Serene Park Hotel by Ark

Location abit far from town but provide dinner / breakfast and the water pressure is too low.

I don't even stay here, they let us book the room, afterward tell us cancel, cause they say we are close today, I booked 3 rooms, and I need to carry my things to look for hotel again nearby, owner say will refund, after I cancel, let's wait, rest assure

Stunning views all around the hotel. Nice rooms, great ac, modern bathroom, very clean, and great value. The pool is a great bonus. They also organised an amazing jeep trip to Bundala NP - great experience. Also, they have a couple of bikes that you can borrow, albeit with the most uncomfortable saddles in the world! They even organised a car and driver for us at very short notice, when our booked driver failed to show. Although every member of the staff was friendly and tried to be helpful, there was a slight tinge of disorganisation about the place. Our room had no pillows or coffee cups, and we were given no key to the room. The key was provided quite quickly, the pillows after asking 3 times, but the cups never arrived. Also, we only had one meal there and it was OK, but most things were missing from the menu. But no major gripes.

Amazing views and a quiet area nestled in the paddy fields. The friendly staff made our stay even more enjoyable. The pool was just what we needed to unwind and cool off. While there was no fridge in the room for cold drinks, everything else was great. The nearby lake was beautiful, and it was lovely to see the locals chilling there in the evening.

Our room and the hotel were great! Yasith and his team were very helpful and catered to all our needs. We really enjoyed the sunset from the rooftop, had a very spacious and comfortable room and a nice post-safari dip in the pool. We also enjoyed walking along the lake and watching thousands of bats cross over at sunset. You can easily walk into town to have dinner. Thank you for everything!

My original plan of a 1-night stay turned into 3 nights purely based on the property and the team. The rooms are spacious and well appointed, with clean linen and towels. The wooden floors are a nice look and feel. The air-conditioning works very well. An unbelievable amount of space for work / lounging. The room itself has a work desk which is perfect for remote work. The balcony is small but functional, and overlooks the majestic Tissa Lake. Spacious terraces on the 1st and 2nd levels as well as a rooftop with spectacular views of the surrounding fields and the lake. I got plenty of work done and attended web-based meetings in peace, against an amazing backdrop. At the end of the day it is the people that make a difference, and this is where Yasith and his team were exemplary. From his kind, attentive service to the care he displays to guests and the property (and of course by the way he treats Kalu, the adorable orphaned puppy), Yasith leads from the front. I noted among other things his meticulous bookkeeping skills, which is a rare find for any property. Suffice to say I have found my stay whenever I return to Tissa. What better place for a morning/evening stroll than the bank of Tissa lake. For any reasonable person willing to stay at a 3-star hotel and not expect 5-star amenities, Serene Park Hotel by Ark has all the right things in place. Full disclosure, I did not have any meals at the premises; as I am very familiar with Tissa I enjoy the many local options available nearby.