Lake Lodge Dambulla

The Lake Lodge offers the perfect place to retreat and relax after a day exploring the ancient temples and ruins of the surrounding area. The hotel is small with an intimate feel, with only 10 rooms and 2 suites. Every room is air-conditioned, spacious and comfortably furnished with king-sized beds, lounge chairs and a balcony from which to enjoy panoramic views of the surrounding jungle, lakes and mountains.

Guest may dine indoors or outside by the pool, surrounded by tall trees and distant views towards Kandalama Lake. A wide range of traditional Sri Lankan and international cuisine is on offer, prepared with produce from the local village and fresh seafood that comes from the northeast coast. Home baked breads, pastries and cakes are a particular speciality of the Lake Lodge.

Hotel facilities include a swimming pool, mountain bikes for exploring the surrounding village and guided nature trails. Birding is especially rewarding here with hornbills and eagles often spotted on the tree tops, while Minneriya National Park is easily accessible if you would like to go on an elephant safari. The Lake Lodge is also in a great location for a trip to Sigriya Rock, a definite highlight of any trip to Sri Lanka's Cultural Triangle.

When to go

The Maha monsoon blows from October to January, bringing rain to the North and East, while the dry season is from May to September. The North and East are comparatively dry, with around 1000mm of rain annually. There is also an inter-monsoonal period in October and November when rain can occur in many parts of the island. Out-of-season travel has its advantages – not only do the crowds go away but many airfares and accommodation prices drop right down. Nor does it rain all the time during the low season.