I usually read reviews carefully before booking accommodation, but at the time of booking, the option to view all reviews wasn’t available on my phone. If I had seen them, I would absolutely not have stayed here. I have very serious concerns about this property regarding money being stolen from guests. After we left the guest house, I realised some cash was missing, including a few 5,000 LKR notes. I only noticed this after we had left Haputale and arrived at our next destination. Based on my calculations, the money could only have gone missing during our stay at Bel View, but at the time, I didn’t believe the owner and his family would steal from guests and assumed I had miscalculated or overspent. After later reading the reviews on Booking.com and google, I was shocked to see multiple reports over several years describing money being stolen. Many guests reported the owner going through belongings while they were eating in the dining room. I believe this is what happened to me. Our room was very close to the dining area, and we left the door unlocked while eating, assuming it would be safe in a family-run guest house. Other guests have described the same situation - leaving the room unlocked during meals and later finding money missing. A week after our stay, the owner contacted me claiming he had “found” my money “under the floor” after cleaning our room. This is not true, as I had kept my money safely in a pouch and had thoroughly checked the room before leaving. It seems this explanation was offered to avoid being suspected of taking the money. He also claimed he had tried to contact me multiple times, although we never received any calls on the sri lankan number we provided. Other reviews describe a similar pattern of the owner suddenly “finding” money after guests realised it was missing. I have reported this to Booking.com and the police. I hope the police investigate this fully, as this appears to be a repeated pattern affecting many guests.

Breakfast was great, staff went above and beyond

Somewhat dated but cozy room with a nice bathroom. Unfortunately it was quite foggy, otherwise it must be a great view from the terrace. Small breakfast was included. The host was friendly and helpful without being intrusive. I used my own lock. The city center and train station are a 10-15 minute walk away.

DON’T STAY IN THIS PLACE!! Many THEFTS reported including myself. For breakfast we were asked to come eat inside their house (even though there’s a lovely view with tables and different seats just outside the room). When we came back to the room, since we were checking out, we grab our bags and left. We notice money missing from our wallet just around 30 minutes later around 30.000Rs. I booked through booking.com just to after check their Google reviews, there’s a a few of them mentioning previous thefts. I contacted the owner since I had seen the other reviews and he said he “found our money” on the bed as ask us not to contact the police, similar to the other reviews I had seen, they seem to take your money while you’re eating breakfast. Before we check out from accomodation I always, including this one, check all places in the room INCLUDING bed sheets. We reported to police and thankfully they helped us. I hope no one else has to “forget their money” on this place. Save yourself from trouble, we love the people in Sri Lanka and won’t let this experience ruin it for us.

Nothing

The entrance is on the main road, but the room is in the backyard, so it’s really calm. It was a simple, economy room for a budget price. The dinner and the breakfast was delicious.

The guest house is in an old colonial building, once owned by a tea plantation owner and Mohamed’s family have been living there for the past 60 years. Some of the rooms are in an extension to the property and have superb views over the hills and down to the plains, really love to bird watch and see the clouds creeping up the mountain side. The other rooms are more grand and inside the original building. Mohammed and his family are very friendly and welcoming, they helped us organise a Tuktuk to go on a long hike through tea plantations. The walk from st Catherine’s back to Haputale is easy to follow and very beautiful (8 miles). The room was small but had lots of character and had a mosquito net and blankets. We liked it a lot and extended our stay, Haptuale is a wonderful little town.

Spacious rooms with hot water shower, amazing view, good location, good value for money. The owner helped me to get a Tuk-Tuk to Horton Plains National Park for a reasonable price. The driver was amazing, a very nice and professional man. The owner also helped me with my next destination and told me which buses I needed to take and where to change buses, super useful information, and made my journey super easy. Thank you!

Good price for a private room with a hot shower and breakfast. Close to the Pekoe trail for those hiking it. Nice view on the garden.

Beautiful old colonial building, full of character. Huge room and very clean. Stunning view from the outdoor seating area. Quiet location but only 5 minute walk to the town and bus station. Comfortable bed and pillows. Nice Sri Lankan breakfast. Hot water shower.

Very nice family, super friendly host who offered a dinner and a breakfast, very good location and fantastic view.

The bel view is comfortable if you take the most expensive rooms. Mohamed is very welcoming. The weather was pouring rain and we asked if we could prepare a meal in the family kitchen, which he accepted with his big smile. The bel View is 7 minutes from the train station and the center. Compared to Ella, everything is much cheaper (fare, meals...). The Pekoe Trail passes through Haputale, which allows you to make excursions on both sides. If you go down to the south coast, regular buses to Wellawaya (1 hour 30 of pretty road) then change buses (direct bus to Tissa number 99.6 - duration: 3 hours). Direction Ella: train or bus, duration 1 hour.

Very nice place and staff, i will back sure

Super friendly and welcoming, Mohamed and his wife make you feel comfortable and at home. Special note for the mattress, brand new and so comfy ! Breakfasts are excellent and new everyday and the view is stunning ! 5 mn walking from town and railway station, easy !

Great view, big and clean room. Laundry service. Very kind owner

Nice place, very friendly, 100% recommended