Manik Villa

We paid for the stay, so it's only fair to expect a decent experience, but this one was disappointing. The rooms smelled odd, and we had to clean the kitchen ourselves before using it. There were unwashed pans left behind, which made it seem like nobody had checked things before handing the place over. The pool had rules posted, but there was no working shower to rinse off first. The tap beside it had no water, and when we called, the owner simply said there was no water supply. The photos online also didn't match what we found. The children's slide area was very dirty, and the BBQ machine was stained. We managed as best we could, but guests deserve a place that's ready for them.

The setup is a little different from a full-house rental: the owners live upstairs while guests have the downstairs to themselves. They kept to themselves so much that you might not even realize they're there. The rooms had good air conditioning, and it's a nice place in general. The pool looked smaller than the photos suggest, and its children's slides are old and could use work. Kids need to be watched closely. Our cook was just average, slow, and needed constant supervision, though perhaps he wasn't the regular cook.

We could easily have stayed another four days after our four-night visit. There's plenty nearby, from river trips and fishing to water sports, shopping, and massages. Nalin and Deyana were warm, friendly hosts who looked after what we needed. The villa was roomy and comfortable for our family of five, and the swimming pool was a real highlight. Highly recommend!

Our three nights at Manik Villa were a nightmare, and the owner's rudeness made it worse. Before booking from the USA, I trusted Mr.Nalin when he said it was a nice place for our large family to gather in Sri Lanka. The website listed the rate as Sri Lankan Rs.25000 per night for the entire villa, but he hadn't disclosed that his family lived upstairs and we wouldn't have the whole house. When I called to ask why this wasn't in the ad, especially after we'd discussed getting the entire villa, he said he wouldn't lower the price and that I could leave for a refund of my advance if I didn't want to stay. It was too late to find somewhere else, with family and friends already there, so I swallowed the insult and paid the full Rs.75000. The electricity kept cutting out every 15-20 minutes, leaving us in the dark while we were trying to eat or listen to music. It went on until 10 pm. After several calls, he finally sent an electrician, who got it working for the night, but the problem returned the next day. Water also stopped while my aunt was bathing, and she waited 30 minutes for the machine to start pumping it again. The pressure was low the whole time, barely more than a drip. My cousin cut her hand on broken tiles at the corner of the swimming pool, where tiles were broken all along the edge. I left for Yala after those three nights, but I'll remember this place and its rude, disgraceful owner. Anyone booking from abroad should know what happened to us. We suffered through a stay I wouldn't wish on anyone, while there are much better places in Bentota at this price. I don't know how Malik Villa's owner can run things this way and leave tourists suffering.