Inn On The Bay

The open-air bathroom was my favorite part, with a lovely view of the sky and palm trees. Showering there felt like being in a jungle waterfall. The garden is gorgeous, almost like a little paradise tucked into the wild, though the busy beach is only a few steps away. We relaxed on the garden sunbed and on the porch outside our beautiful, spotless cottage. The air conditioning worked perfectly. When we arrived, there was bottled water, tea, cutlery, and a kettle waiting, along with a desk, so we didn’t need to shop right away. There’s also a restaurant in the garden and a small shop next to it with everything you need. The host clearly cares for the place, especially the garden, and was very kind. He even drove us to the bus station in a tuk-tuk when we left. This was easily the most beautiful accommodation we had in Sri Lanka. If we hadn’t already booked our stay in Arugam Bay, we’d have extended our time here. I honestly didn’t think it could be more beautiful than the photos, but it was. The Wi-Fi was weak, though Dialog mobile internet should be fine.

The one real plus is how easily you can get to Pasikudah Beach. The rooms were in poor shape and dirty when we arrived, and the washrooms weren’t maintained well. We booked a family room, but it didn’t feel safe or suitable for children. Staff were unhelpful and unresponsive, and the service was extremely disappointing. It might work for solo travelers who just need basic accommodation near the beach, but I wouldn’t recommend it for families, especially with young children.

The caretaker was sweet, and there were cold beers. We loved the little resort, with its clean, cute cabanas and great half-outdoor shower. Having a shower under the banana tree in the full moon was lovely. It’s between the two beaches, and the wild one was definitely my favorite. A great place to spend a week or so.

The dogs at the hostel are really cute, and the host was helpful when we asked how to get to Arugam bay. It’s a five-minute walk to the beach and about 22 minutes on foot to the sunrise point. That was the best sunrise I’ve seen in Sri Lanka. The room was big, and the shower with its plant decor was amazing. I had trouble sleeping because I could hear the neighbours at night, so the rooms need better sound insulation. The power sockets are the old Sri Lankan style, and there should be more of them in the room. The toilet door wouldn’t close properly, and it was hard to find the light switches by the side of the bed. The mosquito net was too small for the bed, which made it uncomfortable to use.