If you’re planning a trip to Sri Lanka, Sigiriya should be at the top of your list. Known for its breathtaking Sigiriya Rock, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. But where should you stay to make the most of your visit? Look no further than The Otunna Guest House, a hidden gem offering a warm, welcoming atmosphere.
What to expect in this article:
About Sigiriya & Lion Rock
Sigiriya is a small and quiet village in Sri Lanka. It is famous for the Lion Rock, but the village itself is also very nice. It is surrounded by green trees, rice fields, and nature. It feels calm and relaxed, and even though its quite touristic, it does not feel like it, more like the country side..
Sigiriya is not just about the Lion Rock. It is a lovely village, perfect for relaxing and enjoying nature
Then let’s talk about the Sigiriya Rock. This ancient rock fortress is very tall, rising 200 meters above the jungle. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is full of history and beauty. I wrote a blog about Sigiriya Rock, which you can read here! The article is about how challenging it is to climb the rock. What do you think? Would it be easy?
In this village, you can find an accommodation where you can have a peaceful stay. In this article, I will tell you everything about the Otunna Guest House.
One more thing, don’t forget to read about 2.5 weeks itinerary Sri Lanka, to not miss a spot!
Why stay at Otunna Guest House?
The Otunna Guest House was one of the most special accommodations in Sri Lanka. Here I will explain why! And no, this article is not an ad (I wish!), we just loved our stay here!
1.Amazing Host: The owner Dinesh is young, speaks English, and tried to make our stay wonderful. Need advice on where to go? Looking for local tips? He’s got you covered! We did a tour around Sigiriya with a tuktuk and were doubting the price, so we called him and he made us (probably) the best deal.
2.Delicious Breakfast: While arriving we got an amazing passionfruit juice which I am still dreaming about. Next to that, we woke up to a fresh, homemade breakfast that was simply unforgettable. Pancakes, pineapple juice, spicy sambar, fruits, coconut roti… The best way to wake up!
3.Peaceful Garden Setting: The guest house is surrounded by a beautiful garden. Flowers and plants from everywhere, it was amazing. Sometimes it felt like we were in a jungle. You can hear the birds chirp, butterflies all around you. Then in the middle suddenly your accommodation is there. It all felt so natural! It’s the perfect place to rest after a day of sightseeing or climbing the Sigiriya Rock. Check out the videos!
4.Convenient Location: It is just a short drive from Sigiriya Rock. So the Otunna Guest House makes you explore the area easily. We woke up early (6AM), as it can get hot in the summer to climb the Sigiriya Rock, and there was no shadow on top. It was very easy to go from The Otunna Guest House to the Rock.
Last but not least: Inside the accommodation it was also comfortable. That’s just as important as the outside 😉
Book an activity for your convenience
Places to visit near Sigiriya
Near Sigiriya, and the accommodation there are too many amazing places that you can visit. You can visit those as a day trip or when you travel further, like we did. As we travelled all the way north, to our family in Jaffna.
- Sigiriya Rock Fortress: Of course, the famous rock has to be discussed. Wake up early at Otunna Guest House and go to the Rock! In this article, you can read more about my experience at Sigiriya Rock.
- Pidurangala Rock: For an alternative view of Sigiriya Rock, hike up Pidurangala Rock. It’s less crowded and offers an equally stunning experience. The best thing is that you can see the Sigiriya Rock from here, which must be an amazing view. I want to climb this rock next time I go to Sri Lanka.
- Dambulla Cave Temple: A short drive away (30 minutes by car), this amazing Buddhist temple complex features impressive cave paintings and statues. It has been a sacred pilgrimage site for 22 centuries, and it’s the largest, best-preserved cave temple complex in Sri Lanka. A must-visit!
- Minneriya National Park: Love wildlife? Take a safari at Minneriya National Park to see elephants in their natural habitat. It is also a 30 minutes drive by car. We did not visit Minneriya, as we visited Udawalawe National Park and also saw plenty of elephants, crocodiles and other animals, which I wrote about in this article.
- Anuradhapura: After Dambulla and Sigiriya we choose to visit Anuradhapura, on our way to Jaffna. This site is one of the oldest cities in Sri Lanka. It was the ancient capital and is full of history. The city has many old temples, stupas like Ruwanwelisaya, and the famous sacred Bodhi Tree. It is a peaceful place with green nature.
Book your stay at The Otunna Guest House
Whether you’re in Sigiriya for adventure, history, or relaxation, The Otunna Guest House is the ideal place to stay. I can only recommend it. Whether it is because of host Dinesh and his family, the delicious food/breakfast, or the beautiful garden and nature, which makes you feel like walking in a jungle.
It feels like you are in a different place when entering this spot. Don’t hesitate to ask Dinesh and his family a lot of questions, as they can tell the most interesting stories and give great advice.
Read another article about Sri Lanka!
How to contact the Otunna Guest House?
- Address: No 104/A Kalapuraya, Sigiriya 21120, Sri Lanka
- Phone number: +94 70 262 8467
- Link from Booking.com for Otunna Guest House
I hope you liked reading the article and I can’t wait to hear about your experience at this accommodation!
Would you like to read more?
