DoubleTree by Hilton Weerawila Rajawarna Resort

The DoubleTree by Hilton Weerawila Rajawarna Resort is an insider tip.

To get straight to the point: we have stayed at quite a few DoubleTrees, but the DoubleTree by Hilton Weerawila Rajawarna Resort stands out extremely positively from this category in many respects.

The hotel opened in November 2020 and, according to its own statements, had to struggle through the difficult times of the Covid pandemic. And what we can see today shows that the struggle was worth it in every respect. When we arrive, the hotel is fully booked, and we are glad that we made our reservation six months ago.

The DoubleTree by Hilton Weerawila Rajawarna Resort has 78 modern guest rooms in various categories, including suites, and was the third Hilton-managed hotel in Sri Lanka when it opened.

Location

The resort is surrounded by lush bird sanctuaries and located between three of Asia’s most visited wildlife parks. Udawalawe National Park is only about an hour away by car. The resort also enjoys a unique location within the Weerawila Bird Sanctuary, home to over 400 species of birds, and is just minutes away from popular tourist attractions such as the sacred city of Kataragama and Bundala and Yala National Parks.

In addition, many resting places in the spacious garden offer direct views of Lake Weerawila, which can also be seen from all rooms and public areas of the house.

Excellent cuisine

The DoubleTree by Hilton Weerawila Rajawarna Resort offers an exceptional culinary experience with its two restaurants and three bars, which offer panoramic views of the tranquil Weerawila Lake, as well as a diverse menu.

The Spoonbill, the resort’s all-day dining restaurant, tea lounge and barbecue grill, offers a wide selection of dishes made from local and seasonal produce. The restaurant serves a creative blend of international and continental specialities and offers an extensive selection of international wines to complement the food perfectly.

Alternatively, you can dine at Redshank on the roof terrace overlooking the tranquil Weerawila Lake, which is a seafood restaurant. There you will find a selection of Sri Lanka’s famous crabs, prawns and lobsters, as well as freshly caught fish.

The resort also has three really good bars.

• The Turnstone has a pool table available for guests to use; this is the resort’s main bar, which offers comfortable indoor and outdoor seating.
• In the huge pool area in the hotel garden, you will find the Hornbill, a well-stocked, authentic pool bar. This means you can sit on a stool in the water and enjoy a cocktail or whatever else you fancy in this already pretty cool location.
• The crowning glory is the rooftop bar, which offers a truly sensational view over the garden and the whole of Lake Weerawila.

Nice amenities

As mentioned, there are 78 spacious rooms at the DoubleTree by Hilton Weerawila Rajawarna Resort. All are equipped with a 49-inch HD television with entertainment hub, Wi-Fi, king-size or single beds, terrace or balcony, rain shower and toiletries. For those who crave sporting activities, there is a 24-hour fitness centre with 360-degree views, as well as the aforementioned 75-metre outdoor pool, a yoga terrace, a rooftop wellness spa, a karaoke lounge and the Tea Jar by the Lake.

Suitability for conferences

With over 930 square metres of meeting space, the DoubleTree by Hilton Weerawila Rajawarna Resort is an ideal venue for weddings, business meetings and other social events. The impressive 720 square metre Grand Ballroom with no pillars can accommodate up to 600 guests for weddings. The ballroom and Weaver Meeting Room are equipped with state-of-the-art audiovisual technology and feature floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the tranquil Weerawila Lake. (Source: Click)

Personal impression

Upon arrival, we are immediately impressed by the calm and serenity that emanates from both the extravagantly furnished hotel and the relaxed staff. Even our driver is offered a welcome drink and a cookie.

An employee then takes the time to show us all the important facilities personally, so that we feel at home from the very first minute. The building is only five years old. Nevertheless, you can see everywhere the care with which the entire complex is maintained. Although, for example, the pool is sensationally overlooked by the branches of the trees surrounding it, it is spotlessly clean. Even in the often neglected corners of the sanitary area, there is not a single brown stain to be found.

Then I should perhaps mention the breakfast buffet set up in the Spoonbill: the selection is more than extensive; if you wanted to, you could get everything you need for the whole day here. In addition to the usual egg station, there are separate islands with dishes from Sri Lanka, India and other parts of the world. Really impressive. Here, too, the service is outstanding, not to mention the décor of the entire room.

Fazit

WOW! We didn’t expect that! The DoubleTree by Hilton Weerawila Rajawarna Resort deserves every one of its five stars, no ifs, ands, or buts!