The Nilambara Lake View — Hotel in Sri Lanka

Disappointing Experience – Unprofessional Handling of Cancellation

We had planned a family gathering and chose Nilambara Lake View in Dambulla, paying an advance to secure our reservation. Unfortunately, due to unforeseen circumstances, we had to cancel our plans. I promptly informed the manager, hoping for understanding and a fair resolution.

Regrettably, the manager’s attitude shifted noticeably after the payment was made. He became unresponsive and dismissive, a stark contrast to his demeanor before the booking. After persistent efforts, he agreed to refund a small portion of the advance, but the amount was minimal and felt more like a token gesture than genuine assistance.

What was particularly disheartening was the lack of clear communication regarding cancellation policies. There were no terms provided at the time of booking outlining the non-refundable nature of the advance. This lack of transparency left us feeling misled and disappointed.

Our experience with Nilambara Lake View was marred by unprofessionalism and poor customer service. I would caution others to ensure all terms are clearly outlined and agreed upon in writing before making...

We stayed at this hotel for one night on 9th November 2024 while in Dambulla for the 1st T20 match between NZ & SL. We booked three rooms (one double and two triples), all of which were clean, spacious, and comfortably accommodated our group.

The location is fantastic, offering a beautiful lake view, and the pricing is very reasonable for the quality of the stay. The pool was well-maintained, and the overall ambience was calm and private, perfect for families or couples looking for a relaxing getaway. We also enjoyed both dinner and breakfast there. Every meal was delicious, and the staff went above and beyond to make sure we were comfortable. Special thanks to Mr. Rathnayaka, the owner, who was incredibly helpful. The staff stayed with us to assist with our gathering until 2:00 AM after the match, which was very much appreciated.

I highly recommend this hotel for anyone visiting the area. It’s a lovely place with excellent service, great views, and a peaceful...

Extremely Disappointing Experience

We had one of the worst experiences with this place. We paid an advance of LKR 25,000 to make a booking, but unfortunately had to cancel due to unforeseen circumstances. We informed the owner, Mr. Anura, well in advance, and he assured us a 100% refund after 20 days.

However, after waiting patiently and following up, he suddenly refused to refund the amount. After multiple calls and lengthy discussions, he finally agreed to refund LKR 15,000, but even then, only LKR 10,000 was Refunded.

This kind of behavior is not just unprofessional, it's unethical. Broken promises, constant delays, and lack of accountability made this a truly frustrating experience.

Think twice before trusting this place with your money. Avoid such scammers...