My favorite stay in Sri Lanka!
Janik, his mum and the friends that help them run Amba Kola are all so kind, warm and welcoming. They make you feel like one of the family!
The cooking class was great fun, you're shown how to make a whole array of dishes and you create an absolute feast which you tuck into afterwards! The breakfast and dinners are also all freshly prepared and so delicious.
They've recently had a beautiful swimming pool installed, perfect for cooling off after a safari (which they arranged for me and was a highlight of my trip).
The most perfect stay in Udawalawe!
The whole experience was fabulous from the accomodation to the food, cooking classes and safari as well as a personal tour from Janice the owner. As a solo traveller I was well and truly spoilt. I would highly recommend Amba Cola to anyone looking to stay in this area.
This place is amazing. From the minute you arrive you can feel the pride this family operated business has in their lovely (and spotlessly clean) establishment. There's a genuine care for their guests that you can feel coming from everyone in the team which is rare nowadays. It was wonderful spending a few days where you're made to feel special. We did the cooking class and safari and both experiences will be forever remembered. Especially the food - the best we had in Sri Lanka. They have everything you need, prices are fair and you'll have a wonderful experience.
Amba Kola is simply fantastic. I stayed with my teenage son and it was the highlight of our trip. The cooking class with Swarna was wonderful and my son loved it. Spending two hours with this lovely lady and brilliant cook was a privilege and the 9 course meal we prepared was gorgeous. It's a family run hotel and they couldn't be more helpful, you feel like one of the family. They also do safari tours too in their own safari jeep, and are just minutes from the park gates.