A special thanks to the hotel owner Mr. Anura and Mr. Deepthi, for their excellent service. The whole tour was fantastic, and even for city tours, their facilities made the experience seamless and unforgettable.

Peatumiskuupäev: august 2025

Construction in and around thr hotel going on.

Lovely spot by the lake, very friendly staff. Arranged two excellent tuk tuk drivers for a tour around the temples.

Peatumiskuupäev: august 2025

The breakfast is 3000 rupees, they don’t tell you upfront, but you can order whatever you want

Beautiful small hotel at the Lake of Anuradhapura . Comfortabel room, very good bed. Nice pool and very friendly staff!!! All the young girls an boys are so friendly. Deepthi and the owner are willing to help you with everything and have good suggestions. We did a private cycle tour on mountainbikes with a guide from town! A must do! The chef cooks very good, breakfast lunch and diner. We enjoyed! AMD also wifi is good in the whole place.

Peatumiskuupäev: august 2025

Perfect stay” We spent some incredible days in this hotel. The pool is spacious, clean and perfect for relaxing, both day and night. The breakfast was spectacular: great variety, fresh products and excellent quality, with options for all tastes. The staff was always attentive and friendly, which made us feel very welcome. Without a doubt, a place where we will return.

Peatumiskuupäev: august 2025

Not much to say. This hotel is brand New, and they still need to complete last things. But staff is amazing and really tries to make you feel at home

Staff is so pleasant and so nice. Location is perfect for visiting the ancient city. Pool is beautiful, not big but perfect. Quality and prices of food are very reasonable

Peatumiskuupäev: august 2025

Beautiful hotel with crazy comfortable beds!!! I did not want to wake up. Very friendly owner and staff

Peatumiskuupäev: juuli 2025

nothing !

staff was really nice and helpful! Rooms were clean and airco was great! Breakfast was also lovely!

Peatumiskuupäev: juuli 2025

Nothing significant - small niggles with new places in the room but otherwise excellent.

The staff here were so kind and friendly. The hotel is fairly new and the owner was always talking to all the guests and checking in. The service for breakfast and dinner was so helpful - and so lovely to eat by the lake. Food was delight and good value. Comfy room and great location.

Peatumiskuupäev: juuli 2025

We had a truly wonderful stay at Diyakawa Boutique Hotel! This beautiful, small-scale hotel is run by incredibly kind local owners who take genuine care of their guests. Everything radiates peace, warmth, and heartfelt hospitality. One of the absolute highlights was the cooking experience they regularly organize — and it’s even included for guests. Such a unique and fun way to get to know the delicious Sri Lankan cuisine. The hotel is also one of the best places to eat in the area. The food is absolutely amazing, and the service is exceptionally friendly. It’s possible to eat at the lake, which is amazing. A lovely moment was when the owners’ twelve-year-old daughter came over to chat with our kids — such a sweet girl, and already speaking good English! Also the hotelmanager Deepthi extended the service by advising our food, explaining the history of Anarudhapura and entertaining the kids in the evening. The pool is wonderfully refreshing, and the view over the lake is simply stunning. A peaceful oasis to return to after a day of exploring. Plus, it’s the perfect base for a visit to the ancient city of Anuradhapura. Highly recommended for anyone looking for personal service, relaxation, and authentic Sri Lankan hospitality.

Peatumiskuupäev: juuli 2025

What a beautiful boutique hotel is this! The room, the pool and the view were all beautiful. The staff was só kind and ready to help at any time. We could easily rent proper bikes which made going around fun and easy. Great place to stay.

Peatumiskuupäev: juuni 2025

We had no complaints they even let us come back and use the pool after we checked out.

Located on the lake with pool looking out over it. It was new when we arrived and staff were very attentive.

Peatumiskuupäev: juuni 2025

Very well designed hotel - exceptional furniture and finishing. Big room with massive window and balcony Sleek and clean pool with massive lake nearby Food at prices less than main city and great home made recipes Professional and polite staff Host and his family are very attentive to guests, arranging transport and unlocking Sri Lanka for you

Peatumiskuupäev: juuni 2025

They are working on a new kitchen and bar, that didn’t detract from our stay at all, but we’re excited to see what the hotel looks like when it’s complete.

The property, whilst new, is immaculately looked after and the grounds are beautiful. It is a boutique, therefore small hotel, but the location on the river is perfect, making for incredible views of the gardens and beyond.

Peatumiskuupäev: juuni 2025

Very friendly staff! Good breakfast and dinner!

Peatumiskuupäev: juuni 2025

All perfect

The location is beautiful. Everything is new as they opened in April. This also means that not everything is finished. You can't eat there yet. But we knew that when booking. When all will be ready it will be an amazing place to stay. I hope they keep up the cleanness.

Peatumiskuupäev: mai 2025

I stayed here for one nights. The breakfast was very tasty and clean. it was a pleasant experience.The check-in process was quick and the staff were consistently friendly and helpful.My room was clean and comfortable with a modern bathroom.The hotel restaurant offered a wide variety of dishes,from local specialties to international cuisine, and everything I tried was delicious.I’d definitely consider staying here again

Peatumiskuupäev: aprill 2025

Amazing stay in Sri Lanka! The place was very clean and well-maintained. The staff were incredibly friendly and helpful, providing excellent customer service. I truly felt welcomed and comfortable. Highly recommend this hotel!

Peatumiskuupäev: aprill 2025