The Tottam Beach Hotel - Trincomalee

The location is beautiful, with what feels like a private beach and lovely white sand stretching as far as you can see. The rooms weren't anything too special, but we loved staying here. Silva and his crew were amazing hosts and great cooks, easily the nicest people we met during our two weeks in Sri Lanka. The service is top tier, and Silva can help with whatever you need, like drivers, snorkeling, or whalewatching. If you like seafood, you'll love dinner here. There's fresh seafood every day, which Silva gets from the market early in the morning. Anyone after a relaxing stay should come to this lovely resort. Thanks to Silva and his boys. If we come back, this is where we'd stay in Trinco!

The room was average, with lots of gaps in the walls and ceiling where insects could get in, making it hard to sleep. Dead insects on the floor and bedding also detracted from the room's presentation. I was looking for mid-range accommodation and called the hotel to book a room. There was no check-in process, just someone showing me to a room and telling me there were no restaurant facilities for an evening meal. They said I could drive to a local eatery or walk along the beach to another hotel. I don't recommend walking, as there are many wild dogs on the beach. Staff seemed willing to help, but without a reception there wasn't an obvious place to ask questions. I checked out the next morning without breakfast, even though I'd been charged for it, based on what I'd been told the previous evening about there being no restaurant. Better communication would have sorted this out.

Silva deserves many thanks for the wonderful food and for helping with everything from car and bike rentals to arranging activities, including a wonderful dolphin watching trip. The cozy houses are beautiful, surrounded by palm trees and very close to the sea. One of the best hotels I've ever stayed in, and the loveliest experience in Sri Lanka!

The beach was so quiet, with warm water, and the cabin on stilts where we stayed was wonderfully peaceful. The large garden had plenty of wildlife, especially chameleons, which were fascinating to watch. Silva and his team did everything they could to make our stay enjoyable. We arrived without knowing much about the place. Silva showed us the rooms, and they suited us perfectly, so we stayed. We were a little unsure at first because it's a bit far from Trincomalee and Nilaveli, but it turned out to be a great decision. After an afternoon in Nilaveli and Trinco, we were glad we hadn't stayed there instead. The room was lovely, with the best bathroom we've seen in Sri Lanka. We ate all our breakfasts and dinners here, and the fish was the best we've had. Silva is clearly passionate about cooking. Highly recommend!