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Reviews of The Villa in Lavinia

3.5 out of 5
The Villa in Lavinia
No 26/3, Sri Dharmapala Mawatha, Mount Lavinia, Colombo

Reviews

8.2

Very good

Rating 10 - Excellent. 17 out of 44 reviews" "
Rating 8 - Good. 18 out of 44 reviews" "
Rating 6 - Okay. 4 out of 44 reviews" "
Rating 4 - Poor. 3 out of 44 reviews" "
Rating 2 - Terrible. 2 out of 44 reviews" "

8.6/10

Cleanliness

8.4/10

Staff & service

6.4/10

Amenities

8.2/10

Property conditions & facilities

7.2/10

Eco-friendliness

Reviews

10/10 Excellent

Adnan

Liked: Staff & service, property conditions & facilities
A little hidden gem. Clean, simple, great staff, very reasonably priced. I would definitely come back!
Stayed 6 nights in Feb 2024
Response from Tyrone Rabot on 1 Mar 2024
Dear Mr. Adnan,Thank you for your kind review. We are glade that you have enjoyed your stay at The Villa In Lavinia. Thank you for the opportunity to be of service. Look forward to welcome you in the near future.Regards,Tyrone Rabot.Manager.

8/10 Good

Amanda

Stayed 1 night in Jan 2024
Response from Tyrone Rabot on 19 Jan 2024
Dear Amanda,Thank you for your kind patronage of our hotel. We are glade that you enjoyed your stay with us and giving us the opportunity to be of service. Look forward to welcome you in the near future.

4/10 Poor

Verified traveller

Disliked: Property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Did the job, but just!
The Villa in Lavinia is a nice-enough, quaint property and on the whole, well run by the owner and staff, who were nice people, grateful for your patronage and always helpful. Its location is not in the nicest environment at the bottom of the street off Galle Road, just a hundred yards from the train track. Trains pass often with screaming horns at all hours, which has to happen given so many people live, (in dire poverty), at the railway line or cross the track in the normal course of the day/night. The room itself was basic, a little tired and could do with renovation and re-painting (at least). There was air-conditioning in the room, but wasn't always effective in a tropical climate. Sometimes the ceiling fan did the job more effectively. The bed was pretty 'hard', uncomfortable and old. The mattress under the sheets looked pretty dirty. The Wi-Fi was okay.....worked 50% of the time, though was set through an unsecured connection. It often dropped sporadically just when you needed it. The room had a fridge, which was great since you need to buy mineral water and keep it cold. The bathroom was good, but very tired and needs renovating - the shower-head was literally rusty. However, all this is in context since Sri Lanka is, at best, a 2nd world country/developing nation.
Stayed 17 nights in Nov 2023
Response from Tyrone Rabot on 9 Dec 2023
Dear Guest,Our sincere apologies for any inconveniences caused during your stay in our hotel. We try our utmost to ensure total comfort to our valued guest. If you can advise us your name it will help us to rectify the areas of concern. Most of our guest have had many positive comments in the past.Thank you for your understanding and look forward to welcome you in the near future.Tyrone Rabot.manager.

6/10 Okay

Swarna Mahinda

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service
Disliked: Property conditions & facilities
Inside shower room, toilet bowl and wash basing arrangement are not safe, as sitting in the toilet is not safe due to wash basing square slab with sharp corners. This is a health and safety issue, accident waiting to happen, requires urgent revisit the washrooms and attend to appropriate resifting of wash basing so on to make safe. I alert this issue with the manger InCharge, and he acknowledged the issue. A simple modification of bathroom would solve the problem.
Stayed 2 nights in Nov 2023
Response from Tyrone Rabot on 18 Jan 2024
Dear Mr. Mahinda,Thank you for your kind patronage of our Hotel. You observation are taken positively. We are glade that you enjoyed your stay. Look forward to welcome you in the near future.

8/10 Good

Massimiliano

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
I like the stay in this hotel and people is nice and professional
Stayed 10 nights in Oct 2023
Response from Tyrone Rabot on 23 Oct 2023
Dear Guest. Thank you for the opportunity to be of service and your appreciation of our commitment to serve you. Your feed back will help us to improve our services. We are glade that you enjoyed your stay at our hotel. Look forward to welcome you in the near future at your home away from home. With regards, Tyrone Rabot. Manager.

8/10 Good

Verified traveller

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
The Villa
Have stayed at this establishment over the past 20 or so years. First choice when visiting SL. standard has improved with the addition of fridges. Friendly, obliging professional staff standards have not changed.
Stayed 5 nights in Aug 2023
Response from Tyrone Rabot on 27 Aug 2023
Dear Guest,Thank you for your kind review and the appreciation of our services. Look forward to welcome you at our hotel in the near future.

8/10 Good

Joi

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Small establishment; great service
We spent 1 night here at the Villa in Lavinia. The staff greeted us at the door and walked us to the room as they explained things. We had a nice breakfast prepared for us the next morning accompanied by a gentle knock on the door to let us know it was hot and ready. When we had an issue getting an Uber to come pick us up to go to our next location the staff immediately stepped in and contacted a driver for us. The Villa at Lavinia is a small establishment, but the personal care and service is unmatched. Thank you for that.
Stayed 1 night in Jul 2023
Response from Tyrone Rabot on 25 Jul 2023
Dear Guest, Thank you for the opportunity to be of service and the appreciation of our commitment to serve you. We are glade that you enjoyed your stay at our hotel. Look forward to welcome you in the near future. With regards, Tyrone Rabot. Manager.

8/10 Good

Verified traveller

Liked: Cleanliness, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Quiet cosy atmosphere. Staff was friendly and provide assistance.
Stayed 5 nights in Aug 2019
Response from Tyrone Rabot on 13 Aug 2019
Dear Guest, Thank you for your kind review and the constructive comments. We sincerely appreciate the opportunity to be of service to you. Look forward to welcome you many more times in the near future. With kind regards, The Villa In Lavinia Team.

8/10 Good

Verified traveller

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Great little place
The Villa in Lavinia is a great little place tucked away from the hustle and bustle of Colombo proper which is a few minutes away though there is plentiful supply of taxis (Uber) and tuk-tuks so it was not an issue for us. Although the location is closer to the beach there aren't many things to do locally so the taxis do come handy. Facility wise, the room and the hotel in general was in good clean condition and the pool (although small-ish in size) and surrounding area was well kept. The only real issue we had during our stay is the daily power cuts for which the hotel didn't have generators for at the time.
Stayed 2 nights in Apr 2019
Response from Tyrone Rabot on 20 Apr 2019
Dear Guest, Thank you for your kind review and the opportunity to be of service. We are glade that you enjoyed your stay at our hotel. In reference to the generator kindly be informed that we have now installed it and in your next visit you shall not experience the power cuts any further. Thank you once again and look forward to welcome you at our hotel in the near future. With best regards, Tyrone Rabot.

8/10 Good

M, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

Business traveller
Liked: Cleanliness, property conditions & facilities
Staff were pleasant and obliging - although initial requests made at booking were not met. The manager's personal attention to promptly solve a technical issue was very much appreciated. Location is good. You get value for money and I liked the homey feel of the villa. The building itself is very nice but needs upgrading e.g. plug points should be changed to square from round; fan in my room was noisy; bedside lamps would be nice; amenities were just two tiny lumps of soap. Bring your own.
Stayed 6 nights in Mar 2019
Response from Tyrone on 4 Apr 2019
Dear Guest, Thank you for your kind review. We are pleased to note that you enjoyed your stay even-though you experienced a few inadvertent errors. We have taken note of your concerns and shall ensure non repetition of same. We look forward to welcome you in the near future given us the opportunity to be of service. With regards, Tyrone Rabot

2/10 Terrible

Verified traveller

Disliked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Location is also not that good. Wifi was pathetic. You cannot connect in your room and when it is connected it was very slow. After that in evening there is a power cut and hotel doesn’t have anpower back up. When i asked then came to know that power cut is also in morning from 0830-1130 and evening 1700-1800 or 1830. I checked out in morning as soon as i got up. Worst experience of hotel.
Stayed 1 night in Mar 2019
Response from Tyrone on 28 Mar 2019
Dear Mr. Mishra, Thank you for your kind review. We're sorry you were unhappy - we'll work hard to fix the issue you experienced. We do apologize for the inadvertent error and the negative experiences you had. Some things are not within our control. Given us the opportunity at your next stay in our hotel, we assure you a memorable stay. Look forward to welcome you in the near future. Tyrone Rabot.

10/10 Excellent

Verified traveller

Stayed 1 night in Mar 2019
Response from Tyrone on 4 Apr 2019
Dear Guest, Thank you for your kind review. We are pleased that we could have been of service. Look forward to welcome you in the near future at our hotel. With regards,

10/10 Excellent

Verified traveller

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Stayed 1 night in Mar 2019
Response from Tyrone on 4 Apr 2019
Dear Guest, Thank you for your kind review. We are pleased that we have been of service. Look forward to welcome you at our hotel in the near future. Tyrone Rabot

4/10 Poor

Verified traveller

Travelled with family
Disliked: Staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Disappointing stay here, chaos best describes management. Holes in bed sheets that you could put your arm through, toilet seat that was broken. Complained every day . No room make up on 2 of 4 days by 7.00pm had to ask!! Checked out early and went somewhere else.
Stayed 5 nights in Dec 2018
Response from Tyrone on 2 Jan 2019
Dear Guest, Thank you for your feed back. We do apologize for the inconvenience caused if any due to an inadvertent error. We have been very accommodative to our guest and we have always met with their expectations. Do apologize for the short comings if any and look forward to welcome you in the near future giving us the opportunity to serve you better.

2/10 Terrible

Pudupakkam Varadarajan

Disliked: Cleanliness, staff & service, room comfort
Palatial Rip-off!!
The Villa is definitely not value for money.Internet is very poor the breakfast pathetic. Has anyone heard of Date Juice???unless desperate please do not use this place for even a days stay
Stayed 6 nights in Dec 2018
Response from Tyrone on 2 Jan 2019
Dear Guest, Thank you for your valuable and constructive feed back. In our hotel we do always have a choice of juice. We would have been more than obliged to serve you of your choice if requested. We do appologize for the inadvertent error and look forward to be of service in the near future.

10/10 Excellent

Verified traveller

Stayed 6 nights in Dec 2018
Response from Tyrone on 5 Jan 2019
Dear Sir, I do not see any comments on the review With regards, Tyrone

8/10 Good

Monica, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Very good value. Small touches would take it up a notch e.g. a bedside lamp, upgrade TV set to a slightly larger one. Nice grounds and plants/trees. Although the rooms were smallish, it was nice that there was an open-ness in the common areas. Well designed. Every single member of the staff was extremely helpful and communicated well in English (apologies if it sounds patronising; but English is not so widely spoken nowadays). Would definitely stay there again.
Stayed 3 nights in Aug 2018

6/10 Okay

Rodney

Liked: Staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Hidden away
All round not so good. Upon arrival we couldn't get in and had to bang on the door for a long time to attract someones attention. The room had been cleaned but wasn't ready so lots of coming and going. Nobody came near our room for our 3 day stay and we had to ask for things like toilet paper. For dinner the menu meant nothing and you pretty much had to order what suited them. Our room wasn't very clean. The staff were nice, helpful and friendly.
Stayed 3 nights in Jun 2018

8/10 Good

Heather, Perth, Western Australia

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Nice hotel walking distance beach & restaurants
Found staff friendly and helpful. Were there for a wedding and tour. Family came in at various times and were made very welcome dispute their late arrivals.
Stayed 9 nights in Dec 2017

8/10 Good

Verified traveller

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Our stay has only begun. We have been very fortunate to have had the help from the staff here, no problem opening the Villa for us at 2.00am or providing meals. If you need something it's a matter of asking and they are willing to help solve your problem. Our days have busy getting organised for a wedding. Travel comes later.
Stayed 1 night in Dec 2017
Response from Tyrone Rabot on 26 Dec 2018
Dear Guest, Appreciate your kind review and look forward to welcome you many more times in the near future. Tyrone Rabot.

10/10 Excellent

Asiri, Australia.

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Place to stay
This is my 8th visit. Excellent service. James and the team is extraordinary. If you are going to Sri Lanka - Colombo this is the place to stay. Clean, Comfortable and secure.
Stayed 1 night in Nov 2017
Response from James on 1 Dec 2017
Dear Asiri Thank you very much for Your kind comments. It's always a pleasure to welcome you back and hope to see you again soon. Kind regards James

8/10 Good

Jocelyn

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Super-clean, modern n comfy at a good price
My first impression of this place changed significantly over time, largely due to the lovely staff and manager. On first glance the room seemed smallish and the location a little out of the way for a woman travelling alone but I soon realised how safe n comfortable it was. The rooms are compact and super clean and modern. My room was bug-free, which is a difficult task for any hotel in SL. There's a nice little porch outside the room which offers great drying opportunities if you decide to do some handwashing. In the heat your clothes can dry in as little as an hour! The amenity kits in the bathroom are lovely n after use the bottles are fab for putting your own toiletries into if you're trying to downsize on cosmetic bottles in your luggage. For anyone put off by dogs, the villa's namesake, Lavinia, is a very sweet, small n good natured pup. The villas are at the beach end of a little laneway, which means it's convenient for beach walks. Tuk tuks are stationed not far from the building so do ask the staff to grab you one if you're going out at night. The staff n manager are delightful and did whatever they could to make my stay a pleasant one. I felt very at home n looked after here. Thanks for a great stay!

10/10 Excellent

Shu, MY

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
A welcoming retreat
the place is secluded, quite but very safe. compound is well maintained and has great staff who is ever willing to assist (the chef even made us a special breakfast). it is only 5 mins walk to the beach. i would highly recommended for its cleanliness and high quality of customer service.

8/10 Good

Verified traveller

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
nice hotel and v calm place
I liked the hotel staying for holiday. Hotel was very clean and very calm. Location is best. Beach is very close by hotel. Hotel security is very good so I felt much secure during stay.

10/10 Excellent

Verified traveller

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Clean, comfy and cheap
Not too far from the beach, nice rooms for the price, AC, minibar, TV etc. Cute swimming pool. Staff friendly if at times a bit slow. Off street parking.

8/10 Good

M. HCQ, Canada

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Best breakfast in Mt Lavinia!
Order the Sri Lankan breakfast! Roti, Dal and the most delicious tomato/onion topping I've ever tasted! I would love to have the recipe. The worst part of my stay was missing the breakfast on my second morning as I checked out at 5am. Hotel was nice. A good walk from Gaulle Road and a short walk to Mt Lavinia beach (and beach restaurants and pubs) which you would need to get to for eating in the local area. Hotel upgraded my stay to a large room which was nice. Staff and Manager were friendly and helpful. Rooms and bathroom nicely decorated. Cold dip pool was refreshing. Noise from the road was a little loud for light sleepers.

6/10 Okay

David, Dunedin

Disliked: Staff & service
You get what you pay for plus dogs, but no wifi.
Room was clean and it was okay for what I paid. Breakfast was okay, but doesn't start to 8am There are two dogs roaming around the property. The free WiFi doesn't work. The TV in the room is tiny, 14 inch. There is a window from the hallway into the room above the door and the curtains on the external window only cover half the window area. If you ask for something the staff will try to help, but not great service. I guess you get what you pay for.

10/10 Excellent

John, Oxford

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
A good choice on the south side of Colombo
We spent a couple of nights in Mount Lavinia on arrival in Sri Lanka - this place was a good choice - clean and very well appointed, with helpful staff. Close to the railway station; and walking distance to the main road where you can get a bus. The location is initially a bit off-putting, down a back alley, but once you are inside it is really nice and it is a few hundred yards from the beach, where there are lots of restaurants and the nearby Mount Lavinia hotel, great for a sundowner on the terrace (go for Happy Hour - drinks half price).

8/10 Good

Peter, Maidenhead

Liked: Staff & service, room comfort
Great staff
Lovely staff. By SL standards it is what I now know is about normal. Staff were very helpful.

8/10 Good

Johanna

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort

10/10 Excellent

Oliver

Liked: Cleanliness, room comfort
Stayed 2 nights in Feb 2022
Response from Tyrone Rabot on 6 Feb 2022
Dear Mr.Oliver, Thank you for the opportunity to be of service. We do appreciate your feed back. Look forward to welcome you at our hotel in the near future.

10/10 Excellent

PAVEL

Travelled with family
Liked: Staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Bien !!!
Très bon emplacement, entre plage et commerces. Personnel très agréable. Idéal pour visiter Colombo puis finir la journée à la plage.
Stayed 2 nights in Feb 2020
Response from Tyrone Rabot on 15 Feb 2020
Cher Mr.Hyndrak.Merci de l'opportunité d'être au service. Nous sommes ravis et encouragés par votre retour d'information que nous avons répondu à vos attentes. Au plaisir de vous accueillir à plusieurs reprises dans un avenir proche. En ce qui concerne, Tyrone Rabot.

10/10 Excellent

Verified traveller

Travelled with group
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Sauber und gut ausgestattet. Das Personal ist durchweg sehr freundlich und hilfsbereit. Am besten gefallen hat mir aber die Lage ,dicht an Colombo und allem was man braucht und vorallem in einer realen Umgebung dh kein Touristen Ghetto. Uns haben die Tage dort wirklich gefallen und uns das Ankommen auf Sri Lanka sehr erleichtert .
Stayed 3 nights in Mar 2019
Response from Tyrone on 30 Apr 2019
Lieber Gast, Vielen Dank für Ihre freundliche und ermutigende Bewertung. Es war mir eine Freude, von Nutzen zu sein. Freuen Sie sich auf Ihren Besuch in naher Zukunft. Mit freundlichen Grüßen Tyrone Rabot

10/10 Excellent

Verified traveller

Liked: Staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Die Lage ist wirklich gut, kurzer Weg zum Strand über die Bahnschienen. Der Strand ist sauber und die Restaurants sehr gut. Ich hatte keinen Adapter und das Personal vom Hotel hat mir netterweise einen besorgt, danke dafür.
Stayed 2 nights in Mar 2019
Response from Tyrone Rabot on 8 Mar 2019
Lieber Gast, Vielen Dank für Ihre freundliche Erneuerung. Wir sind glücklich, dass wir Ihren Aufenthalt zu einem unvergesslichen Erlebnis gemacht haben. Nutzen Sie die Gelegenheit, um von Nutzen zu sein. Freuen Sie sich auf Ihren Besuch in naher Zukunft. Mit freundlichen Grüßen Tyrone Rabot Manager

10/10 Excellent

Verified traveller

Travelled with group
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Zeer vriendelijk personeel. Erg hulpvaardig.De kamer was schoon en had een goede air conditioning
Stayed 2 nights in Jan 2019
Response from Tyrone Rabot on 23 Jan 2019
Geachte heer mevrouw, GROETEN UIT DE VILLA IN LAVINIË. Bedankt voor je vriendelijke beoordeling. Het is een voorrecht om u te hebben gediend en wij zijn u erkentelijk dat u genoten had van uw verblijf bij ons. We zullen ons best doen om onze services verder te verbeteren door middel van gastbeoordelingen die we ontvangen. Ik kijk er naar uit om je in de nabije toekomst te verwelkomen. Bedankt voor uw vriendelijke ondersteuning. Met vriendelijke groet,

10/10 Excellent

Elena

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Отдых сердцем.
Это очень комфортный отель,а персонал дружелюбный.Помогали и поддерживали на протяжении всего отдыха.Чувствовала себя как дома с друзьями.Я очень довольна,уезжать совсем не хотелось.Готовят вкусную еду и огромные порции.Вблизи пляж,идти пару минут.Магазины тоже на расстоянии 10 минут.
Stayed 7 nights in Dec 2018
Response from Tyrone on 2 Jan 2019
Dear Ms.Elena, Thank you for your kind feed back and it is an encouragement to our team. We are well pleased that you enjoyed your stay and do look forward to welcome you in the near future.

8/10 Good

Marko

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Second visit on this hotel. Nothing has really changed, rooms are really good, staff friendly. Fridge and electric kettle is a big plus. One of the best wifis we met during our 26 days visit in Sri Lanka.
Stayed 7 nights in Nov 2018
Response from Tyrone Rabot on 19 Dec 2018
Dear Mr.Marko. Thank you for your review and it is an encouragement to improve our services.

10/10 Excellent

Anna

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Ett personligt boende
Ett mycket bra personligt boende i ett lugnt område, nära till stranden och Colombo. Personalen gav oss utmärkt personlig service. Vi rekommenderar hotellet.
Stayed 2 nights in Dec 2017

4/10 Poor

Ako, JAPAN

Liked: Cleanliness
Disliked: Staff & service
中は綺麗なホテル
午前0時過ぎのチェックインだったが、気さくに対応してもらえた。しかし、気分良く朝食付きで予約してあったのに、朝食は有料だと言われた。予約時の印刷を見せてが、どこかの手違いでかホテルの受付では、ノーブレックファーストになっていて、実費を支払って食べた。 また、ドライヤーも貸してもらえると思ったらなかった。
Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2017

10/10 Excellent

bjørn

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Service +++++
Good valyue for the money

10/10 Excellent

Verified traveller

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort

8/10 Good

Verified traveller

Liked: Cleanliness, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Gutes kleines Hotel. Bisschen außerhalb von Colombo, aber mit dem TukTuk oder Bus kein Problem zu erreichen. Zimmer sauber, im Hotel selbst etwas hellhörig. Frühstück auf Wunsch zubereitet, etwas wenig, aber lecker.

8/10 Good

Verified traveller

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Schönes Hotel in Strandnähe
Das Hotel liegt gut, um dort den ersten Tag nach der Anreise zu verbringen. Der kurze Weg zum Strand über die Bahngleise ist etwas ungewöhnlich aber so ist man gleich richtig in Sri Lanka angekommen. Die Ausstattung des Hotels ist super. Wir haben uns dort sehr wohl gefühlt.