Paradise Gardens Beach Resort

The rooms were good, but the windows were open with no privacy, and the bathrooms had no doors. We didn't feel secure there. Getting to the resort is a struggle. There's no access road, and the parking is a kilometre away, not owned by the resort and not safe. The path is nice, but you can't pull a trolley bag along it, so we carried ours on our heads like porters. Before we paid at check-in, three staff members took our luggage to the resort. At checkout, nobody was there except a new guy, described as the owner's friend, who didn't know how to get the bags to the car. We carried them ourselves in two trips.

The beach view and price were good, and the natural surroundings made for a pleasant daytime visit. But this was only an okay choice for an overnight stay. Paradise Garden Beach resort is at least 700 metres from the main road, with no vehicle access. We had to carry our luggage up and down a slope for more than half a kilometre. Bugs and insects were everywhere, which was especially disappointing since we were there as a couple. The rooms are designed for airflow, but they lack regular doors. Each villa has two rooms, and the upstairs one is open, with no doors or windows. The washroom has no door or window shutters either, just bamboo blinds and curtains for entry and privacy. We felt uneasy that no other villas were occupied, particularly as a couple. Lunch from the on-site restaurant was poor in taste and quality. We were surprised to find a Rs 330 charge, 30% of the lunch bill, listed as “Autorikshaw charges” or delivery charges. Nobody had told us about it, and we thought the food was prepared in the kitchen on the property. Management seemed hard to reach. We couldn't meet anyone and only got in touch through calls and messages. More direct management would have helped. The downsides for us were reaching the property, food, billing, service and privacy.

If all you want is to read and relax, I'd really recommend this place. The food was outstanding, freshly cooked to suit our tastes and needs, and the staff, especially Alex, were charming and courteous. You ring a hand bell to request anything, then it's brought to you. There's no restaurant, but meals are served in the house or on the beach. The house has two bedrooms, one double and one twin, plus two bathrooms and a small kitchen area with a fridge and kettle. It's very open, so you share the accommodation with insects, though incense and ceiling fans keep them at bay. The route in is a rough track through palm trees. The house is set back from the beach but close enough to hear the sea. It was too rough for anything beyond paddling at the shoreline. It's a lovely place to chill, but won't suit anyone looking for activities. One thing to know, they don't accept credit or debit cards. We paid in sterling cash.

After busy days of business meetings, I could feel far removed from the world while still being close enough to the city. The natural setting, privacy, individual feel and attention to little details made this the most outstanding hotel I've stayed in. The duplex cottages are designer villas, more artistic than I expected even at higher priced hotels. The staff took such good care of me that none of my requests went unmet. As a business traveller at a small holiday resort, I had a few extra needs around timing, a small beach party with clients and meals at odd hours. Big hotels could learn something from that level of service. I can only recommend this quiet, comfortable place for anyone wanting nature and calm.