Tissa resort is the biggest property of the Ceylon Hotel’s Corporation, which is beautifully located on the banks of ancient Tissa Wewa. Tissa Wewa (Tank) was built by King Kavantissa about 2300 years ago. A low parapet wall skirts the bank of the wewa and has lamps all along it - a very pretty sight at night. A small island-home to a variety of birds and butterflies - is thick with mangroves and only a short canoe ride away.

Originally a Rest House, this pleasant two-storey structure still manages to retain its informal, intimate atmosphere despite the addition of swimming pool, several new rooms and an in-house shop, which provides all the basic amenities as well as gift items. The total room capacity of the Resort is sixty and 20 rooms and three family rooms are now under the refurbishment programme to be up lift to the superior status. Under this refurbishment programme, 26 rooms have already been upgraded with A/C, TV, mini bar, IDD facilities and piped music. All the rooms have balconies that overlook the wewa.

26 air conditioned rooms, which are divided into the categories of standard, Family Rooms and Suites. The Tissamaharama resort has two restaurants. In the line with Chairman Bodhi Ranasinghe’s thought ‘Gedara Wage Kema Welak’ (Home Cooked Food) is the theme of all CHC Hotels and Rest Houses. The resort is maintained well, and the staff is courteous and accommodating. A play area, kids’ pool and special menus are available for children. “ CHC is very much concerned of the disabled people and the ground floor has the facilities to accommodate wheel chair users” he said.

The restaurant also serves Western and Sri Lankan cuisine and the guests have the choice of eating inside or down by the pool. The garden has plenty to shade, most of it provided by a majestic old Bo tree. The Swimming pool is on a raised level that doesn’t have any obstruction for sun worshippers who want to work on their tans’ he added. The evenings here are generally quiet, but you can listen to a cheery calypso band playing away while you lounge in the bar with your drink, playing carom or chess or cards. Or you can get an early night and be fresh and ready for the amazing cultural and safari sight seeing opportunities, which are less than an hours away.

The excursion is a part and parcel of our package and day tours can be arranged to Yala, Bundala, Kalametiya , Bandarawela , World’s End and Horton Plains or Buduruwagala . Over night tours to handapangala kumana and Panama too are possible.