Latest Reviews for Sri Lanka

nice area bit on the quite side which was good for us

I can only repeat what most people have said about this hotel.there are two pools one is what is called the quite pool which has a bar and is also used for the Fine Dining at night which i would recommend this was about £20.00 per person but for waiter service and a 6 course meal with 5 different chioces of menu including excellent seafood all in a peaceful setting was well worth it. the other pool has all the activities around it. however it can still be a relaxing area as there are plenty of sunbeds and a large area so you can move away from the activities if you want to. all the staff from the room boys up to the managers were friendly and very helpful. the hotel rooms are well equipped as are the bungalows and all rooms have now been equipped with tea/coffee making facilities.fridges are available for hire as well if you need one.the restaurant food was very good with a lot of choice and if you dont like spicy food there were still a lot to choose from.The local fruit drink in the bars at the hotel was a drink called sour sup which was pleasant and refreshing however if you want a real drink be aware there are no measures here.Rooms were clean and tidy and ours overlooked the pool on the ground floor great for just walking straight into the pool in the morning.the pool was well designed with an area for children which was no more than 15cm deep then at each end of this vast pool were 2 areas which were about a metre deep and in the middle was the deep part which was the only area where you could dive in.Entertainment was basic but could be a laugh and was all done by the animation team who were all great to be with.There was security on the beach 24hrs so you felt safe but i would say that most of them knew the local guides from the beach these guides were not a problem and we found them a lot more helpful and did do 3 trips with Thamel (ASDA) which were the river trip, elephant orphanage and Kandy, and the Negombo trip which were all well worth it.All these guides have shops called ASDA, SAINSBURYS, TESCO and HAROLDS which i am sure should have been HARRODS but got lost in interpretation.all were friendly and helpful and we did find that Thamel had a contact at the elephant orphanage which helped when we went to feed the baby elephants but remember to ask if you use him.if you do venture along the beach make sure you have plenty of sweets for the children that will come up to you.A truly wonderful country and hotel which makes fo a lovely holiday.

Sri Lanka in general is a lovely country with the most amazing people i have ever met. Everybody id so friendly.

I would reccomend to go on the trips to see the Elephant orphanage, Turtle hatchury,Kandy temple of the tooth (Budda Temple.

We booked with first choice but there are couple of guys on the beach(Just out side the hotel) called Bob and Sid who organize trips for people and they customize it for you. With first choice we went to lots of places that didnt really interest us and it was a two day trip. Which was vert tiring.

There is no nightlife only in the hotel but that was enough for us as the heat really tires you and you will probaly be going to bed early.

The cost of food and drink eating out was so cheap and good quality for the money.

It is a an eye opening going to Sri Lanka with the poverty in some area and the effects that the sunami have donr to some houses. But it is worth seeing.

Tuk Tuk's are the local transport and are so much fun, i would recoomend to go on one to have a look at all the area. They are also cheap. Around 400 rupess.

The country Sri Lanka ia lovely, Hot (Very hot) You need a very high sun tan factor.

I am definately coming back next year to the Neptune Hotel

We have just got back from Sri Lanka after staying at the Neptune Hotel for 2 weeks. It was fantastic. We all loved it.The staff were amazing and couldnt do enough for you. They were so friendly and knew people by their names. Also as it is quite a small hotel most guests knew each other and became friends which is very nice.

The location is good set right on the sandy gold beach. There are some sellers who try to pester you on the beach but they are only trying to make a living and do actually sell some reaally good things (Hand made).

The cleanliness of the hotel is very good. The beds are changed everyday, and is immaculate.The rooms were very nice with air conditioning and comfy.

The food is also excellent, there is so much choice with a buffet theme. and snack time is good with chips and other things.

In all i couldnt fault this hotel. I have really enjoyed my time in sri lanka but i think the staff, and the hotel really made our visit worth while.

We booked a driver for 2007 and he took us on a 5 day tour of the most amazing places. In 2008 we booked the same driver and he took us on a 7 day tour. We have booked again for 2009 and there are still many new places to see and some we want to see again. The people are friendly though you are hassled at places and you have to be very firm with them. If you want to buy then great but if you don't then be polite but firm. The goods are nice and varied but remember your luggage limits on the return journey!!! I could go on forever on the places to see but you'd be bored but I recommend Lonely Planet Guide and pick those places which appeal. Some are very touristy but others are not so well visited and quiet. I can recommend our driver to you if you'd like his telephone number.

We stayed at this hotel for the 2nd year. It's very basic but the rooms are clean and tidy and very large. There's plenty of storage places for your clothes and all rooms face the sea. There are clean sheets and towels very day. The bathroom was adequate with a shower, sink and toilet. The restaurant is beautifully situated overlooking the sea. There is a varied choice of food for both breakfast, lunch and dinner-enough to please most palettes. The service is not quick but that's the same all over Sri Lanka. Negombo is a large busy city and not a place we found to be particularly appealing. There are restaurants near to the hotel but due to location of the hotel, we found it easier to eat at the hotel.

The sea is not for swiming as to rough, beach is good for long walks, night life and things to do very poor unless you take taxi or tuk tuk to Negambo but the hotel makes up for this.

This was our 2nd visit to S/L, 1st time we had a 7 day tour plus 7 days beach so this time we wanted a more relaxed time and this hotel was just the place for that, very large clean swimpool, very well keeped gardens with a long walk around the grounds most of it by the side of the loogon which most of the rooms overlook,went to a nursery school took the books, pencils ect. plus to the Negambo fish market, never seen so many or different species from the sea, this we arranged with the Murcury Direct rep.(Ernist ). Murcuy Direct holidays and Sri Lankan airways no problems at all, would recommend this hotel for a relaxing holiday.

We booked a sightseeing trip through Kuoni with a hotel at either end. We stayed at the Mount Lavinia first and ended up at the (disappointing) Kani Lanka. We were going to book this one twice, but regrettably didn't in case it wasn't any good.

Firstly we were shown to a room with a sea view, but a bit damp and near a very noisy air conditioning outlet. We then moved to a similar but quieter and less damp room which was fine, although not exceptional.

Overall we stayed in 6 different hotels on our trip and this was one of my two favourites. Personally I loved the history of the place - it's a bit like a faded version of Raffles complete with people in uniform to greet you.

The reality is not as grand as they'd like you to believe, but I still enjoyed the stay here.

The first night we got a la carte because there were too few guests for a buffet and the food was very good. The buffets there are after were a bit annoying but of better quality than most hotels we stayed at.

The private beach was excellent and was a good enough reason to stay here as any. Hassling people for money seems to be a Sri Lankan past time and the private beach provided a nice respite with just a few carefully chosen sellers allowed on. The chip monks and butterflies on the beach were great fun. Be warned that as with much of sri lanka the sea can be rough and we couldn't do anything but paddle. There was a small pool to make up for it though.

Be warned that when you step outside there are more people after your money, offering to walk you somewhere and then asking you to buy milk powder for their kids. Being asked for money was a bit of a theme on our trip, even when you go into town. I know you get it everywhere, but it didn't seem as good humoured as say thailand.

Generally I'd recommend this hotel, just make sure you don't get a dodgy room.

This hotel has the sea on one side and a river on the other and the location is undoubtedly very nice.

However, on arrival we were given a sea view room - great we think, but after being left in the room (after the obligatory tip, more of that later), I notice that the floor is wet and the bedclothes feel damp and cloying (and smelly). We decide to give it one night but following morning complain as the aircon hasn't improved the situation. Having been shown several rooms we settle on one facing the river, which is still damp but not nearly so bad. You can however see where the mould has been painted over and some of the cushions still smell.

I thought the food was pretty average, they seem to bland everything down, and I was sick of the sight of buffet after buffet. There were one or two nights where it was better. The bar was OK, but had no air con so was very hot some nights.

The hotel does not have a private beach so you cannot use the beach for fear of being hassled by people selling you stuff. The Sri Lankan's may be 'nice' as everyone kept telling us, but this seemed to be mainly in an attempt to get your money - we were asked for money by various members of staff including two security guards. And the 'special night' (at extra cost) was pushed on me about 6 times in the same day.

I lost track of the use of the "can you buy (expensive) milk powder for my child" routine (one even said his kid was 7 - a bit old for milk powder). Seriously they're as bad as the Egyptians, just less rude, which is worse because you don't feel you can be rude back.

Also the location leaves you a bit captive, as it's a little too far to walk to town, but you can take a short taxi or tuk-tuk ride (expensive if you go through the hotel reception).

On the positive side, there was free internet use (2 PCs in the library and wifi in the suites) although it wasn't always working. I also enjoyed the Kyaking and seeing the fire flys at night.

We also stayed in the Mount Lavinia hotel and I'd definitely recommend that over the Kani Lanka. The food is much better, the service seemed better (less asking for cash) and the private beach made a world of difference. There's alos a bit of history. That said it's still not perfect and you have to watch out for them trying to fob you off with a dodgy room.

Overall I'd rather go back to Thailand, nicer people, better hotels and food and scenery that's at least as beautiful.

My Husband and I travelled to Sri Lanka in March 2008 for our honeymoon, and it was our first trip outside the EU and we used First Choice. I'll try to make this methodical and usefull! Rooms - We staying in the main building as the hotel were kind enough to upgrade our booking to celebrate the occassion. We had a balcony over looking the pool and sea, a tv/dvd, bath and shower and much needed air con. From what i gather the bungalows are comfortable, have fridge and tea making facilities and open air bathrooms. Pools/Entertainment - There are 2 pools; a quite pool with a small bar, and what i do not doubt is the largest pool in Sri Lanka! There are sun beds scattered around the pool and lawns, and a busier bar. This is where the day's enertainment plays out in the form or darts, skittles, aqua-aerobics etc. Happily we did not feel pressured to join in, but welcome on the times we opted to. The evenings enertainment is at the hotels 3rd bar, and was worth a look in for a few giggles. Food - My Husband and I love Sri Lankan and Indian food, so were not disapointed! You find your own table for each meal, whenever you are ready. You are quickly attened to in regard to any drinks you want, and waiters are always circulating with cold drinking water. The sides of the restaurant are open and there are many ceiling fans to make the temperature comfortable. All meals are buffet with a wide choice of starters, mains, desserts and salads. If you dont enjoy spicy foods you will have no concerns - I would guess that there is around 10 options for dinner plus accompianments. Service - Staff were all very attentive, without being over bearing and we did not onc feel pressured to tip. Our room boy made up the bed beautifully and every evening someone comes round to offer to change the mosquito repellent, spray the rooms and leave a few flowers behind. (a note on mosquitoes - i didnt get bitten once and am usually VERY prone!) Location - If you intend to venture out, the location may not be ideal - it is a long dirt track to the nearest "shop". Howver the reception staff wilol summon you a taxi within minutes which has air con, and engish speaking driver and very cheap rates. on the other side of the hotel it joins right onto the beach patrolled by security staff so you should not be bothered by any touts/"guides". We will undoubtedly return to Hotel Club Dolphin and would recommend it to everyone.

Just back from a 14 night stay at The Blue Water near Wadduwa. We thoroughly enjoyed our stay and had wonderful excursions to the Elephant Sanctuary, The Turtle Sanctuary, Lion Rock at Sigriya, Hikkaduwa and white water rafting. The staff are excellent and the food is out of this world. I've travelled to numerous countries but the food at this hotel was second to none.

We were fortunate to meet a lovely young lad named Rucci, just acroos the railway tracks outside the hotel who took us on all our excursions. He was half the price of the rep's, incredibly knowledgable about Sri Lanka and every little detail had been ctared for. If you're going to the area, look up Ruchi, who can usually be found on the beach.

lovely pool and brilliant surroundings and hotel.very carribean but the food is very poor and bar staff will only be polite and friendly if you tip but fair play to them.wine only served with food.if doin excursions i reccomend the elephant orphanage.beech nice but rough sea.lovely palm trees throuout resort.

get out and about, see the real Sri Lanka, RAMBO Tours are highly recommended. Overall we loved Sri Lanka, the people are fantastic, the weather was lovely, food could have been better and the hotel was a bit dated, would we go back, yes probably, if you have any questions please dont hesitate to contact me

Visited Club Palm Garden hotel in March/April 2008 for my daughters wedding, after a long flight (First Choice premier - very good) quick and easy through the airport and onto the transfer bus, this was a very long journey infact we even had a stop on the way for drinks and toilet facilities, driving to the hotel was definately an experience, cows etc in the road, tuctucs everywhere and hundreds of happy smiling people, whenever we stopped in traffic people would wave and smile so despite the 3.5 hour transfer this was a bonus. On arrival at the hotel it was a bit of a shambles as the rooms had not been cleaned following the previous occupants departure so we had to wait around for another hour or so whilst housekeeping got to work, the rooms are fairly basic (we had ground floor which is a definate bonus) and in need of a lick of paint but fairly comfortable and the air con is a welcome bonus. Food was limited and whilst I am the first to admit I am fairly fussy the rest of our party were struggling at times and by the end of the fortnight we were desperate for something that was not spicy, breakfast was always the best meal of the day, eggs cooked how you wanted and bread rolls oh yes and ofcourse curry if you wanted it, lunch and dinner were always very similar in the restaurant and the 'snacks' at the pool bar were the same every day, chips, cheese balls and samosa's. Whilst we were there several people suffered with ear infections which resulted in a visit to the doctor or a visit to the hotel by the GP, my son ended up with a wick in his ear, a very old fashioned remedy but it appeared to work. Welcome meeting was OK but there are several touters on the beach who sell trips at a lot cheaper prices and you get a more personal service. We went on an overnight trip with RAMBO TOURS - find Rambo or one of his boys on the beach, it was brilliant, elephant orphanage, washing the elephants in the river, Temple of Kandy, tea/pineapple and rubber plantations and traditional Kandy Dance show - fantastic, Rambo was very good and as there was only the four of us in the tour bus it made it a very personal experience. We also went on a boat trip and to the turtle hatchery with Rambo which again was a fraction of the Tour Operators price.