Sheraton Kosgoda Turtle Beach Resort

The staff were kind when one of my family members fell ill. They arranged a doctor, helped with treatment, and did what we needed at the time, which we really appreciated. The restaurant team were especially friendly, and the staff were welcoming from the start. The location and view are beautiful, and aside from the issues, everything else was fine. But the rooms really need maintenance and renovation. They feel old, the bathrooms need an upgrade, and much of the furniture is dated and poorly polished. Some cupboards made loud noises and wouldn’t open properly, and the elevator felt unsafe and needs maintenance. We booked two rooms for our family. My double room had bathroom items and tea and coffee supplies, including sugar and milk packets, for only one person. There was no shaving kit or proper clothes hanger in the bathroom. The food was okay, but the buffet selection was limited. It was an acceptable stay overall, though the outdated rooms need serious attention. Everything else was fine.

We felt well looked after throughout our stay, especially because the employees were genuinely kind and cared about our comfort. The staff were welcoming and attentive from the start, and we felt safe and respected. We’d gladly return on another trip to Sri Lanka. It was one of the most relaxing stops of our trip. The room was clean, spacious, and nicely decorated, and the air conditioning worked well during the warm days. The hotel is near many attractions but still peaceful, with a clean, less crowded beach nearby. Staff arranged transport easily at reasonable rates. Breakfast had tasty local and international choices, including amazing fresh tropical fruit. We also enjoyed a relaxing massage in the small spa area, where the service was professional and affordable.

I didn’t stay at this hotel. I was staying farther down the beach and walked past every day. I spoke with the manager, a very nice woman who kindly took the time to talk with me, because I was concerned about the trash piling up near the hotel. There was a pond beside it thick with rubbish, which really stood out since the rest of the beach was generally pristine. She said they cleaned the trash with guests twice a month, that the local councils were supposed to handle it, and that something about turtle conservation meant they couldn’t clean it up. None of those explanations seemed adequate to me. The Sheraton gets a very low rating from me for its efforts to keep the beach clean and tidy. Just saying.

The highlight for us was the hospitality. The team worked hard to make us feel valued from arrival to departure, and Nimisha went above and beyond, especially while we were celebrating our birthdays. We stayed twice during our Sri Lanka trip, four nights in total, drawn by the Marriott Bonvoy affiliation and peaceful beach setting. We’d happily recommend Sheraton Kosgoda Resort to friends for a 2-to-3 night break. Our arrival included traditional Sri Lankan dance and music, plus a welcome drink while we waited to check in. Thanks to our Marriott status, we got a complimentary upgrade to an Ocean View room. The bed was decorated for our birthdays, with welcome cookies and fresh fruit, a thoughtful touch after a long journey. The rooms are comfortable and spacious, with lovely balconies, very comfortable beds, and bathrooms with a shower and bathtub. YouTube and Amazon Prime on the TV was a nice extra we didn’t find at our other Sri Lankan hotels. The Wi-Fi was consistently strong. The white sofas in the rooms look a little worn, possibly because white was a risky colour choice. The pool is pristine, large, and well maintained, with plenty of loungers and direct beach access. The gym is spacious and has a good range of equipment. We didn’t use the spa, though it looked fantastic. The beach itself is tranquil, and the buffet had a great selection of local, Asian, and Western food. Weddings are popular here; we saw several, but they were managed smoothly and didn’t disturb other guests. The remote location can be a drawback. The nearest hospital is a 25-minute drive, and if you want lots of Sri Lankan excursions right on your doorstep, it might be challenging. For a relaxed resort and beach holiday, though, the setting is perfect. Being near local hatcheries was a bonus. Releasing baby turtles into the ocean at sunset was a magical, once-in-a-lifetime experience. Dining is the main area that could improve. We didn’t want heavy meals every night, but the options seemed focused on the buffet. The pool bar menu leaned mostly toward fast food and seafood. We only realized on our third night that room service had a much better range of lighter meals. More à la carte choices, perhaps a dedicated restaurant, would lift the experience. The buffet itself had a diverse selection. Evenings were quiet, and we didn’t discover the live music in the lobby until our last day. We had a fantastic time overall. Thanks to the team for an unforgettable trip.