Blue Oceanic Hotel

We stayed at the Blue Oceanic for four weeks about 10 years ago and the food was good then but on this occasion they surpassed themselves. My only complaint is that there is so much choice, and it all looks so good, you can't help putting on weight! I find the reports of food poisoning hard to believe and would treat such reports as suspect. The staff are very friendly and nothing is too much trouble, several were there 10 years ago and still remembered us! The rooms are basic but large and are kept very clean. Mosquitos are a slight problem but they do spray the rooms and the air con helps to keep them at bay. There are better Hotels but for the price you pay I find it hard to find fault. Tony Southern

loved every minute of our stay, the room was clean and spacious, food was varied and delicious esp the local fare. i wanted mango and the chef found me some. all the staff were friendly and attentive without being obsequious. we had our hair done, had an aryuvedic treatment. and went home very relaxed and refreshed. will visit again

We went to the Blue Oceanic last week (Weds 30th Aug) for a beach stay following 6 nights on tour. Our room smelt very damp, which got worse during the next two hours, possibly something wrong with the a/c. I then checked out the bed, only to find stains on all the sheets and on some towels. The management did try hard to find us another room.............we were shown three. They all smelt fine (no a/c dampness), but alas, each one had stained linen and towels. We felt that we could not stay there, and our rep transfered us to another hotel further along the coast. If we had not been to other hotels in Sri Lanka, we would have considered that it was the norm, but The Tamirand Tree and Habarana Village had all been of an excellent standard, so felt that The Blue Oceanic could do better.

July 20th saw us arrive in Sri Lanka for our seventh visit again staying in the Blue Oceanic hotel, why change something when there's nothing wrong with it. On arrival it really was like coming home, many friends made over the years seeing us in reception and coming to greet us. Most of the staff from last year were still there, a few new additions here and there but no major changes. All just as friendly as they ever were. The major improvements planned for the hotel last year i.e. refurbishment and a new pool have been shelved for the time being so everything was basically the same. First thing we noticed was how busy the hotel was, this we learned was partly due to the Seashells being closed for refurbishment and clients being transferred to the Blue. Let's hope also that more people are warming to Sri Lanka as a holiday destination. The rooms are still the same basic rooms, plenty of room and very clean but there are a couple of welcome additions. We had a tv this year, not that you watch much, but it's ideal for keeping up with the news from home and I must admit we did watch a bit of cricket after coming off the beach. Sri Lanka hosting South Africa made a couple of exciting tests. The second addition to the room is the safety deposit box, no more waiting in the cashiers office to get what you need out of the safety deposit boxes. Some changes in the food department to, no set meals for the three weeks we were there. Not sure if this is a permanent policy but the buffet style meals are far better and offer a far wider choice for guests. The fayre had been reduced slightly from previous years particularly in the dessert section. I'm not surprised given the wastage there must have been in previous years but there is still a good choice. Alfresco dining was the order of the day with tables being set out in the gardens and the food set out in the outrigger. For those not liking to eat in the outdoors, tables were also set up in the outrigger. The weather was very good which was probably the main reason for this and made a welcome change to the norm. A surprising fact learned this year is that the Blue employ some fourty chefs, that really was a surprise in terms of numbers. So what's new with the hotel itself? Well for starters there's a new childcare centre built on what was a sundeck by the side of the pool. For a small fee you can get rid of the kids for a few hours in the morning and afternoon and they will be thoroughly entertatained. Must admit from what we saw it seemed fairly popular. There's also an added watersports facility (see pictures) for the more active and adventurous, not sure about cost but again quite a few seemed to take advantage of this facility. For me getting in and out of the pool is as strenuous as I want it to be. Because the childcare centre has been built the lifeguards now had nowhere to view from so a new tower has been built on the beach. It was nice once again for Alex the hotel manager to invite us to his cocktail party for repeat guests, it's a nice touch, a great way to meet people and it does make you feel a little bit special. Another special night was the theme night which guests pay extra for. This year it was a Mexican night on the beach, great food lovely entertainment and a thoroughly enjoyable evening. I really do want to keep this review objective so there was a minor issue I wasn't to happy about. The pool water was slightly cloudy and I do mean slightly. At first I put it down to the increased use due to the number of guests but after talking to one of the attendants it seems one of the filters is not working just as it should be. Hopefully this minor issue will be resolved. All in all we had another thoroughly enjoyable holiday at the Blue brought about by all the lovely people who work there from the Manager to the gardeners. Next years vacation is already being planned..................yes, to the Blue.

I was really worried about our choice of hotel to start our holiday in Sri Lanka and considered changing it due to a previous review about food poisoning as I am extremely fussy about cleanliness and hygiene. I NEEDN'T HAVE WORRIED! The food here is absolutely brilliant! We stayed for 2 nights mid April 2006 and the first night we had a buffet which was really very good and we both ate far too much! Everything was fresh and hot and very well presented. Chefs present always checking the food. The deserts were delicious! The second night was a set menu and the meal was really outstanding -fabulously presented, just like masterchef! I would rate the food as 5*. The rooms are spacious but fairly basic and are kept clean. The bathroom is a bit dated tho' and although clean, could do with refurbishment. One of the rooms we went past did have workmen inside, so perhaps there is some refurbishment being undertaken. The pool outside is pleasant and the gardens are well maintained by the staff. There is a snack bar by the pool which is nice, but beware of the chipmunks and the birds waiting for a bit too! Overall very good value for money.

My husband and I stayed at the Blue Oceanic for a romantic long weekend before New Year's 2006. Unfortunately we ate at the hotel, not once but twice. The first time, my husband developed debilitating food poisoning and wasn't able to leave the bathroom/bed for 24 hours. As I was caring for him, I ordered room service. Big mistake. I soon developed the most extreme food poisoning I have ever had in my life. The manager couldn't have expressed more clearly how little he cared and refused to accept that it was his hotel's food that caused us to be sick, despite not eating any where else. Very frustrating! The rooms were a HUGE disappointment, as they looked about 20 years older than the internet pictures. The inroom radio never worked. There were ants in the fridge, squirel feces all over the balcony (which had furniture that we couldn't use due to decay and mold). Over all this hotel was a complete waste of money and a vacation. I will never step foot into a Jetwig hotel again, due to the treatment we received at the Blue Oceanic.

Just spent 8 days on half board. Large room, very comfortable bed, spotlessly clean and wonderful view from the balcony. The staff are very attentive and always smiling, extremely helpful when emergency dental treatment was required! The buffet was great, varied and very artistically presented each night. The pool was excellent. Just one small point - would have liked a hairdryer in the room. Would return again anytime.

A fairly standard beachfront hotel in a good location offering perfectly acceptable amenities. The hotel is very popular which means that it can get crowded at mealtimes, even cometetive at times. It would be far better to have only B&B and go out onto the strip where much better food can be found in congenial surroundings. It's cheaper too. The rooms were good with reasonable views, nice wide balconies to take the evening air. Service was very good as in all of Sri Lanka. Overall I would recommend the hotel as a place to stay for a couple of nights but, as one who likes activity and travelling, no more.

Booked a half board, cheap 3 week package and expected a very basic hotel. How wrong! Room was large and very clean, nothing was too much trouble for the friendly staff. Everywhere was cleaned daily - food was really good with a four course meal every evening. Beach was clean at this end of the beach strip but the sea was not safe for swimming - however, we swam in the pool which was clean and very pleasant. Would certainly go back to Blue Oceanic.

dear sir/madam, it was a pleasure to stay in this hotel food ex. staff happy to serve and very helpful yours john.