Beach & Bliss Mirissa

There’s potential here, but the place needs a lot more professionalism. Our room was suited to a two- or three-star hotel, or a higher-end backpacker place. The door lock was broken, so anyone could simply walk into our poolside room, and the safety box didn't work. The bathroom was so tiny that one person could just squeeze in, and we could clearly hear the people next door using the toilet. Staff walked into our room without checking whether it was okay to enter, which was a serious breach of privacy. Reception gave us changing explanations for why our friends' room wasn't available. First they said it was a Booking.com mistake, then it was under maintenance. Only after more questions, and after we saw the room being made up with flowers and bedroom petals, did they admit they'd let it to someone else. Staff smoking near the front foyer and guest paths didn't look professional. Scooters were parked right where customers walked, with oil leaking everywhere. The owners could provide a more appropriate designated staff parking area. Staff also talked loudly on their phones in the hallways outside our room early in the morning. The outdoor areas were untidy and got cleaned once during our three days. Cigarette butts and balloons stayed in the pool for two days, and green moss on the tiles means it needs a proper, more regular clean. Breakfast was average, though the cup of coffee was appreciated. I'm not sure how Booking.com calls this a four-star place. The photos don't match what you get. It was an okay property, but better accommodation is available for a lot less money closer to the Main Beach. Maybe this is a training hotel for Hospitality students, but no one seemed to be setting standards or teaching requirements.

The ocean and sunset views from our clean, comfortable room were incredible. My sister and I stayed for three nights and had a lovely time. Breakfast was tasty, with plenty of choice, and a very kind man made pancakes and omelettes when we asked. All the staff were friendly and helpful. Gayan, our waiter, went out of his way to welcome us and chatted with us every day. It's a 25-minute walk to Mirissa beach, but we enjoyed it because most of the route is along the beach, with only a short bit on the road. You can also easily take a tuktuk. Being away from the main beach made it peaceful. We fell asleep to the waves and woke up to surfers and fishermen from the balcony. Thank you!

Great views from an ocean-facing room, and the rooms themselves were decent, clean and spacious enough. The bathroom, though, was very small. You're next to the ocean but not on a beach, and rocks and corals mean you can't swim or walk into the water there. The hotel is quite far from main Mirrissa, so we had to take a Tuk tuk each time, which was a pain. Gayan was an absolute delight to be around and be served by. The other staff and service need attention. We were supposed to check in at 2pm but didn't get our room until 3:30, which wasted the afternoon. Some of the male staff kept staring when guests were in swimsuits, which felt weird and creepy. They need training. Breakfast was included but pretty basic, with boring options after two or three days. A mixed experience: lovely views and decent rooms, but the service and food were sub-par. Gayan was the best part.

We loved Mirissa and would happily visit the area again, but we wouldn't stay at this hotel. It was very expensive for the quality of the property and our stay, and the photos made it look less dated than it was. Construction near our room woke us at 3am on both nights. When we arrived, we could see the work and were told it was the last night. The next morning, we asked if it was finished and were told it would be done tomorrow, but there would be no work overnight. Still, we had another restless night from the noise. What upset us most was that staff didn't try to address it or check that we were okay. When we complained, they said we should have told them earlier, even though we had. If they had apologized and been honest about the situation, the stay would have been much better. The whole thing was a real disappointment and tainted the visit. The breakfast staff were lovely, especially Gyan, who had a great sense of humour and made the stay more enjoyable. Thank you.