Oriental Rest Hikkaduwa

This is a quiet, intimate guest house with a lovely ocean view and only a few rooms, so it never felt busy and we had plenty of time to relax. The hosts made a great breakfast, with both traditional and Western food. We loved spending the last few days of our holiday there. The waves can get pretty high, so swimming is a bit rough. You can easily call the owner to ask for a room.

A really friendly family runs this house, and it feels like a little oasis. The garden opens straight onto the beach, while a gate keeps the rush of the main street separate. All the rooms face the sea. The beach right outside is sandy and wasn't crowded during the season, so we could swim or play in the waves easily. The rooms are nice too.

Oriental-Rest confirmed my Agoda booking a month ahead, then cancelled it just one day before my stay while I was in Srilanka, saying they were overbooked. I'm travelling with my family and child and now I'm left dealing with this crisis. It's pathetic, unprofessional, and highly unethical, and it leaves a negative impression of Srilanka tourism in general. I'm going to report both Agoda and this hotel to Tourism ministry, Srilanka. Shame on you.

The food at oriental rest was amazing, especially their pumpkin curry, which you have to try. We stayed five nights with my girlfriend, and the hosts were lovely and helped with anything we needed. Our room was comfortable and clean, and the beachfront was quiet, without too many tourists around. I can highly recommend it, especially to couples wanting a beautiful beachfront stay. 😍