The hotel does not live up to its 5* rating. It’s solid, but a little old, shabby, smells of mold. Cleaning is lame. The staff seems to be trying, but they are sooooo slow. WiFi is bad. The food is ok, but spicy (for fans).
The main problem is the complete absence of a swimming beach both for this hotel and neighboring Tangerine. It was washed away by the waves a year ago (so the locals told us). Not far from the hotel they set up a “patch”, like a beach from the hotel. A pair of sunbeds and umbrellas. But it’s not possible to swim there, the waves are wild, they pull you into the sea, and the water is dirty. I don’t think I should go into the water with children at all. A couple of cafes in the area are in a deplorable state, the food is not tasty, the price tag is + - like in a hotel. The rest of the places were closed (there are few tourists due to the lack of a beach) and therefore there is no income. Green melancholy.
In general, if you are flying to distant lands for the sake of a warm, clean ocean, leisurely walks on the sand, sunbathing, lying on the sand under a palm tree, enjoying fresh seafood in a beach cafe, then this is definitely not the hotel for you!! ! And definitely not to this terrible beach! Don't waste your precious vacation on a trip here, my sincere advice to you!
2 days before our departure, the following happened:
We were very exhausted during the day and went to bed around 10 p. m.
At about 00.40 I wake up from the noise on the balcony, as if someone was rustling something. We lived on the 2nd floor, the balcony was always open, because we like fresh air, not air conditioning. I look and see a black silhouette behind the curtain, and someone’s phone is glowing. I quietly woke up my husband; as soon as he approached the balcony door, someone suddenly jumped off and ran away. Our open suitcase lay on the balcony.
The thief entered our room through the balcony door, stole the money that was in my wallet, my husband’s wedding ring and a chain with a cross, which he took off so that his skin could rest, especially after sunbathing. Since he didn’t find anything else precious (the rest of the things were in the safe), he decided to go through my suitcase.
We contacted the police, but all in vain. They said they had investigated
Investigation in their understanding is:
1. Just go into your room, walk to the balcony and leave.
2. View cameras.
The only trick is that we spent the ENTIRE day trying to convey to them that where the thief jumped, you can run straight to the fence and climb over it calmly. Even we can do this. Although the managers say that this is impossible)))) There are no cameras there. But they understood this perfectly well, we even decided to conduct an experiment online, but we couldn’t prove anything to anyone, it was like we were communicating with a wall.
They only asked if we had insurance, apparently to catch us in a lie. We have no other explanation.
We don’t care about money or jewelry, but the very fact that you are sleeping in your room, and someone is stealing your room and it is unknown whether he will stick something in your larynx or not - that’s not a story. The hotel did not offer any apologies.
If you do end up in this hotel, be extremely careful.
After the flight Kyiv-Dubai-Colombo, we arrived early in the morning.
The guide from Join Up met us and asked us to stand aside for 5-10 minutes.
They flew from Kyiv, where it was already cool, dressed in tracksuits. Upon arrival in a hot, humid climate, of course, I really wanted to get to the hotel in order to take off my clothes. It helped that we took flip flops with us in hand luggage. They took off their sneakers - it felt a little better))) Ten minutes, of course, was not enough, and as a result, we were seated in a minibus an hour later. While we were standing on the street waiting for the other tourists to be seated on all the buses to other hotels, there was an idea in my head that it was necessary to take an individual transfer. So I recommend checking this point with your travel agent.
At the hotel we were greeted with cool drinks and a cold wet facial towel, which was very nice)
Dispersed pretty quickly.
At first they offered a room, leaving which you can see a cemetery and a balcony overlooking a fairly large wall. We politely declined the room. To which we received an answer, a good number you need to wait for the eviction of other tenants. They said we would be waiting. As a result, after about twenty minutes we were offered another option, much more successful, and we stopped in it.
The room is spacious, with partial ocean and pool views, with a cozy balcony.
Sunbeds at the hotel. They have a whole business here. Empty wooden sun loungers stand in many places, not all under umbrellas. If it's a sunny day, then the place should be taken. This is done with pleasure by the pool workers who are responsible for beach towels and mattresses. They ask where you can take a seat tomorrow and for a symbolic bonus of 200 rupees for 2 places they will gladly spread towels where you need, putting their cream, T-shirt or something else, reminding that the place is already occupied by someone.
So on the first day we went in search of sunbeds to good places, and they are all busy and at the same time there are no people)))
Coconuts. They offer the same pool workers, you want those that are just to drink, you want those coconuts that you can drink, and then they will clean it for you to eat the pulp. They asked for $2 for two coconuts. The locals behind the fence are 2 times cheaper. 100 rupees/coconut.
Nutrition. Everything is very tasty, satisfying. Desserts, fruits, meat, fish, soups. Every day we ate our fill. Helpful waiters help to open the doors, sit down at the table, quickly take orders for drinks and serve.
Entertainment. There is a basketball court on the territory, yoga classes, aqua aerobics, etc. are held. For family leisure - norms.
There is often live music in the lobby in the evenings which is very nice. Several times there was live music at dinner in the restaurant.
It gets dark quite early during this period (October), so it’s already dark at 18.00, you can’t really walk around the territory, because
There are lights, but there are no lights. They tried to wander around the territory, but quickly curtailed these undertakings.
Ocean. We did not become lucky, who were lucky with the weather and got all the disadvantages of the "out of season" to the fullest ...Wave, wave, wave. We did not swim in the ocean. We only went out occasionally to wet our feet. The ocean is dirty. The locals say that the river flows not far. Now is the rainy season, there is a lot of water and all the dirt is carried into the ocean. As a result, some kind of sticks, old coconuts, bottles, buckets and other dirt, which is so much here ...It's sad, but the water is certainly warm ...If we could turn back time - we would take a ticket to Hikkaduwa or Galle, where it is possible to swim at this time of the year in the ocean.
Beach. It is municipal here, the hotel has nothing to do with the beach and is fenced off from it by a low fence. Behind him, a bunch of local men and women vying with each other trying to grab your attention, offering massages, dinners, excursions, etc.
They are not allowed to enter the hotel. Communicate with them, they are nice people and will be glad if you contact them. They have their own unspoken order of communication with vacationers. Everyone has their own number and they approach those who go beyond the fence in turn. Lucky - and you are his client, unlucky - waiting for his turn next time. At first, of course, it scares, it seems that their crowd and everyone needs something from you, but then, you get used to it and they no longer seem so scary)))
Tours. You need to visit Sri Lanka everywhere, because only by traveling through this amazing country you can love it with all your heart and want to return here. Yes, sometimes it's hard, because trips here are difficult to endure (you will feel it when you go to the hotel from the airport .. ))) But it's worth it. Turtle farm in Bentota, elephant nurseries, Kandy with tea plantations, etc. We did not go with a hotel guide (Tarang), he did not inspire confidence in us.
We went with the whipboy Ishuya. The guys who rested here a little earlier recommended Denis (his cafe is located at the exit from the hotel at the reception, go right, get to the nearest intersection and right again), Boni (his cafe when you leave the hotel to the beach, the first on the right is the Little Mermaid) . Yishuya, who we traveled with, also works with Boni. Don't go with Valera, he's bad...
Prices. Here you need to bargain! If you are not bargaining, they look and without a twinge of conscience call high prices. If you bargain, you can always lower the price.
On a tuk-tuk (for about 300 rupees) you can get to the local town of Kalutara, get into the local famous Buddhist temple, buy fruits that are not served at the hotel (we took mangosteens all the time).
Animals. We felt like we were in a mini zoo. Iguanas, chipmunks, some birds scurry everywhere. On weekends, an elephant is held along the central alley. You can take pictures with it, ride (of course, for a fee).
Chipmunks love to eat out of hand. So stock up on seeds from home, they will be grateful. We did not know and did not bring them with us, so we had to take muesli for breakfast (they also eat it). Then we went to a mini market, bought peanuts there and fed them with nuts until the end of the vacation.
Of the big minuses of the hotel. There are crows here, there are many, unbearably many. They croak all the time, sometimes even the sound of the ocean is not heard because of their croaking. They say that sometimes fireworks are arranged here to frighten them away, but in our time it was not necessary and we were forced to listen to this unbearable croaking by the pool every day. They did not hesitate to swim with us in the pool, steal everything that lies on your sunbed unattended, shit on the lying towels ((((So you can safely listen to the sound of the surf only in the evening when they sleep)))
And finally. The locals asked us if we had brought vodka and chocolate.
At our inquiring glances, they said that they simply did not have vodka, and their chocolate was not sweet and asked me to tell you to take these things with you for presents)
So I almost forgot about the big problems with Wi fi, it's easier to say it's not only in the main bar there is wi fi but only theoretically. Going out to buy a seven at the airport with 3g costs about 10s for a vacation enough.
We celebrated the birthday of our son and Heowin at the hotel on October 31st. A deep bow to them for a very beautiful congratulations with sparklers, cakes and music for the whole restaurant, it was unexpected and very pleasant) They took breakfasts and dinners, everything is very tasty, especially pineapples, they never ate such juicy and sweet anywhere) Dinners are always themed, with decoration of the restaurant and dressing up the waiters - I really liked it) The waiters are attentive and helpful, even without a tip)
From the balcony of the room I watched the cleaning of the pool... dear mother !!! , I wish I hadn’t seen it (Dirty, incomprehensible rag smeared dirt on the walls of the pool, and no bleach (((
There were enough sun loungers for everyone, beach towels (old, in my opinion, not even washed) gave out a fight immediately at the sight of vacationers, and tried to open an umbrella)
The hotel area is clean, green, chipmunks, lizards run and....crows croak in flocks on palm trees) (although this is not to the hotel)
The beach is very clean, but just in front of our hotel, a step to the side. . . and a lot of garbage, bottles, papers, rubbish. . . And beggars. . .
The ocean with its huge waves beckons to jump, fool around! ) This is such an extreme! ))) It was raining only in the evening, which also pleased)
The biggest plus of the hotel is the location, on foot a street with many cafes and shops, We had lunch in a cafe on the second floor, we really liked the service and clean everything (which is not unimportant for this country) and fast and fresh seafood (lobster, shrimp , tuna, crab soup) with beer for $ 2 they give nuts, and a huge glass of freshly squeezed pineapple juice also cost $ 2, in short, we paid $ 25-35 for lunch for three of the huge dishes and drinks.
Souvenirs, tea, Aloe gel, coconut oil and sandalwood, various spices (Rum and beer from under the counter) can also be bought nearby. They have a very good medicinal tea (like our Coldrex) natural on "Samahan" sections I recommend it) But remember!! ! you can be deceived at every step at prices! (especially with rum) - They are taken to a specialized liquor store, they speak their language and sell you rum at an inflated price (
It is a pity that we did not see Sigiriya, our guide did not offer us such an excursion for unknown reasons.
We went to Kandy, saw the Temple of the Tooth Relic, and saw tea plantations and were at a tea factory. Tea was bought directly at the factory, a good choice and an informative story about tea. ) Elephant farm and elephant riding, compared to Thailand, it's terrible, elephants tortured in captivity ((( A full day tour, tiring, but very interesting) You can still safely take private walks. We went fishing and the fishermen's pier, where you can see huge catches of sharks and various ocean fish) We went to the turtle farm, also so-so, 1 look and everywhere they ask for a tip)
Still, nothing spoiled our general impressions of the rest and the country! ) This is all a must see! ) Travel, learn and most importantly - more positive! )))
Normal adequate staff, with a smile making it clear that they don’t mind if you leave a tip for them... Constantly tipping, everyone always and everywhere... Then you will be respected...
Nature is beautiful, very picturesque, but again, it’s better in season...
Rooms: forget about wifi, age-old dust in the back streets, small goosebumps, very strange style, whitewashed walls and a partially blue-painted ceiling... it turned out not very cozy. But the view from the room compensated a lot... very nice!
Service is great!
The hotel took only breakfast, a great choice for every taste!
Dinners are 2 times more expensive than in local restaurants, so decide for yourself. . .
Good luck!! !