This hotel is sold as a five star retreat but it isn't as well-maintained as it should be. The little things that you would expect weren't quite done.
The two jacuzzis next to the swimming pool weren't working and we were told that they were too expensive to repair, the jacuzzi with our room was initially freezing cold. The TV room (with pool table and outdoor terrance) was too hot and basically unused. Despite the large TV, there was no DVD player to play a film, etc. The daybeds on the balcony had no mattresses and cushions to sit on (by day two they appeared). There were therefore very simple fixes to this if people applied a little thought.
As a retreat, it is of course in the middle of nowhere. No complaints about that - but the hotel gave little assistance about what you could do. There is plenty of wildlife around and white water rafting, etc., but you have to find out about it practically by yourself. Having said that, the food was very good and the service at dinner excellent.
In all this, the best thing about the hotel was one of the staff - LAKMAL. He clearly has the guest's welfare at heart. He took us, including our girls (5 and 7) on a nature trail, organised a walk to a waterfall and rockpools to dive in/swim. He showed them how the locals extract rubber. Every morning he checks for wildlife to later show them to guests. He showed us where we could feed the fish. If they take his attitude (and a bit of thought) this could be a really great hotel!!!
