Margosa Bay

The welcome was a nice touch: we got a glass of watermelon juice, and someone brought our bags to the room. But for what we paid, we were very disappointed. Staff were confused about our room when we arrived, and when we raised the problems, they didn't help or seem to care. The hotel has clearly had thought put into its architecture and design, and our first impression was good. Then we found cold water, only some of the lights working, a sparse breakfast buffet with food that was already cold, no TV, and just one large towel per person. There were no fresh water bottles the next day, and the gym equipment was unplugged. Locals told us the hotel had changed hands several times because business was so poor.

I loved waking up to the ocean views from the room, with the waves as a calming background. The room was clean, comfortable, and nicely decorated. Staff were warm and attentive throughout, and the pool, private beach access, and bar by the shore made the stay even better. A relaxing, memorable beachfront break, and I'd happily recommend it.

We arrived at 6:30 pm for our reservation, which was for 06/09/2024 to 08/09/2024. Nobody welcomed us or helped with the bags, so our group unloaded all 12 packs ourselves. Someone then asked for payment in cash, which surprised me. We waited in the lobby for 40 minutes before going to our rooms. The receptionist, Mashi, said the hot water was being repaired and TVs weren't available for most rooms. In our family room the paint smell was strong, and even after someone sprayed it, it remained. My wife is allergic to paint. There were lots of insects on the bed, dirty linens, and the extra bed was unbalanced because one leg was broken. Someone propped it up with cardboard. Dinner was meant to be a buffet, but there were only six chafing dishes and no vegetarian options. When dishes ran out, they weren't replenished until I shouted, and even then they only put out a little. As a hotelier, it was the worst dinner I've had. The room door window wouldn't close properly either. We decided to leave after breakfast the next day. There was hardly anything to eat, and not enough food to share. I asked for my Rs 144000/- back. They said it would take seven working days, and the accountant, who didn't seem professional, emailed to confirm that. After 57 days I still hadn't received the money. Then I got an email from H M Azeez - Director of the hotel asking for six months to pay the refund. I said I couldn't wait that long. Now his mobile isn't working and the accountant doesn't answer my calls. I feel the hotel has cheated me out of Rs 144000/-. Don't visit, it's not worth your money. This was the worst experience of my life. As a hotelier, think carefully before booking at MARGOSA BAY - Trincomalee, SRI LANKA...

The building has impressive architecture, but the stay left us very unhappy. It took about an hour for staff to get us into the room we'd booked. The TV had been removed and the jacuzzi didn't work. We asked whether breakfast included typical Sri Lankan dishes and were told it did. When we arrived, though, there was only an English-style buffet. At $8 per person, that's not cheap for a breakfast we hadn't asked for. The rooms, staff, breakfast, gym, and other parts of the hotel need a lot of improvement. We wouldn't recommend it.