I've been in Sri Lanka 12 times, but this hotel just won me over, there were 5 and 4 stars (vivante by taj, surf, bentota, ) but there is no such exotic and such beauty, only in this hotel, everything is super: rooms, food , ocean!!!!!! , staff !!!!!!!!!!!!!! !
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I've been in Sri Lanka 12 times, but this hotel just won me over, there were 5 and 4 stars (vivante by taj, surf, bentota, ) but there is no such exotic and such beauty, only in this hotel, everything is super: rooms, food , ocean!!!!!! , staff !!!!!!!!!!!!!! !
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Ayubovan! (May your Sinhalese years be long! ) It was difficult to rate the hotel, because. To say that I liked it is to say nothing. For the atmosphere, friendly staff, he is a solid ten. For minor domestic troubles (the discerning tourist has nothing to do there), provided that you pay close attention to them - about six.
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Ayubovan! (May your Sinhalese years be long! )
It was difficult to rate the hotel, because. To say that I liked it is to say nothing. For the atmosphere, friendly staff, he is a solid ten. For minor domestic troubles (the discerning tourist has nothing to do there), provided that you pay close attention to them - about six.
I will not deal with the description of hotel life, it was all very aptly done by the users of the resource even before I posted this review. There is truth in all the negative and positive reviews.
In the hotel, basic English is very desirable, because. units have a vocabulary in Russian (Ukrainian), which fits into a couple of dozen words.
The beach is exactly wild, long, deserted and not equipped (I see this as a huge plus for myself, because wandering past the sun loungers is also a pleasure for everyone, I'm not a fan). The ocean is a sight. If you are not too lazy to walk - there are small rocks to the right - the photos will come out just "gloss"!
I will stop at places that are mandatory for viewing (or visiting).
Tourist truth in the description of the hotel writes that there is a turtle farm nearby, but in fact there are two of them. One to the right along the beach, the other to the left. Both in one and in the other way is approximately the same. A charge of positive emotions from communication with tartles is provided : )
Also in the evenings you can watch big turtles right on the huge beach adjacent to the hotel.
Beechboys do not need to be afraid. The receiving party can scare them (in our case, Exotic), and, probably, there were cases of their fears confirming it. You yourself heard firsthand how cunning intermediaries sent a couple of "ours" on a trip around the island, not even giving the tuker money for gasoline, not to mention money for tickets to enter the attractions. But in our case, everything is fine. Positive and sociable lads, a lot of intangible gesheft got from communicating with them. With Aruna they moved on his tuk within a radius of 20 km. from the hotel, with Nandong - hung out on the beach, he gave us body surfboards and made sure that we did not go to the bottom in a small storm. Until now, SMS-simsya, PREVED each other a helmet. With beachboys, be sure to go on a "boat trip" along the Madu Ganga River - watch the jungle, mangroves and a bunch of everything else (a must with a visit to the temple on the island - Kothduwa (Kothduwa Temple)).
It is worth taking a tuk to the town of Alyutgama (right behind Bentota). On a tuk, although it is more expensive than on a bus, you will still have to walk away from the bus, asking for directions, and the tuk will drive you right to the entrance, give you a short tour. If you are in those parts, do not forget to go down the stairs - a young temple elephant lives there. If you are not too lazy to go early, somewhere between 8-9 in the morning, you will get to the morning service, the elephant is taken out, and he bows to the huge Buddha. (this must be seen, the break in the pattern is major! ).
In Galle, it's still worth taking a bus for 60 rupees ($ 0.5). A tour from TO for $ 60 with a bus full of Slavs is completely different. The fortress itself, hand on heart - nothing unusual. But a trip to the local bass is a good charge of positiFF : )
We got to another cricket championship, and from the fortress, being above the stands, there is a good (and free) view of the local stadium.
It was difficult to rate the hotel, because. To say that I liked it is to say nothing. For the atmosphere, friendly staff, he is a solid ten. For minor domestic troubles (the discerning tourist has nothing to do there), provided that you pay close attention to them - about six.
I will not deal with the description of hotel life, it was all very aptly done by the users of the resource even before I posted this review. There is truth in all the negative and positive reviews.
In the hotel, basic English is very desirable, because. units have a vocabulary in Russian (Ukrainian), which fits into a couple of dozen words.
The beach is exactly wild, long, deserted and not equipped (I see this as a huge plus for myself, because wandering past the sun loungers is also a pleasure for everyone, I'm not a fan). The ocean is a sight. If you are not too lazy to walk - there are small rocks to the right - the photos will come out just "gloss"!
I will stop at places that are mandatory for viewing (or visiting).
Tourist truth in the description of the hotel writes that there is a turtle farm nearby, but in fact there are two of them. One to the right along the beach, the other to the left. Both in one and in the other way is approximately the same. A charge of positive emotions from communication with tartles is provided : )
Also in the evenings you can watch big turtles right on the huge beach adjacent to the hotel.
Beechboys do not need to be afraid. The receiving party can scare them (in our case, Exotic), and, probably, there were cases of their fears confirming it. You yourself heard firsthand how cunning intermediaries sent a couple of "ours" on a trip around the island, not even giving the tuker money for gasoline, not to mention money for tickets to enter the attractions. But in our case, everything is fine. Positive and sociable lads, a lot of intangible gesheft got from communicating with them. With Aruna they moved on his tuk within a radius of 20 km. from the hotel, with Nandong - hung out on the beach, he gave us body surfboards and made sure that we did not go to the bottom in a small storm. Until now, SMS-simsya, PREVED each other a helmet. With beachboys, be sure to go on a "boat trip" along the Madu Ganga River - watch the jungle, mangroves and a bunch of everything else (a must with a visit to the temple on the island - Kothduwa (Kothduwa Temple)).
It is worth taking a tuk to the town of Alyutgama (right behind Bentota). On a tuk, although it is more expensive than on a bus, you will still have to walk away from the bus, asking for directions, and the tuk will drive you right to the entrance, give you a short tour. If you are in those parts, do not forget to go down the stairs - a young temple elephant lives there. If you are not too lazy to go early, somewhere between 8-9 in the morning, you will get to the morning service, the elephant is taken out, and he bows to the huge Buddha. (this must be seen, the break in the pattern is major! ).
In Galle, it's still worth taking a bus for 60 rupees ($ 0.5). A tour from TO for $ 60 with a bus full of Slavs is completely different. The fortress itself, hand on heart - nothing unusual. But a trip to the local bass is a good charge of positiFF : )
We got to another cricket championship, and from the fortress, being above the stands, there is a good (and free) view of the local stadium.
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• 4
In 2011 I visited Sri Lanka for the first time, I was in 10 hotels in the south, northwest and east, but that's not the point. 2012, they throw out cheap tours for 14 days with breakfast, dinner and a flight of $ 850, a balloon, why not fly, we have a nasty November. About the hotel information a little bit from the Internet.
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In 2011 I visited Sri Lanka for the first time, I was in 10 hotels in the south, northwest and east, but that's not the point. 2012, they throw out cheap tours for 14 days with breakfast, dinner and a flight of $ 850, a balloon, why not fly, we have a nasty November. About the hotel information a little bit from the Internet. Flight as usual tiring 10 hours + road to SL-5 hours to the hotel. Instant resettlement, room 106, windows to the lagoon, peace and quiet, the room is normal, the furniture is old, but I would like to wash and spend the night. In the evening we go to the ocean - it is gorgeous, warm and affectionate, but stormy. There are people in the hotel, people are 20-30.99% Slavic, which is good. Drunk, no parties. The hotel occupies a large green area, right on the ocean, to the left, to the right, there are no more hotels, a couple of guest houses, so you are alone on the ocean. Bungalow-type houses, that is, there are two-story houses, there are two bedrooms with a common roof. A beautiful large pool, near the sun loungers, there are always places, a restaurant near the pool. Meals for breakfast are monotonous, for dinner they try, and every day at an increasing pace, that is, the farther, the tastier. Every dinner in the restaurant is an entertainment, then songs, then dances, then a fire show. This is the first hotel where I have seen animation. The hotel is located close to the city, by tuk-tuk there and back $ 5, tuktukers get acquainted with beachboys on the beach or they stand outside the hotel gates. There is no kidalava, everything is decorous. We met Aruna and went with him to Hambentota, swam with turtles, and then drove off to Nuwara Eliya for 2 days, I wanted to show my people the beauty of tea plantations. I also gave him money and he bought shrimp in the city and fried them himself and brought us to the beach service at the height, just don't be afraid of these black boys, they are people like us. And they come to the beach to earn some money and talk, and I will also tell you and save you in the ocean, we got a crazy ocean, a wave + some whirlpools. If we really scare you, then during our stay we had 4 drowned people, and one from our hotel was barely pumped out, the ocean wanted to take it to itself. But this is also his fault, the locals said not to interfere, listen. And so in the evening, when there was no strong storm, huge turtles climb out of the ocean to lay their eggs, we saw two turtles in one evening. WI-FI in the bar and caught by the pool, upon arrival for $ 10 they connect, we had 2 laptops from the room, they connected everything for the same $ 10 - for the entire stay. I do not advise you to take a week, we did not have time to fly in, but we already had to fly away, many regretted that they had arrived for a week. Better, the most optimal is a full 2 weeks and see the country and swim in the ocean. The hotel is GOOD.
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• 10
Wonderful country, good people, great weather, amazing ocean. After Sri Lanka, I do not want to return to Turkey and Egypt. The hotel is good, cozy, the staff is helpful, a little slow, but this is their usual pace, the Sri Lankans are very friendly, they felt like visiting old friends. The area is green and large.
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Wonderful country, good people, great weather, amazing ocean. After Sri Lanka, I do not want to return to Turkey and Egypt.
The hotel is good, cozy, the staff is helpful, a little slow, but this is their usual pace, the Sri Lankans are very friendly, they felt like visiting old friends. The area is green and large. Lots of animals that don't pose any danger. Room got 105, clean, tidy, quiet with a beautiful view of the lagoon. Cleaned and changed towels every day. The pool has mattresses and towels, swimming was allowed around the clock. It’s not clear why there are so many negative reviews, the guys are trying, but here to read, so some inspectors travel around the world, looking for mistakes. I was very upset after reading and nothing like this in the hotel did not meet.
Everyone is afraid of a transfer from the airport. Yes, it's a long drive, but not because of the quality of the roads, the roads there are better than ours, they're just very narrow with heavy traffic, but it's interesting to drive.
Beach fights well done, special thanks to Sarat.
The ocean is power, extraordinary beauty, we were lucky to meet a huge turtle at night during laying.
If you have any questions, please ask, we will answer with pleasure (prices, location, excursions, gifts)....
The hotel is good, cozy, the staff is helpful, a little slow, but this is their usual pace, the Sri Lankans are very friendly, they felt like visiting old friends. The area is green and large. Lots of animals that don't pose any danger. Room got 105, clean, tidy, quiet with a beautiful view of the lagoon. Cleaned and changed towels every day. The pool has mattresses and towels, swimming was allowed around the clock. It’s not clear why there are so many negative reviews, the guys are trying, but here to read, so some inspectors travel around the world, looking for mistakes. I was very upset after reading and nothing like this in the hotel did not meet.
Everyone is afraid of a transfer from the airport. Yes, it's a long drive, but not because of the quality of the roads, the roads there are better than ours, they're just very narrow with heavy traffic, but it's interesting to drive.
Beach fights well done, special thanks to Sarat.
The ocean is power, extraordinary beauty, we were lucky to meet a huge turtle at night during laying.
If you have any questions, please ask, we will answer with pleasure (prices, location, excursions, gifts)....
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• 8
3* economy on the 1st line. A large green, but not well-groomed area, on the left is a river (or lake). The rooms are very economical, similar to a hostel, the bathroom is partially outdoors. Large swimming pool. There is nowhere to go outside the hotel - only the houses of the locals. For savers.
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3* economy on the 1st line. A large green, but not well-groomed area, on the left is a river (or lake). The rooms are very economical, similar to a hostel, the bathroom is partially outdoors. Large swimming pool. There is nowhere to go outside the hotel - only the houses of the locals. For savers.
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We rested from June 03 to June 17.2012. In Sri Lanka for the first time, before that there were many places in Thailand and Malaysia and Indonesia and in other countries, and believe me, there is something to compare with. I rested with my mother. When choosing a hotel, I considered a lot of hotels, this hotel was attracted by its price, since in my travels, first of all, an excursion program, so we decided not to pay attention to reviews and it is better to spend the difference in money on excursions.
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We rested from June 03 to June 17.2012. In Sri Lanka for the first time, before that there were many places in Thailand and Malaysia and Indonesia and in other countries, and believe me, there is something to compare with. I rested with my mother. When choosing a hotel, I considered a lot of hotels, this hotel was attracted by its price, since in my travels, first of all, an excursion program, so we decided not to pay attention to reviews and it is better to spend the difference in money on excursions. The flight was transferred hard, I did not expect that the seats on the plane were so uncomfortable ....There is no food on the plane (Air Arabia flew from Kyiv), many tourists did not know about this, we only bought water, relatively inexpensively 3 dirhams or 1 dollar. The transfer in Sharjah is one hour very fast, you can walk along Dutik and already transfer to a plane to Colombo. We arrived at 4 in the morning, as we received visas back in Ukraine and quickly went through passport control.
The host Exotic Travel met us right away, gave us time to buy a SIM card (we bought Mobitel for 100 rupees, you can also top up your account there, the cheapest calls to Ukraine, the cost for city calls is 11 rupees a minute, for mobile 22 rupees a minute), they called home every day , for two weeks spent on calls 10 at. e. It is also better to change dollars immediately at the airport, since there will simply be nowhere to change them, and the exchange rate will not be profitable, and save the receipt, since with the balance of rupees it will be possible to exchange them back at the airport for dollars, at the same rate. On June 4, the exchange rate was 128 rupees. The transfer was waiting for us somewhere around the corner, where the guide took us, but there we were immediately attacked by people like luggage brought into the transfer, and then I demand money, so don’t enter carefully - this is not the driver !! ! They demanded 1000 rupees from us, we gave 1 dollar and that's it! But one couple was so fooled and took 1000 from them, but they simply didn’t understand right away ....
such a divorce, when you are not yet oriented in the local currency! We arrived very quickly, the first stop of the ball was at the Tangerine Hotel, where two ladies were going and, having found out which hotel we were going to, they said: oh, you are going to this terrible hotel ......So they were afraid of the reviews and took Tangerine, but for one week at that price, but in Kosgoda two could have a rest for the same money! Well, this is everyone’s choice, it was still a bit dumb for us to go, after all, everyone read the reviews ...this ...We were next, the rest of the tourists followed further to Unawatuna. The gates open and so far we don’t see anything terrible, but there is a table instead of the reception, well, okay. Issued quickly, offered to have breakfast first (breakfast is not included in more than one hotel upon check-in !!!
and here everyone is fed breakfast), we left our things and went for breakfast, we walk past a small lake with fish, there is a goose walking, not very affectionate))) Everything is clear, as in the photographs. Yes, a little dirty, but it's you who came to visit them, they live like that !! ! The restaurant is located in the open area near the pool, it’s very cool, you can swim there at any time, even some ate at dinner and then jumped into the pool immediately to swim))) Breakfast was not a buffet, the “menu” option (because when we arrived There were only 6 people in the hotel, including us). For breakfast they gave buns, toast, butter, papaya fruit, pineapples, watermelons, fresh papaya or watermelon juice or a mix, very tasty!!!
, coffee, tea and milk on the hotel table without restriction, a choice of scrambled eggs or scrambled eggs, brought with beans and spicy sausages, I didn’t like beans, but I was delighted with sausages, although many didn’t eat, as they don’t like spicy, but I am generally a fan of spices and spicy food, so the food was just for me) We ate and went to the reception, where we were immediately given the key to room 131 overlooking the ocean. The room is two-story, on the first floor there is a room with a sofa, a table and a locker, as well as an open balcony and a bathroom, on the second floor there is a bed and a TV, like a bedroom, air conditioning, and on the first floor there is a fan. Everything worked!! ! Everything was in order in the bathroom, there was always a hairdryer, hot water, from bathroom accessories, shampoo in Sunsilk bags (good) and soap, changed every day, if they forget to bring it, you need to remind them and they will bring it right away. Also daily 2 0.5 water, in bags of coffee, tea and cream.
Everything was kept in a safe, it is in the room and free of charge. You open the balcony and the sound of the ocean!!! ! Naturally, I don’t want to sleep anymore when I see such a beauty ....The territory is green, large, coconuts are lying around, guards are sitting everywhere, we asked them, they got us coconuts, royal coconuts, very tasty !! ! It even happened that cokes fell and we opened them ourselves))), here is a real bounty advertisement, you sit in your room listening to the sound of the ocean, a coconut falls ..... A large pool, with a small island and a hammock, there is also a jacuzzi! Walked along the beach, the ocean is just gorgeous!! ! Chipmunks run around the territory (they come to visit for breakfast for buns), monitor lizards walk, impudent crows sit in the restaurant!! ! you have to drive them, some met snakes, I'm very afraid of them, I'm lucky that it wasn't me!! ! In general, the guards are watching the territory, the snakes there are not poisonous!
Yes, the ocean was violent, but it’s very beautiful, they tried to swim, it turned out, but it’s scary, it’s very addictive, so they never went far, but after the storm, a lot of jellyfish appeared, they stung a lot, we were lucky they bypassed us, but some tourists are well sorry, the irritation was strong, so the jellyfish are very careful! The beach itself is gorgeous, there is no one, just super!! ! We went for a walk to the stones, there are locals there, but they don’t bother me much, I’m already used to it, so I don’t pay attention. It’s better to walk along the beach on the right side, there are just beautiful stones and the ocean flows into the lagoon, but on the left side how to go to the turtle farm, there are stones in the ocean, and it’s very dangerous, my mother fell there and hurt her leg badly and the camera is gone...this is how I was left on the fourth day without a camera, but they found a way out on the phone and filmed, and other tourists helped out, the memory card did not oxidize, I was lucky!
We had breakfast and dinner meals, dinners were also on the menu system, the buffet was for dinner once, there were very few people in the hotel, the first three days 6 people, then tourists arrived and there were only 16 people. For dinner The food was changed daily and everything was delicious. They brought soup and buns, but I didn’t eat soups, I just don’t like mashed soups, here one was from a series of transparent ones, so I ate it and I really liked it. The next dish was a salad and a choice of chicken or fish, I always took fish, it was delicious, but sometimes it was like in batter, it was a bit overcooked, but in general I really liked the food. They also gave sweets for dinner, they said that it was delicious, I could no longer eat, I usually asked that they not bring it, and I don’t really like sweets at all, but I really liked ice cream and cream. None of the tourists complained either. The chef was often interested in how we were eating and if there were any suggestions or comments! Always listened!
From drinks for dinner, tea and coffee are also free. From alcohol we bought Lion beer, awesome, 300 rupees for a bottle of 0.7 in the hotel restaurant, you can buy it in the store for 150, you have to go here on a tuk or order it from a scourge of fights for 200, so the difference is not big, and you can sit quietly at dinner in the restaurant, as you cannot bring your own drinks into the restaurant. And so on the territory of the hotel in the evening, many were sitting at the tables drinking, no one was cursing. We tried the local rum, we also liked it very much, I don’t know how much it costs, they treated us, but those who bought it said that it was not very expensive.
By the way, everyone who had a rest was delighted with the hotel, I didn’t hear something bad from not one tourist, one girl rested for the second time in this hotel, she was in the spring and the second time she decided to go she chose this hotel, here she is said that the hotel staff was different, which completely changed! And indeed the staff used to be impudent!
Now the hotel staff is very good and in the restaurant and the guards and cleaners were always ready to help! Left 100 rupees every day in the room, beautifully decorated with flowers.
On the second day, we went on an excursion along the Madu River, a gem factory (we bought an inexpensive set of silver with blue topaz, we have to bargain well, they are inferior and I really liked amethysts, I decided to buy only one stone and make a product to order), Hikkaduwa, a turtle farm, with person 35 c. u. e. by tuk tuk, full day excursion, after breakfast, departure at 9 am, return at 4 pm. The tour is interesting, you did not choose it, we just introduced a couple from Ukraine and so they went there and we were with them for company. Then we already agreed on our own, a day later we decided to go to Fort Galle and Unawatuna, agreed for 20 c. u. e. per person.
In Galle, we looked at the fort, asked to go to the shops, and there he stayed to wait, and we went ourselves, then the prices are completely different when you go on your own, because if you go with a tuktuk, he gets 30% for being you brought. Without excursions, we independently went to Bendota and Kalutara for shopping. On short trips, they agreed for 200-300 rupees. Of the purchases, what we bought is interesting - of course, tea, the best Mlesna, is sold in different places, there is also in the Food city, in bags and iron boxes. Very good shampoos, bought in a pharmacy, Kumarika shampoo and hair oil with twigs inside, ideal for a gift. The toothpastes are of very good quality, but I didn’t like the taste ...The choice of clothes is very poor, I am a lover of sarafans, so I found three with such difficulty, one in Halle, after two hours of shopping, one in Kalutara, also went around a dozen, and one accidentally on a tour in Dambulla.
There is a large selection of long skirts, my mother was just lucky, the quality is very good and not expensive at all up to 1000 rupees, there are many different options. In Bendot, prices are higher for everything except cosmetics in pharmacies and tea. But for clothes there are inflated prices and there is no choice, like second-hand and fruits are expensive. Fruits were bought, mango 40 rupees a piece, pineapple 150 rupees a piece, mangosteen 10 rupees a piece, coconuts 30 rupees a piece. There is nothing at all near the hotel, there are a couple of shops behind the bridge and that's it, they hit pineapples once there, and there is nothing else there. We went once for a massage, nothing like that, but the second time we didn’t want to, we agreed for 3000 for two with a tuk tuk.
But the most important thing is why I went to Sri Lanka, my dream was to visit Sigiriya ..... This excursion is interesting for 2 days, but I had to find a company, because if you go together, it costs 450 USD. e. for two, and if 4 people, then 350 for two, if 6 people, then 300 for two.
And many people rested at the hotel after the excursions, from the tour operator they went straight from the airport for three days on excursions, and then the hotel, we decided not to take it right away, to relax and it’s cheaper, from the tour operator 600 for two and the program is exactly the same, even many complained, what is worse and not everyone visited, one boy was resting, who was not brought to Dambulla ....Met the girls from Dnepropetrovsk went four. Our program was as follows: the first day, pineapple plantations, the Pinavelle elephant nursery, if shops with handbags and all sorts of souvenirs, you can trade, the girls chose their handbags for 20 c. u. e. leather, I was not impressed with the styles. Next is a tea factory (we didn’t buy anything, it’s expensive, but we tasted it). Kandy, Royal Botanical Garden (only the flying foxes and the bridge were impressive).
Then check-in at the hotel (The Serene Garden 3 * Hotel is just a 10-minute walk from the center of Kandy and a 10-minute drive from the Temple of the Tooth Relic, so for a minute on Booking the cost of this room per day is 108 USD with breakfast !! ! ), shower rest for a couple of hours and went to a Sri Lankan show, dancing, Visiting the Temple of the Tooth Relic (Russian-speaking guide), open to see the box itself for only three minutes, and the rest of the time you go to see the temple. In the evening, dinner at the hotel is a buffet, everything is very tasty, meat, fish, seafood, fruits, sweets, even I ate, well, they have very tasty creams ...Second day: breakfast, also a buffet. Next spice garden, tea factory and transfer to Sigiriya. Rock of the 5th century AD, climbing 1200 steps, I wanted to see the paws so much that I didn’t even swamp, as they raised it, amazing frescoes, carved paws of a lion in the rock - this is just a magnificent sight, there are no analogues in the world!! ! This is a must visit in Sri Lanka.
What is dangerous there is black wild bees, speak quietly among themselves and if one attacks, then everyone attacks, bites can be fatal !! ! Therefore, from the paws, on the rise to the very top, you need to quietly rise !! ! A few days before us, one family was attacked by bees and no one was allowed to go to the very top. But in general, not everyone goes up there, if it’s scary, then in principle you can get by, and only reach the paws. After Sigiriya we went to Dambulla. Cave rock, it was more difficult to climb there, there was a wind in Sigiriya, and here it was hot, in general, this climb was hard for us, but it was worth it, there is a temple of 5 caves, here is the largest collection of Buddha statues, many of which are already more than 2000 years, there are a lot of monkeys running downstairs. Here, on the square, there is a three-story building - a museum, with teeth))) The temple is one of the richest temples in Sri Lanka. And return to the hotel around 10 pm, we warned the restaurant, and dinner was left for us.
In general, I really liked the rest, for the first time I meet a hotel where in real life it is completely different from what is described in the reviews! Price-quality corresponds to 100%!! !
The host Exotic Travel met us right away, gave us time to buy a SIM card (we bought Mobitel for 100 rupees, you can also top up your account there, the cheapest calls to Ukraine, the cost for city calls is 11 rupees a minute, for mobile 22 rupees a minute), they called home every day , for two weeks spent on calls 10 at. e. It is also better to change dollars immediately at the airport, since there will simply be nowhere to change them, and the exchange rate will not be profitable, and save the receipt, since with the balance of rupees it will be possible to exchange them back at the airport for dollars, at the same rate. On June 4, the exchange rate was 128 rupees. The transfer was waiting for us somewhere around the corner, where the guide took us, but there we were immediately attacked by people like luggage brought into the transfer, and then I demand money, so don’t enter carefully - this is not the driver !! ! They demanded 1000 rupees from us, we gave 1 dollar and that's it! But one couple was so fooled and took 1000 from them, but they simply didn’t understand right away ....
such a divorce, when you are not yet oriented in the local currency! We arrived very quickly, the first stop of the ball was at the Tangerine Hotel, where two ladies were going and, having found out which hotel we were going to, they said: oh, you are going to this terrible hotel ......So they were afraid of the reviews and took Tangerine, but for one week at that price, but in Kosgoda two could have a rest for the same money! Well, this is everyone’s choice, it was still a bit dumb for us to go, after all, everyone read the reviews ...this ...We were next, the rest of the tourists followed further to Unawatuna. The gates open and so far we don’t see anything terrible, but there is a table instead of the reception, well, okay. Issued quickly, offered to have breakfast first (breakfast is not included in more than one hotel upon check-in !!!
and here everyone is fed breakfast), we left our things and went for breakfast, we walk past a small lake with fish, there is a goose walking, not very affectionate))) Everything is clear, as in the photographs. Yes, a little dirty, but it's you who came to visit them, they live like that !! ! The restaurant is located in the open area near the pool, it’s very cool, you can swim there at any time, even some ate at dinner and then jumped into the pool immediately to swim))) Breakfast was not a buffet, the “menu” option (because when we arrived There were only 6 people in the hotel, including us). For breakfast they gave buns, toast, butter, papaya fruit, pineapples, watermelons, fresh papaya or watermelon juice or a mix, very tasty!!!
, coffee, tea and milk on the hotel table without restriction, a choice of scrambled eggs or scrambled eggs, brought with beans and spicy sausages, I didn’t like beans, but I was delighted with sausages, although many didn’t eat, as they don’t like spicy, but I am generally a fan of spices and spicy food, so the food was just for me) We ate and went to the reception, where we were immediately given the key to room 131 overlooking the ocean. The room is two-story, on the first floor there is a room with a sofa, a table and a locker, as well as an open balcony and a bathroom, on the second floor there is a bed and a TV, like a bedroom, air conditioning, and on the first floor there is a fan. Everything worked!! ! Everything was in order in the bathroom, there was always a hairdryer, hot water, from bathroom accessories, shampoo in Sunsilk bags (good) and soap, changed every day, if they forget to bring it, you need to remind them and they will bring it right away. Also daily 2 0.5 water, in bags of coffee, tea and cream.
Everything was kept in a safe, it is in the room and free of charge. You open the balcony and the sound of the ocean!!! ! Naturally, I don’t want to sleep anymore when I see such a beauty ....The territory is green, large, coconuts are lying around, guards are sitting everywhere, we asked them, they got us coconuts, royal coconuts, very tasty !! ! It even happened that cokes fell and we opened them ourselves))), here is a real bounty advertisement, you sit in your room listening to the sound of the ocean, a coconut falls ..... A large pool, with a small island and a hammock, there is also a jacuzzi! Walked along the beach, the ocean is just gorgeous!! ! Chipmunks run around the territory (they come to visit for breakfast for buns), monitor lizards walk, impudent crows sit in the restaurant!! ! you have to drive them, some met snakes, I'm very afraid of them, I'm lucky that it wasn't me!! ! In general, the guards are watching the territory, the snakes there are not poisonous!
Yes, the ocean was violent, but it’s very beautiful, they tried to swim, it turned out, but it’s scary, it’s very addictive, so they never went far, but after the storm, a lot of jellyfish appeared, they stung a lot, we were lucky they bypassed us, but some tourists are well sorry, the irritation was strong, so the jellyfish are very careful! The beach itself is gorgeous, there is no one, just super!! ! We went for a walk to the stones, there are locals there, but they don’t bother me much, I’m already used to it, so I don’t pay attention. It’s better to walk along the beach on the right side, there are just beautiful stones and the ocean flows into the lagoon, but on the left side how to go to the turtle farm, there are stones in the ocean, and it’s very dangerous, my mother fell there and hurt her leg badly and the camera is gone...this is how I was left on the fourth day without a camera, but they found a way out on the phone and filmed, and other tourists helped out, the memory card did not oxidize, I was lucky!
We had breakfast and dinner meals, dinners were also on the menu system, the buffet was for dinner once, there were very few people in the hotel, the first three days 6 people, then tourists arrived and there were only 16 people. For dinner The food was changed daily and everything was delicious. They brought soup and buns, but I didn’t eat soups, I just don’t like mashed soups, here one was from a series of transparent ones, so I ate it and I really liked it. The next dish was a salad and a choice of chicken or fish, I always took fish, it was delicious, but sometimes it was like in batter, it was a bit overcooked, but in general I really liked the food. They also gave sweets for dinner, they said that it was delicious, I could no longer eat, I usually asked that they not bring it, and I don’t really like sweets at all, but I really liked ice cream and cream. None of the tourists complained either. The chef was often interested in how we were eating and if there were any suggestions or comments! Always listened!
From drinks for dinner, tea and coffee are also free. From alcohol we bought Lion beer, awesome, 300 rupees for a bottle of 0.7 in the hotel restaurant, you can buy it in the store for 150, you have to go here on a tuk or order it from a scourge of fights for 200, so the difference is not big, and you can sit quietly at dinner in the restaurant, as you cannot bring your own drinks into the restaurant. And so on the territory of the hotel in the evening, many were sitting at the tables drinking, no one was cursing. We tried the local rum, we also liked it very much, I don’t know how much it costs, they treated us, but those who bought it said that it was not very expensive.
By the way, everyone who had a rest was delighted with the hotel, I didn’t hear something bad from not one tourist, one girl rested for the second time in this hotel, she was in the spring and the second time she decided to go she chose this hotel, here she is said that the hotel staff was different, which completely changed! And indeed the staff used to be impudent!
Now the hotel staff is very good and in the restaurant and the guards and cleaners were always ready to help! Left 100 rupees every day in the room, beautifully decorated with flowers.
On the second day, we went on an excursion along the Madu River, a gem factory (we bought an inexpensive set of silver with blue topaz, we have to bargain well, they are inferior and I really liked amethysts, I decided to buy only one stone and make a product to order), Hikkaduwa, a turtle farm, with person 35 c. u. e. by tuk tuk, full day excursion, after breakfast, departure at 9 am, return at 4 pm. The tour is interesting, you did not choose it, we just introduced a couple from Ukraine and so they went there and we were with them for company. Then we already agreed on our own, a day later we decided to go to Fort Galle and Unawatuna, agreed for 20 c. u. e. per person.
In Galle, we looked at the fort, asked to go to the shops, and there he stayed to wait, and we went ourselves, then the prices are completely different when you go on your own, because if you go with a tuktuk, he gets 30% for being you brought. Without excursions, we independently went to Bendota and Kalutara for shopping. On short trips, they agreed for 200-300 rupees. Of the purchases, what we bought is interesting - of course, tea, the best Mlesna, is sold in different places, there is also in the Food city, in bags and iron boxes. Very good shampoos, bought in a pharmacy, Kumarika shampoo and hair oil with twigs inside, ideal for a gift. The toothpastes are of very good quality, but I didn’t like the taste ...The choice of clothes is very poor, I am a lover of sarafans, so I found three with such difficulty, one in Halle, after two hours of shopping, one in Kalutara, also went around a dozen, and one accidentally on a tour in Dambulla.
There is a large selection of long skirts, my mother was just lucky, the quality is very good and not expensive at all up to 1000 rupees, there are many different options. In Bendot, prices are higher for everything except cosmetics in pharmacies and tea. But for clothes there are inflated prices and there is no choice, like second-hand and fruits are expensive. Fruits were bought, mango 40 rupees a piece, pineapple 150 rupees a piece, mangosteen 10 rupees a piece, coconuts 30 rupees a piece. There is nothing at all near the hotel, there are a couple of shops behind the bridge and that's it, they hit pineapples once there, and there is nothing else there. We went once for a massage, nothing like that, but the second time we didn’t want to, we agreed for 3000 for two with a tuk tuk.
But the most important thing is why I went to Sri Lanka, my dream was to visit Sigiriya ..... This excursion is interesting for 2 days, but I had to find a company, because if you go together, it costs 450 USD. e. for two, and if 4 people, then 350 for two, if 6 people, then 300 for two.
And many people rested at the hotel after the excursions, from the tour operator they went straight from the airport for three days on excursions, and then the hotel, we decided not to take it right away, to relax and it’s cheaper, from the tour operator 600 for two and the program is exactly the same, even many complained, what is worse and not everyone visited, one boy was resting, who was not brought to Dambulla ....Met the girls from Dnepropetrovsk went four. Our program was as follows: the first day, pineapple plantations, the Pinavelle elephant nursery, if shops with handbags and all sorts of souvenirs, you can trade, the girls chose their handbags for 20 c. u. e. leather, I was not impressed with the styles. Next is a tea factory (we didn’t buy anything, it’s expensive, but we tasted it). Kandy, Royal Botanical Garden (only the flying foxes and the bridge were impressive).
Then check-in at the hotel (The Serene Garden 3 * Hotel is just a 10-minute walk from the center of Kandy and a 10-minute drive from the Temple of the Tooth Relic, so for a minute on Booking the cost of this room per day is 108 USD with breakfast !! ! ), shower rest for a couple of hours and went to a Sri Lankan show, dancing, Visiting the Temple of the Tooth Relic (Russian-speaking guide), open to see the box itself for only three minutes, and the rest of the time you go to see the temple. In the evening, dinner at the hotel is a buffet, everything is very tasty, meat, fish, seafood, fruits, sweets, even I ate, well, they have very tasty creams ...Second day: breakfast, also a buffet. Next spice garden, tea factory and transfer to Sigiriya. Rock of the 5th century AD, climbing 1200 steps, I wanted to see the paws so much that I didn’t even swamp, as they raised it, amazing frescoes, carved paws of a lion in the rock - this is just a magnificent sight, there are no analogues in the world!! ! This is a must visit in Sri Lanka.
What is dangerous there is black wild bees, speak quietly among themselves and if one attacks, then everyone attacks, bites can be fatal !! ! Therefore, from the paws, on the rise to the very top, you need to quietly rise !! ! A few days before us, one family was attacked by bees and no one was allowed to go to the very top. But in general, not everyone goes up there, if it’s scary, then in principle you can get by, and only reach the paws. After Sigiriya we went to Dambulla. Cave rock, it was more difficult to climb there, there was a wind in Sigiriya, and here it was hot, in general, this climb was hard for us, but it was worth it, there is a temple of 5 caves, here is the largest collection of Buddha statues, many of which are already more than 2000 years, there are a lot of monkeys running downstairs. Here, on the square, there is a three-story building - a museum, with teeth))) The temple is one of the richest temples in Sri Lanka. And return to the hotel around 10 pm, we warned the restaurant, and dinner was left for us.
In general, I really liked the rest, for the first time I meet a hotel where in real life it is completely different from what is described in the reviews! Price-quality corresponds to 100%!! !
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• 11
AYUBOVAN! Hello, good afternoon! ! ! ! ! Rested in May, I wanted to immediately write reviews about the hotel, say all the pros and cons, but it's been a few hours and I still want to start with the positive - Sri Lankans are very nice people, nature and the ocean is just great, coconut juice every day on the coast.
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AYUBOVAN! Hello, good afternoon! ! ! ! ! Rested in May, I wanted to immediately write reviews about the hotel, say all the pros and cons, but it's been a few hours and I still want to start with the positive - Sri Lankans are very nice people, nature and the ocean is just great, coconut juice every day on the coast. uninhabited wide beaches, clean sand, splashes of the ocean - they all make up for it, because we came to rest, not to sit in a hotel and eat ...who like to postpone flights. We flew Air Arabia - it's great planes and respectable staff, no complaints. We flew with a child, you can take with you on the plane juices, water, baked goods, of course, ordered food, tea on the plane, you can even pre-order a menu online.
At Colombo Airport you are met by a representative of Exotic Travel (we had a guide Nadish), change to a bus, then on the way to the hotel (it is about 120 km in 4-5 years) he will tell you about Sri Lanka, you can ask any questions you interested.
Check-in at the hotel is like lucky: my friends were accommodated in 126, very damp room, they did not spend the night there, asked for another room, it was difficult, but the next day they changed the room. We were more fortunate - room 134, two-storey bungalow. The air conditioner worked, cleaned every day, decorated the bed with flowers, left water, tea, coffee. . Our rhumboy Tarasika did a good job of leaving a tip of $ 1 or 100 rupees. Now about the ocean - it is very strong and powerful, do not joke with it, do not go far, because it just drags on and on.
It is necessary to swim not near the hotel, because there are rocks and reefs, you can get injured, but 100 m from the hotel, where Chaminda is watching tourists, you can hide under the palm trees from the sun. the evening is very stormy, be careful, once I was stung by a jellyfish (such blue-violet with long tentacles) are very poisonous, I still treated burns at home, to this day there is a trace.
Meals: buffet breakfast, monotonous, but you will not be hungry. And the evening variety: a lot of rice, vegetables, chicken or fish, and delicious desserts. . Lunch can be ordered at the Restaurant for $ 10. portion of large shrimp with rice, salad. Beer at the bar 300 rupees (in the store 150) or ask for beachboys, they will bring for 200. In the market you can buy a lot of fruit, try mangosteen, sauce, lychee ..... , mangoes are very sweet and juicy.
You can still write a lot, but it is better to go and try and feel everything yourself.
And now about the shortcomings: the hotel is "weak", not yet fully restored after the tsunami, some rooms are closed, in the bathrooms live huge cockroaches at the airport in Colombo on luggage control also saw them), the air in the rooms is very humid, the climate is very humid, the territory of the hotel no garbage, old sunbeds by the pool, mattresses and towels as well, no animation, or once every 10 days, a little boring, you have to go to the city, because in Kosgoda there is nowhere to go ...But with all the disadvantages tune in to a good rest and ignore all the bad ones. If you want comfort, look for the best hotel, or go to Egypt or Turkey. Write and ask questions, I will answer.
If you ask me if I'm going to Sri Lanka, definitely "YES" Have a nice holiday ! ! ! ! ! ! ! !
At Colombo Airport you are met by a representative of Exotic Travel (we had a guide Nadish), change to a bus, then on the way to the hotel (it is about 120 km in 4-5 years) he will tell you about Sri Lanka, you can ask any questions you interested.
Check-in at the hotel is like lucky: my friends were accommodated in 126, very damp room, they did not spend the night there, asked for another room, it was difficult, but the next day they changed the room. We were more fortunate - room 134, two-storey bungalow. The air conditioner worked, cleaned every day, decorated the bed with flowers, left water, tea, coffee. . Our rhumboy Tarasika did a good job of leaving a tip of $ 1 or 100 rupees. Now about the ocean - it is very strong and powerful, do not joke with it, do not go far, because it just drags on and on.
It is necessary to swim not near the hotel, because there are rocks and reefs, you can get injured, but 100 m from the hotel, where Chaminda is watching tourists, you can hide under the palm trees from the sun. the evening is very stormy, be careful, once I was stung by a jellyfish (such blue-violet with long tentacles) are very poisonous, I still treated burns at home, to this day there is a trace.
Meals: buffet breakfast, monotonous, but you will not be hungry. And the evening variety: a lot of rice, vegetables, chicken or fish, and delicious desserts. . Lunch can be ordered at the Restaurant for $ 10. portion of large shrimp with rice, salad. Beer at the bar 300 rupees (in the store 150) or ask for beachboys, they will bring for 200. In the market you can buy a lot of fruit, try mangosteen, sauce, lychee ..... , mangoes are very sweet and juicy.
You can still write a lot, but it is better to go and try and feel everything yourself.
And now about the shortcomings: the hotel is "weak", not yet fully restored after the tsunami, some rooms are closed, in the bathrooms live huge cockroaches at the airport in Colombo on luggage control also saw them), the air in the rooms is very humid, the climate is very humid, the territory of the hotel no garbage, old sunbeds by the pool, mattresses and towels as well, no animation, or once every 10 days, a little boring, you have to go to the city, because in Kosgoda there is nowhere to go ...But with all the disadvantages tune in to a good rest and ignore all the bad ones. If you want comfort, look for the best hotel, or go to Egypt or Turkey. Write and ask questions, I will answer.
If you ask me if I'm going to Sri Lanka, definitely "YES" Have a nice holiday ! ! ! ! ! ! ! !
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• 2
The hotel is normal-large, green, the food is on the level. The ocean is not calm at this time of year, but for me, that's the beauty of it. There are few people (out of season) and I liked it too. The shore is virgin with fine sand, at night the turtles come out and lay their eggs. Excursions were taken from the local guide Samuel (cheaper and normal quality).
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The hotel is normal-large, green, the food is on the level. The ocean is not calm at this time of year, but for me, that's the beauty of it. There are few people (out of season) and I liked it too. The shore is virgin with fine sand, at night the turtles come out and lay their eggs. Excursions were taken from the local guide Samuel (cheaper and normal quality). If interested, I will answer all questions.
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• -1
This hotel was suggested to me and my husband by a travel agency. The price was right for us and we took the plunge. But I studied the Internet and reviews already when there could not be a return. Very upset, worried. But... Arriving at the hotel, settling in, meeting the staff, the owner of the hotel and other tourists, having been on excursions in the nearby city of Bentota, we were not just pleasantly surprised, but simply we were delighted with the country, traditions, beauty, relationships and the friendliness of even ordinary passers-by who meet on the way.
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This hotel was suggested to me and my husband by a travel agency. The price was right for us and we took the plunge. But I studied the Internet and reviews already when there could not be a return. Very upset, worried. But... Arriving at the hotel, settling in, meeting the staff, the owner of the hotel and other tourists, having been on excursions in the nearby city of Bentota, we were not just pleasantly surprised, but simply we were delighted with the country, traditions, beauty, relationships and the friendliness of even ordinary passers-by who meet on the way. Sri Lanka is probably rightly called paradise. I am writing a review only because I want to dispel the doubts of such potential tourists who are so frightened of me by the negative reviews. I believe that when writing a review, in addition to ratings *, it is necessary first of all to specify what goal the person who went to one or another place in the world pursues. And seeing wonderful people, excellent attitude on the part of the staff and rudeness and rudeness on the part of some tourists, it becomes simply ashamed and disgusting that such "cadres" disgrace our country, in fact being a fly in the ointment in a barrel of honey.
Now about the hotel. We were settled in 131 rooms, EVERYTHING worked, hot water, air conditioning worked, bedding, towels were changed every day, water, tea, coffee were brought every day. The food was very tasty and plentiful. We did not even imagine that we would have a 2-storey bungalow with an ocean view (because the ticket indicated a room with a view of the lagoon). The staff does not speak Russian, but with good people and on the fingers you can explain yourself, besides the owner, a wonderful person, speaks Russian very well.
It's a shame that there are a lot of bad reviews about this hotel, because it is very good. Maybe depending on who, if you pursue the goal of leaving your farm, to build a king out of yourself, but for your own nothing really works out, it’s probably bad for that. Then you first need to learn to respect other people's mores and customs, understand that other people are no worse and no better than us, and put yourself in the place of those who can come to our country, with our fools and roads. what could you read about us?
Now about the hotel. We were settled in 131 rooms, EVERYTHING worked, hot water, air conditioning worked, bedding, towels were changed every day, water, tea, coffee were brought every day. The food was very tasty and plentiful. We did not even imagine that we would have a 2-storey bungalow with an ocean view (because the ticket indicated a room with a view of the lagoon). The staff does not speak Russian, but with good people and on the fingers you can explain yourself, besides the owner, a wonderful person, speaks Russian very well.
It's a shame that there are a lot of bad reviews about this hotel, because it is very good. Maybe depending on who, if you pursue the goal of leaving your farm, to build a king out of yourself, but for your own nothing really works out, it’s probably bad for that. Then you first need to learn to respect other people's mores and customs, understand that other people are no worse and no better than us, and put yourself in the place of those who can come to our country, with our fools and roads. what could you read about us?
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• 6
I have never written reviews before, but in this case I decided to share my impressions of a vacation in Sri Lanka, since I have not received such an ocean of positive emotions and impressions for a long time. I’ll make a reservation that if someone at the moment, having read the previous reviews, is still thinking whether or not to go to the Kosgoda Beach hotel, and also hopes that the “service features” of this hotel described below will not affect him, I’ll immediately say that I thought the same at first.
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I have never written reviews before, but in this case I decided to share my impressions of a vacation in Sri Lanka, since I have not received such an ocean of positive emotions and impressions for a long time. I’ll make a reservation that if someone at the moment, having read the previous reviews, is still thinking whether or not to go to the Kosgoda Beach hotel, and also hopes that the “service features” of this hotel described below will not affect him, I’ll immediately say that I thought the same at first. However, I decided to take the risk. . .
Since the rest in Kosgoda Beach was preceded by an excursion program, I will briefly talk about it. Those who are only interested in information about the hotel, please go straight to the fourth paragraph of my review. So, I flew with my wife by Air Arabia, flight Donetsk-Sharjah-Colombo. Early in the morning local time (something around 3 o'clock) - landing. Since the visa was issued in Donetsk, passport control passed without delay. After receiving the luggage, when leaving the airport, an N-th amount of American money was exchanged for local rupees and a card of the local mobile operator Dialog was bought. To our great joy, the excursion program and transfer with us actually turned out to be not group, but individual. Having seen the name of the wife on the sign raised by the young man, who turned out to be the driver, they followed him to the car and went to meet the guide. Somewhere in the Kurunegala area, we were joined by the guide Chaminda (host of Exotic Holidays), with whom we spent an unforgettable time, for which many thanks to him.
For two days with a "tail" excursions: we conquered the Lion Rock in Sigiriya. Well, let me tell you, this is not as easy as it seems. But what kinds of rewards are rewarded for climbing to the very top! The spirit is taking over! But this is a completely different story... Further, the cave temple in Dambula, the Hindu temple in Matale, the spice garden, the botanical garden in Peradeniya, the temple of the Buddha's tooth in Kandy, national songs and dances, and many other attractions along the way. In a word, color! And in the end - the orphanage in Pinavella. After that, we said goodbye to the guide and the driver brought us to Kosgoda Beach by about 14:00.
Now directly about the hotel Kosgoda Beach. After a long transfer, the car comes up against some nondescript wooden gate without identification marks. The car honks, the gates open, we unload and head to the reception, which consists of two desks (! ), and if there were no signs on them, we would never have guessed about it. There is a dark pleasant smiling girl at the table, we smile too, have a quick welcome drink, get the keys, smile again and head to the room. While we go to the room - "admire" the territory of the hotel, which leaves much to be desired. One gets the impression that the owners of the hotel have not invested a penny in it for quite a long time, but are exploiting what they have, while it still makes a profit. It turns out that a seemingly interesting and green area, on the one hand, turns out to be randomly overgrown and unkempt, on the other hand.
We arrive at the room (by the way, not the first freshness, and for a long time already requiring at least cosmetic repairs). In the room: large double bed (sheets and pillowcases with stains), air conditioning, safe, tea set, shower room, small veranda. In the shower: 2 sachets of shampoo (which have never been renewed in 4 days) and a bar of soap the size of a half-matchbox. Within half an hour after checking in, I rush back to the reception and in broken English I try to explain that I can’t turn on / off the air conditioner (because there is no remote control), the safe does not work, hot water - yok! A delegation promptly gathered and went with me to my room. Having tried 3 remote controls brought with them, they eventually smile at me and say that none of the remote controls are suitable and show that the air conditioner can be turned on and off by pointing a finger at the button on the indoor unit itself. Well, we are not picky people, “finger” so “finger”))) I didn’t even ask about temperature control... Let's move on to the “research” of the safe. After vain attempts to bring it to working condition, they promise to replace it. The water tank, it turns out, needs replacing the heating element (I wonder if the hotel staff only found out about this from me? ). As a result, the safe was replaced the next day before lunch, and in the late afternoon of the next day we finally had hot water... (At the same time, we omit periodic visits to the reception and a reminder of our problem). A logical but rhetorical question arises, why don't the hotel staff bring the rooms to a “functional state” before guests check in, and not after?
The food is quite decent, half board from 8 to 10 both in the morning and in the evening. They weren't hungry. They left an unpleasant aftertaste - poorly washed dishes, insufficient number of cups for tea and cold soup at one of the dinners. For dinner, live music and dances of the local team were also “served”, which was generally interesting.
Service. A simple example, ordering drinking water, shampoo, tea-sugar-coffee in the morning - we get it at eight forty in the evening! At the same time, they explain that, unfortunately, there is no shampoo now, it will be later))) And so in everything, they smile, they promise, but you have been waiting for the promised three years.
Nature, living creatures, the ocean - a delight! You can admire it continuously for a long time, you are in nirvana! The sun is very dangerous - in the first hour they managed to get burned. There was a heavy thunderstorm on the last day of our stay. Thunder rumbles like explosions. Our boat (that is, a bungalow) leaked. From the ceiling here and there trickles of water ran...
The resting contingent is Ukrainians and our brothers Russians 99%. Therefore, if you are going to take a break from "ours" on the other side of the world, then you are definitely not in this hotel. An indicator of the level of the hotel is the fact that during the rest I saw only 1-2 non-Russian-speaking guests. Apparently foreign tour operators do not risk sending their customers to this hotel. Yes, I almost forgot, be prepared to give your passport as a deposit at check-in and get it back only at check-out in exchange for a room key.
Perhaps my review is too subjective, but already upon arrival home I can give friendly advice to everyone who is going to Kosgoda Beach - if possible, choose any other hotel, fortunately, there is enough of such a choice on the coast. Well, if this is not possible, try not to be surprised at anything (after all, you were warned, weren't you) and enjoy the flora, fauna and the ocean (there are more than enough of both in Ceylon).
As a summary: Sri Lanka, ocean, recreation, nature, people - just WOW!! ! Unfortunately, there is not the slightest merit in this Kosgoda Beach hotel, rather it is a small “fly in the ointment”, about which we will not remember anything in a month, and Sri Lanka will remain in our hearts forever))).
Since the rest in Kosgoda Beach was preceded by an excursion program, I will briefly talk about it. Those who are only interested in information about the hotel, please go straight to the fourth paragraph of my review. So, I flew with my wife by Air Arabia, flight Donetsk-Sharjah-Colombo. Early in the morning local time (something around 3 o'clock) - landing. Since the visa was issued in Donetsk, passport control passed without delay. After receiving the luggage, when leaving the airport, an N-th amount of American money was exchanged for local rupees and a card of the local mobile operator Dialog was bought. To our great joy, the excursion program and transfer with us actually turned out to be not group, but individual. Having seen the name of the wife on the sign raised by the young man, who turned out to be the driver, they followed him to the car and went to meet the guide. Somewhere in the Kurunegala area, we were joined by the guide Chaminda (host of Exotic Holidays), with whom we spent an unforgettable time, for which many thanks to him.
For two days with a "tail" excursions: we conquered the Lion Rock in Sigiriya. Well, let me tell you, this is not as easy as it seems. But what kinds of rewards are rewarded for climbing to the very top! The spirit is taking over! But this is a completely different story... Further, the cave temple in Dambula, the Hindu temple in Matale, the spice garden, the botanical garden in Peradeniya, the temple of the Buddha's tooth in Kandy, national songs and dances, and many other attractions along the way. In a word, color! And in the end - the orphanage in Pinavella. After that, we said goodbye to the guide and the driver brought us to Kosgoda Beach by about 14:00.
Now directly about the hotel Kosgoda Beach. After a long transfer, the car comes up against some nondescript wooden gate without identification marks. The car honks, the gates open, we unload and head to the reception, which consists of two desks (! ), and if there were no signs on them, we would never have guessed about it. There is a dark pleasant smiling girl at the table, we smile too, have a quick welcome drink, get the keys, smile again and head to the room. While we go to the room - "admire" the territory of the hotel, which leaves much to be desired. One gets the impression that the owners of the hotel have not invested a penny in it for quite a long time, but are exploiting what they have, while it still makes a profit. It turns out that a seemingly interesting and green area, on the one hand, turns out to be randomly overgrown and unkempt, on the other hand.
We arrive at the room (by the way, not the first freshness, and for a long time already requiring at least cosmetic repairs). In the room: large double bed (sheets and pillowcases with stains), air conditioning, safe, tea set, shower room, small veranda. In the shower: 2 sachets of shampoo (which have never been renewed in 4 days) and a bar of soap the size of a half-matchbox. Within half an hour after checking in, I rush back to the reception and in broken English I try to explain that I can’t turn on / off the air conditioner (because there is no remote control), the safe does not work, hot water - yok! A delegation promptly gathered and went with me to my room. Having tried 3 remote controls brought with them, they eventually smile at me and say that none of the remote controls are suitable and show that the air conditioner can be turned on and off by pointing a finger at the button on the indoor unit itself. Well, we are not picky people, “finger” so “finger”))) I didn’t even ask about temperature control... Let's move on to the “research” of the safe. After vain attempts to bring it to working condition, they promise to replace it. The water tank, it turns out, needs replacing the heating element (I wonder if the hotel staff only found out about this from me? ). As a result, the safe was replaced the next day before lunch, and in the late afternoon of the next day we finally had hot water... (At the same time, we omit periodic visits to the reception and a reminder of our problem). A logical but rhetorical question arises, why don't the hotel staff bring the rooms to a “functional state” before guests check in, and not after?
The food is quite decent, half board from 8 to 10 both in the morning and in the evening. They weren't hungry. They left an unpleasant aftertaste - poorly washed dishes, insufficient number of cups for tea and cold soup at one of the dinners. For dinner, live music and dances of the local team were also “served”, which was generally interesting.
Service. A simple example, ordering drinking water, shampoo, tea-sugar-coffee in the morning - we get it at eight forty in the evening! At the same time, they explain that, unfortunately, there is no shampoo now, it will be later))) And so in everything, they smile, they promise, but you have been waiting for the promised three years.
Nature, living creatures, the ocean - a delight! You can admire it continuously for a long time, you are in nirvana! The sun is very dangerous - in the first hour they managed to get burned. There was a heavy thunderstorm on the last day of our stay. Thunder rumbles like explosions. Our boat (that is, a bungalow) leaked. From the ceiling here and there trickles of water ran...
The resting contingent is Ukrainians and our brothers Russians 99%. Therefore, if you are going to take a break from "ours" on the other side of the world, then you are definitely not in this hotel. An indicator of the level of the hotel is the fact that during the rest I saw only 1-2 non-Russian-speaking guests. Apparently foreign tour operators do not risk sending their customers to this hotel. Yes, I almost forgot, be prepared to give your passport as a deposit at check-in and get it back only at check-out in exchange for a room key.
Perhaps my review is too subjective, but already upon arrival home I can give friendly advice to everyone who is going to Kosgoda Beach - if possible, choose any other hotel, fortunately, there is enough of such a choice on the coast. Well, if this is not possible, try not to be surprised at anything (after all, you were warned, weren't you) and enjoy the flora, fauna and the ocean (there are more than enough of both in Ceylon).
As a summary: Sri Lanka, ocean, recreation, nature, people - just WOW!! ! Unfortunately, there is not the slightest merit in this Kosgoda Beach hotel, rather it is a small “fly in the ointment”, about which we will not remember anything in a month, and Sri Lanka will remain in our hearts forever))).
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