Marawila Resort, Club Palm Bay Resort

Stayed for 5 days. Awful place to stay. Smelly, dirty and creepy. Visitors take care!

We spent 3 weeks at the Marawila Resort and it was absolutely splendid. The staff were very helpful and the food excellent. My daughter is lactose intolerant and the management went out of the way and underwent a great deal of trouble to ensure the purchase of the proper food for her. Also, the exchange rate for the £ was around 160 Rupees and when eating out, a lavish meal for 3 people cost under £15

club palm bay is a great hotel to stay , the staff are great , the tours around the island , we enjoyed a lot, we used a local tour guide slimline tours , excellent family run tour company , club palm bay i would recommend them to anyone would would like taylor made holidays, club palm bay is on the beach which is lovely weve been to club palm bay 2 times and are going back this year,it is a quite place you can relax by the pool, in the great sunshine ;or venture in to the island, with local tour guide slimline tours, the island is amasing , so many amasing places to see and visit , we loved staying at club palm bay , we were next to the lagoon, so quite and piece full .great ,fantastic island.

This was our first visit to Sri Lanka and must say we thoroughly enjoyed our four week experience and will certainly be returning in the not too distant future.

The Club Palm Bay Resort is surrounded by a large lagoon, which attracted all different kinds of birds and other interesting wild life including water ' Monitor Lizards ' . All of the staff are extremely friendly, polite and very attentive at the resort. Nothing was too much trouble for them and although fully professional they have a brilliant sense of humour and loved to play small practical jokes on us once they got to know us. The cleanliness throughout the hotel and the large airy bedrooms was of a very high standard as well as the well kept gardens. Bed linen was changed daily and towels were changed when we left them on the bathroom floor (daily if required). Our room had extremely good air-conditioning, fan, multi-channel TV, fridge, safe, hair dryer along with tea and coffee making facilities. The large L shaped swimming pool was cleaned daily by the pool staff who will also provided us with mattresses and towels for the sun lounger ' s.

We thought the food at the resort was of very good quality and plentiful, with all tastes catered for.

Breakfast: These were superb with a choice of porridge, cornflakes, fruit, fruit juice and eggs in whatever way we wanted them cooked (omelettes of all descriptions cooked to order in front of you). Also delicious bacon, baked beans and grilled tomatoes each morning. As the hotel also caters for local guests (especially at weekends), there was also usually a selection of local curry dishes available at breakfast.

Lunch and Dinner: The soups were really delicious with a selection of bread and a large choice of salads. An assortment of fish, beef, pork and chicken dishes along with a Pasta, featured as main course along with numerous curry and rice dishes to choose from each day, something to satisfy all tastes. There was also a large range of sweets to choose from, which I should add, were to die for.

As all-inclusive guests we were also entitled to morning coffee and cakes along with afternoon tea consisting of sandwiches and cakes, which are served daily in the main bar area. Some form of entertainment was provided most evenings in either the bar or restaurant area.

Main Bar: Was open from 10:00am until 12:00pm daily and served a selection of soft drinks (including water) and local alcoholic drinks, with the exception of the monthly Poya Days (full moon) when alcoholic drinks are not served until after 6:00pm

The beach is just across the road from the hotel entrance, with hotel staff on hand to provide sun beds and beach towels. Swimming in the sea was not really recommended for us due to the strong undercurrents, but excellent for sunbathing.

Although we undertook quite a number of tours around the island, I would definitely recommend a trip to the Elephant orphanage.

This was our first visit to Sri Lanka and must say we thoroughly enjoyed our four week experience and will certainly be returning in the not too distant future.

The Club Palm Bay Resort is surrounded by a large lagoon, which attracted all different kinds of birds and other interesting wild life including water ' Monitor Lizards ' . All of the staff are extremely friendly, polite and very attentive at the resort. Nothing is too much trouble for them and although fully professional they have a brilliant sense of humour and loved to play small practical jokes on guests once they got to know them. The cleanliness throughout the hotel and the large airy bedrooms is of a very high standard as well as the well kept gardens. Bed linen is changed daily and towels would be changed when you left them on the bathroom floor (daily if required). All rooms have extremely good air-conditioning, fan, multi-channel TV, fridge, safe, hair dryer along with tea and coffee making facilities. The large L shaped swimming pool is cleaned daily by the pool staff who will also provide you with mattresses and towels for the sun lounger ' s.

The food at the resort is of very good quality and plentiful, with all tastes catered for.

Breakfast: These are superb with a choice of porridge, cornflakes, fruit, fruit juice and eggs in whatever way you want them cooked (omelettes of all descriptions cooked to order in front of you). Also delicious bacon, baked beans and grilled tomatoes each morning. As the hotel also caters for local guests (especially at weekends), there is also usually a selection of local curry dishes available at breakfast.

Lunch and Dinner: The soups are really delicious with a selection of bread and a large choice of salads. An assortment of fish, beef, pork and chicken dishes along with a Pasta, featured as main course along with numerous curry and rice dishes to choose from each day, something to satisfy all tastes. There was also a large range of sweets to choose from, which I should add, were to die for.

All-inclusive guests are also entitled to morning coffee and cakes along with afternoon tea consisting of sandwiches and cakes, which are served daily in the main bar area. Some form of entertainment is provided most evenings in either the bar or restaurant area.

Main Bar: Open from 10:00am until 12:00pm daily and serves a selection of soft drinks (including water) and local alcoholic drinks, with the exception of the monthly Poya Days (full moon) when alcoholic drinks are not served until after 6:00pm

The beach is just across the road from the hotel entrance, with hotel staff on hand to provide sun beds and beach towels. Swimming in the sea is not really recommended due to the strong undercurrents, but excellent for sunbathing.

Although we undertook quite a number of tours around the island, I would definitely recommend a trip to the Elephant orphanage.

We have recently returned from three weeks at the Club Palm Bay (Sept 2008) on a Saga holiday. Hotel staff were very friendly and efficient. Nothing was too much trouble. Our Saga Rep, was excellent. The patio of our bungalow had a view over the lagoon with its numerous birds and elusive water monitors. Rooms were kept spotless, bedding, towels,mosquito repellent and bottles of water replaced daily. Flowers on beds each night made a special touch. A plentiful variety of curries(very hot!), pastas, western food and magnificent desserts. Morning coffee and snacks, afternoon tea and a midnight buffet are provided in the bar in the unlikely event that you get hungry in between meals. The pool was fantastic and suitable for all ages. It was kept clean by the pool boys who provided loungers, towels etc. and always with a smile.

Outside the hotel are tour operators Fernando and Samantha who offers excellent trips at very reasonable prices. Both are highly recommended. Tuk tuks are there too for shorter journeys and can take passengers to places which are inaccessible to larger vehicles. Drivers are very knowledgeable. Roads are not like ours and traveling on them can be quite scarey.

Also outside the hotel are two tailors. Mr Stitch is the better tailor but the Tailors Shop has a greater selection of fabrics. You can take garments and get them copied or take your own material to get clothes made to measure.

Sri Lanka was the holiday of a lifetime. The staff at Club Palm Bay Resort put on a cocktail party for guests once a week. We had a special dinner laid on with just a few guests before we departed from the hotel. Candle light by the pool. Staff took time to talk to guests and ask their opinions about things. They were always looking to improve service. Rooms were cleaned thoroughly every day and towels sheets etc changed daily. When the bulb went in the bathroom, it was fixed within a few minutes.

Bikes to hire, massages, boat rides, trips out, table tennis, health/fitness room. Tailor shops up the road where you can have a suit or dress made for a very reasonable price. They even made a suit for a teddy! Lovely people. Wonderful relaxing atmosphere. Lots of wildlife to see.

My husband and I have been to Sri Lanka twice, and each time we have stayed at the Club Palm Bay Resort Marawila Resort Hotel. We can only say that is one of the best hotels we have ever been in. All the staff treat you as a new friend, and they will do almost anything to make your stay a happy one.

The rooms are large with views across the lagoon, and food is always good with something for everyone. The bar is fine for some night time fun!

We went "out & about" with Samantha's Tours a few times, and they are really good and know their stuff! Their prices for trips are way better then the Reps. They will sort out trips to suit your needs, and take both couples and groups in their van or car. Samantha can be found in his gift shop, which is out of the hotel gates, turn right, go up the road a little - approximately 100 yards. Say hello from Wendy and Graham.

What a wonderful holiday, we went with two friends, and none of us could fault it. We loved Marawila Resort, the grounds with beautiful trees and flowering shrubs looked after on a daily basis by staff, making it easy to swim, sunbathe, be in the sun or out of it. Loads of birds and chipmunks who would feed out of your hand.

We went on an overnight trip to Elephant Orphanage and Kandy, which was wonderful - first day probably a bit long, but well worth it. We stayed in a hotel in the hills above Kandy where the views were stunning. That was our most tourist bit, as we so enjoyed the facilities at Club Palm Bay we didn't move very far.

Now torn with going somewhere different next time or back here!!! For info ages were 59 and 3 x 65.