Rafters Retreat Kitulgala

The view over the river was fabulous and the rafting was great.

Need improving quality of the food menu.

First of all, we highly recommend staying here! We stayed a night in the eco room. It was the most amazing room right by the river. It is open to nature and has a rustic touch but it was very clean and sooo nice with the nature so close. To sit and just watch the birds and the water rush by was wonderful. It gives a beautiful, natural peace even though the river and crickets are loud. Some in our group wished there was a blanket as it was a bit chilly in the night. The breakfast was great with eggs your choice and both sri lankan and english options. All kitchen/bar staff was very attentive! We would happily stay here again!

Check-in was a little bit confused and we were not told when the room was ready for us, but simply had to figure out which room it was ourselves :) Check-out was a bit slow as we had to wait for the accountant to come, but that is to be picky from our side.

The beautiful sound of a river rushing by under your balcony or listening to the sound of whilst falling asleep is a unique experience. The rafting experience provided by the onsite staff is awesome and the skipper excellent

Note to landlord: invest in a new mattress, linen and comfortable chairs and the stay would be so much better and value for money

Exceptional service, cleanliness, private access to holy Kelani Ganga river, where you can take dips, superb food-with amazing kitchen staff, and very hospitable manager. The team took really great care of us. ?

The location is magical and you really are at one with nature! The views are stunning and going to sleep to the sound of the rapids was amazing. The staff are great, willing to do anything to make your stay brilliant. Food is awesome too.

Although there is a net over the bed, insects still got in which wasnt great for me. In the end i juat had to accept i'd be sleeping with a few critters. Having a solid panel of glass or wood instead of a waffle type open panel above the door to the room would prevent a lot of insects from getting in.The lighting could be better and more plug sockets as there was only one singe socket to use.

Absolutely loved it here. This is a rustic hotel on the very edge of a fast moving river (or it was in Nov), with amazing open views over the water and the wildlife. Truly relaxing, with lovely crafted wooden furniture, half decent wifi and a few beers for the evening. Food was excellent and very plentiful. Service was never intrusive, but always there if you needed anything. Our room had an open aspect (ie no glass in the windows, just a fine grill that can be opened or closed) so the sound and sight of the water could be experienced from your bed. Mosquito net was in place and we never got bitten by anything at all during our stay. Bathroom was clean and shower was hot ! They did some laundry for us too (extra cost). The management team here have great English and it was nice to chat to them.We had already booked a whitewater rafting session with another company, so I was surprised to see that the hotel has its own WWRafting company on site. Definitely give this a go when in Sri Lanka. I would absolutely stay here next time.

Finding Rafters Retreat in the dark was a bit of a challenge. Perhaps a bigger sign might help.

The Location and the service of the hotel is perfect and we loved it from the time we have checked in.

controlling hot water shower was a difficult task. but it's ok, since it had hot water, which most hotels in the area doesn't provide for that busget.

Very beautiful location by the river. Not a lot in the vicinity but that isn’t why you stay here. Rafting was great fun and easy to arrange

the location is unbeatable!! as previous reviews state the property is a touch rundown. but if you look past that and enjoy it for what it it’s fantastic! right on the river (the noise of the river is like white noise I slept great!) the main house is rundown but it adds to the charm- have a walk through and it’s like being in 1885 (or whatever era it was built)I had lunch - buffet which groups who just do activities get- I didn’t mind it. breakfast was passable but nothing to write home about. the activities were perfect and they have the activity leaders on site so no wasting time going to a check in facility

only had beer. if they did a bit of a Reno they be killing it! have a couple of dogs on site in terrible need of medical attention (fleas and tick treatment) but that’s the way of Sri Lanka, you fix one dog another pops up

The view was really nice.

The rooms were dirty and not maintained for a long time, the mattresses were in a tragical condition, so it was impossible to sleep on them (holes and pits) and the smell was the worst - everything in the bed smelled with urine.

Lovely property. Our group arrived at odd times in the night and the staff were so helpful getting everyone in. No need to book activities in advance, there are staff on site that will take you rafting upon request. The hotel has all of the equipment. Dinners were lovely!

Prices hidden until checkout.Canyoning activity did not include going down the 40m waterfall, despite multiple staff confirming

The only thing worth is tha view. Nothing else

The room was not clean the pillow covers were not clean.but the price charged was quite high

This is a fun, fairly rustic place, right on the river. The rooms are surprisingly comfortable with good beds and decent bathrooms for this type of accommodation. Amazing to have the river rushing by. The food is fine, nothing exceptionable but authentic, good Sri Lankan. Breakfast is fruit and omelettes. The bar has beer and a few soft drinks. The staff are very smiley and helpful. We went white water rafting directly from Rafters which was great fun.

More choice at breakfast, and milk for tea!!

Incredible view of the lake right in front of the room, excellent food, very friendly staff, rafting was great and really easy to sort out

The location fronts directly onto the river. Dinner (traditional Sri Lankan curry and rice) was one of the best meals of my +2 weeks in the country.

Poor value for money. Staff appeared reluctant to disclose costs of activities or meals.

Great location and staff will organise all your watersports activities to work around your schedule. Also amazing breakfast

Activities seem a little overpriced considering you are on the doorstep

The staff was very nice and thoughtful.

The room was really not maintained, to say the least, the bed was cracked, the sheets were not clean upon arrival, the floor is really dirty like a street floor , the rugs that were on the floor were torn and dirty

Very close to the river with a great view!

The noise of the river ! You need earplugs to sleep !!!!!! 60 decibel ! The room is very basic and very poor (but if you want to go basic it is perfect) Very very overpriced room ! I would not recommend this place !

Lovely stay on the river listening to the sounds of nature while you sleep. One side of the chalets are fully open which is perfect for nature lovers. Surprisingly there are hardly any bugs in the chalets. They keep them really clean. Great value for money, and run by a great team. The meals are enormous and homely. They organise a lovely 1.5 hr rafting trip which ends at the resort itself for 35 usd. The rapids are light, nothing overbearing, great for beginners.

Nice rooms with a beautiful view at the nature and river. Food is really good! We arranged a short canyoning at the hotel, which was fun!

No hot shower, however not that big of a deal because of the warm climate.