The Riverston Grand

The name alone promises a Grand Old style hotel, but the pictures already show that it’s relatively new. It looks like a private mansion converted to a hotel in the last 10 years, nothing bad with that. The location is as stunning as Knuckles can be; climbing the stairs to the free Sky Bridge platform (telescope was sadly out of order) gives views of many miles. And if you have luck with the meals and rooms it could be a fantastic experience, equalling similar Knuckles hotels like Hunas Falls or Stratishla. Apparently we were not that lucky, or maybe more critical than some tourists. The fact that in a corner of the restaurant one can consume Shisha already was a warning sign, but there is far more worrying. The room types are quite messy. The normal ‘deluxe’ room that half of our family had was actually basically a suite, with separate sitting room and large balcony. The ‘180 degrees suite’ however was despite the size a letdown: 5 beds hence more a family room, not a real sitting area, no balcony, and a lot of wasted space like a separate coat rack room with space for a suitcase and 50+ coats. And even a nice small meditation room. No experience with the ‘360 degrees’ suites in the Sky bridge tower, except that as the hotel is on a mountain slope the views are more also 180 degrees nowhere near 360’. So this confusion with rooms makes it a Frankenstein-like experience; a family room is not a suite and should not be called that, and a normal room with 2 parts can be called a suite. Breakfast (1 x Western 3 x Lankan) was excellent. Dinner however was a huge shame, and another part of the Frankenstein-risks. We needed 1 Western veggie; not on the menu but waiters agreed to make it pasta with veggies, egg and cheese. And 3 Lankan dinners, and the menu did contain all kinds of weird stuff but not a standard rice & curry. So in the end we ordered a mix of Lankan food (with toasted bread instead of rice) and mashed potatoes and chicken. Well guess it, the cook delivered pure completely tasteless pasta without anything extra, with veggies to the side; and then the Lankan/mashed mixture. He apologised later that the waiters had not told him about the cheese and eggs, and delivered at least a small bowl of hot and not too spicy tomato sauce. The waiters however had their own part to play in the mess: while we were eating the soup they started bringing mains, and 5 minutes later and our mouths full they came asking for the dessert order. Need total retraining at the hotel school, sorry to say. Bottom line: currently far too many issues to recommend; there are hotels in the Knuckles that have a lovely garden and a pool for the same price level, so avoid the Grand until they fix their many issues.

The Riverston is a gem of a hotel, amazing location, absolutely breathtaking and the staff provide fantastic service. The knuckles mountain and surrounding area is unspoilt and great for hiking with a local guide, amazing scenery and wildlife. The choice of either European or Sri Lankan food that I can honestly say is absolutely delicious is another reason to come to the Riverston. Leaving with some incredible memories. Thank you

Hotel is clean and feels like staying in a tree house. Meals are delicious specially the French cuisine that chef Ananda prepares. The hotel is located very close to transmission tower hike. Staff is always eager to help. Overall, beautiful hotel in a stunning location.

The place is mind blowing! I wish I had gone sooner than 4pm to enjoy the scenery without mist. The staff welcomed us warmly and treated us with priority. There are only few rooms so you can enjoy the stay with peace. The chef, Mr. Ananda Bandara was a great person and was really good with french menus. He visited all the guests and personalized their delicacies into the meals. All in all, it was a great experience and would love to go back one again!

LOVED the Grand View Suite with it's 360 views. Although we checked in on a rainy day and the mist was too thick that eve, it cleared up briefly the next morning to give us some stunning views! The staff is excellent. Some of the food we tried probably could have been more flavorful (catering to the foreign palettes too much?), but all in all, it was good with ample portions. Looking forward to coming back again. Thank you for the warm hospitality.

The Riverston Grand We stayed at The Riverston Grand on December 28th. The stunning location and breathtaking views made for a memorable experience, though there are areas where the stay could be enhanced. Location: The highlight of our stay was the location. The hotel is set in a beautiful area, and the view from the room was absolutely stunning. Waking up to such scenery was truly special. Facilities: The rooms do not have AC, as the hotel explained this is due to limited electricity in the area and naturally cool nights. However, the afternoons were a bit warm inside the rooms at the time we checked in. A fan or cooler option would have been a welcome addition. Some windows also lacked curtains, and having them on all windows would improve comfort and privacy. For the price of $202 per night (BB), a few more amenities would have added to the experience. While a hair dryer was not initially in the room, the reception kindly provided one upon request. The Wi-Fi experienced occasional disruptions, but the staff made efforts to address the issue. Given the limited mobile data coverage in the area, consistent Wi-Fi would make the stay even more enjoyable. Food: The food was enjoyable, though the à la carte menu leaned more toward snacks than full meals. A greater selection of main courses would elevate the dining experience, particularly for the price point. Staff: The staff were incredibly friendly and welcoming, which added warmth to our stay. With a little more attention to detail and professionalism, the service could be even better. Overall: The beautiful location and the kindness of the staff were the highlights of our stay. With a few improvements to facilities and dining options, The Grand Riverston has the potential to offer an exceptional experience that fully complements its breathtaking surroundings.