Polhena Sea View

The pool was clean and had no unpleasant smell, unlike some other places nearby, and there’s a lovely sea view from the dining area. Our spacious room was spotless, with direct access to the pool and a distant sea view. The owners’ house is right next door, with plenty of parking. The owners and their family welcomed us warmly and even helped us find a scooter. The rates were reasonable, and I’d choose this place again for an overnight stay in Matara.

We had a comfortable visit, and it felt like a safe place for female guests. Polhena beach is only about 50m away, and the restaurant out front faces the sea and works well for parties. The family, including the owner’s children, manage the hotel. The owner’s wife kindly showed us the bedroom options when we arrived. We chose a first-floor room with views of the sea, pool, and hotel. It had a large bed, sofa set, wardrobe, table, TV, A/C, and fans, and all the electronics worked properly. The bathroom had both a tub and a separate shower. The pool was big enough for pool parties and had a great sea view. My mom and I had a great stay. We sincerely thank the staff.

Food choices were limited because many menu items weren’t available. What we did order wasn’t very good, and the portions didn’t feel worth the price. They also charged more than the menu listed. The public bathrooms weren’t working, and our room’s bathroom lock didn’t work either. The pool was very dirty, mostly water with what looked like a lot of grime, and we had no privacy there because staff kept hanging around the pool lobby as if we might steal something. We recently held a birthday party here, and the experience overall was poor. In my opinion, most of the restaurant staff showed no common sense.

The food was delicious, and the staff were friendly and efficient. The owner carefully looked after our needs, and the service felt worth more than the money paid. It’s a lovely place for a family or friends’ vacation, with a spacious, natural feel and traditional Sri Lankan style. There’s also a beautiful view of the swimming pool from upstairs, and it’s great for photography. Highly recommended.