Marawila Resort, Club Palm Bay Resort Review

Overall Rating

Excellent location for tranquility

Northing

This was our first visit to Sri Lanka and must say we thoroughly enjoyed our four week experience and will certainly be returning in the not too distant future.

The Club Palm Bay Resort is surrounded by a large lagoon, which attracted all different kinds of birds and other interesting wild life including water ' Monitor Lizards ' . All of the staff are extremely friendly, polite and very attentive at the resort. Nothing was too much trouble for them and although fully professional they have a brilliant sense of humour and loved to play small practical jokes on us once they got to know us. The cleanliness throughout the hotel and the large airy bedrooms was of a very high standard as well as the well kept gardens. Bed linen was changed daily and towels were changed when we left them on the bathroom floor (daily if required). Our room had extremely good air-conditioning, fan, multi-channel TV, fridge, safe, hair dryer along with tea and coffee making facilities. The large L shaped swimming pool was cleaned daily by the pool staff who will also provided us with mattresses and towels for the sun lounger ' s.

We thought the food at the resort was of very good quality and plentiful, with all tastes catered for.

Breakfast: These were superb with a choice of porridge, cornflakes, fruit, fruit juice and eggs in whatever way we wanted them cooked (omelettes of all descriptions cooked to order in front of you). Also delicious bacon, baked beans and grilled tomatoes each morning. As the hotel also caters for local guests (especially at weekends), there was also usually a selection of local curry dishes available at breakfast.

Lunch and Dinner: The soups were really delicious with a selection of bread and a large choice of salads. An assortment of fish, beef, pork and chicken dishes along with a Pasta, featured as main course along with numerous curry and rice dishes to choose from each day, something to satisfy all tastes. There was also a large range of sweets to choose from, which I should add, were to die for.

As all-inclusive guests we were also entitled to morning coffee and cakes along with afternoon tea consisting of sandwiches and cakes, which are served daily in the main bar area. Some form of entertainment was provided most evenings in either the bar or restaurant area.

Main Bar: Was open from 10:00am until 12:00pm daily and served a selection of soft drinks (including water) and local alcoholic drinks, with the exception of the monthly Poya Days (full moon) when alcoholic drinks are not served until after 6:00pm

The beach is just across the road from the hotel entrance, with hotel staff on hand to provide sun beds and beach towels. Swimming in the sea was not really recommended for us due to the strong undercurrents, but excellent for sunbathing.

Although we undertook quite a number of tours around the island, I would definitely recommend a trip to the Elephant orphanage.