Hotel Elephant Bay sits on the bank of the Maha Oya at Pinnawala, right next to the Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage, where the orphanage's elephants are brought down to bathe in the river. Rambukkana Railway Station is about 2.4 km away, and Bandaranaike International Airport is 57 km as the crow flies.
The hotel is about 92 km by road from Bandaranaike International Airport at Katunayake, a drive of usually 2 to 2.5 hours depending on traffic and the weather. Book the Colombo (CMB) Airport transfer to Hotel Elephant Bay.
Rooms have private balconies facing the river, with air-conditioning, modern bathrooms and the essentials for a comfortable stay.
A riverside restaurant serves Sri Lankan and international cuisine with a view of the elephants, and a terrace by the riverbank is set out for dining and relaxing. There is an elephant viewing deck, complimentary Wi-Fi in public areas and on-site parking for guests.
The daily bathing and feeding at the Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage can be watched from the hotel, and the Pinnawala Open Zoo is nearby. You can also visit temples and historical sites in the area, shop for elephant-themed handicrafts, watch for river birds along the Maha Oya, take gentle walks along the riverside, or join a traditional Sri Lankan cooking demonstration.
Horrible. A very poorly maintained hotel, rather low-end rooms with cockroaches and centipedes, and atrocious meals and breakfasts. Melted ice cream, smell of frying. We all got sick. Pathetic service: when we asked for towels for…
A very disappointing and, above all, deeply uncomfortable experience. The hotel is poorly maintained, the cleanliness leaves something to be desired, and the whole place clearly deserves to be renovated. But beyond the condition…
The room view was amazing! You can even watch the elephants swimming, which made the experience very special. The staff were also very helpful and friendly. Highly recommended!
Ratings and reviews provided by TripAdvisor for Hotel Elephant Bay.
Pre-book a private vehicle for arrival, departure, or onward travel.
