Harmony Beach Hotel

I was really disappointed with this place and can’t tell how it has so many positive reviews. At check-in, the guy seemed too busy smoking a hookah. He put me in a room without asking my name and said, “check in after relax.” I understand English is a second language, but he didn’t answer my questions about laundry or breakfast. Nothing was cleaned during my five-night stay. The floor was dirty, there was a dead roach by the closet, the bathroom floor was covered in sand, and there were cobwebs near the shower. The sink was clogged. The towels were thin and smelled moldy, and the WiFi was terrible. There was a big gap under the door that let in smells, bugs, and noise. A motorcycle was usually left in the walkway instead of the parking area, so I’d wake up to its engine and diesel smell instead of the ocean. The fridge also smelled stale and funky. A lot of these problems seem easy to fix, but the place came across as poorly managed.

We liked Harmony enough to extend our stay by three nights. Mobi and Tobi were working while we were there and made us feel welcome, taking care of whatever we needed. They helped with laundry, food, rentals, and tips on what to do. The rooms are very well priced, and you’re right by the beach. We’d definitely return.

The rooms are high quality, but our experience was ruined by the caretaker and chef, Thowfee. I used to manage a luxury villa, and I’m writing this because the owner needs to address how he treats guests. We booked two rooms for our family of five for one week. At first we were impressed: the rooms seemed recently built, the beds and mattresses were excellent, and both AC and hot water worked perfectly. We bought 13,000 LKR of groceries, including rice, dhal, and eggs, from the Apple Store for Thowfee to cook. He then charged us another 15,000 LKR as a cooking fee for only the first four days. By day six, we realized he wasn’t cooking. Our room was right opposite the kitchen, but we never smelled food or saw him working. He was buying prepared food from shops near the Apple Store and serving it cold. When we asked, he said he had cooked it himself. I’ve added a few pictures of the food he gave us. On the last day, he charged 34,000 LKR for just three days of breakfast and dinner. We spent 48,000 LKR on food for the week, not counting lunch, despite supplying the groceries. That felt like a blatant scam. He quoted 15,000 LKR for a Lagoon Safari, then raised it to 17,500 LKR once the children were ready to go. We paid the higher amount to avoid disappointing them. He said the price was 17,500 for five people, including a five-year-old. I checked with a police officer in Arugam Bay, who said the Lagoon Safari should cost Rs 10,000. There’s a professional laundry right across from the hotel, but Thowfee insisted we hand our clothes to him. We got them back three days later, unironed and still smelling unclean. I could have given this hotel five stars for its facilities, but I can’t because of Thowfee. He overcharges guests and mismanages the property, and my family and I will never visit Arugam Bay again. The owner has a five-star building being run by a one-star employee.

The staff were gentle and calm, and the spaces were peaceful, well kept, and cleaned daily. Each room has a cute outdoor area with tables, and feels private. It’s only a few steps to the beach, and the service and breakfasts were great. They rent surfboards and offer other useful services, just ask. There’s no hot water in the showers, though that seems common in Arugam Bay.