"Nice hotel with all requisite comforts - and extremely helpful staff. Food was excellent with least amount of oil and salt. Best plce to stay for anyone visiting Kiri Vehera and Devale!"

"From the scenery to the service to the food, everything was great. I have to give a thumbs up to the hotel staff and their careful preparation. The hotel's Safari was also very attentive, lasting a full 5 hours."

"Stay at this Hotel at your own risk, while accommodation was ok with all the ammenites like safe & wifi connection, clean & serviced thoroughly the food was awful and the resturant staff rude and disinterested in anything remotely resembling service, unless you were Indian. The location was certainly ok and we managed some lovely works outside the Hotel grounds. Pool area was fine but the pool itself was encrusted with dirt about 2ft below the waterline. In all with a good clean and some staff training this could once again be a lovely place to stay. We are surprised at the 4 star rating. In our view this Hotel should rate as three stars."

"Excellent value for money! Massive double beds, clean and very comfy. Staff were very helpful and friendly. Lovely breakfast Lovely swimming pool"

"Whilst I’ve stayed at Mandara Rosen many times, I’ve honestly never taken the time to write a review. But this time, something felt different — and I thought it was time to finally pen my two cents. In the past, my experiences have always been lovely. The staff have been helpful, the rooms clean and well-kept, and the atmosphere calming — a perfect space to unwind after a day in Kataragama. The pool has always been a personal highlight, especially after being out in the hot sun during religious observances. It’s been a place I’ve recommended without hesitation. The food, too, has never disappointed. I remember the buffet spreads — generous, delicious, and satisfying in every sense. Something for everyone, and nothing to complain about. This time, however, was a shorter visit. I was in Kataragama briefly, with two things planned — lunch at the hotel, and arrangements for a day room so those of us traveling (a group of five) could freshen up before heading back to Colombo. I had called ahead and was informed that a day room would be provided for Rs. 15,000, which I agreed to. But once at the hotel, that offer was off the table. Instead, I was told I’d need to take two rooms — totaling Rs. 30,000 — just for a quick change and refresh. That felt unreasonable. In today’s context, where most travelers aren’t staying overnight and hotels are struggling to fill rooms, this seemed like a short-sighted way to recover costs — at the guest’s expense. I did have lunch at the restaurant, and once again the food was fantastic. Though it was à la carte this time (understandable given low occupancy), it was still flavorful and well prepared. The restaurant staff were kind and welcoming, and I appreciated their service. In the end, I went to another hotel that offered a day room at nearly one-fifth the price. A hotel of similar standard was also willing to offer one room at the same rate of Rs. 15,000, as initially promised here. Unfortunately, the only reason I didn’t go there was the distance — otherwise I would have. What saddens me is that instead of gaining business, Mandara Rosen lost it that day. All for the sake of an extra room rate. And that’s the only reason I’m giving this a 4-star rating — not for the hospitality, the setting, or the food, which remain excellent — but because it felt like the focus shifted from understanding the guest to maximizing the margin."

"An amazing experience. Convenient location: particularly for Block 5, which is quieter. It’s also very rural: one morning we surprised a pair of Golden Jackals about 100 meters from our breakfast! At night, the stars are a revelation (if it’s not too cloudy). Beautiful camp: Every detail executed perfectly. It’s all natural with several ponds, active bird life and occasional visits by monkeys. Dreamy room: large, airy, very comfortable bed. The bed-side charging points and the great lighting were a plus. Legendary candlelit dinners. Delicious food, with a wide variety on offer and changing every day. The chef went out of his way to accommodate our daily request for scrumptious Yala curd. Expert guiding: Don, Dulip, and Presanthe were excellent spotters (how did they see the sloth bears in that heavy brush?): we saw elephant, leopards, buffalo, mongooses, crocodiles, loads of birds, and interesting insects. . A professional, well-run operation: without rigid attention to timings. The team was open to suggestions, ideas, requests. Everyone in camp was warm, friendly, helpful. We will miss you all and remember our time at Leopard Safaris with affection and longing to be there."