J C G
Google
We stayed at the Frangipani Tree for 9 nights and thoroughly enjoyed it. The staff were very helpful even before we arrived, helping to book a car from the airport. It is a two hour drive form the airport but the roads are very good and there is lots to look at on the way. On arrival you can relax with a drink and admire the scenery. The site is not large, it is based on 9 lodge type rooms around a pool and a few metres from the beach and behind a wall and gatehouse to separate it from the road. There is a bar/restaurant as well.|The room was large, the bed was large and very comfortable and had a mosquito net around the bed but we didn’t find insects much of a problem here. The bathroom was large and had a bath and a rain shower with hot water at any time. There was nice smelling shampoo, conditioner and shower gel. The air con was brilliant. The room we had was concrete based, but it was tastefully decorated and was comfortable with a lounge area, desk and table. There were two wardrobes, a safe and a fridge. No TV and the internet was sketchy so get a Sri Lankan SIM for your phone data if you will miss these. We did a lot of reading and playing games so didn’t notice the lack of TV. It was nice to not watch the news. Bottled water is topped up regularly.|The food is wonderful. You will not have food from a freezer and microwave, it has to be ordered in good time which you get used to. Food is made in the kitchens to a high standard. Breakfast is huge and we couldn’t eat it all so picked items to order after the first day. There is a large menu with lots of choice for meals during the day and evening. I am a vegetarian and my husband is not and this can be a problem on holiday but we found the food excellent and the variety kept us interested. Lots of national dishes to try. There is a well stocked bar as well.|The staff are friendly and try hard to help with any queries you may have, they helped us order a tuk tuk for the first time, they helped us find a pharmacy and made us very early breakfasts when we needed to go out on tours. There is a turndown service and they clean your room everyday if you wish. We did to get more water and towels and for an expert to sort our mosquito net.|The grounds are kept very clean by two staff who work hard all day to pick up leaves, fruit and flowers that inevitably fall from the trees in site. They also keep the beach area clean in front of the hotel. It is the best area of beach for some distance either way for lack of rubbish and detritus.|You cannot swim in the sea directly next to the hotel but the waves and sand and a paddle were enough with the warm pool to swim in. It is long enough to get some good lengths done. You can walk to other beach areas but for the effort, heat and rubbish you will see on the way you should probably stay at the hotel.|Overall, we had a lovely time and would gladly come back for another stay. For overall relaxation, food and friendliness this hotel is now one of our favourites. |The only downside that we found was that the mattress was not as clean as it could have been and should really be replaced.