9.1
Excellent
169 USD
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Thambapanni Retreat in Unawatuna

🌍
Unawatuna, Yaddehimulla Rd
● Center: 1.3 km
🌞 Beach - 5 min
➊ 1 line

Highly praised staff described as warm, friendly, and very helpful in multiple reviews Breakfast consistently rated 10/10 for quality and variety Spacious and clean rooms with comfortable beds and interesting design details On-site yoga classes and massage services appreciated by guests Quiet and green environment with proximity to the beach Some guests noted high noise levels from animals like monkeys and chipmunks during the night Rooms feature wooden shutters instead of glass windows, which can allow insects inside and lack daylight in some rooms Maintenance issues mentioned, including musty smells and air conditioning needing upkeep Parking rated poorly (5/10) indicating limited or inconvenient parking facilities WiFi signal was described as weak in some reviews
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Rooms and prices

2 guests
Adults2+
Children under 170+
Age7+
Age7+
Age7+
Age7+
Age7+
Age7+
Age7+
Age7+
Age7+
Age7+
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Superior Double room
Superior Double room
Air conditioning and private bathroom
Beds:
173 USD
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Standard Double room
Standard Double room
Air conditioning, minibar and shower
Beds:
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Deluxe Double room
Deluxe Double room
Air conditioning and private bathroom
Beds:
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Classic Double room
Classic Double room
Wireless internet, air conditioning and minibar
Beds:
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Grand Deluxe Double room
Grand Deluxe Double room
Air conditioning and private bathroom
Beds:
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Description

Thambapanni Retreat in Unawatuna is a four-star hotel built in 2002 and renovated in 2014, offering 18 rooms in a multi-story building surrounded by bamboo groves. Guests can choose from five room types: Standard, Superior, Deluxe, Classic, and Grand Deluxe Double rooms, all equipped with air conditioning and WiFi. The hotel features a restaurant, bar, spa center with sauna and massage services, and an outdoor pool. Free parking and laundry services are available, alongside bike rentals at no charge. The hotel maintains a Dutch colonial theme with traditional-style wooden shutters instead of glass windows. While the rooms are spacious and comfortable, some guests have noted the presence of local wildlife such as monkeys and chipmunks on the grounds. The staff is frequently praised for friendliness and helpfulness, providing a welcoming atmosphere. Breakfast receives perfect ratings, and the on-site yoga classes add to the relaxation options. Pets are not allowed, and check-in begins at 14:00 with checkout by 11:00.

Location

Thambapanni Retreat is located on Yaddehimulla Road in Unawatuna, Sri Lanka, approximately 310 meters from Unawatuna Beach. The hotel is a 10-minute drive from both the historic Galle Fort and Koggala Lake. The National Maritime Museum is about 15 minutes away by car. The nearest airport for international arrivals is Bandaranaike International Airport, 165 km from the property, while Bentota River Airport is 59 km away. Nearby dining options include Prime Time Bistro (231 m), Cormaran Beach Club (262 m), and Hopstars (263 m), all within walking distance. The hotel offers easy access to local attractions such as diving, yoga, and bike rentals, making it convenient for exploring the southern coast of Sri Lanka.

Tips

  • Expect some natural wildlife sounds in the rooms at night due to monkeys and chipmunks on the grounds.
  • If you are sensitive to noise or insects, ask for a room that better suits your preferences given the wooden shutter windows.
  • Use the on-site yoga classes and spa services to enhance relaxation during your stay.
  • Parking is limited, so consider this if traveling by car.

Policies and conditions

  • Child policies: Children of all ages are welcome at this property. Additional fees may be charged for children using existing beds. Add the number of children to get a more accurate price.
  • Cribs and Extra Beds: Extra bed and crib policies may vary according to room type. Please refer to the room type details for more information.
  • Breakfast: Continental [Mon - Sun] 07:00-10:30 Open Additional breakfast fees are not included in the total and need to be paid at the property.
  • Pets: Pets are not allowed
  • Service animals: Service animals are not allowed
  • Age Requirements: The main guest checking in must be at least 18 years old
  • Paying at the hotel: Visa, MasterCard, AmericanExpress
  • Check in time: 14:00. Check out time: 11:00.
2 guests
Adults2+
Children under 170+
Age7+
Age7+
Age7+
Age7+
Age7+
Age7+
Age7+
Age7+
Age7+
Age7+
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Services and facilities

General
  • Air conditioning
  • 24-hour reception
  • Smoking areas
  • Currency exchange
  • Newspapers
  • Ticket assistance
  • Garden
  • Terrace
Rooms
  • Room service
  • Family room
  • Cable TV
  • TV
  • Minibar
  • Hairdryer
  • Shower/Bathtub
  • Shower
  • Wardrobe/Closet
  • Toiletries
Accessibility
  • Accessibility features
Services and amenities
  • Laundry
  • Safe-deposit box
  • Dry-cleaning
  • Luggage storage
  • Wake-up service
  • Telephone
Meals
  • Bar
  • Coffee/tea for guests
  • Breakfast
  • Buffet breakfast
  • Cafe
  • Restaurant
  • Kitchen
  • Bottled water
Internet
  • Free Wi-Fi
  • Internet
Transfer
  • Car rental
  • Airport transportation
Languages Spoken
  • English
Tourist services
  • Tour assistance
Recreation
  • Library
  • Bike rental
  • Hiking
  • Fishing
Parking
  • Parking
  • Parking nearby
Pool and beach
  • Swimming pool
  • Outdoor pool
  • Beach/pool towels
  • Next to the beach
Sports
  • Diving
  • Cycling
  • Snorkelling
  • Yoga
Beauty and wellness
  • Massage
  • Sauna
  • Spa
  • First Aid Kit
Kids
  • Babysitting and childcare

The hotel is located on first line from the shore.

The nearest beach is located on the distance of 310 m. It takes 5 minutes To the beach!

Beach view

Video: Отели Шри Ланка.Thambapanni Retreat 4*.Унаватуна.Обзор

Map

Reviews

Breakfast
Service
Cleanliness
Price
WiFi
Pool
25.10.2025 Guest
It is a very good hotel and the people here it is very kind, the room it is to big and the vibrations hotel it is the best..recommended to anyone
06.08.2025 Guest
Gorgeous little hotel nestled into the small town. The staff were all absolutely lovely, the hotel and rooms were all gorgeous, super clean, and comfortable. We did yoga in the space over the restaurant our first morning which was a great start to the day! Lots of great restaurants around right on the beach! 10/10 recommend!
26.04.2025 Kok
The hotel staff are warm and friendly
Very spacious room
Breakfast food quality is very delicious
The location is close to the train station, very convenient
The shower room is exposed, I am a little afraid that small animals will enter😜
13.04.2025 Guest
There is a family of black monkeys living on the hotel grounds, it's amazing! Great location, quite clean
23.01.2025 Elliot
Nice Hotel that needs better upkeep
Nice facility, our room was fairly unique with some fake rock. Our daughter's room had a cool outdoor bathtub. You get great use of two other Thambapanni resorts in the area. Rooms are large and interesting. Very musty. The air conditioner needed to be maintained to keep mildew out. Clothes drying rack, nice bathroom and good breakfast. Super accommodating staff.

Unawatuna is a bit of a Russian tourist trap. Aggressive tuktuk drivers and merchants. Jungle Beach nice but crowded. The Sea Waves restaurant is awesome for dinner!
29.12.2024 Guest
We stayed here for 2 nights and had a great experience. The staff were lovely and very helpful. We ate in their restaurant the first night and had Sanjuli serving us - who was brilliant. The food was lovely with big portions. The lady at the front desk was very helpful and booked yoga for us. The yoga provided on site was a brilliant experience and very reasonably priced at 3,000 LKR pp for a 90 minute class. Overall would recommend.
10.11.2024 Guest
Very beautiful territory, spacious room.
Beautiful view from the balcony.
Walking distance to the beach.
Cons: high audibility, animals under the roof did not allow normal sleep at night (noise from running, squeaks and screams).
Overall, we are satisfied, will appeal to those who seek privacy from the hustle and bustle and nature lovers)
22.10.2024 Guest
We had lunch several times at Thambapanni restaurant located by the Unawatuna beach. The food was amazing and the hospitality of the staff was exceptional. Each time we were served by Indunil and he was so knowledgeable about not only what dishes were the best but also about where to visit and their history. His knowledge of the history of the area and the history of Sri Lanka in general was outstanding. All I can say is that he is a great asset to Thambapanni!!! Anyone visiting there should check him out. His amazing stories as well as his thoughtful service at the restaurant were delightful, second to none! Thank you Indunil.
10.09.2023 Guest
The main asset of this place is the staff. Everything. What was not noted when booking was the lack of glass in the windows. They are closed with decorative wooden shutters, as the hotel is decorated in a traditional style. But opening these shutters means listening to all the sounds that you can already hear quite well, and in the evening mosquitoes will fly in. Some people won’t notice, but I was in a small room with no windows, and without daylight it wasn’t very good. The mattress was comfortable. The breakfasts are good. The hotel team is pulling out all the stops, but renovation of the rooms is already required))
01.03.2022 Tomasz
The hotel is beautifully located. It has it all. It is quiet and peaceful with lots of greenery around. It is a great change from other hotels located just by the beach. We changed the hotel several times and spending a few nights here was just great. Well managed, helpful staff. Great breakfasts.
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POIs near hotel

attraction
Monkey View (5 min)
Scenic vantage point near Galle offering views of the surrounding landscape and coastal areas with opportunities to spot local wildlife.
attraction
Paid Palm Rope Swing (2 km)
A rope swing suspended from a palm tree along Galle's southern coast, offering an exhilarating ocean plunge for a small fee.
attraction
Ship Rock (2.3 km)
Distinctive rock formation in Galle's harbor resembling a ship's hull, accessible by boat from the historic fort area.
monument
Buddha Statue (2.7 km)
A historic monument in Galle depicting Buddha. Located in this coastal fortified city, it reflects the island's Buddhist heritage and spiritual significance.
attraction
Sea Turtle Hatchery Mahamodara (6 km)
A conservation facility in Galle where endangered sea turtles are bred and protected before release into the Indian Ocean.

Cafe and Restaurants near hotel

restaurant
Restaurant «Prime Time Bistro» (3 min)
Yaddehimulla Rd, Unawatuna
restaurant
Restaurant «Cormaran Beach Club» (4 min)
Gurugedarawaththa
restaurant
Restaurant «Hopstars» (4 min)
147, Devala Rd, Unawatuna

Frequently asked questions about Thambapanni Retreat

What types of rooms are available at Thambapanni Retreat?

The hotel offers Standard Double, Superior Double, Deluxe Double, Classic Double, and Grand Deluxe Double rooms.

Is there a restaurant on-site and what is the breakfast like?

Yes, there is a restaurant at the hotel. Breakfast is served continental style daily from 07:00 to 10:30 and has received perfect 10/10 ratings for quality.

How far is the hotel from Unawatuna Beach?

The hotel is approximately 310 meters from Unawatuna Beach, within walking distance.

Are pets allowed at Thambapanni Retreat?

No, pets and service animals are not allowed at this hotel.

Does the hotel offer any wellness or activity facilities?

Yes, the hotel provides a spa center with sauna and massage, yoga classes on-site, and free bike rentals.

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