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Waterland

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Traveller (573)
Room & Suite (229)
Dining (113)
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About

#3 of 109 hotels in Negombo
Location
Cleanliness
Service
Value
Travellers' Choice
Waterland is 17 kilometers from the airport. All guests stay in private waterfront villas with free Wi-Fi. Each villa has an infinity plunge pool. Located between a river, a canal, and a coconut plantation, Waterland is a tropical oasis. The property has a a full bar license and a gourmet restaurant. Special features include: 1) Private plunge pools 2) Romantic Welcome Package with oil lamps in the pool 3) Floating Lunch in the pool 4) River safari on a festively decorated boat 5) Billiard room
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Property amenities
Free parking
Free High Speed Internet (WiFi)
Infinity pool
Restaurant
Bicycles available
Boating
Airport transportation
24-hour security
Wifi
Pool / beach towels
Private pool
Plunge pool
Breakfast available
Complimentary tea
Complimentary welcome drink
Outdoor dining area
Wine / champagne
Game room
Billiards
Patio
Board games / puzzles
Taxi service
Baggage storage
Concierge
Outdoor furniture
Sun deck
Sun loungers / beach chairs
Sun terrace
First aid kit
Umbrella
24-hour check-in
24-hour front desk
Private check-in / check-out
Laundry service
Ironing service
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Room features
Air conditioning
Housekeeping
Private balcony
Safe
Coffee / tea maker
Minibar
Cable / satellite TV
Walk-in shower
Seating area
Separate dining area
Sofa
Wardrobe / wardrobe
Bottled water
Laptop safe
Private bathrooms
Electric kettle
Flatscreen TV
Complimentary toiletries
Hair dryer
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Room types
Pool view
Non-smoking rooms
Suites
Good to know
HOTEL CLASS
3.5 of 5 stars
HOTEL STYLE
Boutique
Great View
Languages Spoken
English, Sinhala
378Reviews10Q+A60Room tips

Reviews
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E & K wrote a review 5 Mar
2 contributions
What a glorious stay. My room looked over the river for a dreamy experience filled with a private pool, a floating breakfast, zen energy, delish fresh food and rich, lush natures abound. Stellar internet and a drink menu that will make you a slave to room service. Take me back.
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Date of stay: January 2024
Value
Location
Service
Trip type: Travelled solo
Room Tip: Book ahead. Get the Planter's Drink.
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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.
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HeleneEH1 wrote a review Jan 2024
Dorset, United Kingdom159 contributions88 helpful votes
From start to finish we were super happy with the service and experience for our two nights. We stayed in the two room villa one en-suite bedroom upstairs and one down stairs with a shared downstairs lounge and upper terrace with a lovely private pool with 4 sun loungers. The fresh fruit at breakfast was delicious and the coconut porridge with treacle and banana is lovely. We ate one night in the hotel and all four meals were very tasty. Nice ambience and very friendly staff. Highly recommend. The terrace overlooked the river and the Hamilton canal, lots of bird life and easy for boat trips which we did at sunrise and sunset. The fishing village was particularly interesting.
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Date of stay: January 2024Trip 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.
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Response from Mark N, Owner at Waterland
Responded 4 weeks ago
Thank you for recommending Waterland so highly and for sharing your experiences. We're delighted that you had a fantastic 2-night stay in the Peacock Villa. It's nice of you to describe the villa so guests have a better sense of the layout. It's terrific to hear that you enjoyed the ambiance, the villa, the pool, the village-like neighborhood, and the panoramic views of the surrounding nature. How neat that you went on the boat safari both at sunrise and at sunset! Thanks for your praise of the meals and for your kind words about the excellence of the service and the staff. The staff's warmth helps guests feel relaxed and cared for. Your comment that you wish you had stayed longer will be of interest to guests who are uncertain about how long to stay at Waterland. Your review carries an extra weight of authority given how much traveling you do. That you have written 102 reviews is extraordinary! Thank you for taking so much time to review your stay and for singing Waterland's praises.
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
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SunnyW358 wrote a review Jan 2024
Albuquerque, New Mexico6588 contributions1246 helpful votes
+1
I have been to Waterland many times and written raving reviews about the exquisite beauty, touch of class, attention to details, respect for the environment, good cuisine and the friendly crew that aimed to please. Therefore, I will keep it brief here today. Being close to the airport, Waterland serves either as a heart-felt welcome to Sri-Lanka or a melancholic good-bye with a longing to return. Mine was the latter this time. I was on a very short trip to Sri-Lanka and it was a last-minute decision to spend one night at Waterland. I was thinking, “tomorrow I will land in wintry Germany, so tonight, Mahaoya scenery or bust” The gracious owner Mark, as he always does, made my wish come true and I was gratefully immersed in the beauty and the luxury of the peacock villa. Early morning, from the upstairs bedroom, I was facing the soothing expanse of Mahaoya and I kept stopping my alarm clock because I did not want to wake up from a beautiful dream.
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Date of stay: January 2024
Value
Location
Service
Trip type: Travelled solo
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.
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Response from Mark N, Owner at Waterland
Responded 4 weeks ago
The bonds built over the years with returning guests is one of the most gratifying elements of operating Waterland. Thank you for your extraordinary kindness over the years. You were a joyful and appreciative guest on you first visit. Your steadfast loyalty over much of the past decade is deeply valued. While all guests are warmly welcomed, your warmth and humanity have made you a particular favorite of the staff and me. Thank you for continuing to come to Waterland, for your gracefulness and generosity, and for taking so much time and care to champion our small piece of paradise. We're delighted that after these many years, Waterland still offers you bliss, comfort, and the opportunity to commune with nature. I remember being struck by a review you wrote some years ago about the pleasure of sitting on the Elephant Villa deck and watching the bats drift over the river at sunset. It's similarly striking to hear your description of your stay in the Peacock Villa and the feeling of being in a beautiful dream.
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
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Traveloverzz wrote a review Jan 2024
Singapore, Singapore147 contributions87 helpful votes
We stayed here because we were flying out the next morning (which I think is true for a lot of people). It claims to be located on an estuary -- which might be true if you count the urban canal with concrete embankments. The family room we shared was large, but beware of the swimming pool steps, inside the room, that are easy to trip on. We ordered lunch, waited an hour, and then they had gotten the order wrong so we waited some more. I mean, anyone can make a mistake, but the staff is so-so at best.
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Date of stay: December 2023
Value
Location
Service
Trip type: Travelled with family
Room Tip: Triple-check and double-confirm that food order!
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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.
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Response from Mark N, Owner at Waterland
Responded 5 weeks ago
Guests have hundreds of choices of places to stay in Negombo. Thank you for choosing Waterland and for taking the time to share your experiences and observations. Guest reviews help other travelers make informed choices about where to stay. You are indeed correct that most guests who stay at Waterland are at the beginning or end of your trip. Your review states that “it claims to be on an estuary”. We reviewed our literature and marketing materials and found no mention of being on an estuary. Please let us know if that description of being on an estuary was in some marketing material. We also did a Google search and similarly found nothing that suggested that Waterland is on an estuary. If a travel agent suggested that Waterland is on an estuary, please let us know the name of the travel agency so that we can correct the travel agent and thereby prevent any other guests from being similarly disappointed about the location. We can well understand your disappointment about the location if you were expecting to be on an estuary as Waterland is not on an estuary. Waterland is on the meeting point of a river and a canal and is 700 meters from the ocean. Thanks for noting that guests should take with the steps across the pool in the living room of the Monsoon Villa. The Monsoon Villa is the only villa in which the outdoor plunge pool carries on into the interior spaces of the villa. The steps across the pool to one of the bedrooms provide the living room with an added touch of romance. The design was inspired by a villa we stayed at some years ago in Seminyak. Your advice for guests to take care when crossing the steps is excellent. We are sorry that there was such a delay in the lunch order, that the lunch order was incorrect, and that you were disappointed by the service. Meals are cooked to order. That said, waiting for an hour for lunch is long. We can well understand your annoyance at having to wait so long, especially if the food provided differs from what you had ordered. We hope that you had a wonderful trip to Sri Lanka and that you have fond memories of the island despite the several disappointments you experienced at Waterland.
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
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Larry7591 wrote a review Jan 2024
Dubai, United Arab Emirates90 contributions39 helpful votes
+1
A small & beautiful property for a private stay! Due to some changes in travel plans during our time in Sri Lanka, booked this at the very last minute . Our family of four stayed for 2 nights at the monsoon villa. It's a very nice cozy villa with a sit out area & 3 bedrooms and a private plunge pool within the villa . The wooden interiors have an aesthetic taste & are tastefully done. The bedrooms are cozy & comfortable. The 2 attached washrooms are quite big & the rain shower was an added advantage. Food choices though limited are quite good & the kitchen staff are flexible with our requests. The food was quite tasty. The local staff led by Lahiru are friendly & well informed & make sure that they do their best to meet the guests requirements. They even offered us some firecrackers to ring in the new year!
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Date of stay: December 2023Trip 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.
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Response from Mark N, Owner at Waterland
Responded 5 weeks ago
Thank you so much for taking the time to write such a thoughtful and enthusiastic review. Such reviews are of tremendous help to small boutique properties such as Waterland. It's great to hear that you loved the villas and had a fantastic 2-night stay in the Monsoon Villa with your family. You describe the layout of the villa nicely. We're glad you enjoyed the cozy and private atmosphere, the craftsmanship, and the decor. The large light-filled bathrooms and rain showers and the steps across the indoor/outdoor pool in the Monsoon Villa were my main contributions to the design process of the villas. The architect deserves credit for the clever layout of the villas and pools. The master carpenter deserves credit for the extraordinary woodwork in the villas. Thanks for your comments about the quality of the meals and for noting that the menu is quite limited. We keep the menu relatively small to ensure that the meals we serve are consistently good. Your comments underscore that those who want a large menu selection will be more satisfied at a large hotel with a more expansive menu. It's lovely to hear that the kitchen staff were flexible and able to meet the requests of your family. Thanks for your praise of Lahiru and the rest of the staff. Their warmth, dedication, and skill make a huge difference. Marvelous that you were able to ring in the new year with us and that you appreciated the gesture of the firecrackers. We hope 2024 has gotten off to a good start for you. Warm wishes from all of us at Waterland.
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
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I D wrote a review Dec 2023
1 contribution
We stayed at Elephant Villa, Waterland for our honeymoon, and we thoroughly enjoyed our time here. Everything was so well thought out, from the stunning view, the dinner on the private deck, to the little details like the dental kits and the lovely rainfall shower. The staff were so friendly and always had smiles on their faces. We went on a boat ride, where an informative staff member explained the habits of the fisherman and the local fauna, while picking fresh fruit for us from the trees we passed under. The tranquility of this place was just what we needed after a very busy period. I loved sitting on the deck in the evenings, watching the giant fruit bats flock to a nearby fruit tree, the fisherman praying to the church before heading out to sea, while giving the resident cat some affection. We didn’t mind hearing the morning and evening prayers from the church opposite the villa or the occasional visits from local fauna on to the deck (nothing particularly scary, just geckos, various insects and butterflies, a little frog, and the cat of course). Overall, fantastic value for money and the best stay we’ve had in Sri Lanka.
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Date of stay: December 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.
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Response from Mark N, Owner at Waterland
Responded 5 weeks ago
We are honored that you chose Waterland for your honeymoon. It's marvelous to to hear that you thoroughly enjoyed your stay in the Elephant Villa and that you like every aspect of your stay including the stunning views, dining on your private deck, the attention to detail, and the rainfall showers. All the villas have rainfall showers, but the rainfall shower in the Elephant Villa is particularly special. Last year, we expanded the shower area and added a waterfall on the side. We know that the small size of the hotel (only 5 villas) allows us to make connections with guests that are not possible in larger hotels. We are glad that you were so pleased with the service and that the staff were accommodating and always wearing smiles. Thanks for recommending the guided boat safari so highly. The boats safaris allow guests another way to take in the natural beauty of the area. Last year, we began offering guides for the boat safaris. We were concerned that providing a guide might detract from the immersive experience of being on a boat in nature. Happily, the feedback about the guided boat safaris has been positive and guests seem to appreciate learning about the local culture and gaining information about what they are seeing and hearing. What a nice treat that you got some fruit from the overhanging trees on the boat safari. Thanks for sharing your experiences with the flora and fauna and for being so even-keeled in your reaction to the insects which can sometimes be disturbing to guests new to traveling in the tropics. We're delighted that you enjoyed the company of our resident cat, Galle. My niece found Galle on the neighboring property when Galle was a kitten. Galle has been a VIP guest ever since and it's fabulous how guests spoil her with attention. You beautifully capture the magic of the Elephant Villa including the pleasure of sitting on the deck, watching the passing boats and the migrating bats, and absorbing the tranquility of the surroundings. Thank you for underscoring that Waterland provides. excellent value for money. It's heart-warming to hear that your stay at Waterland was the best that you had in Sri Lanka. Congratulations on your marriage. We wish you a lifetime of happiness together!
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
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Martin M wrote a review Dec 2023
3 contributions
Thank you for the nice decoration for my birthday The hospitality has been very good with all the friendly staff If we are in the area again we would return Thank you so much for the lovely stay at Waterland
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Date of stay: October 2023
Value
Location
Service
Trip type: Travelled with friends
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.
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Response from Mark N, Owner at Waterland
Responded 5 weeks ago
As you know, Negombo is a bustling town with lots of shops, restaurants, and bars. Although Waterland is in Negombo, its bucolic setting on 2 waterways in a tranquil escape from all that activity. We are glad that you enjoyed the peacefulness of the surroundings. We are also delighted to hear that you had an excellent birthday at Waterland and appreciated the friendliness of the staff, the birthday decorations, and the quality of the hospitality. Thanks for highlighting that Waterland provides excellent value for money. Waterland is among the most expensive accommodations in Negombo. Your review will help travelers make a more informed choices about whether they should spend the money for a luxury villa with a private pool at Waterland or whether they should stay in a more conventional hotel in the touristic part of Negombo. We look forward to welcoming you again when you are in the area. In the meantime, thank you for choosing Waterland, for taking the time to review your stay, and for writing so thoughtfully about your experiences.
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
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Travellingsophie wrote a review Nov 2023
Tremelo, Belgium2 contributions1 helpful vote
A wonderful quiet and beautiful gem, with the best staff! Very comfortable villa's! And the most peacefull views. Thank you for such a great hospitality! Food is very tasty! Everything you need , close to the airport, this adress is a perfect place to start and end your visit to Sri Lanka ❤️
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Date of stay: November 2023Trip type: Travelled with friends
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.
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Response from Mark N, Owner at Waterland
Responded 29 Nov 2023
Thank you for choosing Waterland and for taking the time to write about your experiences. It's great to hear that you had a wonderful stay. Thanks for your praise of the setting, the villas, the views, the meals, and hospitality. Your praise of the staff is especially appreciated. They are wonderfully dedicated. Several of the front desk staff are new. Your review will help inspire them to learn quickly so that they can provide the best service possible. Finally, thanks for noting how convenient Waterland is to the airport and for recommending Waterland as a perfect place to start and end a trip to Sri Lanka. We hope. you leave the island with fond memories and that we will have the chance to welcome you back.
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
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Edward M wrote a review Nov 2023
4 contributions
My wife and I stayed here for our honeymoon and all we can say is WOW... The staff were spectacular in all aspects of their hospitality services. The food was outstanding, everyone was beyond helpful and our stay here made us truly appreciate Sri Lanka and the people that live there. When we return, we will have no hesitation of staying here again. Great value, outstanding services!!!
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Date of stay: September 2023
Value
Location
Service
Trip type: Travelled as a couple
Room Tip: Don't be worried of the area, it is beautiful with amazing people. A trip worth while
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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.
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Response from Mark N, Owner at Waterland
Responded 27 Nov 2023
Thank you for choosing Waterland for your honeymoon. We are honored that you selected Waterland for this special occasion and greatly appreciate the trust you placed in us. Thank you too for taking the time to write about your experiences. We are delighted that all aspects of your stay were spectacular including the meals, the villa, and the service. Thanks too for commenting that Waterland provides great value. Waterland is among the most expensive accommodations in Negombo. Reviews help others make informed choices about where to stay. We wish you a lifetime of happiness together!
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
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CEeaton wrote a review Sept 2023
Farnham, United Kingdom15 contributions3 helpful votes
+1
We stayed in the Peacock villa for 2 nights. It was wonderful. Children loved the triangular pool with the disco lights! Very well thought through suite, with 2 large bedrooms with their own bathrooms. So suits many combinations of 4 people. We ate our supper on the outdoors deck and enjoyed lovely views as the sun rose. We did have an issue with the air-conditioning which after much discussion and debacle was resolved after the first night, they managed to find an engineer to come in on a Sunday. Then annoyingly we were struck by a power cut the second night so were without A/C then too. That was annoying as the rooms are not designed with opening windows so it was very stuffy and hard to sleep. I would hope that is a rarity. Breakfast was delightful. The personal touches were everywhere and much enjoyed. As was the in-house cat, my children loved her! Food delicious, again the children loved the porridge. Overall a really lovely, boutique & intimate personal guest house. If you are happy to be away from the main strip of hotels on the beach, then give this a go, you won't regret it. And ultimately you are only a 10min tuk tuk away anyway! Would highly recommend!
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Date of stay: September 2023
Value
Location
Service
Trip type: Travelled with family
Room Tip: Not near any services so plan ahead if you need snacks/drinks etc...
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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.
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Response from Mark N, Owner at Waterland
Responded 27 Nov 2023
Thank you so much for taking the time to share your detailed and thoughtful review of your stay at the Peacock Villa. It's great to hear you enjoyed the personal touches, delighted in the bucolic setting, and liked the gourmet meals, the service, the villa, and the triangular pool. We are sorry you experienced those issues with electricity. The electricity supply in Sri Lanka has been problematic. Blackouts and fluctuating voltage are sadly frequent. The hotel now generates most of its electricity from solar power and has solar back-up batteries. We have also installed 3 new transformers to balance the electrical current and mitigate against power surges and fluctuating current. These minimize the disruptions to the electrical supply, but do not entirely eliminate them. The floor to ceiling windows provide spectacular views. The rooms are all sealed in order to protect guests from mosquitos and other insects. The disadvantage of this arrangement, as you note, is that there is little in the way of ventilation if the AC and ceiling fans are not operating. Thank you for rating Waterland so highly and for recommending Waterland so enthusiastically.
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
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PRICE RANGE
€129 - €176 (Based on Average Rates for a Standard Room)
LOCATION
Sri LankaWestern ProvinceNegombo
NUMBER OF ROOMS
5
Prices are provided by our partners, and reflect nightly room rates, including all taxes and fees known to our partners. Please see our partners for more details.
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WATERLAND - UPDATED 2024 Hotel Reviews & Price Comparison (Negombo, Sri Lanka) - Tripadvisor

Frequently Asked Questions about Waterland
Which popular attractions are close to Waterland?
Nearby attractions include St. Mary's Church (6.6 km), Negombo Fish Market (7.0 km), and Angurukaramulla Temple (6.8 km).
What are some of the property amenities at Waterland?
Some of the more popular amenities offered include free wifi, an on-site restaurant, and free parking.
Which room amenities are available at Waterland?
Top room amenities include a minibar, air conditioning, and a flat screen TV.
What food & drink options are available at Waterland?
Guests can enjoy an on-site restaurant, breakfast, and complimentary tea during their stay.
Is parking available at Waterland?
Yes, free parking is available to guests.
What are some restaurants close to Waterland?
Conveniently located restaurants include Salt Restaurant, TukTuk Wine & Dine, and Jude Restaurant.
Are there opportunities to exercise at Waterland?
Yes, guests have access to an infinity pool during their stay.
Does Waterland have airport transportation?
Yes, Waterland offers airport transportation for guests. We recommend calling ahead to confirm details.
Which languages are spoken by the staff at Waterland?
The staff speaks multiple languages, including English and Sinhala.
Does Waterland have any great views?
Yes, guests often enjoy the river view available here.