Laya Safari
Hotel in Southern Province
4-Star Hotel
Reasons to book
Top-tier experienceOne of the higher cost properties in the area
Includes essentialsGarden, Pool, Kitchen or Kitchenette and more
Book with confidenceWe partner with the top travel sites so you know you're getting a great deal on the perfect rental
About this hotel
Family-friendly fun at the beach, with outdoor pool
At Laya Safari, relax by an outdoor pool or hit the beach where you can enjoy volleyball.
Laya Safari offers 22 accommodations with minibars and safes. Rooms open to balconies or patios. Accommodations offer separate sitting areas and include desks. Beds feature down comforters and premium bedding. Flat-screen televisions come with satellite channels.
An outdoor pool and a children's pool are on site. Other recreational amenities include a fitness center.
At Laya Safari, relax by an outdoor pool or hit the beach where you can enjoy volleyball.
Laya Safari offers 22 accommodations with minibars and safes. Rooms open to balconies or patios. Accommodations offer separate sitting areas and include desks. Beds feature down comforters and premium bedding. Flat-screen televisions come with satellite channels.
Bathrooms include separate bathtubs and showers with deep soaking bathtubs and rainfall showerheads. Bathrooms are also outfitted with bathrobes, slippers, and complimentary toiletries. Guests can surf the web using the complimentary wireless Internet access. Additionally, rooms include complimentary bottled water and coffee/tea makers. Irons/ironing boards and hair dryers can be requested. A nightly turndown service is provided and housekeeping is offered daily.
An outdoor pool and a children's pool are on site. Other recreational amenities include a fitness center.
The recreational activities listed below are available either on site or nearby; fees may apply.
Amenities
Pool
Air conditioner
Kitchen or Kitchenette
Internet / Wifi
Parking
Laundry
Balcony or Patio
Hot tub or spa
TV
Gym or Fitness Center
Garden
Map of Southern Province
Available Rooms
Jungle Retreat (Standard Double Room)
1 Queen • 614 ft²
Sleeps 3
You'll be directed to Expedia.com for availability & pricing
Deluxe Double Room with Balcony and Sea View
1 Queen • 1 Single • 656 ft²
Sleeps 3
You'll be directed to Expedia.com for availability & pricing
$$$$
Ratings and reviews
5.0 / 5.0
I'll start by saying we would definitely stay here again! The property manager was a very friendly and interesting man and very helpful along with the other staff members and the rooms were incredibly spacious with a great view of the ocean! My only recommendations to the owners would be to really play up the view of the rooms and make sure the blinds are up and windows facing the ocean are freshly cleaned. Having chose this hotel over others mainly because of the amazing windows it was a little disappointing to find out that a lot of the blinds no longer worked and couldn't be opened all the way. We were there during slow season so it was very quiet and not all the facilities were open but I can imagine it's a lot of fun when it's more full. We enjoyed the quiet though. The hotel has lots going on as well, atv dune rides, swing bar, infinity pool, and very soon horses for beach and jungle rides! And the proximity to Yala is perfect. They even have a resident elephant that might wander through while you're there! I would definitely recommend this hotel!
2.5 / 5.0
When we arrived at Laya Safari, the property was virtually empty - and we could hardly believe it, as it was one of my top hotel experiences…and I have spent hundreds of nights in hotels. While the road to get to this little beachside oasis is very bumpy, it is well worth the ride. The rooms have an amazing view of the pool area and the coastline and while the current is too strong to swim in the sea, the roar of the ocean is the perfect sound to fall asleep to. The new manager has taken a lot of pride in the property and put up some very insta-worthy amenities like swings, a tree with lampoons and a small wooden boat. You also get a visit from a wild elephant each night (I‘m guessing semi-wild - they do feed it with fruits which I am not totally in favor of but the bull looked very healthy). We would really like to highlight the friendliness of every single employee from the receptionists to the waiters and poolboys - everyone went out of their way to make us comfortable. Meals were delicious and well-priced. We particularly loved the pineapple fritters for desert. As the hotel is very close to the park, you get picked up a bit later by the jeeps which allows you to sleep a bit longer. The pool itself comes with very comfortable sun loungers and the wonderful water is impressively clean (considering it was stormy each night we were there). The only suggestion we would have would be to open a small souvenir shop. Overall, we loved this place and will recommend highly. Thanks!
1.0 / 5.0
We stayed here for four nights to visit Yala. The hotel is less than 10 minutes drive to the park. The service, and friendliness of the staff is superb. The view from the rooms, pool, and restaurant was beautiful. We could hear the waves crashing from our room. The wooden decks are definitely in need of replacement due to exposure to the salty ocean air, but the interior of our room was nice and comfortable. A lot of the rooms look like they were being upgraded during our stay as well.
2.0 / 5.0
We stayed here for four nights to visit Yala. The hotel is less than 10 minutes drive to the park. The service, and friendliness of the staff is superb. The view from the rooms, pool, and restaurant was beautiful. We could hear the waves crashing from our room. The wooden decks are definitely in need of replacement due to exposure to the salty ocean air, but the interior of our room was nice and comfortable. A lot of the rooms look like they were being upgraded during our stay as well.
5.0 / 5.0
Amazing views, great food, friendly staff. The only downside is the hotel is a little tired but I would still recommend.
3.0 / 5.0
Entire place is old and run down. Repairs are desperately needed. Restaurant staff were standoff-ish and certainly not inclined to move faster than a snail. Really very disappointed in this place.
1.0 / 5.0
Wildly overpriced with terrible food and relatively unclean premises.
4.0 / 5.0
The view is amazing. We met an elephant inside the hotel!!
2.0 / 5.0
Nice location not far from the entrance of the national park. We saw both elephants and buffalos on the property of the hotel which made it a bit out of the ordinary (in a good way). The hotel was overall in good shape and was nice, but the rooms were not that clean (brown spots on the toilet etc) and we struggled communicating with the staff (they were also just hanging around, not being very service minded). The guys at the reception on the other hand was very helpful to all our inquiries and gave a great impression! Overall good stay.
1.5 / 5.0
Stayed 1 night for safari. Perfect location for early safari, you don’t have to wake so early. Staff forgot my take away breakfast but it’s fine coz it would be a simply sandwich only. Booked a Half Bord Plan as no where to eat nearby, the dinner was buffet style but not much choices of food and not taste good. The most horrible thing was there would be out of hot water for shower at night or/and your neighbor used up it all. Last but not least, my driver said his room full of mosquitoes and I found the same applied to the public pool as well ( some dead bodies found in the pool)
0.3 / 5.0
The lenght of this review is directly related to my level of annoyance and irritation.1. ROOMSThe room advertised online /surrounding views is literally one of the 22 rooms - the other 21 has blinds around the entire place or everyone would look directly into their neighbours rooms.The shower also inexplicably has blinds - which has a nice gathering of black mould.Everything else in the room is old and shabby - shabby white mats next to the bed, stained mustard couches, frayed towels.The bathroom window was so dirty you could barely see outside.The porch is worn out and faded, as well as the furniture.2 pillows on the bed, with an additional 2 in the closet, sans pillow covers. The icetray was broken with hair in - still waiting for a replacement.Also the aircon was leaking and only one bedside lamp was working.2. STAFFThe young staff mean well, but has clearly not had any training - english is v v basic which can get rather frustrating.Also v unproffesional with check-in as they kept chatting in Sinhalese (I assume) and giggling like teenagers.On the first morning we returned to a dirty room at 1pm - when we called reception they informed us that we had our Do not disturb sign on the door - a tad impossible as we didnt even have one in the room.Also not ideal to walk out of your room and then have to step over 4 pairs of shoes that the cleaners have kicked of in front of your door.Room service is also a shambles- the wrong thing arr - see rest on TripAd
0.5 / 5.0
The lenght of this review is directly related to my level of annoyance and irritation.
1. ROOMS
The room advertised online /surrounding views is literally one of the 22 rooms - the other 21 has blinds around the entire place or everyone would look directly into their neighbours rooms.
The shower also inexplicably has blinds - which has a nice gathering of black mould.
Everything else in the room is old and shabby - shabby 'white' mats next to the bed, stained mustard couches, frayed towels.
The bathroom window was so dirty you could barely see outside.
The porch is worn out and faded, as well as the furniture.
2 pillows on the bed, with an additional 2 in the closet, sans pillow covers.
The icetray was broken with hair in - still waiting for a replacement.
Also the aircon was leaking and only one bedside lamp was working.
2. STAFF
The young staff mean well, but has clearly not had any training - english is v v basic which can get rather frustrating.
Also v unproffesional with check-in as they kept chatting in Sinhalese (I assume) and giggling like teenagers.
On the first morning we returned to a dirty room at 1pm - when we called reception they informed us that we had our "Do not disturb" sign on the door - a tad impossible as we didn't even have one in the room.
Also not ideal to walk out of your room and then have to step over 4 pairs of shoes that the cleaners have kicked of in front of your door.
Room service is also a shambles- the wrong thing arr - see rest on TripAd
5.0 / 5.0
Perfect location for a Yala safari. Super clean rooms and soft mattress.
2.0 / 5.0
Amazing jungle life experience.
Excellent beautiful hotel.
Only issue was staff not picking up the phone and service was not good.
1.0 / 5.0
Amazing jungle life experience. Excellent beautiful hotel.Only issue was staff not picking up the phone and service was not good.
4.0 / 5.0
Needs upkeep and modernisation. Staff are excellent though.
2.5 / 5.0
Stunning location right on the beach, noone else around. The room was fab, second/third floors so great view from the balcony, sunset especially. Not many guests while we were there so dinner was table d'hote, several choices, all were tasty, well presented, fresh and plentiful. Staff friendly ans attentive. Best bit is wild elephant who seems to regularly roam around the grounds, eating the palm fronds and drinking the lily pond! Also saw boar, hares, iguana, plenty birds in grounds.
1.3 / 5.0
Stunning location right on the beach, noone else around. The room was fab, second/third floors so great view from the balcony, sunset especially. Not many guests while we were there so dinner was table dhote, several choices, all were tasty, well presented, fresh and plentiful. Staff friendly ans attentive. Best bit is wild elephant who seems to regularly roam around the grounds, eating the palm fronds and drinking the lily pond! Also saw boar, hares, iguana, plenty birds in grounds.
2.5 / 5.0
Wonderful location. Service excellent.
1.3 / 5.0
Wonderful location. Service excellent.
1.0 / 5.0
Nice hotel and friendly staff值得推薦給華人的酒店,他們很重視華人的業務,不會有歧視行為;對我們的要求很有耐性的解決。
1.0 / 5.0
Nice hotel and friendly staff
值得推薦給華人的酒店,他們很重視華人的業務,不會有歧視行為;對我們的要求很有耐性的解決。
3.0 / 5.0
We arrived at 11pm and went on safari at 4:45am so didn’t really spend time here. It was ok for a bed for the night.
1.0 / 5.0
My partner and I just spent two weeks in Sri Lanka staying at hotels with similar prices as Laya - Laya was by far the worst one. The hotel is operated by the military - likely seized after the civil war. It has a creepy vibe. We went for a walk and were followed on the beach. The property has not been maintained and is derelict and in disarray - broken boards, black mold on the blinds in the room. The restaurant is very expensive and almost inedible. We waited 1.25 hours for lunch one day. Safari's are overpriced compared to what you can get elsewhere. Do not stay here.
0.5 / 5.0
My partner and I just spent two weeks in Sri Lanka staying at hotels with similar prices as Laya - Laya was by far the worst one. The hotel is operated by the military - likely seized after the civil war. It has a creepy vibe. We went for a walk and were followed on the beach. The property has not been maintained and is derelict and in disarray - broken boards, black mold on the blinds in the room. The restaurant is very expensive and almost inedible. We waited 1.25 hours for lunch one day. Safaris are overpriced compared to what you can get elsewhere. Do not stay here.
1.3 / 5.0
Everything was really impressive unless the swimming was prohibited on this dangerous beach
2.5 / 5.0
Everything was really impressive unless the swimming was prohibited 🚫 on this dangerous beach
1.0 / 5.0
I liked the beautiful nature around the hotel..
I can not recommend this hotel.
0.5 / 5.0
I liked the beautiful nature around the hotel..I can not recommend this hotel.
1.0 / 5.0
We had a nice stay ... the staff was nice .. it’s a great place if you want to go to safari ...
the breakfast was more expensive then the website said ..
5.0 / 5.0
Right on the beach, nice big shower. And nice big room
5.0 / 5.0
The catering was nowhere as good as last time. We understood that the hotel was suffering after the terrorist attacks, but the food was not good. A simpler menu with more fresh food could have been provided, rather than trying to keep the whole menu and failing to do individual choices. I’m sure normal standards will come back when more visitors do.
2.5 / 5.0
Great rooms with stunning views. Rooms could use a little cleaning since curtains were moldy from the damp air. Other than that stunning.
1.3 / 5.0
The hotel is set within the park itself so you are very likely to see the wildlife during your stay. The room itself was lovely, a large 4 poster bed on a raised level with steps dropping down into a living area with a sofa, TV and tea/coffee making facilities. A nice touch is the water bottles are 1 litre rather than the usual 500ml. The room is air conditioned and spacious, the bathroom again was large with both a bath and separate walk in shower with wood flooring and a stone wall. There are complimentary body wash, shampoo, conditioner and shower cap and a ring light magnification mirror too. The balcony has two chairs and leads out onto a walk way with the beach right in front, as we were on the ground floor we could wall right out onto the beach from our room. We also woke up to a herd of buffalo outside the next morning! The breakfast was included with our room and theres a good selection, the only downside is that you have to choose what you'd like the night before, even the fruit juice must be chosen the night before which for me was a negative as you may feel like something different on the morning. We chose toast and pastries and there was a good selection, the banana cake was delicious! There is also tea and coffee. We had dinner at the hotel which was a set 3 course meal. The price was quite reasonable considering although the cocktails are more expensive than most places and a 10% service charge is also added. Overall I would happily stay again.
1.3 / 5.0
The hotel is set within the park itself so you are very likely to see the wildlife during your stay. The room itself was lovely, a large 4 poster bed on a raised level with steps dropping down into a living area with a sofa, TV and tea/coffee making facilities. A nice touch is the water bottles are 1 litre rather than the usual 500ml. The room is air conditioned and spacious, the bathroom again was large with both a bath and separate walk in shower with wood flooring and a stone wall. There are complimentary body wash, shampoo, conditioner and shower cap and a ring light magnification mirror too. The balcony has two chairs and leads out onto a walk way with the beach right in front, as we were on the ground floor we could wall right out onto the beach from our room. We also woke up to a herd of buffalo outside the next morning! The breakfast was included with our room and theres a good selection, the only downside is that you have to choose what youd like the night before, even the fruit juice must be chosen the night before which for me was a negative as you may feel like something different on the morning. We chose toast and pastries and there was a good selection, the banana cake was delicious! There is also tea and coffee. We had dinner at the hotel which was a set 3 course meal. The price was quite reasonable considering although the cocktails are more expensive than most places and a 10% service charge is also added. Overall I would happily stay again.
0.8 / 5.0
Hotel has great position,needs a lot of attention.
Prices for food and drinks over priced.
Staff very friendly.
Great to see Elephant at the front door.
0.8 / 5.0
Hotel has great position,needs a lot of attention.Prices for food and drinks over priced.Staff very friendly.Great to see Elephant at the front door.
1.3 / 5.0
Beautiful quiet location,but still very close to Yala to go on a safari .Right on the beach with stunning views from the rooms
2.0 / 5.0
This is a great place to stay if you are planning to visit the national park at Yala. The staff are great and the facilities are good. The food in the restaurant is quite good. The only negative is that the resort is starting to show signs of aging and wear but you shouldn’t put you off, It’s still a good value place to stay
1.3 / 5.0
We loved the location . best curry we had in sri lanka. Room was soooo comfy and a wild elephant came by at 1 am. Amazing. Staff were sooo helpful and kind. We should have booked the safari with hotel on arrival. They seemed more successful than ours
FAQs
How much does this hotel cost compared to others in Southern Province?
The average price for a rental in Southern Province is $40 per night. This rental is $170 above the average.
Is parking included with this hotel?
Yes, parking is listed as an amenity at Laya Safari. For more information, we encourage you to contact the property about where to park.
Is there a pool at this hotel?
Yes, a swimming pool is available for use at Laya Safari. Enjoy the water!
Is Laya Safari pet friendly?
Unfortunately, this hotel is not pet-friendly. Try searching again and filter for "Pets Allowed"
What amenities are available at Laya Safari?
We found 11 amenities for this rental. This includes pool, air conditioner, kitchen or kitchenette, internet / wifi, and parking.
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