We booked two nights at the happy panda, after one night we booked two more. We had a really pleasant stay here with owner Natalia and sometimes accompanied by her husband and daughter. The staff can make you a really good breakfast from the menu, you wont find anything better in Sri Lanka. You can also join in on lunch (killer curry!) and supper. Natalia knows a lot about the area and can help you arrange everything you like. Rooms are basic but have everything you need. Its also a great place to meet other travelers since they come in for breakfast from other places. Keep in mind that this is a homestay, and not a hotel :-) would definetely reccomend and/or come back!
Despite numerous emails back and forth on our booking, when we arrived at 4pm, our room was given to another couple just a couple of hours earlier. Staff explained that they thought the online booking was the same person as us emailing.||Luckely we were offered a room in the "villa" accross the street. We shared it two nights with two different couples. We liked the privacy and the space. The house itself was very basic furnished.||One night the water tank was empty so we could not shower. We were offered to shower at the owner's house and from there we took a couple of buckets with water the flush the toilet if necessary. No water supply can happen of course in Sri Lanka, but the tank empty with only four guests should not be happening.||Breakfast we enjoyed at the happy panda twice, which was good value for money. And indeed the Russian pancakes are nice. ||All in all; overbooking is very unprofessional, as well as not having water. On the other hand, issues were solved in a pragmatic way.|
I have never given a negative review until now. As a solo female traveller I did not like that from 4pm every day, the host family leave by moped to go to their house, (without telling you this or what to do in an emergency or where to find them). This is not a homestay. Security was very poor, no lock on bedroom door and felt vulnerable with outside gate left open. One night, fellow traveller in other room couldn't get in as the resident stray dog was barking at him. Bed very uncomfortable. My room was very dark and hot, had to have light and fan on continuously, had to keep window closed as opens directly on to cafe table and despite husband saying "it's ok leave it open as we are always here so no-one can get your stuff" I came back to find they had gone home and my window was wide open. Cafe opens at 7am so no chance to lie in, as too noisy with either, dog howling, screaming child or staff moving tables or sweeping. I did not feel welcomed by Natalia's husband, quite the contrary. The wifi was terrible and also we had no water 2 evenings in a row. Only plus side was it is very close to the beach. Also Natalia double booked her rooms twice in 3 days!!. If someone asks to stay another night, she says yes despite bookings taken already via booking.com, she doesn't seem to care either. I had a meal in Nice Place which is in same road and their hospitality and food was wonderful and showed what was lacking at Happy Panda. I booked through Airbnb so left review on there.
Happy Panda is a great place to start in the day with a delicious breakfast. The owners and their stuff are very nice and friendly and do their best, to make you feel comfortable. We have been there several times during our stay in Arugam Bay and it was more than having breakfast with friends than feeling like sitting in a Café.
"Happy Panda "||Is a great place for your rest and tasty breakfast, clean rooms, and close proximity to the beautiful beach. Amazing friendly owner s, who are always prompt to make your holiday unforgettable .||They also recommended some tips on Abay.|| 1) Kudumbigala: check the Buddhist monastery up in the mountains and the stupa on the highest of rocks, it's really powerful especially if climbing up at sunset. Next to Kudumbigala there is Okanda Beach, great site, too. ||2) Crocodile tour .||3) Great beaches: Panama Point, Elephant Rock, Peanut Farm - each about 30 min tuktuk drive. ||4) The LightHouse: a beautiful pristine beach + a lovely guesthouse where you could have a nice breakfast (it's a 30 min car drive ).||Have a Nice stay in Abay!!!
After booking a room via email the day before, I arrived at the homestay after a 5 hour bus trip to be told they had double booked. This was despite the email saying that they definitely had a room available. The host vaguely indicated some other places to stay nearby and offered a drink in compensation but did not assist me to find somewhere else. I think this is the least they could do. I suspect I was bumped when another person wanted to book for a longer time than me as I have heard that this happens quite often in Arugam Bay. I was not at all impressed by their customer service.
Featuring free WiFi, a restaurant and a terrace, Happy Panda Homestay offers accommodation in Arugam Bay. Free private parking is available on site.
A terrace or patio are featured in certain rooms. Rooms are fitted with a private bathroom fitted with a bath or shower.
The guest house also offers bike hire.
Thanks for an amazing stay! Originally we planned to stay for only 3 days, and ended up staying for an extra week. Super friendly vibes, great food, and awesome surf close by! ||Make sure to have a walk down to the beach for sunrise, simply stunning!
Really really cute and nice place to stay. Superbe breakfast, pancakes, French toast and Italian coffee are delicious. Owners are really nice and good people. Rooms are cosy and comfortable, my bf and I had a great stay!
We stayed here for 2 nights after seeing the accomodation in the lonely planet. The place is nice but service, wifi and water were not that good / not available all the time. The lonely planet says it cost 2200 in 2015. We had to pay 4000 per night...
