Jasmine Cabanas

During the day it was wonderfully quiet and peaceful. The rooms were clean and comfortable, and the large bathroom was a plus, with the toilet in a separate space. Proprietors Niraj and Dineth provided great service and made us feel safe and free to enjoy ourselves. At night, though, finding Jasmine Cabanas was hard. The road there was very dark and felt scary, with no one around. Still, it’s an amazing place for a short stay in Unawatuna, especially at such reasonable prices.

For what it costs, it still didn’t feel worth the money. The place, especially the bathroom, looked much worse than the photos, and there were too many insects for my liking, especially cockroaches and big ants. I worried they might get into my bags and travel on with me. I wouldn’t recommend staying long. There was no hot water, and my room was cleaned only once during 12 days. The road was very dark and sometimes felt unsafe.

The manager was really friendly and helpful, and breakfast was optional, tasty, and filling. The place is a little hidden, about a 15-minute walk from the bus stop, though you can also take a TukTuk. You get your own little house, with a big, nice bedroom and separate washing and toilet rooms. There’s a lovely garden and a sweet dog named Dessie who was always happy to cuddle. You can also rent a scooter for 5 Euro a day, which makes it quick and easy to get to the shops, beaches or Galle Fort.

The hotel’s yard is nice, and it’s in a quiet neighborhood. We had an excellent stay, with very helpful staff who could arrange a scooty rental at a good price. You’ll need one anyway.