Reviews of Sanctuary Cove Guest House
No. 517 First Cross Lane Batticaloa Road Polonnaruwa, 51000 Polonnaruwa, Sri Lanka
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Reviewed: 18 August 2025 · Stayed in August 2025
Verified reviewThe kindest family stay. Lily the dog was an added bonus. Close to World Heritage site.
Dear Michelle, Thank you so much for your kind words! We’re so glad you enjoyed your stay with our family, and we’re happy to hear that Lily made your visit even more special. Being close to the World Heritage site is something we’re proud of, and it’s wonderful that you appreciated it. We look forward to welcoming you back again soon! Warm regards, Sanctuary Cove Guest House Team
Dear Michelle, Thank you so much for your kind words! We’re so glad you enjoyed your stay with our family, and we’re happy to hear that Lily made your visit even more special. Being close to the World Heritage site is something we’re proud… Show more
Reviewed: 17 August 2025 · Stayed in August 2025
Verified reviewA pleasant stay, very clean and with a renovated bathroom. A hearty, homemade breakfast. The owners, Mrs. Wasa and her husband, are wonderful people. The location is excellent for visiting the temples and the town.
Dear Stefania Cristina, Thank you so much for your lovely review! We’re delighted to hear that you enjoyed the comfort of your room, the homemade breakfast, and our hospitality. It’s also wonderful to know that you found our location convenient for exploring the temples and the town. We truly appreciate your kind words and look forward to welcoming you again at Sanctuary Cove Guest House. Warm regards, Sanctuary Cove Guest House Team
Dear Stefania Cristina, Thank you so much for your lovely review! We’re delighted to hear that you enjoyed the comfort of your room, the homemade breakfast, and our hospitality. It’s also wonderful to know that you found our location conve… Show more
Reviewed: 12 August 2025 · Stayed in August 2025
Verified reviewReviewed: 29 July 2025 · Stayed in July 2025
Verified reviewClose to the busstop and entrance to the archeological site. Basic room and bathroom. Very friendly family with a dog.
The bathroom could use a deep cleaning, but overall the room clean. The bedsheets had some holes in it, they were clearly very ‘used’.
Dear Jona , Thank you very much for taking the time to share your feedback. We’re happy to know you appreciated our location and the friendly atmosphere of our guesthouse. We also truly value your comments about the bathroom and bed linens. Your suggestions help us improve, and we will make sure to address these areas to provide an even better experience for our future guests. It was a pleasure hosting you, and we hope to welcome you back again. Warm regards, Sanctuary Cove Guest House Team
Dear Jona , Thank you very much for taking the time to share your feedback. We’re happy to know you appreciated our location and the friendly atmosphere of our guesthouse. We also truly value your comments about the bathroom and bed linen… Show more
Reviewed: 26 July 2025 · Stayed in July 2025
Verified reviewDear Tom, Thank you so much for your wonderful review! We are delighted to hear that you enjoyed your stay and felt at home with our hospitality. Your kind words about the food and service mean a lot to us. It was a pleasure hosting you, and we hope to welcome you back to Sanctuary Cove Guest House on your next visit to Sri Lanka! Warm regards, Sanctuary Cove Guest House Team
Dear Tom, Thank you so much for your wonderful review! We are delighted to hear that you enjoyed your stay and felt at home with our hospitality. Your kind words about the food and service mean a lot to us. It was a pleasure hosting you, … Show more
Reviewed: 13 July 2025 · Stayed in April 2025
Verified reviewDear Wijesinghe, Thank you for your kind review! We’re glad you enjoyed your stay and appreciated our hospitality (and our dog!). We hope to welcome you back to Sanctuary Cove Guest House again soon. Warm regards, Sanctuary Cove Guest House Team
Dear Wijesinghe, Thank you for your kind review! We’re glad you enjoyed your stay and appreciated our hospitality (and our dog!). We hope to welcome you back to Sanctuary Cove Guest House again soon. Warm regards, Sanctuary Cove Guest Ho… Show more
Reviewed: 6 May 2025 · Stayed in May 2025
Verified reviewWe loved our stay here. We only had a night which felt like enough for the area but wished we could have stayed longer at their lovely guest house. The couple that run it are so friendly, attentive and we felt right at home. The room was so cosy and tastefully done. We found the bed to be comfortable and really appreciated having a lamp and decorations in the room. The food was so yummy and fresh. We loved the dog Lily as well as the owners. There was just a warm atmosphere and the place felt loved.
Dear Dogan, Thank you so much for your lovely review! We're so happy to hear that you enjoyed your short stay with us and felt right at home. It means a lot to know you appreciated the little touches in the room, the fresh food, and of course, sweet Lily – she’ll be happy to hear she got a mention! It was a pleasure hosting you, and we truly hope you'll return one day for a longer visit. You're always welcome back to our little guest house! Warm regards, Sanctuary Cove Guest House Team
Dear Dogan, Thank you so much for your lovely review! We're so happy to hear that you enjoyed your short stay with us and felt right at home. It means a lot to know you appreciated the little touches in the room, the fresh food, and of… Show more
Reviewed: 29 April 2025 · Stayed in April 2025
Verified reviewThe hosts were most accommodating and friendly. Food was fantastic although a little high in price, however the convenience of being served at the house was nice! Rooms are upgraded
The showers are too high for shorter people. Can’t reach to turn on
Dear Sandra, Thank you so much for your kind and thoughtful feedback. We're delighted to hear that you enjoyed the hospitality and meals, and we're happy you found comfort and convenience during your stay with us. We truly appreciate your comments about the food and room upgrades — your insights help us continue improving. Thank you as well for pointing out the issue with the shower height. We’ll definitely look into making it more accessible for all our guests. It was a pleasure hosting you, and we hope to welcome you back again in the future! Warm regards, Sanctuary Cove Guest House Team
Dear Sandra, Thank you so much for your kind and thoughtful feedback. We're delighted to hear that you enjoyed the hospitality and meals, and we're happy you found comfort and convenience during your stay with us. We truly appreci… Show more
Reviewed: 23 April 2025 · Stayed in March 2025
Verified reviewThe hosts were the best we had in all of Sri Lanka. So genuine and caring, we felt like home away from home. The food was amazing too! They picked us up from the train and also drove us to our next destination. A 10/10 local authentic stay with a lovely family. Fleur & David, Australia
nothing
Reviewed: 15 April 2025 · Stayed in April 2025
Verified reviewFriendly owners, English speaking, delicious food, close to the lake, we had a great time here
Nothing
Dear Valued guest Thank you so much for your lovely feedback! We're thrilled to hear you enjoyed the food, the location near the lake, and felt welcomed by our friendly Mum and dad It was a pleasure having you with us, and we’re so glad you had a great time. We hope to see you again on your next visit to Polonnaruwa! Warm regards, Sanctuary Cove Guest House Team
Dear Valued guest Thank you so much for your lovely feedback! We're thrilled to hear you enjoyed the food, the location near the lake, and felt welcomed by our friendly Mum and dad It was a pleasure having you with us, and we’re so gla… Show more
Reviewed: 15 February 2025 · Stayed in February 2025
Verified reviewRun by a hardworking happy couple, Wassa and Sampa Very clean with a beautiful dog lily to keep you company Offers breakfast and dinner and bicycles and pick up and drop off services if needed
Dear Ms Cindy, It was wonderful to receive your message. We are pleased to know you enjoyed your stay with us. Rest assured, it was a pleasure serving you, and we thank you for acknowledging our efforts. Lily also sends her regards.😊 And, as with all our guests, we are glad to ensure your stay is relaxed and meaningful by providing meals, transport, and bicycles, which we hope broadens the scope of your stay with us, and look forward to seeing you again. Safe travels! Best Wishes, Akila Sampath. Sanctuary cove guest house.
Dear Ms Cindy, It was wonderful to receive your message. We are pleased to know you enjoyed your stay with us. Rest assured, it was a pleasure serving you, and we thank you for acknowledging our efforts. Lily also sends her regards.😊 And, … Show more
Reviewed: 14 February 2025 · Stayed in February 2025
Verified reviewVery friendly owner We felt very at home which was so Nice after 6 months of travelling Healthy and tasty diner and breakfast Cute dog
Wifi and hot water wasnt working, but it was being fixed Breakfast and diner were more expensive than expected, but we should have asked before. Still great value for money
Dear Mr. Timo We remain ever grateful for your outstanding review! Hearing that you felt at home while staying with us puts a smile on us, especially after such a tiring trip. It was nice having you around and we are happy you liked the meals and enjoyed being with Lily! We are very sorry for the inconveniences caused by the faulty Wi-Fi and lack of hot water. At the same time, thank you for your understanding as we remedied the problems. We will do better in the future with regards to the meal prices, so there will be no misunderstanding. Thank you for your gracious comments regarding the value of your stay. Safe and pleasant travels to you and your family from us, and we hope to welcome you back someday Best wishes, Akila Sampath. Sanctuary cove guest house.
Dear Mr. Timo We remain ever grateful for your outstanding review! Hearing that you felt at home while staying with us puts a smile on us, especially after such a tiring trip. It was nice having you around and we are happy you liked the me… Show more
Reviewed: 13 February 2025 · Stayed in February 2025
Verified reviewThe owners were great. We felt part of their family right away!
The facilities were a bit old but for the money paid we can't complain!
Dear Mr.Aggelos We appreciate your compliments! We are pleased that you felt like part of the family and it was a pleasure having you. We value your comments regarding the facilities and appreciate your understanding. We always try to find ways to improve our services. Your feedback is incredibly important to us and we are thankful for your visit. Thank you for your comments and we wish you safe travels. We hope to see you soon. Warm regards, Akila sampath. Sanctuary cove guest house
Dear Mr.Aggelos We appreciate your compliments! We are pleased that you felt like part of the family and it was a pleasure having you. We value your comments regarding the facilities and appreciate your understanding. We always try to fi… Show more
Reviewed: 10 February 2025 · Stayed in February 2025
Verified reviewReviewed: 5 February 2025 · Stayed in February 2025
Verified reviewVery well located to visit the huge Polonnaruwa site in a quiet area. Great communications throughout and the owners are very helpful, chatty, and offer their own pickups from the railway station and transfers onwards. Excellent breakfast (additional charge). Lovely dog.
Worth mentioning that at present all the rooms are ground floor and look directly out into the shared courtyard so need the curtains closed for privacy. Also lacks a kettle in the room.
Dear Mr. Bell, Thank you so much for taking the time to share your detailed feedback! We're thrilled to hear that you enjoyed our convenient location near the Polonnaruwa site and appreciated the peaceful atmosphere of our property. We're glad our communication and assistance, including the pickups and transfers, made your stay more comfortable. It’s wonderful to know you enjoyed our breakfast and, of course, our lovely dog was happy to meet you too! We truly value your constructive comments. We understand the importance of privacy, and while the design of our rooms opens into the shared courtyard to connect guests with the natural surroundings, we will explore options to enhance privacy further. Your suggestion regarding a kettle in the room is noted, and we’ll look into adding this amenity for greater convenience. Thank you for choosing to stay with us, and we hope to welcome you back in the future! Warm regards, Akila sampath. Sanctuary cove guest house
Dear Mr. Bell, Thank you so much for taking the time to share your detailed feedback! We're thrilled to hear that you enjoyed our convenient location near the Polonnaruwa site and appreciated the peaceful atmosphere of our property. We… Show more
Reviewed: 16 January 2025 · Stayed in January 2025
Verified reviewA lovely family that welcomes you as if you’re part of their own. They are incredibly kind and open-hearted. The breakfasts were delicious, with a choice of either Western or local options. They also offer bike rentals, which is the best way to explore the area since it’s quite a large complex. The location is very convenient, right next to the historic site.
Dear Mr.Meergul, Thank you so much for your heartfelt feedback! We’re truly touched by your kind words and are delighted that you felt like part of our family during your stay. It’s always our goal to make our guests feel welcome and cared for. We’re so glad you enjoyed our breakfast options and found the bike rentals a convenient way to explore the area. It’s wonderful to hear that our location next to the historic site added to the ease and enjoyment of your visit. We deeply appreciate your kind review and hope to have the pleasure of hosting you again in the future! Warm regards, Akila Sampath. Sanctuary Cove Guest House. Sanctuarycove71@gmail.com WhatsApp – 971551460519
Dear Mr.Meergul, Thank you so much for your heartfelt feedback! We’re truly touched by your kind words and are delighted that you felt like part of our family during your stay. It’s always our goal to make our guests feel welcome and cared … Show more
Reviewed: 10 January 2025 · Stayed in January 2025
Verified reviewIncredibly friendly and helpful host and family, with an adorable dog. We rented bikes which was very handy for polonnaruwa, the rooms were great, comfy, with fans and A/C, everything very clean. Rooms had bathrooms as well, which were clean and great! Area was very close to the old town and ancient ruins which felt very authentic (but also they have bikes so you can easily cycle to other areas). And did I mention the hosts were amazing because they were the best. They offered us dinner (which we sadly missed but Mr.punsiri's kitchen around the corner was 10/10) but got a delicious Sri Lankan breakfast.
the only thing that isn't ideal is the shower gets the whole bathroom wet but a very non issue- everything else is perfect.
Dear Mr.Measina Palmer We appreciate receiving such feedback from you, as your comments greatly contribute towards the improvement of our services. It makes us most happy to learn that you found comfort with us. Your compliments towards our dog, warm hospitality and my family have left a radiant smile on our faces! We appreciate your comments related to the hospitality extended to you during your stay. As you pointed out, the bikes did come in handy for exploring Polonnaruwa and we are happy with the comfort measures taken at the room, including the bathroom, and their cleanliness. Yes, increasing our breakfast meat selection would be a great idea. Apologies for the Sri Lankan breakfast not meeting your expectations, and certainly sorry to hear you missed dinner with us but delighted to learn you relished Mr. Punsiri's kitchen. We are grateful to you for being so understanding with the unusual shower design. We certainly value your suggestions as these are crucial to our continuing efforts to improve. It was our pleasure hosting you and we hope to serve you again in the near future. Sincerely, Akila Sampath. Sanctuary Cove Guest House. Sanctuarycove71@gmail.com WhatsApp – 971551460519
Dear Mr.Measina Palmer We appreciate receiving such feedback from you, as your comments greatly contribute towards the improvement of our services. It makes us most happy to learn that you found comfort with us. Your compliments towards ou… Show more
Reviewed: 2 January 2025 · Stayed in January 2025
Verified reviewWe had a truly wonderful stay at Sanctuary Cove in Polonnaruwa. From the moment we arrived, the warm and welcoming hosts made us feel completely at home. The generous breakfast was a real treat, offering a wide range of fresh and delicious options to kickstart the day. The room was comfortable, spotlessly clean, and well-equipped, and the peaceful surroundings provided the perfect escape after a day of sightseeing. What really stands out about this place is that it offers far more than value for money. With excellent service, a tranquil atmosphere, and genuine attention to detail, it truly is a hidden gem in Polonnaruwa. I would highly recommend it to anyone looking for a memorable and relaxing stay.
Dear Ms. Grazia It was a real pleasure reading your review, and we appreciate the time you took to compose your review. It is most gratifying to know that you had a splendid stay at Sanctuary Cove and that you found our hospitality welcoming from the moment you stepped through the doors. We appreciate your feedback, and are pleased to know that our breakfast offerings, room comfort, and property relaxation met your expectations. We greatly appreciate your remarks about the make an effort to serve our guests and are glad that your stay was a good one. Thank you very much for your kind words, and we hope to have the pleasure to welcoming you back for another peaceful and restful stay with us sometime in the future. Best wishes, Akila Sampath. Sanctuary Cove Guest House. Sanctuarycove71@gmail.com WhatsApp – 971551460519
Dear Ms. Grazia It was a real pleasure reading your review, and we appreciate the time you took to compose your review. It is most gratifying to know that you had a splendid stay at Sanctuary Cove and that you found our hospitality welcomin… Show more
Reviewed: 1 January 2025 · Stayed in December 2024
Verified reviewNice and comfortable rooms (especially No 3+4), good mattress, AC+fan, very clean everywhere, modern bathroom with hot shower, small place to sit outside, very welcoming, super nice, helpful, caring hosts - Wasata & Saman and dog Lilly. We could easily park our Tuktuk on their premises. Walkable distance to 2 restaurants. Close to ticket counter for Ancient City.
Nothing to complain about. As everywhere at the moment: mosquitoes - do have repellent near you
Dear Ms.Sabina Thank you very much for taking the time to leave such an in-depth review. It is nice to hear that you enjoyed every part of your stay with us and the rooms were comfortable and well kept. We are happy to know you noticed the cleanliness, the modern facilities, and enjoyed the available seating space outdoors. We also appreciate your compliments towards Lilly. She really loved having you with us. It is wonderful to hear that you did enjoy our hospitality, and it was a pleasure hosting you. It is nice to hear that the location and the parking facilities were useful as well. We certainly appreciate you pointing out the mosquitoes as one tip for our other guests. We do recommend keeping repellents handy for such pests. We truly appreciate your stay with us and hope you return real soon! Best regards, Akila Sampath. Sanctuary Cove Guest House. Sanctuarycove71@gmail.com WhatsApp – 971551460519
Dear Ms.Sabina Thank you very much for taking the time to leave such an in-depth review. It is nice to hear that you enjoyed every part of your stay with us and the rooms were comfortable and well kept. We are happy to know you noticed the… Show more
Reviewed: 6 October 2024 · Stayed in October 2024
Verified reviewGreat location. Very close to the main square of the old city. At walking distance from the Polinnaruwa ancient town complex. Many shops nearby for all essentials. Room was basic but comfortable. The owner dropped me to bus station for my onwards journey. Overall, comfortable stay.
Didn't have option to eat Dinner or Breakfast at the property, though tea/coffee was offered. Walking out to eat every time can be a bit troublesome.
Reviewed: 11 September 2024 · Stayed in September 2024
Verified reviewThe couple that owns the place is very hospitable, they even picked us up from the train station and took us to our next place for little money. Breakfast was delicious!
Could provide towels for shower.
Reviewed: 8 September 2024 · Stayed in September 2024
Verified reviewVery kind and welcoming hosts 🥰🫶🏽 Had a wonderful time staying here and felt right at home! Their dog Lily is also a sweetheart!
Reviewed: 27 August 2024 · Stayed in August 2024
Verified reviewVery friendly family. They made us feel at home. They prepared us a great Sri Lankan home cooked meal and the room was clean. Bicycles for rent. The family has a kind dog Lily. The location is good for visitting to Polonneruwa.
If you ask extra's (bicycles, food, taxi, etc.), ask prices upfront.
Reviewed: 7 August 2024 · Stayed in August 2024
Verified reviewWelcoming place, a few steps from the main attractions of Polonnaruwa. Very friendly and welcoming hosts, they gave us some excellent advice and prepared a good lunch and breakfast on demand. Very nice!