Woody Crest Hotel

Getting to the place was rough. The access road is dirt and full of potholes, so in our small car we parked at the entrance to avoid damaging it. The rooms weren't like most of the photos: they were smaller and didn't have good views. The balconies look out over a field where rubbish is dumped, and one of our ground-floor rooms had only a sliding door opening onto a neglected garden. Both rooms were dirty and smelled strongly of damp. There were no towels, and when we asked, the staff brought just two for four people. The worst discovery came when my phone slipped into the gap between the bed and its base. I found an unopened pack of condoms there. It was disgusting. We weren't told anything about breakfast. At 7:15 a.m. on the first morning, someone woke us by knocking on the window and handing over a tray of pancakes. Communication was difficult because there was only one staff guy, and he spoke just a few words of English. It was a bad place to stay, especially for the price compared with other places. Nothing like the photos, poor cleanliness and communication. Definitely not recommended.

We arrived much earlier than planned for our one-night stay, and even before anyone answered our early check-in request, the hotel kindly let us into the room about six hours early. The staff were very friendly and welcoming, and the room was spacious and clean. It's a little secluded, but the sea is only a short 400-meter walk away. Breakfast was simple but sufficient and included in the price. We were woken at 07:30 in the morning, though, and it disrupted our sleep.

The room on the top floor was our favorite, with panoramic windows, a fridge, and a kettle. When we first checked in, the air conditioner wasn't working properly, so we switched rooms. The owner fixed it quickly that same day, and we moved back. There are a few minor issues in the rooms, but at this price they're easy to overlook. We'd definitely stay here again if we come back to Trincomalee.

It was a peaceful, quiet stay in a spacious room, with fresh, cool air and an amazing sunrise in the morning. The hotel is in a lovely calm spot, and the beach isn't too far away. The price was very affordable, and kethujaan was helpful. Breakfast choices were limited, but it was good value for the money.