Hotel Club Palm Bay Reviews

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.

Pool magnificent, never in all our years of traveling have we seen one as big. The gardens are beautiful with trees and flowers in abundance. The lagoon which surrounds the resort has plenty of fish, albeit small ones so bring your rod! The whole resort teems with birds and wildlife including lots of adorable chipmunks which love to be fed by hand (this is against rules but who cares). The evening entertainment is varied and good. Best of all are the staff, restaurant waiters, room boys, gardeners, barmen and pool attendants who are always happy and smiling and willing to supply your every need. There is one wasted asset though, the pitch and putt course which is sadly neglected. In the two weeks we were there, we never saw anyone on it. Just a bit of effort would bring it up to scratch and it would then be an enjoyable pastime for the residents. A very enjoyable holiday which we can fully recommend.

Now if you are talking trips, Sumudu is your man. He is just outside of the gate most days. He can do you a day trip or an extended tour including hotel stays at a not too expensive price. His trips are flexible and he will tailor the trips to your personal needs. Unlike other trip operators he will stop anywhere you like on the route to look at porcupines, a tile factory, rubber plantation etc or for just a cup of coffee. He has an air conditioned modern mini bus and he and his driver are really nice people. Don't let the regular tour operators put you off by saying that the small guys are not insured because Slim Line Tours are fully registered. Go with them, you won't be sorry, we certainly weren't.

I had read previous reports prior to going, and whilst most of the comments are correct there are a few points to bear in mind. : Tips are not ";expected"; in the hotel, but everywhere else on trips etc., you are expected to tip. The curries are ";very hot";, our vindaloos would be mild in comparison and they are without any sauces. Most of the meat was a bit chewy most of the times but with plenty of choice. If you like deserts diet before you go !! aside from that all of the staff from front of house to the back were so helpful and cheerful and nothing was to much trouble.January is the wedding season and I think most of the weddings had their receptions and honymoons there, the dresses were beautiful. All of the rooms were supplied with mossie killers which the ";boys"; switched on for you every night.

If you can stand the long flight it is the place to go.

The hotel is great, nice layout, a pool to die for. The food is mixed, the local dishes good (quite hot!). The staff is excellent. The only disappointment is that the brochures states that the hotel is 'between a lagoon and a sandy beach'. What is not stated is that the beach is so steep that swimming is dangerous, indeed the local representative actively discourages the guests from swimming. We did not see anybody even trying as the undertow would have been impossible to fight! So, sea swimmers beware.

Had a wonderful holiday, could not fault the service and friendliness of the staff
Rooms were spacious and very clean, grounds and pool immaculate.
We would reccomend Samantha tours for any trips half the price of the rep and you choose where to visit, Fernando and Edward were careful drivers and had good command of English. Their Tour and shop centre is to the right about 100 yds outside the main gate.
If visiting the ancient site of Anuradhapura we reccomend Indika Prasad Kumara as your guide,he was excellent

The only drawbacks are the state of the roads, it takes a long time to get anywhere
The Sri Lankan people were so friendly
it is definately worth a visit