Reef Villa and Spa

What a wonderful old world hotel a real Jem the service you get probably hasn’t been seen since Victorian times the rooms are amazing and the gardens are truly spectacular you will not be disappointed. The food is excellent but it is a little pricey our evening meal was £114 pounds so beware. Having said that nip next door to the beach shack and the food is delicious.

Enchanting grounds and floating paths over water lead to an open receiving area, a sweet ice tea welcome drink is very pleasant during the check in process. Our room was very large styled in the colonial era with a separate outdoor jacuzzi bath and a small seating area, the bathroom was open to the elements and so didn't benefit from air conditioning so it was warm and humid. There's an in room safe, a couple of modern multi country plug sockets but I'd recommend bringing an adapter for Sri Lankan sockets. There's a tea kettle and a selection of drink sachets but it's poor given where we are and the price point of this hotel. The receiving area feels like wasted space, maybe it's more for the inclimant weather, this leads out to the garden and pool area with attached restaurant. The pool is fine for cooling dips with easy enough stair access, it had sufficient beds and towels, but it was struggling with low occupancy so it may be different at 100%. The restaurant produces some excellent food and does it consistently. Sadly it lets itself down by charging London prices for food and drink, this sits at odds when compared to the competition. The staff are outstanding and are really trying to impress. A constant theme of our stay was the inquisition as to if we were or weren't having all our meals at the hotel, sometimes it seemed as we had disobeyed the warden by stepping out of the compound. Overall the hotel and the local area feel as if it's best days are behind it. As an example the gift shop is closed, the spa has been closed and many areas would've benefit from redecorating.

I'd give Reef Villa 6 stars if I could. First the service, what can I say, it was just exceptional, thank you Malith, Dino, Rohan, Asanka, Sandy, gardeners and security (including Fred and Wilma the friendly but vigilant golden retriever security team!) for making our stay the most relaxing and enjoyable I've ever had (and we have travelled all over the world). Special mention to Sandy for showing me the baby fish and trying :) to teach me the Sinhalese names of the birds, our mutual love of wildlife meant the language difference wasn't a barrier 🙏. The property and gardens are beautiful, 'Raj' in style, spotlessly clean (thanks Rohan and your team), comfortable. Asanka you are a top chef, your dishes prepared and presented would not be out of place in the best hotels. Dino, you are a gem, your attentive service was just exceptional and we enjoyed our many chats and your stories, you made us feel part of the Reef Villa family. Lastly location, it feels off the beaten track, the grounds and rooms are very quiet, with direct access to the beach from the garden and pool on one side and the railway line and quiet access road on the other. It's only 10minutes quiet amble to the railway station, bustling little market (2 banks and grocery stores). It's undeniably poor by western, but I was only pestered three times, it's generally super friendly and the place is not as littered as many places in India. I spent a couple hours every morning just wandering around with my camera. Be respectful and ask if people mind their photo taken and you're usually rewarded with a genuine smile and occasionally a slightly bemused expression (as I'm sure I would give in the same situation). We took the commuter train along the coast, that was an experience not to be missed. Finally I'd go back tomorrow if I could, it was a beautiful, unique boutique, relaxing 2 weeks with lovely people on the Pearl of the Indian Ocean.