Ziegler Cottage

Sri Lanka , Katunayake
NEGOMBO, 16 B Pamunugama Road Rajawaththa Dungalpitiya
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50 reviews shown

2/10

Poor

15 Mar 2026

Nick

Overall a bad experience. There are far better hotels/stays for just a few more quids:

Room condition:
Degraded, dirty and with questionable stains everywhere and we witnessed ants moving pieces of food from under the bed (see photos). Cupboard couldn’t close properly and pops open midnight. Windows had strong watermarks so you can’t really enjoy the view.

Service:
The manager look-a-like gives zero respect to customers, abruptly stopping people mid sentence to say whatever he needs to say. The staff is very cheeky, asking for more tips rudely (literally said “this is little money, more?”) even though we already tipped well above standards.

Location:
It locates right below the landing path of airplanes so you wouldn’t be able to catch a good night sleep here. It looks like it’s near the airport, but in reality it will take you 40mins to get to the airport, as it locates right in the middle of the strip with no bridge to cut across to the airport.

Overall, it’s an utter waste of a could-be-lovely seaside cottage.

10/10

Exceptional

25 Feb 2026

Jill

The manager was really kind, even getting up in the middle of the night to welcome us. Breakfast and dinner were very good. Room was a good size and very clean. We had a tuk tuk tour of Negombo organised by the hotel. Thank you for looking after us so well

Partner

8/10

Excellent

26 Jan 2026

Lavinia

Very clean, friendly and detail oriented. Very nice room and bathroom (room 26). Great location if you appreciate some quiet time and pool or beach time. They waited for us with welcome drinks in the middle of the night and we had a fantastic view from our room.
Improvement points: a better bed and better food (the chicken dish l had at lunch had more smashed bones in it than meat).

Partner

8/10

Excellent

26 Dec 2025

Anna

Friendly and helpful staff. Good breakfast. Cute pool aerea.

Leisure Friends

10/10

Exceptional

25 Dec 2025

Mahshad

The hotel was nice but there is a lie here
It is not a 4 or 5 start hotel it is i guess 2 or 3 stars
But the staff were very helpful and nice
Breakfast was really good

8/10

Excellent

06 Sep 2025

Andreia

It was an enjoyable stay. The pool is really nice and the sea is close, although it is not possible to swim there. The place is a bit run down, but I think the price paid was fair. The staff are really really nice, with Lucky helping us and booking for us a couple of day trips. I did also enjoy the food, which had that homemade taste which was welcome after eating out so much while on holiday. I would stay again.

Partner

10/10

Exceptional

24 Aug 2025

Sarah

The staff really made this stay special. They made you feel like family and every detail was taken care of.
The view is wonderful and the food in the restaurant made fresh.
Great Value for money. It is a wonderful place to start and finish your holiday!!

Leisure Self

10/10

Exceptional

03 Jun 2025

Aurora

Great hospitality

10/10

Exceptional

28 May 2025

Michelle

A truely wonderful stay

Our stay at Ziegler Cottage was truely remarkable. It can only be described as a little piece of paradise. A truely beautiful place where I could relax in a way I haven't for years & as a result I think I healed.
The spectacular garden backs onto the beach & we saw the most incredible sunsets.
The staff were amazing & they looked after us in a way I've never experienced.We felt like royalty.
A really incredible place & a remarkable experience. I don't know what led me there but I'm so grateful the path did.

Friends_and_family Friends

2/10

Poor

23 Feb 2025

Abdulla

Not great

When I arrived they checked me in a 4 walls. No window, like I have been checked in prison. I asked to change room and they told me nothing available. Instead they asked me if I want to go another hotel which they can help with. It was like 5pm and had a long day, I just wanted to check in and relax. But I was taken to another hotel and had to wait like another 1 hr. I wouldn’t come back again!

Self

10/10

Exceptional

19 Feb 2025

Harry

10/10

Exceptional

05 Jan 2025

Maimie

Great to get away from the hustle & bustle of the city and retreat to nature in a beautiful setting. This is what Nature’s Nest offers. The staff is really exceptional and knowledgeable on the animals, birds, area. The activities offered are varied with many options available. The meals were delicious with lots of variety. Kudos to the chef and his team. Definitely recommend Nature’s Nest.

Leisure Family

6/10

Pleasant

17 Apr 2024

Jacqueline Bette

The breakfast was fantastic. The rooms are clean however, I have to mention that I was traveling as a solo female and a staff member was watching me through holes in my door after I showered in the morning. I sent a message to the manager of the property to please address the issue with staff through whatsapp and received no response. I had to cover the holes myself and was disgusted for most of my stay. I sent multiple requests for an airport pickup which were ignored and then, I was asked mockingly if I got a ride days after I arrived. When I arranged for a tour to a place 6hrs away, the tour driver decided he would try to stay in my room which I had to adamantly object to. Are you kidding me? This was not my first trip to Sri lanka but this was by far my worst. I have doubts this is run by a German family. Who is Hans the man behind the magic curtain who you never actually see? I do hope some improvements are made so other tourists don't feel as uncomfortable as I did.

Leisure Self

10/10

Exceptional

19 Jan 2024

David

Nice place for a couple days

Leisure Partner

10/10

Exceptional

31 Aug 2018

Helen

Small friendly family run hotel . The staff were very helpful and we had an excellent meal and breakfast

Family

10/10

Exceptional

25 Jul 2018

rob

Really nice hotel ' in a lovely quiet location

A lovely place to stay after long plane trip , good way to ease in to Sri Lanka . The staff were extremely helpful and friendly , and more than happy to help arrange transport ect . The food in the restaurant was excellent

10/10

Exceptional

20 Jul 2018

Jackie

Fantastic hospitality and friendly staff

We booked this hotel as it was reasonably close to the airport and we were meeting our adult daughter who was arriving on an earlier flight and we wanted her to have a comfortable place to spend the afternoon.

Despite the fact that our already late scheduled flight was delayed for four hours, and with our daughter telling him that it was absolutely unnecessary, the manager insisted on staying up until our arrival at 3.30am to provide us with a welcome drink. Genuine hospitality with a happy smile. We were really impressed (and quite embarrassed to be honest).

In the morning, we were proudly served our cooked breakfast and the manager gave us helpful information about onward travel. Arranged a tuk tuk for our departure to the bus station.

Our triple room was fairly basic, quiet, clean and with very comfortable beds and bedding. Highly recommended for an overnight stay with staff providing a very warm, welcoming introduction to Sri Lanka.

8/10

Excellent

23 Jan 2018

Erika

1 night stay

We had a shakey start as didn't get a message to say we would be met at airport and had to take a local taxi. But on arrival we were met with big smiles, clean room and comfortable bed. Food good, staff excellent and pool lovely.

Partner

10/10

Exceptional

18 Oct 2017

Sam

Great place and welcome

The place and people are really great. We will go there again

10/10

Exceptional

27 Mar 2017

Verified traveler

Do it again, anytime

Fabulous guesthouse
At the beach
Relatively close to airport
Quiet
Lovely crystal clear pool
Very well looked after and super clean
Naturally friendly and pleasant family
Don't look any further, you won't get it any better

10/10

Exceptional

15 Jan 2017

Verified traveler

Great Place to Stay

Lovely hotel with very clean pool and excellent restaurant. Away from the noise of the town and perfect for a peaceful unwind.

4/10

Poor

04 Apr 2016

Verified traveler

Wasted potential

The Chinese receptionist never smiles and just sits around doing absolutely nothing.They gave us welcome drinks on arrival but did not bother offering anything to our driver who was sitting right next to us.
There are many mosquitoes around. They should consider closing doors and adding mosquito nets.
We were promised Sri Lankan breakfast but instead got bread, jam, and an omelette!?!
The garden is not well maintained. To access the dirty beach that is behind the house one needs to go through a small wooden gate that is barely visible.
The layout of the bathroom is strange with the shower right in the middle of it. The soap looked like it had been used by the previous guest.
The reception area needs a makeover.
The rooms are clean and the location is convenient (for people who need to go to the airport) but other than that the owners clearly did not make the best of it.

Partner

10/10

Exceptional

21 Mar 2016

Gurdev

Great little night away

Lovely friendly family run place! So clean and very good hospitality. Always smiling! Thank you!

10/10

Exceptional

16 Mar 2016

wendy

peaceful rest stop for travel to/from airport

stayed here for 2 nights after long journey in Sri Lanka before getting plane home. Lovely, family run hotel, all personnel very friendly and welcoming. Very clean and comfortable, I slept really well and woke to lovely breakfast with huge pot of tea.There is a very attractive garden to relax in. It's a long way out of town but that adds to the peaceful environment and, as a frequent bus service runs right outside the door, getting into town is easy.The garden backs onto the beach. Not really an attractive beach for swimming or sunbathing, its rocky and litter strewn( unfortunately, that's Negombo, the litter gets much worse closer to town) but I enjoyed a walk along it and listening to the waves and watching the sunset over the sea. Negombo town is interesting to pass a day or two before travelling onwards, much preferable to big, noisy Colombo while recovering from your journey.

8/10

Excellent

22 Feb 2016

marcel

People who care about you

Hans and his do their best to fulfil your wishes and make your days pleasant. Good food, however mind to order well ahead or not to please a too complex order for a group of people. It was a good start for our trip around Sri Lanka. I recommend this place.

10/10

Exceptional

23 Jan 2016

Verified traveler

Nice location next to sea

I totally recommend.
Nice staff
Good breakfast
Quiet
Not far from airport

10/10

Exceptional

02 Mar 2026

Yung-Kai

看到海景不錯

10/10

Exceptional

26 Feb 2026

carine

La chambre, les équipements et le personnel étaient tout simplement parfait !

Friends_and_family Family

6/10

Pleasant

22 Feb 2026

tristan

une grande baie vitrée qui ne s'ouvre pas .
Chambre au troisième étage sans ascenseur
Pas d'eau chaude

Partner

10/10

Exceptional

29 Jan 2026

Hideki

Great

4/10

Poor

01 Jan 2026

Lotta

Hotellet motsvarade inte alls beskrivningen. Det går inte att bada från stranden och det är fullt med sopor och skräp vilket gör att det inte är speciellt trevligt att ta en promenad heller. Rummen motsvarade inte det vi betalt för, trasiga lakan, blodfläckar i sängen och oerhört lyhört. Hotellet läge är inte bra, det finns absolut ingenting i närheten. Det går att ta en buss utanför hotellet till Negombo eller tuk tuk men det tar minst 30 minuter. Poolen och maten från hotellet restaurang var någorlunda ok

Friends_and_family Family

10/10

Exceptional

26 Dec 2025

Kenneth Fredsted

Fantastisk modtagelse og meget venligt og smilende personale. Stedet er lidt slidt men værelset var helt fint. Pool, have og spise området var helt perfekt. Standen er dejlig med for farligt at bade pga sten. Men man kan gå lidt og så er det fint

Partner

8/10

Excellent

25 Dec 2025

FRANCESCO

Colazione non abbondantissima come scelta ma con ottima qualità

Leisure Family

10/10

Exceptional

03 Dec 2025

Karl

Personalet

10/10

Exceptional

20 Nov 2025

Stefan

All good

Partner

10/10

Exceptional

19 Nov 2025

Thomas

Very nice clean room with good AC.
Staff is very friendly and ready to make your stay good. Nice garden with pool and access to the beach.
Area is

Self

8/10

Excellent

29 May 2025

Thierry

Petit hôtel propre, en bord de plage, avec piscine, équipe sympa et prêt à rendre service.
Petit dej et Restaurant copieux
Bon, La plage n'est très propre

Partner

8/10

Excellent

09 Apr 2025

Majken Hauge

Amazing stay at Ziegler Cottage

Nice stay. Very affordable, great pool and location on the beach. Breakfast was great and the views from our room was splendid as well. I give it 4 stars because the staff was really bad at washing our clothes so do that somewhere else. Otherwise great place!

Friends_and_family Friends

10/10

Exceptional

24 Mar 2025

Rebecca

Nice guesthouse, remote

Very cute little guesthouse. Note that it is in the middle of nowhere, so if you want to explore it's not very convenient. Also you are basically bound to the hotel restaurant, which is decent but not fancy. But the rooms and pool area are nice, with an exit onto the beach. Super good value for a getaway when you truly just want to relax :)

Partner

8/10

Excellent

22 Mar 2025

Tommi Marko

Henkilökunta oli aivan luksusta. Hinta-laatusuhde oli erinomainen.

Leisure Friends

10/10

Exceptional

25 Feb 2025

Marie-Jeanne

Endroit idéal pour attendre son vol

Bel hôtel doté d'une superbe piscine. Les chambres sont très confortables, les salles de bain sont modernes. Super petit déjeuner. Je recommande...

Partner

10/10

Exceptional

21 Feb 2024

Wang

nice place, close to the beach and also convenient to the airport

10/10

Exceptional

28 Dec 2023

Gert

Hyggeligt

Dette hotel var hyggeligt og boede der 3 dage dejlig pool og havet ligger i baggrunden hvor man kan se de lokale fiskere hive fisk ind i net med håndkraft så dejlig oplevelse alt sammen

Partner

10/10

Exceptional

07 Jan 2020

Anders

Idyllisk pärla!

Familjärt ställe med oerhört trevlig och hjälpsam personal! Ligger i princip på stranden som, i alla fall vi, hade nästan helt för oss själva.

Friends_and_family Family

8/10

Excellent

23 Feb 2019

Carl Henrik

Godt pool område. Tæt på lufthavn

Godt pool område. Tæt på lufthavn. Bus til Negombo. Venligt personale.

Partner

8/10

Excellent

16 Jun 2018

Claudia

Tolles Service - die Umgebung bietet aber wenig

+ Top Service, hilfsbereites und sehr aufmerksames Team. Bequemes Bett, gutes Essen.
- in der näheren Umgebung gibt es nichts (man bekommt aber alles im Hotel), Strand ist sehr verdreckt

Partner

10/10

Exceptional

26 Mar 2018

Marcin

Lovely place with great food and friendly stuff

Very nice family run guesthouse, all the stuff extremaly polite and helpfull with everything. Also food was really good there, one of the best we had in Sri Lanka.

Partner

10/10

Exceptional

07 Feb 2018

Inge

Really nice staff, good food and nice swimming poo

I stayed for two nights after arriving from the airport. Hans and the rest of the staff are absolutely friendly and helpful and everything we eaten at there restaurant was very tasteful. Our room was big and clean so I highly recommend a stay here, especially after a long flight and your looking for a quiet place to rest and get ready for Sri Lanka.

Family

10/10

Exceptional

22 Jan 2018

carine

Parfait pour atterrir en douceur ai Sri Lanka

Belle adresse à negombo, hôtel cool et reposant, confortable , tres beau jardin Avec jolie piscine . Personnel accueillant et serviable . Plage pas jolie, pas fréquentable mais on est si bien dans le jardin ..

Partner

10/10

Exceptional

03 Sep 2017

W. Schellekens

Great place with great owners

A pickup was ready at the airport as we agreed upon. Upon arrival we were welcomed with a nice refreshing drink. The room was clean. We had curry for diner which was really good (and much). Breakfast really good as well. We left with a taxi in which my girlfriend left her phone. The owner(s) went out of there way to get it back and finally we did.

Partner