Photograph · AI-enhanced
The Grand Tamarind Lake is a Lavendish Leisure hotel overlooking Detagamuwa Lake at Kataragama, a kilometre from the sacred temple and close to Yala National Park. Three storeys of white, balconied rooms are set around a pool and lawns in the dry-zone forest, making it a comfortable base for pilgrims, families and anyone heading out on safari.
Both room types have air conditioning and ceiling fans, a flat-screen television, a minibar, tea and coffee making facilities, free Wi-Fi and a private balcony or terrace, and room service runs around the clock. The names below are the ones you will see when you choose a room.
If you would like twin beds in a Deluxe room, or a lake rather than a garden view, say so when you book and we will pass the request to the hotel.
The restaurant serves fusion dishes prepared by the hotel's chefs, and you can ask for your table to be set up outdoors to eat in the breeze off the lake. In the evening there is a lounge bar with a pool table.
About a kilometre, so the Kataragama temple complex, sacred to Buddhists, Hindus, Muslims and the Vedda people, is an easy trip from the hotel, including for the evening ceremonies. Nearby are the white stupa of Kiri Vehera, one of the sixteen great Buddhist pilgrimage sites of ancient Sri Lanka, and the temple at Sella Kataragama. Wedihiti Kanda, the hill said to be the abode of the god Kataragama, takes about two hours to climb for a wide view over the forest. If you are visiting during the Kataragama Esala festival, book well ahead.
The hotel describes Yala as about ten minutes' drive away, and the closest way in from Kataragama is the Katagamuwa entrance of Yala National Park,. Lunugamvehera National Park to the north is another option for a game drive, and Tissamaharama, with its lakes and ancient stupas, is about 15 kilometres away in a straight line.
The hotel is about 180 kilometres in a straight line from Bandaranaike International Airport, and the fastest route follows the Southern Expressway most of the way to the south coast before turning inland. The simplest way to arrive is a private transfer from Colombo airport to The Grand Tamarind Lake. Mattala Rajapaksa International Airport is much closer, about 26 kilometres away in a straight line, if your flight uses it.
It suits families and groups, thanks to rooms and suites that take up to four adults, as well as pilgrims who want to be near the temple and travellers combining Kataragama with a Yala safari. For more choice in the area see our places to stay in Kataragama, or read more about Kataragama itself.
Very good location , close to Yala Park. Very friendly and helpful staff. The view from our balcony was beautiful. The room was very spacious and clean. Very good restaurant, lovely food and waitresses.Good value for money. The Wi…
We stayed here during our pilgrimage to Kataragama and had a very pleasant experience. The rooms were spacious, the views were beautiful, and the food was tasty, although the service was a little slow at times. The hotel also has…
We stayed in a family suite , which was large & clean & spacy . While certain minor improvement's could be done overall service , accommodation, hospitality , i would give it a solid 8.5 . The best value for Money for a hote…
Ratings and reviews provided by TripAdvisor for Grand Tamarind Lake.
Bookable activities, tours, and tickets within a 25 km radius.
from LKR 9,600
from LKR 16,000
from LKR 2,000
from LKR 43,200
from LKR 8,000
from LKR 27,568
Pre-book a private vehicle for arrival, departure, or onward travel.
