Unawatuna resorts

Pros: Beautiful secluded guest house. The garden truly is secret & is a beautiful place to wake up to and have breakfast. Staff were fantastic and the cottage room we were in was lovely as well. 2 minutes from the beach as well!

Cons: Few creepy crawlies about in the outside bathroom but thats to be expected in Sri Lanka.

Pros: Let us begin with the positive - the staff was really nice. And the obvious - all the positive reviews of this property cannot possibly be authentic.

Cons: We aren’t the type to leave negative reviews. If we have nothing nice to say we usually don’t say anything at all. There are a few exceptions and this is one of them. During our month of travel in Sri Lanka, this is the only place we stayed that was a true disappointment. Everything we endured during our stay would have been bearable if our room and the hotel were clean. But they were not clean or kept. The place is not cared for at all. An older building requires a lot of extra up-keep. It cannot exist on charm alone. Especially in a tropical climate. Our room was so dirty we didn’t walk on the floor or shower without wearing our sandals. The walls, floors, ceiling fans, light switches and furniture - all covered in fifth. The bed linens, stained and threadbare. There were cockroaches and ants everywhere along with a really creepy 8” centipede - the kind that will bite you in your sleep. The electricity and water went off for hours at a time. We were told “They have no control over this - it’s the Sri Lankan government”. However, one afternoon I was in the shower covered in soap, while my husband was sitting outside on our veranda and an employee came outside our room and deliberately switched off the electricity. I had to wipe soap out of my eyes and off my body with a towel. When the electricity is shut off the water shuts off too. In the heat of the same night the power went out for 3 hours. The owner (who is Swedish) knew the power was going to be cut and hired a generator the same day for her restaurant (on the same property) which is open to the public. She did not care enough about her guests to extend the same courtesy. A few other issues- the toilet lid would not stay open. We had to hold it open and use the toilet at the same time. The “handheld” shower nozzle would not stay attached to the “wall mount” adaptor. The stream running through the “Secret Garden” is being used as a grey water flushing system by the establishment.

Pros: the kind staff, peaceful and inspirational athmosphere, tons of green, excellent breakfast (try sri lankan breakfast!)

Cons: our room was next to a street, which was a bit noisy. But Unawatuna is noisy in general. Lots of mosquitos, bring repellent.

Pros: Staff was fantastic.very friendly, helpful. Specially the two guys ( really sorry forgot your names). I went with my two young children and parents. They were ever so helpful.

Cons: Mosquitoes

Pros: Lovely old house, tastefully appointed with antiques. Indoor/outdoor bathroom. We loved the yoga dome and classes there! Such a special place. Right off the main road in Unawatuna, but feels a world apart. The gardens are amazing, a great place to relax. Your hostess is a lovely person and so nice to spend some time connecting with her and her son. Good sushi at his restaurant right out front. Highly recommend staying here... you won't regret it!

Cons: Breakfast was good but better can be had for cheaper nearby. A bit of a musty smell but not really bothersome for us, just be aware if you are really sensitive.

Pros: We loved the secluded feeling in the garden surrounded by the lush tropical flora and fauna (we even got to see monkeys. Simona and her staff were amazing they ensured we had everything we needed. We would wake up at a leisurely pace and breakfast would be ready when we were awake and ready. There was yoga everyday although we didn’t make it to a class. The sushi bar on the property is amazing. We were able to use the pool at the sister hotel which is a 10 minute tuk tuk ride away. Galle Fort is also a 15-20 minute ride away. The beach is just across the road from the villa. The bed and pillows were amazing, really comfortable. There was a net over the bed. The room had a fan and air conditioning.

Cons: The mosquitos in the bathroom very annoying but that maybe the price to pay for an open air shower which we liked.

Pros: The staff were absolutely marvellous, the gardens lush and the breakfasts full. Walk across the road for the beach.

Cons: Rooms and buildings were showing their age; bit dark and stale smell. Two of the rooms had to share bathrooms and mozzies were a pest. Wifi kept dropping out. We could have done better along this beach area.

Pros: The host and staff were very friendly, generous and helpful. The old colonial house and garden were beautifully kept and very atmospheric. Also it was the best breakfast we've had in Sri Lanka!

Cons: The big family room (King Suite) is next to the road, although you are nicely tucked away in the garden and you don't see anything of it, you do have some noise. Nothing majorly disturbing, but if you like quiet book a room further away in the garden.