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I recently went for a drink at Elephant Park Hotel in Pinnawala, and I had a very disappointing experience. One of their staff members (either a bellboy or doorman, wearing a cream-colored long-sleeve shirt) told us that as local customers, we were not allowed to have a drink until all the foreign guests had finished theirs in the restaurant. As a Sri Lankan, I felt extremely embarrassed and disrespected by this treatment. It’s disappointing and sad to see such a poor level of service and discrimination shown towards local guests. This is not the kind of hospitality one would expect, especially from a hotel in such a popular tourist area.

As an experience I’d highly recommend however the hotel itself had a few let downs. We only stayed here due to the location being on the elephant river, wanting to see the elephants in their natural environment was top on our list. I did a lot of research prior to booking also the orphanage where the elephants come from they are not completely WILD. The room was as described, I cannot complain. The view was unbelievable, the room itself was as comfortable, clean and as described as well as the bathroom. We had breakfast included, which was buffet style. They had a verity of food, from westerns to local which was nice. No complaints there. The restaurant at night, was nice, I personally didn’t like the food and didn’t eat it very spicy which was too much for me. They do offer western food however we were recommended but the waiter to try local. It was more expensive then we’d have thought, but thinking about it you’re in the hotel for the location it’s normal for them to have higher prices as you’re forced to pay it. The dinner wasn’t worth the money but it is what it is. I’d recommend the hotel alone for the experience just prepare yourself for the higher prices. The elephants come down to the river twice sometimes three times per day, they are brought down in groups of males then the rest of the herd, including mums and their babies. They start to come from around 9/10 stay for an hour or so then they are lead back and again at 2pm. It’s well worth staying in the hotel to experience. They aren’t WILD elephants they are semi wild as they have been rescued they don’t have much human interaction other than the handlers. It’s lovely to see them in their natural environment roaming as they like. Watching them play in the water was something I will never forget.

The view from the room is beautiful, the room though needs to be cleaner , the Washroom also need a revamping They don’t bother to give you a WiFi password and when they do it doesn’t work , Very Poor guest relations management The high point watching the Elephants bathe This Hotel is under renovation so check with the Hotel before making a booking