Reviews of Club Dolphin Hotel, Waikkal

We spent two weeks in club hotel dolphin in sept 08 we were very disappointed in the fact we upgraded to a deluxe room as it certainly wasn't no deluxe room like what you see on the net the bed was uncomfortable the air con wasn't up to scratch, we had our bath cleaned once in 2 weeks and that was because we asked.

the hotel entertainment i thought was brilliant it was so funny there was the odd night when it wan't so enjoyable but overall i enjoyed it and the animation staff were fantastic and always up for a laugh.

the food was very standard nothing special and alot was either left uncovered or cold, the waiters in the main restaurant and snack bar were great and always willing to help.

The disco was nothing to write home about it was over charging on its spirits and drinks are not included in the all inclusive,

The all inclusive drinks finished at 12 midnight and you were not allowed to buy drinks after 12 either which i found a great disappointment they would turn out bar lights by 12.30ish.

At weekends they allow all the locals in on day passes we had to put up with them partying outside our room using our balcony to put there empty alcohol bottles on taking our chairs using our towels to wipe themselves on, they were spitting and blowing their noses in the pool which im sorry but that is not acceptable we complained to staff members on several occassions but that didn't stop them, they took over the pool people were having to go over the other side away from there rooms and loungers to get away from the noise.

Their aren't a great deal of tours but the best people we found to do the tours was ASDA they are a fantastic family run business who were always there to help when it was needed, they made my clothes, jewery and took me to the outside doctor when i was really ill they opened there shop early and did all they could for me. You must do the river trip with asda and take sweets for the local kids.

I found harold wasn't all he made himself out to be he would say he would provide water etc when u took a trip with him he did this on the first trip then made u pay for it on any other trips..........

You have a lot of harrassment outside the resort from people begging and always after something, negombo market was over pricing on there clothes especially mens.

there are no other local bars outside the resort which was disappointing.

don't trust the hotel doctor under no circumstances as i paid 10,000 ruppees for a doctor to give me the wrong medication totally and if he was a doctor over in the uk he would have been struck off for what he did to me..............

local security and workers were caught at 1:30am looking through ground floor windows of peoples rooms which is disgraceful this was repoted to first choice but little was done,

The hotel did lay on a meal in the al lecarte restaurant to make up for what i went thru when i became very ill and on verge off passing out thru the pain, but for £2500 our holiday was a great disppointment i also advise that you dont upgrade your seats to premium as its not much better then standard its not worth the extra £300 per person.

I wouldn't go back there again which is a shame cos i got on so well with asda and will miss them greatly............

we could never go in the sea cos it was always very rough and the red flag was up for the whole 2 weeks which is bad considering you are right on the sea front..........

i was glad to come home i've never felt like this on a holiday meant to be an holiday of a lifetime it certainly wasn't this was our honeymoon.



p.s we did meet some fantastic people there which was the only thing i would say made it worth it.............

SUPER HOLIDAY FOR MY FAMILY, 2 ADULTS,3 TEENAGE BOYS.WE JUST RELAXED, THE BOYS HAD LOADS TO DO, USING THE FACILITES ON SITE PLUS ACTIVITIES WITH THE ANIMATION TEAMS EVERY DAY.

THE FOOD WAS OF A GOOD STANDARD, PLENTY OF CHOICE, INCLUDING A GOOD CHOICE FOR VEGETARIANS.

THE ROOMS WERE KEPT SPOTLESS, TOWELS AND BEDDING CHANGED DAILY, WITH ROOMS MADE UP AGAIN IN THE EVENING. THE STAFF ARE SUPER HELPFUL AND GENUINELY FRIENDLY.

THERE ARE 2 POOLS, WE SPENT OUR TIME AT THE "QUIET" POOL WHERE YOU CAN "CHILL" THE BOYS AT THE MAIN POOL.

DOWN SIDES, IF ANY WERE, IF YOU WANT TO SWIM IN THE SEA THIS IS NOT A GOOD SITE AS THE SEA IS VERY ROUGH WITH A STEEPLY SLOPING BEACH BUT THE FACILITIES ON THE COMPLEX MAKE UP FOR THIS.

1 THING TO WATCH FOR: THE PRICES FOR WINE ON THE WINE MENUS DO NOT INCLUDE THE 10% SERVICE CHARGE PLUS THE 17% TAX, MAKING A BOTTLE OF WINE 27% MORE EXPENSIVE THAN YOU THINK ITS GOING TO BE. THIS IS REALLY MY ONLY PROBLEM WITH THIS HOTEL HENCE 9/10, OTHERWISE IT WOULD BE 10/10

SUPER HOLIDAY FOR MY FAMILY, 2 ADULTS,3 TEENAGE BOYS.WE JUST RELAXED, THE BOYS HAD LOADS TO DO, USING THE FACILITES ON SITE PLUS ACTIVITIES WITH THE ANIMATION TEAMS EVERY DAY.

THE FOOD WAS OF A GOOD STANDARD, PLENTY OF CHOICE, INCLUDING A GOOD CHOICE FOR VEGETARIANS.

THE ROOMS WERE KEPT SPOTLESS, TOWELS AND BEDDING CHANGED DAILY, WITH ROOMS MADE UP AGAIN IN THE EVENING. THE STAFF ARE SUPER HELPFUL AND GENUINELY FRIENDLY.

THERE ARE 2 POOLS, WE SPENT OUR TIME AT THE "QUIET" POOL WHERE YOU CAN "CHILL" THE BOYS AT THE MAIN POOL.

DOWN SIDES, IF ANY WERE, IF YOU WANT TO SWIM IN THE SEA THIS IS NOT A GOOD SITE AS THE SEA IS VERY ROUGH WITH A STEEPLY SLOPING BEACH BUT THE FACILITIES ON THE COMPLEX MAKE UP FOR THIS.

1 THING TO WATCH FOR: THE PRICES FOR WINE ON THE WINE MENUS DO NOT INCLUDE THE 10% SERVICE CHARGE PLUS THE 17% TAX, MAKING A BOTTLE OF WINE 27% MORE EXPENSIVE THAN YOU THINK ITS GOING TO BE. THIS IS REALLY MY ONLY PROBLEM WITH THIS HOTEL HENCE 9/10, OTHERWISE IT WOULD BE 10/10

Loved this Hotel people are so friendly and the anamation team are the best they are all so nice and have made some lovely friends.



We stayed in the deluxe rooms and had a pool and sea view room which was great, the food was lovely and there was a lovely choice everyday, I will be going back to this hotel in july and am so looking forward to it.

To Everybody Who Will Visit This Reort

You Will Love It People Are So Friendly And You Are Welcomed As One Of There Own

When I Went To Sri Lanka I Had Such An Experence

I Got To Understand So Much When I Was There

My Little Sister Was 9 And On The Website It Said We Cant Go On The Tours

But We Went On The Elephants But Organised It With A Friend We Met There

Sri Lanka Is The Best Hoilday And You Should Go There Its A Whole New Experence

The Animation Team Are So Friendly

There Shows Were So Funny

Thank You So Much

Got to got to Sri Lanka by accident! Was due to get married in Kenya, but with all the troubles we cancelled two weeks before departure date. First Choice were excellent in sorting out for me to get married and booking us and my parents in..... all 10 days before we left! After my original tour operator couldn't help me!!

It was the best thing that ever happened to us. We had a fantastic time. The wedding was perfect... thanks so much to Daphni for all the organising, making my day stress free and the happiest of my life. And to Sam the First Choice rep who came to our wedding to congratulate us and give us a card. A lovely touch.

The hotel is so lovely. We had cottages with sea views. We were in 89 & 91 on the second row. They were kept lovely and clean by Gipson and Chemilla - thank you boys, and have lovely terraces with table and chairs, where we sat out having coffee before breakfast and in the evening watching the sunset. Everywhere in the hotel is clean and the staff are always busy but very, very helpful. The food was marvellous. Loads of choice and something for everybody.

We used Harald tours for our trips to the Elephant Orphanage, the river, and Negombo by boat and by Tuk Tuk. Highly recommend them for value and content.

Had some Jewellery made at San Gems - turn right outside the hotel gates. Lovely, lovely jewellery at very reasonable prices.

Cannot wait to go back! This was the best holiday ever. Sri Lanka is a beautiful country, the people are lovely, happy people, and the hotel superb value for money.

Such a wicked holiday, even for a 15 year old like myself!



The staff were very friendly - highly recomended to all!



The hotel was lovely. The animation team was wicked; fun and games for all the family even young children. We had some fun plaing the games - especially the dolphin game with the club dance and cocktail at the end! That was amazing!

Dolphin Hotel is really due for an update and refurbishment. The public rooms and bars need modernising and the guest rooms leave much to be desired.



Our room lacked any drawer space, any bedside tables, or tea and co0ffe arrangements. No fridge or mini bar.



Having said all that the staff are excellent and Sri Lankan people are generally delightful, always a ready smile for the stranger.



The food was generally very good and varied.



The two day excursion to Kandy was exceptionally good and good value for money. The trip however was very tiring because of the many many things to see and do.



All in all a wonderful experience which we would highly recommend.

I have just returned from Sri Lanka, where my parents and I stayed in club hotel Dolphin. I really had an amazing 2 weeks, enjoying a 2 day trip to the elephant orphanage and to Sigria Rock.



The hotel was always kept clean and tidy and I wouldn’t have wished the staff to be any friendlier than they were. Always there with a friendly smile. The animators really kept us entertained the whole time we were there and I believe they really made the holiday special.



The hotel is set right on a picturesque beach. However we were told to stay out of the water as the waves were very strong, although towards the end of the holiday people were starting to enjoy the waves. The food was great. I thought I would get a bit bored of the same food every night; however there were different themed nights of food. Etc American style. It was great!



There was entertainment everyday by the poolside, including darts, golf and water volleyball. This holiday was great for all ages because my parents had a perfect time, relaxing and always having a game of sports and I spent most of the time in the swimming pool. The staff are only happy to help with any problems you have.



The hotel is a 3*+, however I strongly believe that the money for the holiday is well spent. Overall I had a fantastic time, and I’m even going back for two weeks again in January so I’m really looking forward to seeing everyone again!



I think Sri Lanka is a great holiday because you get a chance to relax and also meet new friendly faces and pick up all the culture that’s available. There are trips to all the temples around, and I thought it was very interesting and something that you wouldn’t be able to find anywhere else. Sri Lanka is definitely the place to go!

My husband two friends and I had a wonderful stay at this hotel, we stayed in the cottages on the beach which were very comfortable and relaxing, so romantic sleeping to the sound of the sea.



We went to the Elephant Orphanage in Kandy, rode an Elephant too! We booked with Haraold (you will find him on the beach) he also has a shop to left of the hotel as you go out the front.



If you go to the right on your way out of the hotel there is a lovely restaurant and Sangems Jewellers, where our husbands had a beer or 2 in the restaurant whilst my friend and I had our jewellery made up from our designs, we can also recommend the jeweller at Asda on the beach passed the quite pool.



We booked an overnight trip to Yala National Park it was fantastic, and we were very lucky to get to see not one but 2 Leopards along with loads of other lovely wild life.



We recommend Sri Lanka.

Just returned from two weeks holiday at hotel dolphin. We had a fantastic time and would thoroughly recommend it to anyone thinking of going to Sri Lanka. This was our third time to the island; however we had stayed down south before.



Hotel Dolphin is an excellent place to stay and visit and is also not too far to transfer from the airport. The hotel was very clean. We stayed in a cottage room in front of the beach which was basic but very clean and very relaxing no noise around just the sound of the waves crashing all night just lovely.



The staff were very friendly and there was always entertainment going on, we stayed mainly round the quiet pool however the larger pool area was also very nice and relaxing. Food was very good and a good variety.



We took a two day trip with Tamil from asda shop next to the quiet pool on the beach. It was a brilliant trip going to elephant orphanage, Kandy Sigiria Rock (you must climb it its quiet hard but just bear with it, its amazing views at the top) and to Dambulla Rock caves, we stayed overnight in Kandy and all this fantastic trip cost only £60. Tamil gave us a great trip and we recommend his trips to anyone he is 100% safe and reliable.



Overall the holiday sights food etc were brilliant and we thoroughly recommend this hotel to anyone. We will certainly be returning again one day very soon.

Stayed at the Dolphin Hotel for 2 weeks at the beginning of June '07. Had a fab time.



Had one of the front cottages on the beach. The cottage was basic but the location suited us fine. Spent most of our time at the quiet pool just relaxing.



The staff were friendly and nothing was too much trouble for them. The food was clean and tasty with lots of choice.



We went on a 2 day tour: Elephant orphanage, Sigari, Kandy etc etc which Harald organised for us. If you go out of the entrance by the Reception area and head left, you'll find Harald's shop (which has a British flag flying outside).



Nothing was too much trouble and we had an excellent time - would certainly recommend using Harald. He organised for Michael to be our driver and David was our guide. David speaks fluent English and German and we learnt a great deal from him.



I would also recommend going on a river trip (I think it cost £2). A tip - take a large bag of English sweets because you'll see a lot of children playing along the river banks - they love English sweeties.



I would thoroughly recommend staying at this hotel and we would certainly go back again. We were a little worried about it being 'Monsoon season' and expected a lot of rain.



As it happens, it rained for 5 mins the first week and 5 mins the second week. I hadn't realised though that the Monsoon affects the tides. It was too rough to go in the sea but the crashing waves were very dramatic.

We stayed at the club hotel dolphin in august and had a wonderful holiday. The rooms were kept clean and tidy with clean sheets every day. The food was good, lots of variety and the chefs are more than happy to provide English food if needed. My children tried the food but were able to order chips as well.



The waiters were extremely polite and very helpful. We all enjoyed the animation team, they work very hard and are always smiling and ready to chat. They are brilliant with the children and keep everyone entertained.



We had such a good time we will definitely be returning to the beautiful island of sri lanka. There are some good local shops, Asda on the beach and Harolds just up the road in front of the hotel. They have some lovely gifts there and the ladies will make you some lovely sarongs and are always smiling and helpful. (They even give you gifts when you make a purchase.)

My family and I have just returned from a wonderful 2 week holiday at Club Hotel Dolphin. The location by the sea is fantastic, the facilities at the hotel cater for all ages and the food could not be faulted. The animation team provided activities throughout the day for both adults and children alike, this meant that if you didn't want to sit on a lounger at the beautiful poolside you could get involved with some fun and games to break up the day.



Outside of the hotel we went on a day trip with Tamil from the ASDA shop. We were very pleased with the tourist places we visited but were concerned by some of the erratic driving of the local Sri Lankans.



One word of caution if you agree a price for saris to be made at the ASDA shop ensure that is the price to be paid when collected as the price changed considerably for me. There is also another shop nearby called Tesco run by Edward who is a lovely man but drives a hard bargain.



He also runs trips which were highly recommended by other guests of the hotel. We enjoyed this holiday and our stay at Club Hotel Dolphin so much that we are thinking of returning next summer. We particularly look forward to meeting all of the animation team especially Pali, Asha,Shami,Sunny and Ritchie.

We had a fantastic two week holiday at Hotel dolphin. The hotel staff were brilliant, always polite and helpful. During the day there is the choice of the quiet pool or the larger, more lively pool, where the entertainment team provide activities throughout the day.



We also did a range of trips, some with First choice and others with Edward and local taxi drivers. With Edward we visited the Millennium Elephant sanctuary where we had the opportunity to wash the elephants in the river and also to have a quick 5 min ride.



During the trip we also visited the elephant orphanage and watched the elephants bathe in the river - an amazing sight. We booked a trip with a local taxi driver to visit Columbo (the capital) it wasn't what we imagined - not commercialised at all. One tip if you're planning to see the capital - take off your hotel wrist bands as we were targeted by people pretending to work at our hotel and trying to scam us!



I thought the food available at the hotel was very good - I’m a vegan and very fussy and they were still able to cater for me!



Overall we really enjoyed our holiday and we made some great friends (Hi to Caroline and James); FiFi and LaLa really made our holiday and I hope we will return soon so we can see them all again.