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LUXURY BOUTIQUE HOTEL in Andarawewa, Anuradhapura. On elevated platform. The hotel is built similar to an ancient city, it is extend on a 50 acre land .Unique feature of the hotel is that it comprises 25 in total six ultra luxury rooms with a individual pool, kitchen and a large sitting area.These rooms have modern security systems which includes cameras to monitor the entrance. Forest Rock Garden hotel is the living masterpiece gives its guests the once in a life time experience to go back into the golden days of the Anuradhapura Kingdom in this 21st century with utmost luxury and great sense of royalty, serenity and peace
Star ratings are intended to indicate the general level of features, amenities, and services to expect. This property is classified according to Giata.
HOTEL STYLE
Luxury
Quaint
Location
No 341, Andarawewa, Trincomalee Road, Anuradhapura 50200 Sri Lanka
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We spent 2 nights here whilst travelling around Sri Lanka as part of our honeymoon (gay couple). All the staff are very friendly and very eager to help. As we arrived down the drive to the hotel we were gobsmacked by the setting. Absolutely stunning and with so much wonderful wildlife about (in a nice way - not a scary "is there something crawling on me way" 😂).
Pros Check in was amazing Rooms (more like individual apartments) beautiful LGBTQ friendly Peaceful and serene everywhere Attentive staff Evening buffet and breakfast buffet lovely Pool is an extravagent setting (but outdoors in a forest so don't expect it to be completely sterile and free from the odd bug or little bit of algae!)
Cons Slightly remote location if you don't have a car/driver and are using taxis/ tuk-tuks Some room furnishings need a little updating but nothing major
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Date of stay: January 2020Trip type: Travelled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
My wife and I were undecided about this hotel. One cannot fail to be impressed by the architecture upon arrival. It is like you are in the ancient capital itself. The owners are to be congratulated for coming up with a concept that is a change from the run-of-the-mill boutique hotel. The rooms are basically individual cabins connected via walkways to the hotel’s facilities so that you are walking above ground level within the tree canopy. If you want a place where you can rest and meditate then I imagine it would be just right. It wasn’t really to our taste though.
The staff were all friendly and helpful although many of the restaurant staff appeared to have limited English. Our room was massive but rather spartan with no pictures on any of the walls. There was a huge fridge in the room but nothing at all inside which was odd. The bath/shower room was enormous but the floor of the shower stall was really slippy when wet. I nearly went flying! The air conditioning unit struggled to cope when on a low fan setting due to the size of the room I guess. It was fine if you cranked it up to the top setting but then it became somewhat noisy.
Sadly the food was a disappointment. The choice for dinner was limited and frankly uninteresting. Breakfast was just plain weird. We ended up with a cheese and tomato sandwich, pancakes with syrup and baked beans all served on the same plate. Bizarre. We only stayed one night and I reckon if we had stayed longer we would have quickly tired of what was on offer.
Overall a good concept but just not for me I’m afraid.
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Date of stay: February 2020Trip type: Travelled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
There are a lot of reviews and photographs on this sire showing what a large land area the Garden covers and all the concrete links at tree top level to get to your rooms (bungalows). We stayed here for three nights just prior to the Covid-19 problem really kicking in as it was a location on our group tour. It is full of character and truly lovely. An added joy was that there were few other guests because of the looming emergency but I think it would be tranquil anyway. The food (all vegetarian) was excellent: choose the Sri Lanka Curry with Accompaniments if it is on. The staff members were great, particularly our waiter - a young man armed with a catapult to keep the monkeys at bay. They advertise a spa but this is not really a facility as they just bring in a therapist when there is a booking. Too much hassle.
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Date of stay: March 2020
Rooms
Cleanliness
Service
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Our visit to Forest Rock Garden Resort (Dec 20th to 22nd 2019) could would have been wonderful but it ended up as a huge disappointment due mainly to the most disastrous food experience I have ever had the misfortune to endure anywhere I have visited in the world. Hidden in the forest, and only six years old though well built to look ancient, with Buddhist sanctuary and library, the resort is a rabbit warren of walkways, with limited signage making it hard to find your way around, especially at night. Our rooms, once we found them, were about 300 yards from the main restaurant area but due to the rain at the time the walkways were very slippery and very dangerous to walk on due to moss and algae that has grown on the paths over the years. The rooms were large and adequate, however the shower was barely more than a dribble and the towels were rather dirty and somewhat thread bear. The pool was a chlorine coloured blue/green and there was a very unpleasant pungent smell around it, needless to say we didn’t dare swim in it. The biggest disappointment was undoubtedly the food. It was “billed” as vegetarian cuisine only, with which I have no problem, provided it is reasonably good. Sri Lanka is known for its excellent vegetarian dishes so we were really looking forward to some interesting tasty food. What we were offered was an utter disgrace. This is a 4 star establishment so one would expect a reasonably high level of food. There were supposed to be two restaurants on site but as we (7 of us) were about the only guests on site they only opened one of them. There was only one miserable menu for both lunch and dinner which was titled “The Snake Menu” (presumably they meant snack,) with very little choice, the main dishes included a cheese sandwich, a couple of pasta dishes, vegetable fried rice, vegetable noodles and vegetable biryani, they also had cashew nuts, on their own, as a main course! “I ask you!” The vegetable dishes were just awful, the portions were small, probably a good thing being so awful, they contained about 95% rice or noodles and barely 5% vegetable. This is totally inexcusable. You would get better food in a cheap railway café. We felt they couldn’t be bothered to offer us quality food because there were so few of us staying. If one is offering a 4 star resort service, that should be regardless of the number guests at the resort. What a great shame to destroy what could be wonderful experience with such shoddy menus and food. There was a slight improvement on the last evening when they had a buffet which offered a bit of variety and at least we could then serve ourselves, but this only appeared to be the case as there was a VIP staying at the time.
There didn’t seem to be anyone of managerial status in the resort at any time. As some other reviews have stated this has potential to be a fine resort but they need a complete rethink of their whole offering.
The serving staff were all pleasant, as ever because they are always looking for their tips. My/our tip is don’t go there!
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Date of stay: December 2019
Rooms
Service
Sleep Quality
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
I have never experienced such a wonderful, first class place in all my years of travel. This place is simply, awesome, inspiring, reflective, sensational, incredible....there just are not enough superlatives to describe it. I felt like a princess in an ancient kingdom, i have an interest in Buddhism and meditation so for me the place was perfect. Our room was like a tiny palace, two king size beds, a lounge, dining room, dressing room, bathroom separate from the double shower suite, and further bathroom. Outside there were patio areas in the tree tops, we ate extraordinary Indian vegetarian cuisine, at breakfast we dined in the freshest of fruit. Served with cheeky monkeys in the trees, and the mot excellent and attentive staff. All in all we Love Sri LANka and it’s beautiful, smiley people and have found the perfect,perfect place in Forest Rock Gardens. thank you to the owners and staff for this ...most perfect place on earth xx
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Date of stay: March 2020Trip type: Travelled with family
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
This is easily one of the most unique hotels I’ve ever been to. The architecture of the property is unbelievable and takes you back to the ancient historic era of Sri Lankan kingdoms in a jaw dropping, luxurious way. Rooms are spacious and comes with everything that’s expected from a 5 star resort. Property lays in a 50 acre massive land which still brilliantly preserves its forest ambience. There are many spaces to explore in the resort itself including a spa (which was closed during my stay), a Buddhist library, spectacular pool and a breathtaking meditation space which actually is peaceful than many Buddhist temples in the country. Moving on to the negatives: The staff at the property are frankly not experienced. maybe they are doing the best they can, but it seems like asking a goldfish to climb a tree. It all seems too casual - no uniforms, no training, no hospitality, leading to a disastrous overall experience. They apparently have a number of chefs taking different shifts, so breakfast was exceptional (Sri Lankan cuisine) but dinner was again a distaste (western). There is no written down menu for food, it seems like they offer what is convenient for them on the day. We were In Anuradhapura for 2 nights and after our first night we decided to change hotel, however we did decide to stay the second night as well because of one single staff member - Madushanka Tishan, who single handedly carries the operation of the 25 odd room massive property on his shoulders. He takes turns being a waiter, receptionist, guide, reservations and much more. An experienced young staff member who deserves to be employed at a much prestigious organization where staff is looked after.
Will I recommend anyone to stay here?
Yes. Despite the horrendous operation, the sheer beauty of the place can not be ignored. the property offers breathtaking nature and a historic experience which cannot be seen anywhere else in the country or even maybe the world. A truly unique hotel/ resort.
Pro tip - book room only and have your meals else where. Expect nothing from staff so you won’t be disappointed Room rate at time of review : Rs. 25,000 (double)
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Date of stay: April 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
A striking hotel from an architectural and conceptual point of view. Set up in a lovely forest environment, the rooms, little luxury cottages with individual swimming pools, feature very well designed interior arrangements and a strong accent on good taste and privacy. You need a map initially to find your way about the extensive property, but you learn very quickly. Highly recommended also if you want a spiritual retreat. To note that it is vegetarian, but with a very wide choice of dishes. We regret that we had only one night there and would love to go back if opportunity arises.
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Date of stay: December 2019
Location
Service
Sleep Quality
Room Tip:All rooms seem to be equally good
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
We stayed for one night as part of a tour of Sri Lanka.
We were welcomed with a drink and towel and shown to our suite with private pool.
We went to the Sacred City and then ate at the restaurant. Restaurant is vegetarian which whilst isn’t my thing it was quality good. Service was impeccable too.
The rooms are spread across a large site so you hardly see anyone and it’s a gorgeous complex.
Night time is peaceful but being in the forest the animals wake you early so if you’re not an earl riser take ear plugs.
Hotel has won awards for conservation too and easy to see why.
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Date of stay: January 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
We stayed at Forest Rock Garden for 1 night and that was 1 night too many! We arrived after travelling from Negombo and even after calling ahead our room was not ready on our arrival. The room itself was well thought out but showed signs of age and needed to be refurbished. The bath was stained and had ants around the edge, the shower was no more than adequate and the towels had seen better days. Unfortunately the safe did not work and was not secured to the cupboard which meant we had to leave all our valuables in our bags. The air conditioning stopped working during the night but after seeing the state of the electrical box we were not surprised. Wi-Fi is not available in the rooms but the staff did give us a WiFi router but it did not work. We had tried to order dinner before we went out but had to find staff in the deserted restaurant to ask again, it was a set menu which didn’t give us much choice but there was nowhere else to go to eat. We asked to eat in our room as the restaurant looked sad and tired. After waiting for almost 2 hours we had to find our way back to the restaurant in near-semi darkness on the elevated concrete walkways which was precarious (most of the walkway lights did not work). We tried to cancel our food but it then arrived 10 minutes later, it was uninspiring food but we were so hungry we ate what we could. Upon arrival at breakfast the following morning, again in the deserted and desolate restaurant we were not given any information but just served by staff who also had to keep the macaques monkeys away with sticks as well as serve. The food was put on our plates whether we wanted it or not and we ate little as we just wanted to depart. We can see that this once was a good hotel with a very, unique concept but it seriously needs good, well trained staff and a complete overhaul of the entire resort.
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Date of stay: March 2023Trip type: Travelled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
On arrival, you are dropped at the bottom of steps leading to, what looks like, the kind of ruins the town is famous for. At the top of the steps is a reception room, primitive in the extreme, and once checked in one starts the long trek to the rooms which are in sets of two reached via long concrete walkways set above the ground. Once there one finds them to be well appointed and blissfully cool, once the air conditioning kicks in, a necessity with 30c plus and 90 plus humidity.
The swimming pool looks like something the ancient kings would have used, not that that’s a bad thing but with some of the local wildlife also sharing it might put some people off! The ‘restaurant’ and I use the word advisedly, is in some cloisters around a courtyard with not even a fan to cool one after the route march, up and down flights of stairs and along innumerable pathways, needed to get there, the food, however, was fine.
For people with no mobility problems this place would be ideal but with so many stairs, both up and down, to get anywhere and the distance between the room and anywhere else, anyone who has a problem walking distance or stairs is in for problems.
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Date of stay: May 2022
Rooms
Location
Service
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
There are more places to choose from in the Anuradhapura area.
LOCATION
Sri LankaNorth Central ProvinceAnuradhapura
NUMBER OF ROOMS
25
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