Tangerine Beach Hotel

we did a safari at the begining of our fortnight in sri lanka, for 5 days, although seeing the elephants was amazing be prepared for many hours travelling. after arriving at the hotel we could finally relax. the tangerine is beautiful, and attention to detail is next to none throughout, our bathroom could do with some updating but the bedroom was lovely with great seaviews. our wedding day went so smoothly and was lots of fun. we would definately recommend it for anyone wanting a hassle free wedding.

Myself, my 'new' husband and our families stayed at the Tangerine Beach Hotel where we got married from 12 April until 20 April 2008. Ages ranged from 3 - 58 years old. We went on an all inclusive holiday. On arrival at the Tangerine Beach, we were all welcomed by friendly faces - after a 12 hr flight and a 2 hr mini bus trip - it was wonderful!! We were all shown to our rooms immediately, and our cases were brought by the bell boys. If you are going to give a tip, give £2 GBR as they get a better exchange rate than giving them Sri Lankan ruppees. The rooms were clean, but basic! We stayed in a Deluxe room but it was nothing to rave home about. The swimming pool is a nice size, and kept very clean. There is a small childrens pool behind it, but my nieces/nephews spent more time in the pool with us. You can get drinks from 10am - anytime before and you will have to pay a standard charge. We arrived on Sunday pm - the following day the wedding co-ordinator came to find us to discuss our wedding plans. He was fab! He explained the process and gave us a choice of two places where we could get married. We chose flowers and cake on that day and also advise that we wanted photos, a dvd and an elephant present too. The charge was £180 GBR for pics, and $300 USD for dvd and elephant - well worth it. The photographer also did my hair, which I was extremely worried about and shed a few tears. However, on the day it looked gorgeous! The food, dont get me wrong, was very nice. The only problem for us was that everything was spicy and the kids wasnt too keen. We asked if they could all have a plate of chips/fries, but they wanted us to pay for them! I have to admit, I wasnt very happy and told them so! There were 3 children, aged 3, 5 and 8 and my brother had paid £600 each for a week so I didnt expect an extra charge as we were all inc. After a few moans, they did give them for free. If Im totally honest, all inclusive in this hotel is not like all inc anywhere else i have been. The 'snacks' by the pool consist of a few cakes and biscuits. If you want chips, sandwiches etc you have to pay. Its not expensive really, a plate of chips is 200 ruppees which is approx £1 GBR, but when it states all inc, thats what you expect. Also, drinks! You can only have soft drinks, water, beer, vodka and gin on all inc. Everything else you pay for - even wine. Two days out of the seven we were not allowed alcohol at all as it complied with their religion of not serving or drinking alcohol. Bit disappointed as the week leading up to the wedding we wanted to drink and were not advised this when booking. The beach is very rough, this is knew before booking. It is not safe for small children or inexperienced swimmers to go in the sea. Nobody sunbathes on the beach either. This would normally be a problem as I love sunbathing on the beach. However, the kids liked the pool and thats what suited us for this holiday. HOWEVER, our wedding was at 12.30pm on Friday 18 April 2008 and was FABULOUS! The hotel and co ordinators made it every bit we had hoped for! It was boiling hot and everything went to plan. Our photos are superb, as is the dvd. Monika the elephant made the day unreal! I do sound as though i am moaning, and to an extent we were a little disappointed if I am honest. It has nothing to do with adjusting to their culture. We have been to many places in the world and this was probably one of the worst. We did speak to a few other guests who agreed it was not the best. We were the only family with young children too. Definately a holiday for the older couple as there is not much to do. The entertainment is okay. To be honest we came to relax and chill before our big day so the entertainment wasnt a problem. There was a magician one night, a snake charmer another and karaoke. We all went to the elephant orphange too, which is a must! If you go to Sri Lanka dont miss the opportunity to do this trip! The elephants are gorgeous! We wanted the kids to see and experience a real life elephant before they saw one at the wedding. They all got a ride and thoroughly enjoyed it. After our wedding, we then spent one week at Thulhagari in the Maldives for our honeymoon. If you would like more info, please contact me dhemingsley@protocol-skills.co.uk

Spent the weekend with my family,Exellent place nice view of the beach .Food was quite good but i didn't like the dinner,breakfast was good.Had a body massage and a steam bath from the Ayurweda Spa.it was amazing.the resident doc and the helpers were exelent,Very nice place to relax,The hotel was beautiful ,rooms were bit old but clean,Bathrooms needs a refurbish,Heared the management is allready doing it.Can improve a lot. Will i come back?...... oh yes i will

Hi. Me and my friends stayed at the Tangerine Beach Hotel during this Easter holiday. We went there for a short break from our business trip in India. The first impresion was really good. Nice people at the reception, very kind and always helpful. The lobby looked just amazing, with small pools with the lotus flowers and boats. The rooms were clean and airconditioned. Big double bed, TV and armchairs with the table. Beautiful view from the balcony, palm trees and rough ocean. We had the HB and there is only one word-waw! The food was just great. Maybe I am overrating, but after weeks spent in India, it was lovely to have some jacket potatoes, non spicy rice, proper beef or pork meet, lasagne or pasta and lots of steamed/chargrilled vegetable. Wide choice of food, salad and DESERTS. They must have spent ages making those, I always tried to leave some space in my tummy for wide variety of deserts and fruit. Breakfast was again excellent. Baked beans, fried eggs and bacon- just what I wanted to eat after weeks rather going without breakfast :) Drinks you have to buy separately, but the prices are quite reasonable. This hotel is definitely suitable for older couples and families with small children. Though we are in our mid-twentiesl we had lot of fun, enjoyed ourselves in big tidal waves and chatted to really nice and funny staff. Definitely will go back and stay a bit longer than just a few days. Hope you find this info useful

My wife and I have been to the Tangerine Beach Hotel twice, in 2004 and 2006, We had a wonderfull time both times that we were there.We found the staff very helpfull and polite, the food was a mixture of eastern and western cusine.The presentation of the salads and the desserts was fantastic, (Must take ages to do). The hotel might not be as modern as its sister hotel next door but it's staff make up the difference. We are not ones for sitting round the pool, as we like to see the country, we found a tuk tuk driver at the main gate, named Sumith, we used him most days that we were there, his rates are very reasonable, just ask him to take you somewhere and he will take you. Here's a tip for you if you do use him, ask him to go with you were ever you go and ask him to tell anyone that approaches politley you that you are not interested. He is normaly at the gates at about 9am every morning. Do go and explore Sri Lanka, seems such a shame to spend all that money to sit by a pool. We are hoping to go back again this year to see the friends that we made whilst we were there before.The only downside what some people complain about is the time it takes you to transfer from the airport to the hotel, it takes me as long to get from home to get the Heathrow. I have read most of the other reviews and see that some guests complain about the beach girls selling their sarongs etc, if you buy, barter a price with them, and once you have bought one the will leave you alone. Please remember that the Sri Lankan people are a poor people so a tip here and there goes a long way.

We had a fabulous holiday in this beautiful country. The hotel bedrooms were a bit dated but were spotlessly clean, everything functioned perfectly except TV which was replaced within ten minutes of reporting. Located on lovely sandy beach, only downside was the sea was very rough and dangerous and the town – give it is miss - don’t be conned by the locals offering to show you around – mistake - so recommend staying in the lovely grounds and pool watching and listening to the sea. Beach boys and girls a pest but be polite then ignore them. The garden chipmunks/squirrels are entertaining and the fruit bats a sight to behold – huge. Room boys did bring mossie chips which were most welcome and the timing was around getting ready – but hey – just hide in the bathroom while he turns your bed down – lovely smiling service and only tip at the end of the holiday when you appreciate how well you have been looked after. No sign of smell of damp – clothes were not as dry as at home but it is a tropical country after all and humidity very high. Basement was damp smelling but it was badly damaged with Tsunami. The super dry towels were fab. Changed daily and the smell was of flowers – better than any of the other 5 star hotels we stayed in during our stay. Laundry service was fast, cheap and efficient. Food was not served as hot as at home and although I do not like spicy food I did not go hungry. The fresh fruit and desserts and of course the TEA were wonderful. A visit to the kitchen early in the holiday allayed any fears I had of tummy bugs – only the in-flight meal home gave me a problem. To appreciate Sri Lanka you must take a trip to the interior to Kandy and Nuwara Eliya. Visit the Elephants Orphange – the highlight of our trip (no Health & Safety here just mingle with the baby and adult elephants – they love it), temple, botanical gardens and to the highest point at Nuwara to the tea plantations, factory and of course the Grand Hotel for a taste of old English hospitality. A trip to Galle and the Turtle hatcheries passing through Tsunami damaged area – heart rending but would not have missed it- made us fully appreciate how these marvellous people have turned themselves around and live life to the full despite the poverty and damage around them. They smile, are courteous and appreciate the smallest of tips – they deserve it. Sri Lanka was a paradise on earth that became for a spell hell on earth – it is a truly beautiful place – the beaches are not its asset but the interior with its lush green rubber and tea plantations and wonderful waterfalls, this is what makes this a gem in the Indian Ocean. - the troubles have had a detrimental effect on tourism – but I felt less threatened than on a trip to London – loved it.

Stayed 9 nights here in November and was married at the hotel before travelling on elsewhwere for our honeymoon.. Arrived late afternoon and was quickly checked in with a welcoming drink, had booked a 'deluxe' seaview room, found this to be very basic but accomodated our needs. Maybe an update on the decor & furnishings needed, nothing major ! cleaned well daily etc. Spent the 1st few days exploring the hotel/amenities and liaising with the wedding co-ordinator & arranging trips. 1 restaurant open for breakfast, lunch & dinner buffets, non smoking. Smart dress required in the evenings. Could not fault at all the food, the expansive choice, the staff.. have travelled a bit and this was the best food wherever. Dont normally rate buffet food but it was never repeated & always something for everyone, the deserts were to die for. Service a bit slow in the evenings getting a drink in the restaurant. Mid afternoon, unlimited cakes & biscuits, coffee, tea. Great to eat overlooking the ocean or even by your sunlounger. Tea making facilities available in the room but enticed the ants. Pool bar service, personally, we went & got our own as the waiters didnt come to us very often. Pool lovely temperature & didnt get crowded. Directly on the beach, fenced off. Couldnt go on the beach too many touts, said no then just tried being friendly but there was always a selling point at the end of it, lovely people but spoilt it, no-one sunbathed on the beach. Even if you were in the grounds they would shout shout at you accross the fence, 'sari's, cigarettes, trips'... Lounge bar, excellent service, all inclusive apart from wine, my drink ! Reception, helpful & responsive, 24 hour. Couple of shops for souveneirs at reasonable prices, not for groceries etc.... A jewellers. The spa, think reasonable prices, didnt use it. Spotted a jacuzzi but wasnt allowed cause we hadnt booked a massage. Wedding was well arranged by staff, thoroughly enjoyed ourselves, 'hello' to anyone that was a guest ! Check out the photo... A mixture of people staying there, English & European, would say accomodated for the over 35 age group. Subtle low key entertainment in the loung bar evenings. 1 thing to mention, we had a problem with the aircon and was transferred room, which was better than our deluxe, thought you could only get standard & deluxe but this was better decorated, had carpet, better tv etc.. so dont know if initially we were in a standard room. Used the gym next door at the Royal Palms Hotel, lovely looking surroundings there, huge pool & palms. Sri Lanka, ok.. nothing to do out of the resort, a handful of souveneir shops all selling the same stuff, no where else to go apart from the trips accross country, no nightlife. You need to be open minded in many ways if you have not been to this type of country, I have, so knew what to expect but my partner didnt. A new experience ! Hotel itself & overall, good value for money, would go back there for some sun & relaxation but plenty of other countries to explore yet..

i stayed at the Tangerine from the 2nd of November.the booking and post booking correspondence were excellent. location away from the city of colombo just what i needed by the beach. value for money? yes of course . rooms were clean, linen limited but ample provided when asked.basic toiletries.bathroom decor has seen better days. the room with the sea view was a great change for me.beautifulbirds and flowersadorn the gardens in addition to the well presented variety of trees. staff friendly and helpful. choice of food was great but presentation of fruit could be better.drink the unblended Dilmah tea if you are a tea drinker. sea food is as good as at the Royal palms next door.live music at the bar was an invitation to burn the calories.(after curd and honey) the pool side service was faultless GOOD VALUE For Money trip to Kandy or Colombo just ask the reception (i did it my way)

Spent 11 nights at the Tangerine Beach Hotel in September of this year, on arrival at the hotel we were pleasantly suprised as it was only rated 3 star, however after a few night we began to realise why. I will try to be as honest as possible but please read this review bearing in mind the price you might be paying for your trip. We actually got a very reasonable deal however there were alot of people at the hotel who had paid thousands for their trip and were therefore disappointed. The room was of a good size, however everything felt and smelt rather damp, even when you left clothes out to air they all had a damp feel to them. The view from the balcony was excellent, over looking the pool and sea which of an evening was quite relaxing. The bath room was however very small and as the plug did not fit the bath properly, after spending half an hour filling it quickly emptied. Another annoyance was each and every night, at around 6-7pm you would get a knock at the door from the room attendant who was there to bring a new mosquito tablet to the room, which although helpful always came with a uncomfortable atmosphere as most people at this time were getting ready for their evening meal, and a tip was expected each time, which again was not warrented every night. For over a week the sheets in the room were not changed, which we did have to mention - these were then changed the same day so not bad. The food was acceptable (although most meat hard to chew your way through), again you have to remember this is only a 3 star hotel - the desserts were lovley, tasted as good as they looked. The service was ok, some night/mornings better than others depending on who was serving. Beware however that the people that work in the hotel are all from the local village and therefore are always trying to tempt you to buy something from one of their relatives/friends shops, this is ok but somewhat off putting when you are trying to eat and when it happens morning, noon and night. One night we opted to have the 'sizzle' meal and pay extra - I think it was £8 a head - when we got to the reserved area we waited over 10 minutes before we even got acknowledged and then when we did order they left our order at our table inside the menu - it took them 45 mins to realise this and then we had to wait for our food to be cooked - this was appalling and no apology - they then expected a tip when we paid the exact amount can you beleive, I have never received such bad service, and we were not the only ones. Pool and pool area was good, always clean and of good size - however again the staff responsible for matresses and towels could be quite scarcastic, I found them quite rude. The younger more junior guys were alot more co-operative and always deserved their tip. With regard to trips we took a 3 day tour, it was amazing - I did contact the tour company Walker Tours direct from the UK , which I would recommend. I asked them to recommend a Sri Lanka highlight trip - this cost us approx 220USD per person, which I thought was very good value. When we got to hotel our rep, from the same company tried to sell us the same trip for £50 more per person - this was obviously his commision - he got cross when realised I had contacted directly and booked. Our personal driver was great - he took us to lots of places off the intinery eg. tea plantation, tea factory, silk factory, batik factory, wood craving factory - although beware prices are sky high if you want to buy anything - this is common tourist trap - things in the hotel gift shop were alot less and very good value for money. Elephant orphanage was amazing you cant miss it...Kandy was lovely as well, especially the Kandy dancers, great show for only 300rps - which is about £1.50. The actual country is very beautiful and there is lots to see/do you just have to be aware that the people are very poor and will constantly want to sell you something or ask you for money - its their way of life, this was a shock to me as well but after 2 weeks you get used to it. Please do not be put off visiting this amazing place, its really great and if you only use this hotel as a base for exploring the country you will be happy. If you are looking for absolute luxury this is probably not the right hotel for you. Please make your own decisions and have a great time, a holiday is afterall what you make it and despite the down sides of the hotel I did have a fab holiday :-)

We spent 14 days at tangerine beach during october 2006 and left just as the rains were coming in. We thought the staff excellent and the food very good. The hotel offered good value for money.