Brian & Margaret
England, March 2015
What did you like most about Sri Lanka?
We enjoyed the variety of hotels in lots of different locations. In reality we enjoyed most things - the people, the diversity of landscapes and the wildlife.
What did you like least about Sri Lanka?
Road conditions from Airport to Sigiriya, otherwise main roads better than expected. [A major road upgrade project is in progress between Colombo, Kurunegala and Dambulla.]
What is your opinion of your accommodation in Sri Lanka?
98 Acres Resort [Ella] - best hotel overall - good food, location, service - could not fault it, would like to have stayed longer.
The Safari (Tissa) [Tissamaharama] - very good although beer most expensive of anywhere.
Paradise Beach Club [Mirissa] - nice room, good pool but service and restaurant below average.
Fort Bliss [Galle], Hotel Sigiriya [Sigiriya], Royal River Resort [Kitulgala], Kalu's Hideaway [Uda Walawe] - all very acceptable and good.
Jetwing Warwick Gardens [Nuwara Eliya] - excellent service and décor.
Villa Araliya [Airport] was our worst hotel by some way (see further comments below).
What is your opinion of your chauffeur guide in Sri Lanka?
Kapila was very good. Knowledgeable about wildlife especially birds. Excellent safe driver. He advised us well and on his advice and suggestion made two changes to our itinerary. His great sense of humour was most appreciated and if we go to SL again we would be very happy for him to be our guide.
What is your opinion of your flights to and from Sri Lanka?
Very good with Sri Lanka Air [SriLankan Airlines]. Suffered a bit from jet lag on our return - probably the age.
Any other comments?
Villa Araliya was OK but did not compare with all our other accommodation. It was the only hotel not to offer: a welcome drink, hand towels, bottles of water. The only place we saw a cockroach, the cooked part of the breakfast was one fried egg. The towels were thin and grey, the only toiletry was an off-the-shelf shower gel. Our room was in the main part of the building, the other properties in the grounds looked nicer.
Jetwing Warwick Gardens was the most expensive place but we had a room at the back on the ground floor, next to the kitchen and with no view. Did not live up to expectations in this respect or be according to their website.
