The Spice Trail

We’d happily return to The Spice Trail. The rooms and bathrooms are huge, the beds and duvets are comfortable, and the AC worked perfectly. They also provided beach and pool towels and bottled water every day, which was a nice touch. The team were always around to help, whether we needed luggage carried or sunbeds sorted, and kept checking if we were okay. The one letdown was breakfast. We tried it once, waited an hour, and still didn’t get what the menu said. There are plenty of good places nearby, though, so it wouldn’t put us off coming back. We kept thinking about the hotel after we left, which says a lot.

We were there in January, during the low season, so some facilities weren’t available. Arugam Bay was very quiet then, and it wasn’t the time for surfing or diving. If you want to get away from the crowds in the off season, it’s a good fit. The Spice Trail sits on the main road, with the ocean across from it, but once you’re inside the walls it feels like a tropical oasis. Our large room had a very comfortable bed and a fabulous hot shower in the big bathroom. The pool was roomy enough for a proper swim and great for cooling off. We had one breakfast and one lunch, both tasty and reasonably priced. Most of the staff were friendly and helpful. Also, the coffee at Kaffi was great.

Ashan and his team made us feel so welcome. They were friendly, attentive, and efficient, and we had a fantastic stay. The hotel is a peaceful oasis right in the heart of the city, and it was lovely and comfortable for our family with children aged 6 and 9. Baby Point is only a few minutes’ walk away, a beach that works well for surfing and for families. We had such a wonderful time here, and I highly recommend it.

The coffee shop attached to the hotel serves the best coffee in town, in my opinion, with a good range of cakes and friendly staff. I’d definitely recommend staying here, and hope I get the chance to come back soon. The hotel itself is very well run by a friendly, efficient manager. Everyone on staff was warm, and the rooms, shared areas, and all the other spaces were clean and well kept. The rooms are huge and thoughtfully designed, the pool is nice and very clean, the bar has a lively feel, and the kitchen is really good.