Look, That’s Sigiriya’s Lion Rock Across This Hotel Pool in Sri Lanka!

Yes, this is the hotel that features in almost every photo that you might have seen of a large pool with the famous Sigiriya Fortress at its backdrop!
The surrounding area is resplendent with countryside hamlets and villages, brimming with the more real side of Sri Lanka.

Kahaani Editor

We had quite some luxe names up our sleeve while looking for a hotel in Sigiriya, but our curiosity for an affordable yet luxurious long stay took us to Hotel Sigiriya—and we were right. Soft notes from a piano greeted us as we entered the hotel, alluring enough to make us follow it and spend the next couple of hours at the poolside bar where a pianist was at magic. 

A hearty dinner followed soon after and we do not remember much else from the night, for fluff, super clean beds made us sleep in a jiffy. People might say it was the rather long flight; we believe it was the vibe. Hotel Sigiriya does that to you without making a display of its adept hospitality.

The hotel is well and warmly staffed, their bar area lively and servers efficient; the food here is fresh and hearty with a number of Sri Lankan dishes doled out as well.

The buffet spreads here are lavish with daily changes, and the a-la-carte menu is quite interesting as well. We recommend that you book dinner with the in-house restaurant as the vicinity often sees free-roaming elephants at night.

You can soak in the views of the famous Sigiriya Rock from the bar and lounge area. Of course, the bar staff here is splendid at mixing, and we loved the brews!

We booked a Superior Twin Room here that opened out to a verandah in the orchard, had a comfortable bed, and a well-stocked washroom. The verandah overlooked the lush green orchard and lawn, greener with the monsoon showers that we were happy to be a part of. The spa here was a joy after we completed the Sigiriya Rock hike, and we highly recommend the same.

The surrounding area is resplendent with countryside hamlets and villages, brimming with the more real side of Sri Lanka. It’s a joy to bicycle around the area and experience the village life as well; there are a couple of home kitchens open to visitors, wherein you can also learn to cook local delicacies!

While it is an affordable hotel and suits almost every international traveller, bits of renovation such as fresh tiling in the washrooms can easily make it big in the 5-star category.

Location

Hotel Sigiriya’s location is probably the best in the region with a clear, outstanding view of the Sigiriya Rock right from the premise. It is set in the middle of a forested area and is great for those who love relaxed, natural settings. 

WHy choose it?

• Luxury without burning a hole in your pocket.
• Relaxed vibe, warm staff.
• Very close to the Sigiriya Rock and Pidurangala Rock, great for hikers.
• Great spa experience.
• A lot of activities to choose from—village walks, hot air ballooning, cooking classes, birding and more.