Ruvisha Beach Hotel

Like others we stayed here as starting point of a tour with Intrepid. The hotel is old and dirty, everywhere you go there’s a different unpleasant smell. The lift is super noisy and dings at every floor, you can hear it all the way from down the corridor, and thanks to some acoustic witchcraft you hear the ding for every floor, no matter where you are. Breakfast is appalling, sad dry sliced fruit probably the same everyday as nobody dares to touch it, some pathetic and failed attempts to a bit of both continental and local delicacies, and bread toasting machine that takes 3 to 5 business day to toast one side of the bread, but that slice of toast was all in all the best thing I ate! Room was disgustingly dirty, counted 4 cockroaches that had to fight off, the floor looks like hasn’t been mopped since 1994 and all surfaces are sticky and dusty. The shower probably the worst I’ve ever seen, dirty glass doors and tiles, mouldy shower head and not a single shelf to put toiletries on. Can’t wait to leave in the morning!

First of all, Negombo. Awful, beach completely covered in rubbish, I have never seen anything like it anywhere in the world. Hotel - dingy. Staff = indifferent. Safe didn't work - staff told me it was my problem and the next day I found out 2 others had the same problem in their rooms. I was on my own (but paid full room rate) but just one thin towel. OHS issues on the balcony on the 4th floor = no rail at all in spots, all the glass missing. A parent couldn't dare leave their child for a second. Pool = awkward to access but did look nice, only 3 chairs however. We went over to the Jetwing for a drink which looked much better, although I can't see any scenario where I would go back to Negombo.

At face value, this hotel seems good. It was booked as part of a tour I had joined, so I had no say in where to stay. All started well, I arrived early in the morning, was given a welcome drink as is often the case in Sri Lanka and my luggage was taken off me to be delivered to my room. Check in time is officially 2pm. I arrived just before 10am so wasn't expecting to be able to get into my room. However, the reception staff told me it was ready and I could head up there straight away. After a long flight I was glad of the chance to freshen up and have a quick nap. I got up to the room and just as I was about to step into the shower, the phone rang. I didn't get to it in time so carried on with my shower. (As a few people have mentioned, it was COLD and not at all pleasant). Finally climbed into bed and was just dozing off when the phone rang again. Nobody there for the second time. I fell asleep and about 20 minutes later, it rang for the third time. This time there was someone on the other end, telling me because I'd checked in early, I needed to pay a $15 fee! There was absolutely no mention of this upon check-in, had I been given the option that would have been a different issue. But to be told after I'd already been in the room almost an hour and decamped all my stuff wasn't on at all. In short, I refused to pay it. But be warned that if you check in early, this could happen to you. I'm not sure if they seriously expected me to pack up my stuff and go back to the same room at 2pm.... Other points ... As mentioned, the shower is cold. Apparently you need to leave it running for about 10 minutes to get anything that resembles warm water from it. What a waste! Questionable cleanliness in the room, lots of dust. It's best not to look! Breakfast was good and served on the rooftop with great views over the beach.

The hotel is in a good location with great views from the rooftop and walking distance to some great eateries. I was in a street facing room, rooms are not sound proof soo it was a noisy night. Decor is dated in room and fittings in bathroom, and shower took 5+ minutes to get warm. No fridge or minibar. Room was spacious and clean, bed was clean and comfortable. Management were friendly and fantastically helpful providing tour arrangements on the day and sourcing an adaptor for me. Other personnel not as friendly. Breakfast buffet was okay, I went out for lunch and dinner. No drinks available and no room service menu provided. House rules stated no food or drinks from outside hotel permitted. Pool looked clean however I didn’t use it, not a lot of room around the outside. Could do with an overall freshen up, probably wouldn’t stay more than one night again. (Was selected by tour company).

great comfy bed,lokacion is great,breakfast was very tastie,the staff are fantastic,the hotel in genral is ok,in parts yes it needs a tidy up,new cushions on sunbeds,rooms are very clean bathrooms super clean..