International Beach Hotel and Restaurant

We couldn’t stay. The three rooms we were shown were all dingy and tired, and each smelled worse than the one before, like damp or drains. They looked nothing like the listing photos, and the surrounding area felt noisy, crowded, and rundown. At reception, we asked straight away for our money back. They said they couldn’t refund us because the booking came through Agoda, although we had booked on Booking.com. Booking.com refused the refund, and Agoda never replied. We also left our details with the property so they could refund us directly, but more than a month later we still hadn’t heard from them. This place was completely misrepresented.

We expected better treatment as guests. After sitting on the sunbeds, we were told we had to order something, so we politely moved inside. Half an hour later they asked us to leave because it was lunchtime. The facilities were disappointing too: no toiletries or bottled water, the air conditioning barely worked properly, the shower and bathroom light were out of order, and the bathroom door was hard to lock. Not one of the better places in Sri Lanka.

Food is a real plus here. The Drunken Monkey cafe has plenty to choose from throughout the day, with everything from rice and curry to burgers and pasta, and what we tried tasted great. The hotel sits right beside a great surf spot on Narigama beach. Rooms were clean and nicely put together, and the beachfront is well kept. There’s an outdoor shower too, handy for rinsing off.

Getting straight onto the beach is a big perk here. Walk through the restaurant and you’re looking out over the Indian Ocean, with great waves and vendors offering surf lessons, board rentals, and body boarding. The restaurant food was good, and we were happy with everything we ate. Staff were kind and attentive, and would accommodate special requests if we asked. Meals did take about thirty minutes on average for my family and me, so ordering a bit early helped. The food was worth waiting for. From check-in to check-out, the service felt genuinely homely. Staff greeted us with smiles, took care of our bags, and had our keys ready within ten minutes of confirming the booking. The owners were also very friendly, gave us recommendations, and made time for warm conversations. Their approach showed in how the staff treated us and how clean the rooms were. The room had what we expected: two beds, air conditioning, a ceiling fan, and an attached bathroom. That was plenty for our trip down south, since we spent most of our time out. My only uncertainty is whether the weak cellular signal was just in my room or throughout the hotel. Thanks to the owners and staff for making our stay feel so welcoming.