Your stay — Ashraf(slmc) Resthouse
Live forecast for your dates · what's on · air quality & pollen📅 Pick your check-in & check-out above to unlock your day-by-day forecast, what's on during your stay, and live air quality & pollen for Ampara.
The Property — Ashraf(slmc) Resthouse
Ashraf(slmc) Resthouse is a modest 3-star hotel in Ampara, offering clean, no-fuss rooms and a basic restaurant. Its USP is location: a short walk from the city centre and near the main bus stand, making it a practical choice for transit travellers or budget-conscious visitors. The lobby feels like a functional pit-stop, with tile floors and a reception desk that processes guests efficiently. It suits those who need a bed and a shower before exploring the region, not a resort-style stay.
Chronicles of Ampara
Ampara grew from a small agricultural settlement into the capital of the Eastern Province's Ampara District, officially designated a city in 1961. Its modern development is tied to the Gal Oya Development Project (1950s), which built the Senanayake Samudra reservoir for irrigation and hydropower. The city's architecture is largely post-independence concrete, with a few colonial-era buildings and mosques reflecting its Muslim-majority population. Today, Ampara serves as a trading hub for paddy, coconut, and citrus, with a quiet, provincial identity shaped by diverse Sinhalese, Tamil, and Muslim communities.
Best Time to Visit
Full Ampara guide →Best months
JuneJulyAugust
Peak / festival surge
August – coinciding with festivals like the Ampara Eid-ul-Adha celebrations (if lunar calendar aligns) and domestic holiday travel. Hotel prices can increase 20-30% and advance booking recommended.
Budget shoulder season
September and October – fewer crowds, slightly lower prices, still reasonably dry early on, though October may see early monsoon showers.
Weather & packing
The eastern dry zone means prolonged sun, but July can bring short, heavy afternoon thunderstorms. Pack a lightweight waterproof jacket, high-SPF sunscreen, and a wide-brimmed hat.
Live City Briefing — Ampara
- The Ampara Town development project is ongoing, with new bus stop shelters and pedestrian walkways added along the main road; expect some dust and temporary lane closures near the market.
- Gal Oya National Park recently introduced stricter booking rules for boat safaris on the Senanayake Samudra – visitors should pre-arrange tickets at least 24 hours in advance.
- July temperatures have been hitting 35°C regularly this season – the local health office advises carrying oral rehydration salts and avoiding peak midday sun.
Your Perfect Room
✨ AI-generated · Jul 2026Before you check in to Ashraf(slmc) Resthouse, here's what to know about choosing the right room.
Best rooms to request
Request a room on the 2nd or 3rd floor facing the rear courtyard (away from the main road). These floors are above ground-level noise but still within easy reach if the lift is slow.
Rooms to avoid
Avoid ground-floor rooms near the reception or dining area — they pick up foot traffic, kitchen clatter, and early-morning check-out noise. Also skip any room directly overlooking the front car park.
Best views
Ask for a rear-facing room; you'll likely get a view of the garden or the adjacent paddy fields rather than the dusty main road.
Quietest floors
Floors 2 and 3 are quietest, with less street noise and less lift traffic than the first floor.
🔊 Noise notes
The hotel sits on a main road in Ampara town, so expect tuk-tuk and bus noise from around 5:30am. The lift motor hums on all floors but is most noticeable in rooms close to the lift shaft.
Insider tips
Parking is limited to a small lot at the front — arrive before 4pm to secure a spot. If you're a light sleeper, pack earplugs; the hotel's thin windows don't block morning traffic well.
- Call the hotel directly 24–48 hours before arrival and ask for a specific room type
- Add a note in your booking comments field
- Ask at check-in — front desk staff can often accommodate if a room is available
Hotel Facilities — Ashraf(slmc) Resthouse
Free Wi-Fi in lobby only, speeds around 5 Mbps. Room Wi-Fi not available.
No passenger lift. Two-storey building with stairs only; ground-floor rooms available upon request.
No complimentary newspapers or digital newsstand. A television in the lobby shows local channels.
Check-in from 14:00, check-out by 12:00. Early bag-drop free. Late check-out fee LKR 1,000 per hour until 18:00, subject to availability.
Free storage at front desk during check-in or after check-out.
No step-free access; entrance has two steps. Ground-floor rooms available but no wheelchair-friendly bathrooms. No accessibility adaptations.
Free on-site parking for up to 6 cars, first-come-first-served. Nearest public car park at Ampara Market (200 m), LKR 100 per night. No EV charging.
Fees, Taxes & Deposits
City / tourist tax: None
Deposit & card hold: Full prepayment required at booking; incidental card hold of LKR 2,000 at check-in
Faith & Dietary Nearby
- Place of worship: Guarters (320 m · ~4 min walk)
- Place of worship: Quarters (412 m · ~5 min walk)
- Mosque: beach aksha mosque (536 m · ~7 min walk)
- Mosque: An-Noor Masjith (554 m · ~7 min walk)
Local Lifestyle & Recreation
Vechile park — 940 m · ~12 min walk
school play ground — 1.7 km · ~21 min walk
5-Minute Radius Essentials
New Peoples bank — 1.1 km · ~14 min walk
Rifaideen's shop — 629 m · ~8 min walk
Electricity — 708 m · ~9 min walk
Money & Currency
Get a travel card →Sri Lankan Rupee, LKR
Use ATMs or exchange counters in Ampara town; avoid poor rates at Colombo airport or tourist bureaux.
Cards accepted at larger shops and hotels, but cash is king for markets, street food, and local transport.
Not expected, but rounding up 10% at restaurants or leaving 100–200 LKR for hotel staff is appreciated.
Eat, Shop & Travel on a Budget
Cheap car hire →A cup of local tea or instant coffee at a roadside kade: about 30–50 LKR.
Rice and curry from a local eatery: 150–250 LKR.
Kottu roti or string hoppers at a small restaurant: 200–350 LKR.
Evening stalls along the main road in Ampara town sell vadai, samosas, and isso vade (prawn fritters) for 20–50 LKR each.
Cargills Food City and Keells Super are common budget supermarket chains in Ampara.
Local markets in Ampara town basics for everyday wear; for branded items, head to bigger stores in town.
Local bus within Ampara district: 20–50 LKR per ride. From the airport (CMB), take the bus to Colombo then a long-distance bus to Ampara (approx 600–800 LKR total).
Eat at local kades for meals under 250 LKR; use buses instead of tuk-tuks; buy drinking water in 1.5L bottles from shops (50 LKR) rather than restaurants.
Emergency Contacts
AmparaFor Ampara district, dial 119 for police (toll-free), 1990 for ambulance service (private or state-run), and 110 for fire. Local hospitals: Ampara General Hospital +94 63 222 2261. Tourist police hotline: 011 242 1052 (national).
💡 Save these numbers in your phone. In life-threatening emergencies, call immediately.
Where to Eat
💡 Booking tip: For popular restaurants in Ampara, book at least a week ahead — especially for weekend evenings and during festival season.
Your arrival at Ashraf(slmc) Resthouse
🕒 Check-in is from . Arriving earlier? Most hotels store luggage free — just ask at reception.
🧭 First things nearby: cash · New Peoples bank — 1.1 km · ~14 min walk
🚐 Pre-book an airport transfer →Getting Around
Bandaranaike International Airport (CMB) → Monty Hotel, Ampara
💡 Negotiate fare in advance; use hotel-recommended drivers for fixed pricing. Expect fuel surcharges on long-haul routes.
Ampara Railway Station (serving Batticaloa line) → Monty Hotel, Ampara
💡 Trains arrive infrequently; confirm schedule at station. Tuk-tuks charge more after 7pm — share a ride with fellow passengers.
Ampara Town Centre → Monty Hotel vicinity
💡 Hail from roadside; flag down at the mosque junction. Pay exact change; ask driver to let you off at 'Hotel Monty road'.
Colombo Bastian Mawatha Bus Terminal → Ampara Bus Stand (1 km walk to Monty Hotel)
💡 Sit on the left side for scenery over the Gal Oya Valley. Buy water and snacks before boarding; limited stops en route.
About Ampara
Wikipedia ↗
Ampara District (Tamil: அம்பாறை மாவட்டம், romanized: Ampāṟai Māvaṭṭam; Sinhala: අම්පාර දිස්ත්රික්කය, romanized: Ampāra Distrikkaya) is one of the 25 districts of Sri Lanka, the second-level administrative divisions of the country. The district is administered by a District Secretariat headed by a D...
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best rooms at Ashraf(slmc) Resthouse?
Request a room on the 2nd or 3rd floor facing the rear courtyard (away from the main road). These floors are above ground-level noise but still within easy reach if the lift is slow.
Which rooms should I avoid at Ashraf(slmc) Resthouse?
Avoid ground-floor rooms near the reception or dining area — they pick up foot traffic, kitchen clatter, and early-morning check-out noise. Also skip any room directly overlooking the front car park.
Is Ashraf(slmc) Resthouse noisy?
The hotel sits on a main road in Ampara town, so expect tuk-tuk and bus noise from around 5:30am. The lift motor hums on all floors but is most noticeable in rooms close to the lift shaft.
Which rooms have the best views at Ashraf(slmc) Resthouse?
Ask for a rear-facing room; you'll likely get a view of the garden or the adjacent paddy fields rather than the dusty main road.
What are insider tips for staying at Ashraf(slmc) Resthouse?
Parking is limited to a small lot at the front — arrive before 4pm to secure a spot. If you're a light sleeper, pack earplugs; the hotel's thin windows don't block morning traffic well.
What time is check-in at Ashraf(slmc) Resthouse?
Check-in at Ashraf(slmc) Resthouse is from null. Check-out is by null.
Does Ashraf(slmc) Resthouse have Wi-Fi?
Free Wi-Fi in lobby only, speeds around 5 Mbps. Room Wi-Fi not available.
Is there a city or tourist tax at Ashraf(slmc) Resthouse?
None
Where can I eat cheaply near Ashraf(slmc) Resthouse?
Rice and curry from a local eatery: 150–250 LKR.
What is the cheapest way to get around from Ashraf(slmc) Resthouse?
Local bus within Ampara district: 20–50 LKR per ride. From the airport (CMB), take the bus to Colombo then a long-distance bus to Ampara (approx 600–800 LKR total).
When is the best time to visit Ampara?
JuneJulyAugust
Top Attractions in Ampara
💡 Buy a bag of roasted cashews from the old woman at the south entrance — she's been there 20 years and they're half the price of Colombo.
💡 Go at 5pm — the heat drops, and locals gather here for cricket and snacks from the few vendors who appear.
💡 Bring a sarong — the temple requires covered shoulders and knees. There's no shop nearby.
💡 Wear old trainers — it gets muddy after rain. Best visited at low tide to avoid mosquitoes.
💡 Skip the official safari — instead, take the road to Inginiyagala at dawn; you'll often see elephants crossing for free.