Reviews of Eden Resort & Spa Hotel, Beruwela

Asit & Ushma Raichura,



We visited Sri Lanka for a friends wedding on the 23.06.08. who chose Eden as her wedding venue they were so good in organising everything. Must say we were rather a large group from uk and were welcomed with such warmth and professionalism and were checked in promptly.



The hotel is a must to go. its beautiful close to the beach and wow the spa and ayurvedic garden are a treat.



The manger and the staff really looked after us too well. dinner on the beach , dinner in the penthouse, dinner by the pool. In all our travels so far we have never been treated like like. Sri lanka has so much to offer.



fab people, food ever so yummy, and the people just truly warm hearted. the local villages was the highlight of sri lanka.



Basking in the sun, yoga in the garden,spa every days and the staff friendly chats.



We stayed all over sri lanka in different hotels, but as this hotel was jus so welcoming we had to come back for our last leg of the trip and cancel the other hotels.



Mind you we did encounter some ungrateful people who checked into the hotel from Southgate and just complained and made an ugly scence at every oppurtunity they obviously we out to get everything for free, but apart from that is was fantastic.



we intend to go again at christmas.

Cant wait

We arrived in Sri Lanka early one morning, it was very hot and we were exhausted from our journey from South West Wales to Sri Lanka, we were met my a lovely taxi driver arranged by the travel agent. We didnt have much choice if we wanted a porter or not our cases were taken and a tip was expected. Begging is something that is common in Sri Lanka, the only negative thing about the country.



We arrived in the hotel and were given cool pepermint flannels and a lovely drink. We were given our room and we were free to start our holiday.



On venturing onto the beach its quite intimidating, all the beach boys apprach you trying to sell you various trips. It was recommended to us by a couple on holiday that we ask for 'Jimmy' and that he was trustworthy and brilliant.



We went back to the beach and asked for 'Jimmy', we were in luck he was there along with his business partner 'Saron'.



Thanks to Jimmy we were shown the true Sri Lanka, he was amazing and we felt safe at all times. We went on a river safari where we held a crocodile and visited a gem factory.



He then took us on an overnight stay to Kandy (payment made the night before on the beach!) He collected us as promised at the hotel reception and took us to a pineapple & Rubber plantation, Elephant orphanage, tea plantation, Temple of the tooth, Various lovely hide away beauty spots and gave us a hotel which had wild monkeys on the balcony. Amazing!!!!



We also visited the turtle hatchery near to the hotel on his tuc-tuc and on our return journey called with him family for some refreshments.



We got married at the hotel and the staff themselves were very helpful, a couple of misshaps but the marriage ceremony was lovely and feeding the elephant and having a ride on her to seal the marriage was an amazing experience. Even Jimmy attended with lovely flowers for us.



We feel that this was not only an amazing holiday, with so much to see, but also a fantastic place to get married.

We went here for our honeymoon and we loved every minute.



It isn’t lively, as they do not drink for religious reasons so it was the perfect retreat for us. They are so polite and well manner at this hotel with staff that can’t do enough for you.



Stay in a paradise room and a 24 hour butler will be available and they are very accommodating.



This country is still recovering from the Tsunami so may not be as luxurious as some, but they certainly made our honeymoon special and we can’t wait to return.

We went to Sri Lanka for our honeymoon and were very pleased with our stay.



While it was not the most luxurious, nor the most awe-inspiring place I've ever visited, there was a genuine feel of people wanting to improve their service and warmth which is often lacking in holiday resorts.



Of course we felt the effects of the tsunami through the desperation of the locals to provide for the tourists' every need; this is not as good as it may sound as the obsequiousness can become cloying after a while and the pressure to provide tips for every little service grates.



Within the hotel itself this was less of an issue as the staff are trained to be respectful but are all pleasingly human if you take the time to get to talk with them.



Our initial concerns over a manager who seemed to take a dislike to an 'awkward' couple were dealt with when we heard that he had been dismissed - the management took seriously the allegations made and are in a position to keep only the best people. The grounds are well-cared-for and the rooms spacious and airy.



A little disappointing was the siege mentality felt by anyone hoping for peace once outside of the fairly small gardens. Venture through the gate, past the guard, onto the beach and... Well, to say that you are a target for dozens of people trying to get money from you in any manner of ways is an understatement. It's not always comfortable saying 'no'.



There were definitely a lot of positives to be stated; the food was of a suitably high and varied standard although you couldn't always guarantee which menu would be available on which day and the lunch could become a little repetitive.



The evening and breakfast selections were as broad as could be expected and the local cuisine - an ever-present although disappointingly uncommon choice amongst the less adventurous clientele - was exceptionally good.



Daily activities were fairly poorly attended but not for lack of enthusiasm from the entertainments team. We joined in many activities from cookery demonstrations to water polo and, if you want them, there are lots of interesting things to do to relieve the monotony of sun-worship.



Don't expect tacky, they don't really go there; unfortunately, however, there was a fair number of children in the hotel during our stay so it didn't always have the most peaceful of airs. Similarly in the evening the conference guests - upon whom the place presumably depends - were not very considerate of the requirements of more sedate holidaymakers.



Rooms were large, full of character and well tended. The service was excellent and the air-conditioning combined with reasonable choice of television channels and a huge bed meant that the middle of the day could be pleasantly spent inside if the heat became too much.



The local area is pleasant enough; the beach is ostensibly clean although littered with sellers of anything and everything. Wildlife is fairly widespread - monitor lizards, cattle and kingfishers are all common sights - and there is enough greenery to make up for the fact that there is a busy road a hundred yards up the drive.



Exploring the area on foot is not really advised but can be done - we hooked up with a local looking for a few pounds as a guide for the afternoon.



Trips out to the sights of the island were available but not cheap; we found it very worthwhile though to do the local river safari to get a feel for real local life away from the road and its ribbon development. We also went to a turtle hatchery which was a wonderful experience.



Beware of taxis which offer to take you to tourist-traps; there are nice places with local charm to see and it's definitely worth asking around. Tuk-tuks - the two-stroke motorised tricycles - are cheap and easy to use and cost little as long as you bargain before you get in. Find out what you should pay from others within the hotel to avoid being ripped-off.



We booked a lovely local guide - who also did a lot of work with Kuoni - to take us to some local schools to get a feel for the local education system which was a bit of an eye-opener.



We ensured the same guide for a two-day trip to Kandy and Sigiriya which was a thoroughly satisfying excursion, particularly as we'd spent so long resting by the beach with a somewhat insulated feeling.



We would recommend Sri Lanka as a destination, similarly the Eden Resort as a hotel (they are also keen to provide ayervedic therapy and messages which we were not particularly into as well) and, while there are minor things about which we can complain, they are no more than you could expect when paying for a good hotel in a decent resort, rather than the utmost in five-star luxury.



We promised we'd encourage more people to visit the country - the tsunami damage is not significant in the areas which are up-and-running and the chance of it happening again is virtually nil. Don't let that sort of concern put you off, it's a lovely place.

A first class tip is to travel with Srilankan on their morning (direct) flight. Although you get into Colombo at about 3 am your transfer to the resort is less than 2 hours.



Arriving later in the day means you hot the horrendous traffic of central Colombo and the transfer can take up to 4/5 hours. Don't worry about getting to the hotel at 6 am - most hotels will have a room for you immediately and the Eden has never let us down.



Don't expect to do much on this holiday apart from relax. The locals are all extremely friendly and you will almost certainly get an invite to their house for a meal. If you like curry accept - we have had some sensational meals - mainly fresh fish and prawns.

Take a small bunch of flowers for the mother(usually the cook) and slip your local 1000 rupees (about £5) - he will be more than happy.



Visit Pinuwela elephant sanctuary and Kandy tea factory with the beach boys. Their taxis are all air conditioned with excellent drivers (fully insured) and you will see the REAL Srilanka - stopping at roadside fruit stalls and sampling at least 6 different sorts of fresh bananas.



The hotel is spotless and the service impeccable. If it doesn't measure up in any respect, a quiet word with management will get you sorted.

No matter what you are looking for in a Sri Lankan holiday - you will find it at the Eden or on the beach outside.



The rooms are spotless; the service in all areas is first class and the food all to an excellent standard and very varied.



The beach is safe and the beach boys are great company - and very knowledgeable. OK they get commission by talking you into tours with them, but you really see the true Sri Lanka in their company.



The hotel gardens adjoin the beach and the garden boys will set up your loungers wherever you choose - shade or sun. Plenty of room for everyone so you don’t need to get up early to get your towels out!!



There are a couple of beach restaurants. Extremely cheap but first class food. This is not an area noted for 'dodgy tummies' - provided you follow the local advice and drink plenty of water during the day.



The only downside is the transfer time to the airport. Arrive on the 02.30 Sri Lankan flight and the transfer is under 2 hours. Land during the daytime and the transfer can easily be 3-4 hours - not a pleasant experience on Sri Lankan roads.