It was a truly wonderful experience. The staff, from the owner to every team member, is incredibly kind and welcoming. The rooms are spacious, spotlessly clean, and everything is new and well-maintained. The breakfast is delicious and plentiful.
They also offer free bicycles, which are perfect for exploring the area. The outdoor lounge and garden are beautifully maintained, creating a relaxing atmosphere surrounded by lovely plants and thoughtful details.
I highly recommend staying here — the value for money is excellent, and the location is perfect, close to everything whether you're walking, biking, or taking a tuk tuk.

Stayed in July 2025

Nothing

Wonderful people, nice and clean place

Stayed in May 2025

Nice clean room, nice breakfast,

Stayed in April 2025

Nothing

The room is very big and well equiped. We really enjoyed it. The staff is super nice helping us arranging a tuktuk driver for the city and also a safari in Wilpattu national park for a reasonable price

Stayed in April 2025

Everything was amazing. From the hospitality to the facilities. Great place and would recommend everyone to stay here.

Stayed in April 2025

There is a great sitting area where you can have a tea or coffee and relax. The location is convenient and just down a little lane. The staff are incredible! They go out of their way to make you feel welcome and at home. They even do your laundry! The breakfast is excellent and varies from day to day. All in all this place is fantastic value!

Stayed in April 2025

Nothing really

Genuinely the best place I've ever stayed in terms of service. The staff was so helpful! They were always there when we needed advice on certain activities, to give us free coffee, to give us an umbrella when it was raining when we went out, to translate with booking operators, etc. The room was very tidy and clean, the air-conditioning worked well and the bed was comfortable

Stayed in April 2025

We had a great and comfortable stay at Golden Rays Villa! Sanjeewa was incredibly hospitable and gave us the best advice for exploring Anuradhapura by tuk-tuk. Thanks to his recommendation, we experienced a breathtaking sunset at Mihintale and later visited Ruwanweli Maha Seya, where a beautiful ceremony was taking place. It was truly magical! We wouldn’t have discovered this without Sanjeewa’s help. Highly recommend staying here!

Stayed in March 2025

Nothing

What a gem this small hotel is! Large, very clean, modern rooms with excellent AC. Staff is very friendly and helpful and offers free laundry right after you check in. Breakfast is tasty and filling and the French Press coffee is delicious. They have filtered water to refill your bottles so no wasted plastic. Easy to get to, quiet location close to all the ancient sites and city. They will even take you to a nearby resort for pool use if you need a dip in something other than one of the close lakes.

Stayed in March 2025

Nothing.

It’s an oasis of calm. On arrival we were treated to delicious homemade pancakes. Very helpful owner organised a tuk tuk tour of ancient city within 5 mins of arrival. Great way to see all the sites. Was about 5 hours. Amazing lemon juice provided on return by owner. Room very nice with good bathroom and hot water. Kubaru restaurant 2 mins away with very nice food and good price with very relaxing location. Owner organised taxi for next day to Kandy. All staff very kind and helpful. Best breakfast so far, pancakes, hoppers, roti all fresh made.

Stayed in March 2025

From the moment we stepped into Golden Ray Villa we felt home from home. The room was very spacious with 2 comfortable chairs for relaxing. Sanjeewa gave us tea and pancakes served by lovely Shiran. . Throughout our stay they constantly asked if we needed anything, we requested a kettle and cups which were given immediately. There were so many other kind gestures from Sanjeewa and his staff all delivered with smiles and happiness. A real 5* approach with genuine care. Come to Golden Ray Villa you will not be disappointed. (The breakfast is the best in Sri Lanka) It's all been said on previous reviews so just to summarise...........We came as guests and left as friends. Thank you Sanjeewa and your wonderful staff for everything

Stayed in March 2025

All fine. Cosy place . Friendly staff. Activities being organised. Backpacker plus hostel .

Stayed in February 2025

Nothing

The staff and owner were incredibly kind. The room was well equipped and clean. There was a pleasant area of seating outside and the breakfast was fantastic.

Stayed in February 2025

Very little at all

Above everything else the friendliness and attentiveness of the owner and staff were phenomenal.

Stayed in February 2025

No complaints

Very friendly and helpful staff- nothing was any trouble. Delicious breakfast- fresh fruit, coconut roti, pancakes, etc. Room clean and comfortable with spacious communal terrace. Highly recommend

Stayed in February 2025

An absolute haven close to the sacred city sites of Anuradhapura. Peaceful, set back about 75m from the road. Beautifully appointed rooms and a welcoming dining/reception area - exactly as shown in the photos on this site. What the photos do not reveal is the exceptional service and kindness of the owner and all of his staff. Nor do they convey the outstanding quality of the meals served. It is rare to find a welcoming home away from home as good as Golden Ray Villa and I cannot recommend it highly enough.

Stayed in February 2025

Nil

Very clean, comfortable and well appointed

Stayed in February 2025

I had an absolutely amazing stay at this hotel! From the moment I arrived, I was blown away by the wonderful breakfast selection – it was simply delicious and had something for everyone. The staff is incredible – so friendly, helpful, and always willing to go above and beyond to ensure guests have a pleasant experience. The cleanliness of the hotel is top-notch, and you can tell that great attention is paid to every detail. The prices are also very reasonable for the quality of service and comfort provided. Everything was just perfect. I can’t recommend this place enough! Truly an unforgettable experience.

Stayed in January 2025

It is very conveniently situated and has a wonderful and peaceful ambience. It is extremely clean and comfortable and the staff are super efficient!

Stayed in January 2025

Very lovely staff who go out of their way to make you feel at home. The breakfast was great - they make the best pancakes I’ve ever tasted. The room was clean and comfortable and the location just outside the downtown area made it easy to reach the temple sites without being noisy.

Stayed in January 2025

Not far from the railway station :) The host is amazing - we were even picked up from a befriended TukTuk driver at a veeery good rate! Bottle of water in the room :) The bed was ABSOLUTELY one of the most comfortable ones we ever had in Sri Lanka & with a mosquito net, fan & AC. The bathroom was spacious & clean :) There was a water heater for the shower :) If we're ever back in Anuradhapura, we'll stay there :) Restaurant & shop nearby.

Stayed in January 2025

-

Super super helpful and kind staff. They helped us arrange our activities in Anarudapura but also offered coffee/tea/whatever you liked when we were at the accommodation. Breakfast was amazing with a lot of Sri Lankan specialties. Room was comfortable and clean. Location is a bit out of the centre (5-10 minutes by tuk tuk) but on the other hand perfectly located for a trip to the ancient sites and temples. Would highly recommend!!

Stayed in January 2025

Nothing, everything was great

Facilities were new, super clean, really attentive staff that helped us arrange our transport and day trips! Great breakfast for just $3. They even let us shower and do the check out some hours later after a day of tourism as we were leaving to another town in the evening!

Stayed in January 2025

Need to take a tuk tuk to good restaurants, as not many to choose from nearby (though we discovered the little shop next door makes wonderful egg hoppers at night and good samosas in the day, also a nearby resort has a reasonable restaurant)

Our family of three stayed three nights and really enjoyed our stay because we were warmly welcomed and felt very much at home. Breakfasts were delicious, generous and varied, the staff are friendly, caring and very efficient at the same time. Beds are comfy with mozzie nets and we slept well. We got help with all our transport arrangements and it was a plus to be able to use a bike to ride to the lake and nearby temples.

Stayed in January 2025