Beautiful, quiet and clean little hotel in a lovely small village. Perfect location, just in front of two great surf spots, tucked away from traffic noise, in a green and calm village. I could do my morning surf-checks from my balcony, and then stroll over a small green field with cows to jump into the waves - and wrap up my surf session with a cold coconut in one of the beach shacks - such a magical place! Lion's has a great breakfast selection with several options for both european and sri lankan breakfast, as well as a supertasty coconut oat bowl with fruits - perfect after your morning surf. They provide free refill of fresh water at the hotel. The restaurant offers lunch and dinner, and hosts weekly social dinners (seafood bbq, sri lankan food evenings). In general, the hotel had a very friendly and social surfwibe. The pool was beautiful and clean, with poolside sunbeds (with optional umbrellas for shade). There are also two other chill out zones with comfortable and social set up: hammocks, beanie bags and yoga supplies (mats, bolsters etc) and fans for comfortable temperatures. The hotel is less than 1 minute walk away from several daily yoga classes in a beautiful and peaceful shala with a mix of yoga styles, including evening yin / restorative classes. The staff was incredibly friendly and helpful, and made me feel very welcome. My room was beautiful and clean, and as a womas travelling alone, I felt very safe in the hotel. Good wifi. Several beautiful "hidden" smaller beaches close by (walking along the shore). There are tuktuks with friendly and helpful drivers ready outside the hotel to transport you to other surf spots or to check out the busier wibes of Weligama and Ahangama. What more can I say about this amazing place? If you want a peaceful, beautiful, relaxing stay in a welcoming and friendly environment - book your stay at Lions Rest - you won't regret it!

Loved everything about my stay!

I WAS TRAVELING WITH A GROUP OF FRIENDS ON A SURFING TRIP, THE LOCATION WAS CONVENIENTLY SITUATED CLOSE TO MANY GREAT POPULAR SURF SPOTS AND A FEW HIDDEN GEMS WHICH YOU WILL HAVE TO SEARCH FOR. THE HOTEL IS SITUATED IN A SMALL VILLAGE, WHICH IS VERY FRIENDLY AND WELCOMING, AND IN NO TIME AT ALL FRIENDSHIPS WERE MADE WITH BOTH LOCALS AND OTHER TOURISTS. THE HOTEL HAS A STRONG SURF CULTURE AND POST SURF A GREAT PLACE TO HANG OUT AND CHAT WITH OTHER GUESTS. THE BREAKFAST WAS VERY GOOD, AND ON CERTAIN NIGHTS A THEMED MEAL IS A OPTION, WE CHOOSE THE TRADITIONAL SRI LANKEN MEAL, WHICH WAS AMAZING. THE ROOMS WERE VERY SPACIOUS AND CLEAN, AND THE STAFF WERE SO FRIENDLY AND HELPFUL. ALREADY PLANNING ON RETURNING AT EASTER WITH MY WIFE AND SON. SUITED FOR BOTH SURFERS AND NON SURFERS WANTING TO ESCAPE THE CORPORATE HOLIDAY AND IMMERSE IN TO THE VILLAGE LIFESTYLE

Lions Rest is absolutely wonderful if you want somewhere close to the surf, with friendly staff, a relaxing atmosphere and fantastic food. From the moment we arrived we instantly felt the beautiful energy of this special place. Ayesh, the local manger at the accommodation, helped us out with so many things - from lost scooter key issues, to restaurant recommendations, from upgrading our room, to arranging the most beautiful private engagement celebration dinner on our balcony, we will treasure these memories here for the rest of our lives. The accommodation is clean, the menu is eclectic, and make sure you don’t miss the weekly Sri Lankan buffet with fresh fish baked in banana leaf with local spices, devilled jackfruit, and the most delicious coconut rotis and dahl. The location is incredible as well. It’s off the main drags of weligama and ahangama, on a little secluded beach with a field in front where cute cows roam around and little beach shack bars are set up to watch the most glorious sunsets - it has an understated tropical surf culture island vibe away from the western instagram tourist spots in the nearby towns. A true place to relax. We started with 3 nights and ended up staying for 9 as Lions Rest was so good for the soul. Thanks guys we’ll be back!! 🏄‍♂️ ❤️ ☀️ 🌊 😃

Literally can’t think of anything!

The Lions Rest team made us feel very welcome right from the start. We even got an upgrade. All of the staff were extremely friendly and helpful and attended all our questions and needs immediately. There’s always relaxing music on in the restaurant. The rooms are spacious, super comfy and spotless. So are the rest of the facilities. The food is exceptionally good. Particularly the Seafood BBQ. Lion’s Rest works close together with the local community especially regarding surf rentals and coaching which was a big plus. The location is second to none and and exceedingly quiet. All in all did we spend a superb relaxing surf holiday here. Thank you loads Lions Rest team for making it happen. We definitely will return in the future. Don’t come here to party. But please do to unwind and spend a relaxing time close to the ocean with happy and friendly people.

-

Lion's Rest had an awesome location, the beach was literally only a 2 min walk, it was really nice to just sit and enjoy the sundown. The room was very nice and clean, with an AC - this was highly appreciated on some days during our stay. The staff was the loveliest, very accommodating and helpful with any request. The breakfast selection is great, as well as the rest of the menu. This was a great stay at the end of our trip - chill, friendly and comfortable. No notes :)

The staff were amazing - we were so well looked after I was travelling with my 86yo mum and they did everything they could to help us make her comfortable Wonderful location Rooms basically kitted but efficient AC/fans.

Menu was limited and would have been nice to see more Sri Lankan veggie options

The family room was spacious, clean and comfortable with a lovely view. The location is the best with a great sunset view, surf break, beautiful reef and lagoon at the doorstep. Our son learned to surf at Weligama and Kabalana which are a short tuk-tuk ride. Wonderful, friendly, helpful staff who made our stay really enjoyable.

Nothing!

Very special little boutique hotel. Friendly, personal staff who knew all guests by name. Lovely relax area, clean and comfy rooms. Loved the fish bbq evening. A la carte breakfast was great.

Would have appreciated kettle with tea/coffee facilities in the room, and shampoo.

This place felt like home, amazing little oasis in a quiet location away from the busy streets nearby, The staff were all perfect, welcoming, accommodating and always smiling. Beautiful rooms with a private balcony looking over the ocean. Food was also unreal!!! We will be back

The guesthouse was really infront of the sea. There you can find a spot actually! The staff was very kindly and the food was really really good! I recomend it!

Between the guesthouse and the see there is a green space, sad to see a lot of rubbish