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Thambu Illam

Property class: 3.5

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Photo gallery for Thambu Illam

A hotel lobby with a wooden bench, a table with a lamp, and blue columns. - Thambu Illam (Jaffna)
A dining table set for six with wooden chairs, a green checkered floor, and a lantern in the background. - Thambu Illam (Jaffna)
A hotel lobby with wooden paneling, a high ceiling with hanging lights, and two animal statues on cabinets. - Thambu Illam (Jaffna)
A hotel lobby with two wooden reception desks, a large wooden door, and a ceiling with exposed beams and hanging light fixtures. - Thambu Illam (Jaffna)
A pathway leading to a building with a wooden door, flanked by rocking chairs and a small tree. - Thambu Illam (Jaffna)
At Thambu Illam, you can look forward to a terrace, a garden, and dry cleaning/laundry services. In addition to a restaurant, guests can connect to free in-room WiFi.

Reviews

9.6 out of 10
Exceptional

Popular amenities

  • Pool
  • Parking included
  • Free WiFi
  • Restaurant
  • Air conditioning
  • Breakfast available

Off-peak, on budget: 30% or more off select hotels in our fall sale

Skip the crowds, keep the savings. AARP members save more after Labor Day. Book by Oct 7, 2026.

Room options

View all photos for Standard Room

A bedroom with a bed, two bedside tables, a wooden headboard, a window, and a television.

Standard Room

  • Sleeps 2
  • Free WiFi

View all photos for Superior Room

A hotel room with a large bed, two bedside tables, a wall-mounted artwork, and a window with blinds.

Superior Room

  • Sleeps 3
  • Free WiFi

View all photos for Deluxe Room

A bedroom with a wooden headboard, a bed with white bedding, two bedside tables, a desk with a chair, and a window with wooden shutters.

Deluxe Room

  • Sleeps 3
  • Free WiFi

View all photos for Superior Room

A hotel room with a bed, a window, a wall-mounted picture, and a decorative headboard.

Superior Room

  • Garden view
  • 29 sq m
  • 1 bedroom
  • Sleeps 3
  • 1 King Bed
  • Free WiFi

View all photos for Deluxe Room

A bedroom with a wooden bed frame, a desk with a chair, and a large window.

Deluxe Room

10.0 out of 10
Exceptional
(1 review)
  • Garden view
  • 27 sq m
  • 1 bedroom
  • Sleeps 3
  • 1 King Bed
  • Free WiFi

View all photos for Standard Room

A bedroom with a large bed, two bedside tables, a desk, a chair, a TV, and a framed picture on the wall.

Standard Room

  • Garden view
  • 18 sq m
  • 1 bedroom
  • Sleeps 2
  • 1 Double Bed
  • Free WiFi

About the neighborhood

Jaffna is home to Thambu Illam. Royal Palace Ruins and Jaffna Clock Tower are local landmarks, and the area's natural beauty can be seen at Nilavarai Bottomless Well and Keerimalai Natural Springs. Visit our Jaffna travel guide
Map
107 Brown Road, Jaffna, Northern Province, 40000

What's nearby

  • Sri Nagavihara International Buddhist Centre
    17 min walk - 0.9 miles
  • Jaffna Vegetable Market
    2 min drive - 1.0 mile
  • Jaffna Archaeological Museum
    3 min drive - 1.2 miles
  • Nallur Kandaswamy Kovil
    3 min drive - 1.4 miles
  • Jaffna Clock Tower
    4 min drive - 1.4 miles

Getting around

  • Jaffna Intl. Airport (JAF)
    38 min drive

Restaurants

  • Salem RR Biriyani
    3 min drive
  • Cosy Restaurant
    18 min walk
  • Jaffna Authentic Cuisine
    4 min drive
  • Lavin’s Vegetarian Family Restaurant
    3 min drive
  • Nature Fuel
    3 min drive

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Property amenities

Internet

  • Available in all rooms: Free WiFi
  • Available in some public areas: Free WiFi

Parking and transportation

  • Free self parking on site

Food and drink

  • Daily local cuisine breakfast available 6:00 AM to 10:00 AM for a fee: USD 2 to 5 for adults and USD 2 to 5 for children
  • A restaurant
  • Coffee and tea in common areas

Things to do

  • Outdoor pool

Family friendly

  • Laundry facilities
  • Outdoor pool

Conveniences

  • 24-hour front desk
  • Free newspapers in lobby
  • Laundry facilities
  • Lockers
  • Luggage storage
  • Shared microwave
  • Water dispenser

Guest services

  • Dry cleaning/laundry service
  • Housekeeping (daily)
  • Multilingual staff
  • Porter/bellhop
  • Tour and ticket assistance
  • Turndown service

Outdoors

  • Garden
  • Terrace

More

  • Designated smoking areas

Room amenities

Bedroom

  • Premium bedding

Bathroom

  • Bidet
  • Free toiletries
  • Hair dryer
  • Private bathroom
  • Rainfall showerhead
  • Shampoo
  • Shower
  • Soap
  • Toilet paper
  • Towels provided

Entertainment

  • 32-inch LED TV with cable channels

Food and drink

  • Coffee/tea maker
  • Electric kettle
  • Free bottled water
  • Minibar
  • Room service
  • Tea bags/instant coffee

More

  • Air conditioning
  • Desk
  • Individual decor
  • Individual furnishings
  • Iron/ironing board
  • Safe

Policies

Check-in

Check-in time starts at noon
Early check-in subject to availability
An early check-in fee will be charged
Express check-in available
Minimum check-in age: 18

Check-out

Check-out before noon
Contactless check-out available
Late check-out subject to availability
A late check-out fee will be charged
Express check-out available

Special check-in instructions

Guests must contact the property in advance for check-in instructions; front desk staff will greet guests on arrival at the property
To make arrangements for check-in please contact the property at least 24 hours before arrival using the information on the booking confirmation
Information provided by the property may be translated using automated translation tools

Access methods

Staffed front desk

Pets

Pets not allowed

Children and extra beds

Children are welcome
Cribs (infant beds) are not available

Property payment types

Important information

Fees

You'll be asked to pay the following charges at the property. Fees may include applicable taxes:

  • Christmas Eve (December 24) Gala Dinner per adult: USD 20
  • Christmas Eve (December 24) Gala Dinner per child: USD 15 (from 10 to 18 years old)
  • New Year's Eve (December 31) Gala Dinner per adult: USD 20
  • New Year's Eve (December 31) Gala Dinner per child: USD 15 (from 10 to 18 years old)
  • New Year's Day (January 1) Gala Dinner per adult: USD 20
  • New Year's Day (January 1) Gala Dinner per child: USD 15 (from 10 to 18 years old)
  • Valentine's Day (February 14) Gala Dinner per adult: USD 20
  • Valentine's Day (14 February) Gala Dinner per child: USD 15 (from 10 to 18 years old)

We have included all charges provided to us by the property.

Optional extras

  • Fee for local cuisine breakfast: approximately USD 2 to 5 for adults, and USD 2 to 5 for children
  • Early check-in is available for a fee (subject to availability)
  • Late check-out is available for a fee (subject to availability)

The above list may not be comprehensive. Fees and deposits may not include tax and are subject to change.

You need to know

Extra-person charges may apply and vary depending on property policy
Government-issued photo identification and a credit card, debit card, or cash deposit may be required at check-in for incidental charges
Special requests are subject to availability upon check-in and may incur additional charges; special requests cannot be guaranteed
This property accepts credit cards and cash
Noise-free guestrooms cannot be guaranteed
Safety features at this property include a fire extinguisher, a security system, and a first aid kit

We should mention

A fee for a mandatory Christmas Day gala dinner is included in the total price displayed for stays on December 25

Frequently asked questions

Does Thambu Illam have a pool?

Yes, this property has an outdoor pool.

Is Thambu Illam pet-friendly?

No, pets are not allowed at this property.

How much is parking?

Self parking is free at this property.

What time is check-in at Thambu Illam?

Check-in begins at noon. A fee applies for early check-in (subject to availability).

What time is check-out at Thambu Illam?

Check-out is at noon. Late check-out is available for a fee (subject to availability).

Where is Thambu Illam located?

Situated in Jaffna, this hotel is within 1 mi (2 km) of Sri Nagavihara International Buddhist Centre, Nallur Kandaswamy Kovil, and Royal Palace Ruins. Jaffna Vegetable Market and Jaffna Archaeological Museum are also within 1 mi (2 km).

Can I cancel my reservation for free and receive a full refund?

Yes, this property offers free cancellation on select room rates, because flexibility matters! Please refer to the property cancellation policy on our site for more details about any exclusions or requirements.

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Reviews

Thambu Illam Reviews

9.6

Exceptional

9.8

Cleanliness

9.0

Amenities

10

Staff & service

9.6

Property conditions & facilities
Rating 10 - Excellent. 11 out of 14 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 2 out of 14 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 1 out of 14 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 14 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 14 reviews

Reviews

Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Jagannathan

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Home atmosphere, safe & catered to my needs exceptionally well.
Stayed 2 nights in Jan 2024
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

jenni

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort

Beautiful home now a boutique hotel

This is a 4 bedroom hotel in old house and provides lovely setting. The manager and staff are really helpful without being annoying. There is a small pool and garden area at front and back. I only had one night there but wish I was able to stay longer. I had overnight train from Colombo and arrived to torrential rain and they proactively called me to check if needed to check in early. Fortunately the room was available. I also had the Jaffa breakfast which was good. The photos are accurate. Would definitely go back and would be great place for group stay.
Stayed 1 night in Nov 2023
Verified review

8/10 Good

Moira

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort

Converted Villa in Jaffna Suburbs

Converted Villa with 4 rooms in Jaffna suburbs. Nicely converted with pool, garden and small dining area. Accommodation roomy but with no natural light. TV with several English language channels - news and other. Good air conditioning and kettle provided. Hosts are helpful and on hand, this is definitely more of a home stay than a hotel. Food is available but needs to be brought in from outside. Breakfasts were good - ordered the night before. Pool is very nice but avoid around 5pm when the mosquitoes are voracious!!
Stayed 3 nights in Feb 2024
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Renate

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities
Perfect
Stayed 2 nights in Jan 2026
Verified review

6/10 Okay

Gajanan

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities
Bathrooms could be better condition and water pressure
Stayed 3 nights in Jan 2026
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Shan

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Great old villa with a history. Peaceful and quiet, with nice little pool to enjoy after hot day. Great selection of food that can be ordered and nicely served by the staff. The staff are attentive and provides a good personalized service. If you are looking for a place to relax with privacy in mind, this is the place.
Stayed 2 nights in Jun 2023
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Verified traveler

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Thambu Illam is a peaceful sanctuary hidden away in Jaffna. With four lovely rooms in a gorgeous courtyard property, it’s a wonderful space to relax after a day’s exploring. The pool is lovely, the accommodation comfortable and the location perfect. But best of all is the service: Chandranathan and his team are truly fantastic - helpful, friendly and always on hand to make your stay as good as it can be. I would highly recommend Thambu Illam and hope to go back one day!
Stayed 3 nights in Apr 2019
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Gabriela

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Das Hotel ist ein Schmuckstück alter Zeiten. Danke für den netten Service an alle Herren.
Stayed 2 nights in Dec 2023
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Vettrivel

Liked: Staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Heritage, excellent place to live peacefully. I really enjoyed it. I will definitely recommend this hotel for family to stay.
Stayed 1 night in Feb 2022
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Reto

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort

Really enjoyed our stay!

Wonderful small Hotel! Nice Patio and some of the best food we had in Sri Lanka! Very friendly and helpful staff!
Stayed 3 nights in Dec 2021
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Melinda

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort

Amazing food, service, and comfort

What an amazing sanctuary of a place in Jaffna! It was so calm, situated in the lush residential neighborhoods of the city (but only a quick 10 tuk tuk ride away from downtown). The food was the best I had in Sri Lanka, and the service made me feel like a queen. I would definitely recommend this place to anyone coming to the city.
Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2019
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Verified traveler

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
A beautiful house that has recently been refurbished but maintaining its original character and charm. Comfortable rooms and a relaxing setting in a great location. The staff go out of their way to ensure you have everything you need, including delicious food. Highly recommended for a relaxed stay in Jaffna.
Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2019
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Renate

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Stayed 2 nights in Dec 2022
Verified review

8/10 Good

Verified traveler

Stayed 1 night in Aug 2020