Starfish Beach Bungalows

Svewa, the owner, is a very sweet Italian woman with a good heart. She was helpful and made sure we had what we needed to feel comfortable. My boyfriend and I spent four nights here and really enjoyed it. The rooms are clean and artsy, and the shower was lovely. It's a one-minute walk to the beach, just outside the busy part called Arugam bay. For a peaceful stay near the beach, with the chance to surf, eat good food and get a great massage, this place has what you need.

We'd booked two days but left after one because there were no waves at the time. We politely asked about it, and the owner, an Italian lady managing the property from Italy, said it was okay. Still, she came across as rude and unwelcoming on the phone, and pushed us to pay right away. She apparently said some people had recently left without paying. Breakfast was included in our booking, but the owner said she didn't know about that. After we pushed the issue, breakfast was arranged at another hotel: just two slices of bread with butter and jam. That was really disappointing since we'd paid for breakfast, and we'd rather have had the money back. A very disappointing stay, with an owner who wasn't very nice. If you own a hotel and manage it from the other side of the world, it should still run smoothly.

A laid-back spot away from the circus Arugam has become, with the waves at pottuvil point just around the corner. The owner got us scooters and arranged a delicious surf and turf BBQ for our second night.

They asked me to cancel my Booking.com room because, they said, the advertised price didn't include breakfast. They gave us no price for it and no way to pay for it. That's poor management. I can't give this place a lower rating, and after a mix-up like that, it's not worth getting to know them.