All comments below are from Red Dot travellers. We do edit feedback -- in
the same manner, for example, as a newspaper may edit a letters column.
All feedback is invaluable -- and influences our recommendations and the
way we work in the future. |
| |
| May 04,2008: Nicola recommended a good
itinerary for our interest and limited time in Sri Lanka. Our driver Wijekoon
took good care of us and security. |
--NA – Edinburgh |
| April 17, 2008: Sunil was a very good
driver. We were very satisfied with him and will like to use him again if
we visit Sri Lanka. |
--BN – Norway |
| April 06, 2008: Senarath is a courteous
and safe driver and an expert in bird watching as a bird watching guide.
He showed us many birds we would not have seen and identified on our own.
He took us walking early in the morning and evenings to give the best possible
chance of seeing as many birds as possible. The efforts he made were beyond
our expectations and we would highly recommend him to other travellers interested
in bird watching. |
--RD – Australia |
April 06, 2008: The whole holiday
we organized from booking to end has been very stress-free and everyone
involved has gone out of their way to make sure it was what we wanted.
Our driver Wijekoon (Wije) even suggested an amendment to our itinerary
as he thought we were missing out not going to Kandy – And he was
right ! The amendment executed flawlessly and efficiently. He was an outstanding
driver and I can’t imagine you could get a better. He was very well
informed, organized, punctual, courteous, flexible and above all friendly
and safe. Every thing has exceeded our expectations and has made this
"A Honeymoon to Remember".
Heritance Kandalama: A stunning hotel. I have never
stayed in anywhere like this. The service, food, Room and wildlife around
the hotel all made our stay at the hotel unique and unforgettable.
Earls’ Regency: Nice hotel. Very pleasant stay
with nice touches.
Tea Factory: Good room and unique hotel. A few things didn’t work
in the room, but they were fixed on request. My only comment is the rooms
are quite noisy but the view makes up or anything.
Yala Village: A very unusual and friendly place to stay.
Excellently placed for the amazing safaris at the Yala National Park.
Cinnamon Grand: A good Colombo based hotel. Very pleasant. |
--AW – Manchester |
| April 04, 2008: We had an absolutely
fabulous holiday in Sri Lanka, Kosala! Thank you for all your help in organising
it, and your patience with our endless questions, and changes to the itinerary.
We are so pleased we made the trip despite our worries about security. We
felt completely safe when we were there. Herman was a very professional
and careful driver and guide. All the places we stayed at were memorable
in different ways and we have some very special memories of all the lovely
people we met. We shall definitely recommend Red Dot to our friends, and
hope to use your services again when we return to Sri Lanka in the not too
distant future! |
--KM – Oxfordshire |
| April 01, 2008: "Sunil" is
an amazing person who acted as a family member and guided us for the entire
tour. 'I want him next time too'. |
--KS – Mumbai, India |
March 31, 2008: Ananda made our holiday
in many ways. His courtesy, good humour and wide knowledge impressed highly.
Enjoyed everything we did and appreciated Ananda’s flexibility.
He will remain a part of our honeymoon memories.
The Beach: Lovely start for the honeymoon. Beautiful
design. Attentive service.
Vill Uyana: Absolutely wonderful. Welcome cake was a
lovely touch showing that they understood it was our honeymoon. Friendly,
courteous service. Amazing food. Our favourite place.
Kandy House: Disappointing – low point of the
holiday. Promised a super deluxe room – a gallery suite, which we
did not get and given a dark room with no bathtub, separated from the
main house. Food was poor.
Tea Trails (Summerville): Wonderful!!. Most peaceful
part of the holiday. The service was second to none, attentive but discreet.
Food was phenomenal and plentiful. Stunning location. Loved it..
Amanwella: Stunning location again. A little too luxurious
for our taste, but dearly a sumptuous beach resort.
Park Street: Stylish.. Lovely pool. |
--GD – Cambridgeshire |
| March 22, 2008: Just a short note to
say thanks for everything that you [Charlie] and Red Dot tours did to make
our stay in Sri Lanka the best two weeks of my life. Everything went like
clockwork; your staffs do you proud. Our guys on the bus were tireless,
courteous and always smiling. Nissanka was fabulous, making the longer journeys
go quickly with his repartee. His advice was excellent and his organization
was very efficient. We were very sad to hear that his mother was taken into
hospital and we wish him all the best. He was a great credit to your organization.
Upali likewise was excellent, taking a touring side over from the man with
whom we had already bonded must have been hard. Nissanka is a hard act to
follow. He did it well and was quickly at ease with all the tour. His organization
and delivery were again faultless. |
--Cokenach Cricket Tour |
| March 22,2008: We would like to comment
Mr. Sathyaseelan (Seelan) as possibly the best tourist guide in Sri Lanka.
We were touring for two weeks and thanks to Seelan we had an unforgettable
experience. We are surprised and impressed with his vast knowledge in different
fields such as history, ecotourism, flora and fauna. Every day was not only
a new experience as a tourist but also a complete learning journey through
time and places. He consistently goes above and beyond his job description.
Thanks to Seelan, we will definitely come back to Sri Lanka and recommend
it as a top tourist destination for our family and friends. |
--NH – Surrey |
March 21, 2008: We are really grateful
for your input in to this holiday. The recommendations you gave were all
good really good. Herman was fantastic , we felt in very safe hands throughout.
Galapita: Delicious food, but not enough variety. We
arrived after dark and no was there who spoke English to welcome us. Luckily
we had Herman to interpret. Apart from one guy, no body helped us to carry
our suitcases to the house which we felt very log.
Leopard Safaris: Excellent recommendation. Nothing too
much trouble. |
--CB – London |
| March 19, 2008: Senarath is an excellent
ambassador for his beautiful country. Always courteous, discreet and helpful.
He has helped to make my stay a wonderful experience. |
--PR – Belgium |
| March 16,2008: Ayanthi handled all very
efficiently and in a very pleasant manner. Erwin was delight to be with,
helpful, courteous and very flexible. He became our friend and we will miss
him greatly. We will carry fond memories of our time spend with him. |
--JL – Australia |
March 15, 2008: Red Dot has been
superb throughout – from booking process to end of the trip. We
very highly recommend the company. ‘Wije’ is a first class
driver and guide. Couldn’t be faulted on anything. He as reliable,
knowledgeable, helpful and friendly. He helped us to understand the culture
and went out of his way to ensure that we had a superb holiday.
The Beach: We had a problem in our room (Infestation
of ants). This was dealt with efficiently and quickly.
Heritance Kandalama: Piped music was killing and annoying.
It spoiled the atmosphere. Apart from the music, a fantastic hotel. One
of our favourites.
Helga’s Folly: Utterly unique experience. Wouldn’t
have missed it. However, wonderful public areas are let down by the bed
room accommodation. Bed room was rather small and inadequate (Eg: very
low water pressure, showering difficult, water never more than warm at
best). All hotel public areas were fascinating and Helga was charming.
All staff were excellent and helpful.
Tea Factory: Interesting experience. Very good walks
in the tea plantations. 'Shame, hotel didn’t have a pool".
Yala Village: This was simple, functional accommodation
and was presently satisfactory for the purpose.
Aditya: We really loved the hotel. Every thing about
it was perfect. The rooms had to be seen to be believed. Absolutely fantastic.
Wouldn’t have missed this hotel for anything. Thank you so much
for recommending it. |
--CM – Nottingham |
March 13, 2008: Our introduction
to the cultures of beautiful Sri Lanka was made more interesting and rewarding
by our driver ‘’Punchi’’. We would recommend Punchi
as a best driver and guide and will be requesting him on our next trip
to Sri Lanka. He is an ambassador for Sri Lanka. ‘Thank you Punchi
for the great service and experiences’.
Heritance Kandalama: Fantastic birdlife. Loved the bats
too.
Kandy House: Fabulous residence & beautiful pool.
Tea Trails (Castlereagh): Food and service exquisite.
Scenery is stunning. Wonderful bird spotting too. |
--JC – Essex |
March 08, 2008: A really beautiful,
very friendly island. When meeting a wild elephant or two on a small road,
make sure your guide is ‘’Seelan’’. Seelan is
an excellent host (A very lovely man, wonderful host, excellent guide).
He has gone out of his way to make our holiday and it has been perfect.
Nothing has been too much trouble for him. He has vast knowledge and great
passion for his country and fantastic ambassador for his lovely island.
Ayanthi worked very hard to find us the right holiday. Her working knowledge,
patience and care is highly appreciated.
Ice Bear: Very individual and quaint. Well worth a visit.
Grand Ella: The views were incredible. Every member
of staff was so helpful and very friendly.
Palm Paradise: Beautiful surroundings. Excellent food.
Good staff. |
--CM - Devon |
March 07, 2008: Although everything
was very satisfactory, I would have appreciated a few more details on
room quality. But these are minor details in what was a very well organised
trip. Very pleased with Samantha. Polite, knowledgeable and accommodative.
Well worth retaining him as regular Red Dot tour driver/guide.
Kandalama: Second visit, so knew what to except. Disappointed
that despite paying extra for luxury room. View of lake was minimal. Definitely
recommend early morning lake safari for 2 hours trip that was idyllic.
Galle Face: Fortunate enough to be upgraded to a large
balcony room with Jacuzzis. Unfortunately one Jacuzzi didn’t work
but room was still pretty impressive. Afternoon tea is must as it is very
good value for money and colonial atmosphere.
Heritance Ahungalle: Lovely location on beach but hassle
factor is too high. Unable to reach waves without being accosted, even
at 8am. Food was disappointing but Saturday evening BBQ was very good
of a much higher standard. |
-- JM – Gloucestershire |
March 03, 2008: Ayanthi was very
good at suggesting places we hadn’t thought of. Sunil was a wonderful,
a lovely courteous man. He respected our privacy where appropriate. He
passed on his knowledge of all about Sri Lanka. It was a joy to travel
with him.
Villa Thalangama: Location makes the property. The lake
was wonderful as was the pool. It was the ideal first sop.
Ellerton: Nice relaxing place. Again nice pool.
Dutch House: Rodney and Eric were just wonderful and
made our stay an absolute pleasure. Nothing was too much trouble for them
or their staff. |
--IW – Kent |
| February 17, 2008: Herman was very professional
at all times and good company with excellent local knowledge. We will definitely
visit Sri Lanka and encourage others to visit your beautiful country and
see what Sri Lanka has to offer. |
--BL – Suffolk |
| February 16, 2008: We have only dealt
with Ayanthi and we wish to say how professional and courteous she has been.
We have nothing but praise for Jayasooriya. He is an intelligent person
with vast amount of local knowledge. He has made us feel comfortable and
safe the whole tour. He is an excellent driver. |
--TC- Leics |
| February 13, 2008: Seelan is an excellent
guide. Very flexible and willing to accommodate our wishes. A very pleasant
and courteous man. We could not have wished for a better guide. |
-- CC – Leicester |
February 06, 2008: Premarathne was
our second driver. He was very knowledgeable about sights we visited and
the information he provided was very good. He was a polite and helpful
driver/guide. We very much enjoyed our time being driven by him.
Tea Trails (Norwood): The very best hotel I have ever
stayed in. The food was amazing and the service was unbelievable. The
location was breathtaking. It is good value for money. I would just come
to Sri Lanka to say in this hotel again.
Villa Rosa: The owner was extremely gracious and the
service was good. But it is disappointing that the hotel standard was
not up to our expectations. It needs a good clean!!. |
--AN – Singapore |
February 02, 2008: Charlie provided
excellent information about Sri Lanka and helped us to structure a first
class holiday. He provided unusual hotels that are not in the guidebooks.
Sena was punctual and drove extremely well and we always felt safe, which
is a feat on Sri Lankan roads. He has a terrific knowledge about birds,
plants, trees and etc. Overall Sena is a kind and a helpful guide. He
is always cheerful and we are very pleased to have him.
The Beach: Room was not comfortable and bathroom was
dark. Black coral food was excellent. Staffs were very attentive.
Vill Uyana: Location stunning, Delicious food &
superb staff!!. We were in a Marsh room with pool which was excellent.
Tea Trails (Tientsin Bungalow): Not much to fault in
this magical setting. A chance to live the colonial life. We went walking
in the hills with experience guides, had and excellent massage and ate
truly good food. We strongly recommend Red Dot to promote this bungalow
strongly. |
--JL – London |
January 29, 2008: Dirk was quick
and reassures us on our questions. Ananda was a great help and a brilliant
tour guide and took us to see the real Sri Lanka that few others have
seen. He was always available and went out of his way to research new
routes in his time and we felt very privileged to have had him as our
driver. We would also advice anyone booking Red Dot in the future to request
his services.
Blue Oceanic: One night sop over from the airport which
fulfilled its purpose after a 12 hour flight.
Tea Trails (Tientsin Bungalow): This surpassed everything
we had before. It may have been heightened by the fact we were the only
couple in the residence. It was a wonderful experience.
Centuria: But located in more of a rural environment
difficult to judge. But overall we were more than satisfied.
Taprobane: Ten steps from the room ‘’we
are in the ocean’’. Although pretty Spartan it is clean and
comfortable. Staff do everything they can to help and is a great location
for a final chill out as a pert of our holiday. |
--CS – Wiltshire |
January 25, 2008: Seelan was not
only a very good driver; he was also an excellent guide. His driving made
us feel safe in good care. Seelan is a wealth of information and we have
learned a great deal about the history of Sri Lanka and the culture of
the country. He always had a smile and positive attitude. We would definitely
request Seelan for our next visit too.
Chaaya Village: A good beginning for a journey.
Deer Park: Wonderful staff and setting was magical.
Excellent massage and treatment.
Thilanka Hotel: Fine and good location.
Tea Trails (Norwood): Fabulous!!. We did not want to leave.
Plantation Hotel: Great location and atmosphere for taking in a rafting
trip. Lovely staff and view of the river.
Rainforest Edge: A wonderful relaxing place with lovely
staff. Incredible scenery. The road up to the property is really bad and
needs to be constructed. |
-- GC – Dubai |
| January 18, 2008: Nicola was extremely
helpful, friendly and efficient. Thank you Niicola!!. We appreciate our
driver Ranjith’s concern at the hotels that we got good rooms and
he was flexible and accommodative throughout the trip. It a pleasure to
have him as our driver. |
--CH – Nottingham |
| January 3, 2008: Thank you [to Suren]
for his great help in organising my recent trip to Sri Lanka. A very pleasant
time was had by me and my wife. A pity the cricket in Galle was spoiled
by rain. However I don't hold you reponsible for that. I would also like
for you to pass on my congratulations to Nissanka Perera whose informative
comments throughout the trip were most enjoyable. |
-- AA - Coventry. |
| January 2, 2008: Just a quick note to
say thank you very much for the lovely holiday I have just had in Sri Lanka.
Everything was very well organized and the hotels were very good. All Red
Dot Staff were very courteous and helpful, particularly Nissanka who was
a most charming host for our first week in Colombo. The only downside to
the holiday was England’s poor performances in the cricket. |
-- KA - West Midlands |
| December 31, 2007: I've been back home
a week now and wanted to let you know that I had a superb time in Sri Lanka.
All the hotels were excellent and I had an excellent week on the road with
Punchi: we packed in so much. [Suren] did an excellent job with the advance
planning and advice and his colleagues did a great job keeping me informed
about pick-ups etc while I was there. I will make a point of recommending
Red Dot to friends interested in touring Sri Lanka and look forward to returning
one day myself. |
-- KM - London |
December 30, 2007: Thank-you for your
excellent organisation. Kaushini arranged all this at very late notice and
in most cases managed to get my first choice of hotels. Hasantha was an
excellent driver and guide. He knew instinctively when we wanted to talk
and when we just wanterd to drink in the scenery. Photo stops were pointed
out to us as well as local wildlife. His driving is brilliant – I
swear he has radar in his head.
Eden Resort and Spa:
Excellent value for money. 5-star? Probably not
by European standards - but then they don't charge European prices.
The Tea Factory. Loved this hotel. We had a room with two windows and the
view was stupendous - tea bushes as far as the eye could see. We ate inthe
railway carriage - quite expensive for what we had and not the best quality
meat but we were whistled aboard by an extremely conscientious waiter and
his obvious delight in his job more than made up for it.
Chaaya Citadel: Wonderful location overlooking the river with jungle on
both sides. An ornithologists dream. Fine dining was OK but oh, the service
everywhere in this hotel is a mess. And playing a Jim Reeves Christmas CD
continuously for 48 hours was somewhat irritating. |
-- LP – Bahrain |
| December 30, 2007: Can I just pass on
my immense gratitude to [Suren and Red Dot] for organising a fantastic holiday
to Kerala for us this month. We had only four days there but we saw so much.
Our driver was fantastic and the accommodation was excellent. I have recommended
your company to many of my friends and acquaintances and will certainly
be using you again. |
-- FP - Doha |
| December 20, 2008: Punchi [Punchhewa]
helped to make our holiday a great success. He was exemplary in all that
he did. He loves his country (and his cricket) and is quite highly, a proud
Sri Lankan. Nothing was too much trouble. We thoroughly enjoyed the time
we spent with him and were grateful for his pertinence many a time!. A very
reliable and trustworthy individual. |
--PD – Gloucester |
| December 18, 2007: I got back from my
trip to Sri Lanka at the weekend (shame I didn't see England win any of
the cricket) and I have to say that I was delighted by all the service provided
by all of the Red Dot team. The compant should be proud of everyone. The
drivers were all very skilled, especially in negotiating the very steep
roads up to Randholee Hotel in Kandy and the guides were very helpful. Maxie
met us at the airport and gave us enough information without lecturing us
after a long flight; Nissanka Perera was full of wonderful stories and educating
talks and Bandula and Wikum were also very helpful, particularly in suggesting
places for me to buy my wife's Christmas present. The Randholee, whilst
probably a little further out of town than I would have chosen, was well
run, very well fitted out and had great staff. |
-- AR - Sussex |
December 15, 2008: Bubsy was an excellent
guide and driver. He knows Sri Lanka in great detail. Match tickets which
was requested were fine.
Elephant Corridor: Lacking in atmosphere.
Mount Lavinia Hotel: Ageing hotel.
Apa Villas: Nice sight. Too far from the centre. Breakfast
service was a bit disorganized. |
--GT – Singapore |
| December 10, 2007: I would just like
to thank Red Dot for making our trip to Sri Lanka such a pleasurable experience.
Your company has organised our transport requirements and hotel arrangements
to a very high standard and we would not hesitate in recommending your services
to others. In particular, you representative Nissanka Perera has been thoroughly
professional throughout the tour, showing a wealth of understanding of both
our needs and your beautiful country, and always delivered with charm and
a warm smile. |
-- PV – London |
December 9, 2007
Ulpotha:
We knew about it already but it exceeded expectations. A totally amazing
experience.
Horothopola: Highly recommended, wonderful
food.
Manor House: Under current management this
placve should not be on Red Dot’s list. The building is OK but the
location is depressing and the service hopeless, redeemed only by its friendliness.
Kandy House: This hotel is great in so many ways.
Its failure to achieve top marks is due only to the noise which [due to
bare floorboards] travels easily from room to room. |
-- RA - Berks |
December 8, 2007: I found the whole
booking process painless. Sunil [our driver] made life easy for us and was
always prepared to accommodate our requirements. He was very knowledgeable
on his country's history and culture and a delight to be with.
The Fortress: Probably the best hotel we have ever stayed
in throughout the world. We intend to visit it again next year.
Manor House, Kandy: A little more expenditure to upgrade
bedrooms and showers and and this hotel could be a gem. |
-- CF - Carlisle |
December 2, 2007
Siddhapela
Health Resort: Was very disappointed in Red Dot recommending this
place. As soon as we looked around the resort and room we checked back out.
Badly run down and the barbed wire fence made it look like a prison camp.
For US$400 -- what a joke. [The Red Dot sales consultant] was friendly and
helpful but it was obvious on the trip that she had never visited any of
the hotels she was recommending.*
Villa Rosa:
Didn't eat any food. Reeked of mould! Should have stayed at Kandy House.
SriLankan Airlines: Possibly the worst airline we
have ever flown with. The food, service and concern for passengers was terrible.
*This is factually incorrect. Red Dot arranges regular accommodation
trips for all its sales consultants. Also the client specifically requested
Siddhapela after carrying out independent research on other websites. |
-- JS - London |
November 25, 2007
River
House: Absolutely perfect.
Vil Uyana: Beautiful room and location, but they promised the earth
in terms of service and delivered very little. Non-existent butler service,
room service was unbelievably bad. We understand the good work they are
doing in training local `unskilled’ people but the ratio of trained
professionals was not good enough for the kind of hotel they claim to be. |
-- RS – Lancs |
November 13, 2007
Ice
Bear: An ideal stopover when first arriving in Sri Lanka. A very
relaxed atmosphere and the fresh seafood served for dinner is value for
money. We also particularly enjoyed the breakfasts.
Sharon
Inn: The food and cleanliness was very good.
Grand
Ella Motel: The rooms were lcean, the service friendly and attentive
and the views were fantastic. However, the rooms would benefit from having
plug-in mosquito repellants and mosquito nets rather than smoke-burning
coils. This was a cat-friendly hotel with a few well-behaved cats and a
dog.
Tissa Rest House: Despite the name `Rest
House’ we did not get much sleep as there were drums playing past
midnight. The lobby was dim. The room was a very poor quality and had not
been aired, for example the shower curtain was mouldy, the floor mate dirty.
This hotel is in need of renovation and is more akin to a backpacker hotel
than I would expect on a tailored tour.
Pastissade:
This guesthouse is the ideal chillout spot. This is definitely a place to
relax in a hammock and read a novel. The curry and sea fgood we ate at Pastissade
was the best we have ever tasted. We definitely recommend this place. |
| |
| October 17, 2007: Vil Uyana: Some good
things are happening here. My cabana was of a startling size – bigger
than my house – and excellently fitted out. There is such a sense
of space in Vil Uyana it is like living in an upmarket rural village rather
than in a hotel. The restaurant was restful and airy, the staff could not
have been more conscientious and the wine cellar just about withstood the
severe demands of a group of English cricket writers. The gym looked good,
too – from a distance. |
-- DH - Leeds |
16 October, 2007: We were recommended
to Red Dot by a friend and it proved to be an excellent recommendation.
Ayanthi couldn;t have been more efficient and adaptable to our needs. Her
recommendations were spot on. We have been very lucky to have spent time
with Gune [driver]. Clearly an elder statesman of Red Dot Tours and Sri
Lanka. His knowledge, enthusiasm, advice, guidance and recommendations have
been hugely appreciated and have enriched our first experience of Sri lanka.
Not only was Gune very professional but he knew when to give us space but
at the same time encouraged us to see what Sri Lanka had to offer.
Kandy House: What a unique experience. Beautiful boutique
hotel and the level of service was first class. We didn't imagine it could
get much better than that... until we got to Tea Trails. |
-- KS - London |
| 5 October, 2007: Chandra [our driver]
made our holiday very special. His knowledge of history, religion, culture
and nature was so interesting. |It was very relaxing to travel with him.
He was kind enough to invite us to eat with his family which was really
nice. He valued our health, safety and comfort always. Thank-you for a lovely
holiday. |
-- JG - Lincs |
29 September, 2007: Could not fault
the service. Only a suggestion, that a confirmation email could be sent
a couple of weeks prior to departure saying that all is OK, especially as
no hotel vouchers are required. Wijekoon [driver] was not only a driver
but an excellent guide as well. His knowledge of the history, wildlife and
the customs helped make a perfect holiday.
Horothopala:
The friendly owner taking us on a bike ride to show us round the plantation
made for a good start to the holiday.
Kandy House: [Top marks] It would have been nice to have a door on the toilet.
Modern design brings a wholew new meaning to togetherness!
Tea
Trails: Could not have asked for anything better. Only glad they
did not do elevenses as well!
Boulder Gardens: Bade entrance road. We like walking but not to
the hotel. Part of the entrance was ankle-deep in water and very slippery.
The rest of the hotel is run down and does not resemble its publicity. We
would not recommend it.
Aditya: An excellent hotel,
well worth the cost. |
-- BV - Kent |
29 September, 2007: We stumbled upon
the Red Dot site by accident. Everything ran very smoothly. Excellent website
with plenty of information. We would highly recommend the company.Chandra
was a most courteous and helpful guide/driver. Nothing was too much trouble
and he communicated his good knowledge of the island very well. The car
was not the most comfortable from a back-seat passenger's point of view.
The Beach: was an excellent location from the airport.
If you like your hotel smart and modern this would be perfect for you. Very
high standards on our arrival. Rushed evening meal with average service
on our return.
Tree of Life: Hotel lacked atmosphere.
Very few staying out of season. Mozzies in great abundance here. We felt
the rooms needed ravamping. Gardens excellent.
Taru Villas:
A little paradise. Would thoroughly recommend. The only negative is that
there was no tea/coffee-making facility in room and no lunch menu.
Sigiriya Rock: was excellent I will never forget the train
journey through the tea plantations from Kandy to Nuwara Eliya. Should have
brought warmer clothing for the hill country. |
-- JD - Somerset |
25 September, 2007: Red Dot organised
the best holiday of my life. I cannot speak highly enough. Boniface [driver]
was brilliant throughout our stay. Helpful, punctual, a pleasure to be around,
made us totally at ease and improved our stay.
Fortress:
Fantastic hotel with superb staff.
Lavender House:
Beautiful, tranquil. Treated like royalty by politer and efficient staff. |
-- AB - London |
22 September, 2007: Suren was excellent
in putting together the itinerary and very quick to respond to any queries.
I wouldn't fail to recommend Suren or Red Dot Tours to anyone. We have so
many positive things to say about how wonderful Roy [driver] has been for
the past two weeks. He was not just a driver but a highly-skilled tour guide.
His driving skills were great. He had a friendly an unobtrusive manner and
was profesional throughout.
Soneva Gili, Maldives:
The most amazing hotel we have ever stayed in. The villas are huge with
all the luxuries and comforts you could need.
Heritence Kandalama: The pillows are really lumpy.
Kandy
House: Room was beautiful, as was the food, setting and service.
Wish we had stayed more than one night.
Norwood (Tea Trails): Outstanding. The service we received was the best
we have ever experienced. It really felt like our home and we totally relaxed.
Food wonderful. Small touches made our stay so memorable -- hot water bottles
at bedtime, `bed tea' in the morning.
Kalu's Hideaway:
Served its purpose. A great place for a basic stay close to Uda Walawe national
park but you couldn;t stay more than one night there. And they don't serve
beer. Galle Fort Hotel: The room was beautiful and the service and food
was lovely.
Fortress: The hotel was very modern
and high tech. Rooms really spacious and beds were huge and very comfy.
Lacks the charm that, say, Galle Fort and Kandy House have. |
-- NH - Twickenham |
20 September, 2007: As this was our
first trip to Sri Lanka we were basically relying on Red Dot. Possibly one
or two more more questions about our interests - eg wildlife, culture --
may have influenced our choice of hotels. We could not have had a better
or more well-informed driver than George [driver]. He made our tour a truly
memorable event.
Villa Talangama: An idyllic and
tranquil place to unwind and be pampered after a long flight.
Tea
Trails: Having arrived feeling unwell, the staff could not do enough
to help us feel relaxed, recover and rest. Impeccable service, gorgeous
location by the lake and magnificent scenery. Would have liked to have stayed
longer to experience more of the unique appeal of the hill country.
Uda Walawe Camping: Whilst the tent and the `facilities'
were slightly more basic than we had imagined, we still had a wonderful
night camping under the stars in the park.
Aditya: The
hotel was very modern in feel and the staff too attentive at times. As the
weather wasn't good there was little else to do.
Taru Villas:
Excellent, especially when compared to Aditya. Fewer, but discreet, staff.
Good beach if required. Although smaller room than Aditya, the hotel had
an atmosphere and overall feel which suited us perfectly. |
-- KS - Hants |
14 September, 2007: Ayanthi responded
very quickly to all our questions. Top marks! Ananda, our driver, was superb.
He added greatly to the enjoyment of our holiday and his knowledge made
our trips more interesting. His English was very good and he listened to
what we wanted. He was punctual, courteous and cared about our safety. That
was never more evident than when he spent one hour trying to contact us
during a tsunami warning.
Hideaway: Was a good
start to our honeymoon. We were made to feel very special. In hindsifght,
the food was expensive and it would have been better had the charges been
up front.
Vil Uyana: Was fantastic. The villa
was superb. Even though I had a fall here and damaged my leg, the way it
was dealt with did not diminish our stay here.
Beach Hut:
Fell below our expectations. Proximity to the road made it difficult to
sleep at night and the staff were poor. We were not greeted on arrival by
the manager -- he weas one-and-a-half hours late for his appointment the
newxt day -- and the staff spoke very poor English. The concept of paying
up front for food was a scam. We did not enjoy our stay here as we felt
we could not relax properly. |
-- DF - Northants |
29 August, 2007: Ervin [driver] really
went out of his way to understand the family needs. We would like to commend
him for his courtesy, knowledge and attention to detail.
The
Beach: was our introduction to Sri Lanka as we recovered from jet
lag - a fantastic hotel.
The Mudhouse: Kumar and
the team were very attentive and adapted ther food to suit our family but
the area lacks activities for teenagers.
Vil Uyana:
Brilliant in all respects. Laundry charges ridiculously high.
Norwood:
Extraordinary. Laundy done for free. Exquisite food. Fantastic service.
Beware leeches -- wear socks when playing croquet!
Galapita: We were greeted with apathy. Indifferent hosts. No privacy. Left
in disgust.
Rockside Cabanas: These cabanas do
not work in heavy rain. The interiors of the cabanas were damp and the roaring
of the ocean was not gentle. The venue would be great for couples but not
families.
Thambapanni Retreat: Unawatuna is a much better family location. Good eating
places and proximity to Galle. Good accommodation, lovely location, friendly
staff. |
-- VK - Coventry |
28 August, 2007: Suren was very responsive
and sensitive to our requests Mr Cyril [driver] was very welcoming and talkative.
Told us stories the whole journey 6/6. Sena [driver] was great at spotting
weildlife and patient when we got up late.
Eden Hotel:
Had a lovely atmosphere in the evening. The silent check-in was unnerving.
Chaaya Village: Lovely setting. Loved [the lake] at
sunset.
St Andrew's Hotel: Loved the feel of the hotel and the original dining room
and billards room but the bathroom needs updating.
Rainforest Edge: Fantastic experience. Needs improvements to access road. |
-- CR - Cambridge |
26 August, 2007: There was a mix-up
with producing the schedule and pricing thre holiday which may not have
been entirely [the consultant's] fault.
Kandy House:
Disappointed compared to information provided. Room was dark with no a/c.
Tea Factory: The road to the Tea Factory was much
better than I had been led to believe. Room was cold.
Yala
game park: Evening drives are better for birds. |
-- CH - Surrey |
| 21 August, 2007: Ayanthi was extremely
efficient and helpful. Her responses to our queries were swift and she ensured
that any changes to our itinerary were made without any problem. We were
most impressed with evbery aspect of our booking. Everything worked like
clockwork. We would recommend Red Dot to anyone. Dushan [driver] was delightful
- knowledgeable, polite, funny and extremely helpful. He went out of his
way in Nuwara Eliya to find the school that my siblings had attended in
the 1950s. Nothing was too much trouble for him. |
-- IC - Cheshire |
| 20 August, 2007: Very pleased with the
efficiency since I managed to arrange this 4-5 weeks prior to departure.
We would highly recommend Red Dot and our driver, Dilan. |
-- JT - Bournemouth |
19 August, 2007: Ayanthi was very courteous,
informative and helpful. Great personal touch. Fantastic flexibility in
constructing itineraries. Bubsy Dirkez [driver] was excellent on nature
and great with the children. He is a safe driver and a great ambassador
for Sri Lanka. I think he gets it right -- not seeking to rip-off tourists
but genuinely encouraging us to support local people who depend on tourism.
Cinnamon Lodge: Brilliant food, rooms, service, pools,
location. I cannot fault this fantastic accommodation.
Tea
Factory: 5-star service, location and food. 2-star rooms. Desperately
need a makeover.
Eva Lanka: Felt like Marie Celeste.
It was empty apart from a few German Ayurvedics but it was delightful for
us. The beach is not great for swimming but the local seashell tout took
us to a nearby beach which was excellent.
Yala Village: The evening game drive was spoiled by
the number of jeeps. The early morning one (we opted for an extra one)
was great. Can I suggest that you publish estimated driving times in your
itineraries. We would have been less ambitious in our itineraries with
children.
Red Dot Note:
Please see http://reddottours.com/InternalTransport/DrivingTimes.php |
-- DJ - Devon |
14 August, 2007: A great holiday, many
thanks.Ayanthi was helpful and very patient. It was great communicating
by email and she did all she could to accommodate my numerous requests.
Initially I was apprehensive about having a driver but Roy made our holiday.
We really enjoyed his company and at times did much laughing. We cannot
find any fault with his service. Because of Roy we will come back to Sri
Lanka and Red Dot.
Cinnamon Lodge: Lovely place
-- rooms and attention to detail was great -- but food was buffet style
and same for lunch as dinner.
Kandy House: An oasis; unforgettable experience. Will definitely return.
Mixed views on food.
Hill Club: An indescribable
experience -- back 50 years! Excellent value for money and impeccable service.
The golf course was a treat -- profesional coaching for less than GBP£5. |
-- DW - Worcester |
| November 6, 2006: The holiday at Garden
Beach in Kosgoda was wonderful. The staff at the hotel were waiting for
our very early arrival, what a lovely surprise to have a flower garland
put around our neck at 5.30am. The suite at the hotel was perfect with nicely
appointed rooms with 4-poster bed and a superb bathroom, plus that view
out to sea off the balcony. The suite was kept spotlessly clean, and worth
a mention was the lovely gesture of decorating the bed with flowers every
day. The standard of catering was very high probably the highest that we
have experienced in a hotel. The staff at the hotel without exception were
polite, friendly, and would do anything for us. On our 40th Wedding Anniversary
day, the evening dinner was special with us eating out under the stars on
the lawn. The hotel provided an anniversary cake and the staff came to the
table and sang to us. Wonderful. We then all danced on the lawn. |
-- RD - Halesowen |
| September 18, 2007: Your recommendation
of the Elephant Reach was wonderful. For the six of us (two adults, four
kids) they gave us two inter-connecting chalets which was ideal. The pool
was lovely, and the staff were exceptional. Three nights there with all
our meals (including packed breakfasts on two mornings) came to £370
– not cheap but it was an outstanding place and we reckoned it was
worth every penny. The only snag we had was that, like most Sri Lankan hotels,
dinner wasn’t served until 7.30, which is very late when you have
a five-year old who was up at dawn to go on a game drive. But then, she
was by a large margin the youngest child in the place, and she was alright.
I would recommend anyone else travelling to Yala to stay there: comfy beds,
hot showers, and lovely people. |
-- BK - Essex |
24 August, 2007: We cannot speak too
highly of Chandra [our driver and guide], who answered all our questions
with courtesy and detail. We were able to set the pace for our holiday and
at no time did Chandra ever try to push us in the direction of "retail
outlets."
Kandalama: Fabulous location,
impeccable service, breathtaking pool with monkeys and bats as a bonus.
Kandy House: The Kandy House is beautiful,
so restful and comfortable with beautiful gardens and a pool. The only drawback
was the lack of a/c in the room. The food was fantastic and Ashleigh was
a wonderful hostess.
Castlereagh: Four
meals a day in unashamed luxury, with beautifully-landscaped gardens, a
superb vista, attentive staff and wonderful food – who could ask for
more?
Kulu Safaris: Eating lunch, sitting
in the middle of a river, watching hornbills and kingfishers flying overhead
and small fish nibbling our toes will remain in our memories for a long
time.
Yala Village: More a 3-star hotel,
than 4 or 5, but the leopards were 5-star!
Galle Fort
Hotel: Sitting on the verandah with a house cocktail watching
the world go by is the stuff of memories. Karl and Chris are impeccable
hosts who have created a friendly, relaxing haven of peace. The food is
just fantastic. One of the highlights of our stay.
Taru Villas: For tranquil luxury this place cannot be beaten.
Park Street Hotel: An oasis of peace amidst
the hustle and bustle of Colombo. Thank-you for suggesting it. |
-- JE – Bishop Auckland |
16 August 2007:
Ice
Bear: A charming, relaxing, slightly potty place, perfect
to start or end a trip. Staff friendly, relaxing. They will provide a very
good packed breakfast if you leave early.
Palm Garden
Village: Beautifully landscaped, great pool. Staff very attentive,
rooms spacious.
Sharon Inn: Good location,
really helpful hosts. Clean. Good value.
Glendower:
Dark! Stuck in some imaginary colonial past. The packed breakfast was a
joke – a couple of sandwiches and a banana.
Ambiente:
Couldn’t ask for a better location, overlooking Ella
Gap. At night the sky was a revelation. Rooms have a great view but not
luxurious.
Yala Village: The road to
Yala Village is a nightmare of pot holes but the place itself is excellent.
The wildlife is all around. A great place to stay.
Thambapanni:
Probably one of the better places in Unawatuna. On oases of peace away from
the beach. The higher rooms are brighter. |
-- HF - Leicester |
| 10 August 2007: I was very happy with
Red Dot from Day 1 with very knowledgeable agents in Colombo and speedy
responses. However, closer to departure, just one phone call to confirm
everything was OK would have been [welcome], especially as I received no
invoice for the balance payment. A readily contactable agent in the UK should
be a Red Dot priority.
Red Dot should really value Gune [driver] as an employer/consultant who
really gives your company the high reputation it has. Have learned so
much about rhe culture, history, socio-economic structure, food and drink
and religions. Gune is kind, friendly, honest, smiley, funny and has very
good interpersonal skills, knowing when we needed time alone and never
in `our space.’ This is important, especially for honeymooners.
We would not have had the same rewarding experience without him.
Aditya: Fantastic hotel, service and food excellent.
A great place to relax.
Yala Village: Shower was cold at 7.30am.
Castlereagh: The bungalow and staff were amazing. Every
need taken care off and we wish we could have stayed longer. The best
hotel we have ever stayed in.
Kandalama: Wonderful setting, great pool and
food for a buffet-style was very good. The only large hotel we stayed
in and better than expected.
|
-- JP – London |
29 July 2007: I have been delighted
using RDT when planning the tour. Rapid email communication made it easy.
I felt a concern from the consultants [Christina and then Dirk] who were
eager to help. However I felt the standard of hotels was more varying than
I had expected.
Hasantha [driver] has added great value to the tour. He has been friendly
and helpful, has great knowledge and a great network. That he has an eye
for the comical was a bonus.
Ice Bear:
A funky and nice place. Ok for preparing for the tour, but I doubt if people
would want to stay here for more than a few days.
Palm
Garden: A wonderful and well-kept garden but a few km from
Anaradhapura.
Royal Lotus: Could become
a 5-star with a little brish-up.
Hotel Suisse: For the family to stay in an environment of
the times of yesterday was an exciting experience.
Glendower:
It seems that maintanence is not known in this place. It was also unexpected
that everything in the dining room was served from the Chinese kitchen.
Yala Village Hotel: This place is something
very special. The location in the jungle has given the family wonderful
experiences.
Eva Lanka: Wonderful gardens
and tastefully-designed common rooms. Rooms are simple and beds awfully
hard.
Garden Beach Hotel: Wonderfully
located, most pleasant and restful, quite opposite to Hikkaduwa. Nice restaurant
and garden and friendly, helpful service. Helping to release the baby turtles
at night was a fantastic experience. A standard and a servicxe according
to my wishes. |
-- JK - Denmark |
19 July 2007: I was very happy with
the levels of service Red Dot provided. When we did have a problem with
our hotel – at Bentota Beach – it was sorted out very quickly.
Bentota Beach Hotel: I was very disappointed and only
stayed one night as a result. Accommodation was very dated and restaurant
was like a school canteen with food to match. We found the staff quite rude,
unlike everywhere else where people couldn’t do enough for us.
Eden Hotel: Very impressed with all aspects of the
hotel. |
-- JB – Kent |
11 July 2007: Thank-you for our best-ever
holiday – our high points were the country and its diversity, the
people who were so friendly and welcoming, the wildlife and Ervin, who was
not only an interesting, good-humoured driver and guide, but who became
a friend. The Red Dot experience was supurb from beginning to end. We will
certainly be telling others and hope to come again.
Club
Bentota: The room was cold and damp and had a smell of stale
tobacco due to faulty a/c which was reported but no action was taken. On
our arrival the receptionist was surly and hostile and when we complained
dismissive. |
-- JF - Middlesbrough |
9 July 2007: Thank-you to Suren for
helping to create a fantastic honeymoon for us. Some advice about how much
to tip the airport porters would have been useful, not easy when the airport
ATM dispenses 1,000Rs notes.
Aditya: Amazing,
but wasn’t fully expecting the long transfer after the flight. The
roads came as a surprise. Excellent hotel, staff and service.
Norwood Tea Trails: Wow! What an amazing place to stay. Exceeded
expectations. Tea Trails walks were a great way to burn off all the great
food.
Villa Rosa: Great views, food Ok
but let down by absence of a menu which did not allow a great deal of choice. |
-- GS - Swindon |
| 25 June 2007: Dirk’s handling
of the booking was excellent and both drivers were friendly and informative. |
-- PJ- Surrey |
24 May 2007: Ceylon Tea Trails: We found
the activities [arranged by Tea Trails] a little overpriced. We ended up
paying Rs9,000 for one hour of whitewater rafting when Wije [our driver]
could have taken us somewhere for much less.
Aditya:
They think that their food is a lot better than it really
is but apart from that we had a lovely stay.
The Beach:
Fine for one night before flying home, but not for longer. Package holiday
hell! Sorry! |
-- JB - London |
| 1 May 2007: We are normally independent
travellers so having a driver / guide is a new experience for us. Mr Irwin
immediately put us at ease with his professionalism, attention to safety,
wealth of knowledge and famous Sri Lankan hospitality. |
-- LL – Canada |
25 April 2007: Dulshan [our driver]
has been a terrific help throughout our stay. I will recommend Red Dot because
of him!
The Beach, Negombo: Enjoyed our
stay. Girls in the kids’ club were particularly helpful.
Mahaweli Reach: Generator noise woke us up. Complained
and they sent a guy to fix the a.c, waking us up half an hour later. They
have got to sort their electrics out. |
-- AK – London |
21 April 2007: Excellent booking support
and scenarios but [the difference between adjoining and interconnecting
hotels should be clearer for families with children] Mr Suranath was an
excellent driver and guide. His knowledge of Sri Lanka customs, religions,
culture, flora and fauna gave us a very rewarding visit.
Cinnamom
Lodge: Fantastic hotel. The pictures on the website do it
no justice. The setting and grounds are pretty unique.
Hunas
Falls: Again, what a setting! The hotel is a bit tired but
the staff cover it up with first-class service.
Ambiente:
We treated it as a stopover hotel. Would not recommend for more than one
night for families but what a view!
Elephant Reach: A new hotel where the team are still getting
into the swing of things but whatever was wrong was fixed promptly and with
a smile.
Wunderbar: Mixed bag. Excellent
set-menu dinner. Room and balcony nice – but no Tv, minibar or safe.
A very good beach bar restaurant with rooms.
Ceylon Continental: Lovely pool area and staff. |
-- LU - Doha |
20 April 2007: Herman [driver] was very
punctual with good suggestions for day trips and great knowledge of Sri
Lankan birds.
Lighthouse: Lovely food
and great beach location.
Heritance:
Beautiful setting and room. Lovely food. Wine menu needs more detail.
Mount Lavinia Hotel: Proximity to the train
line is a drawback, otherwise lovely positioning and colonial charm. |
-- VH - Middlesex |
11 April 2007: Dirk was especially quick
to respond. Outstanding efficiency. It was possible to give Gune [driver]
7 out of 6, I would give it. He is a credit to your company.
Glendower:
This hotel does the best Chinese food we have ever tasted. |
-- GR – Saudi Arabia |
10 April 2007: Nalin [driver] is an
asset to your company. Always willing to advise us. He has gone over and
beyond the call of duty.
Amaya Hills:
Nice rooms, new and clean, with fantastic food. Very upset with the waiter’s
behaviour but the manager did sort her out.
Taj Exotica:
Disappointed with the Taj. Were expecting 5* service and got 4* service.
The suite rooms were dated, damp and smelly. The manager agreed the rooms
needed updating. Fantastic service from the restaurant manager.
Lighthouse: What an amazing hotel. One of the
best I have stayed in. The service was as good as the Ritz Carlton.
Privilege: Very disappointed. The facilities
were very poor. The beach is dirty. Nothing to do at the hotel. Not worth
the money they charged.
Cinnamon Grand: Top-class
hotels. Nice rooms. Quality service. |
-- NA - Leeds |
| 7 April 2007: Mr Silva [driver] is a
great ambassador for your country and company. A charming gentleman. |
-- AJ - Dubai |
21 April, 2007: We had a great holiday
and we were delighted with all the arrangements. Chrisantha, our driver,
went out of his way to be helpful. he was happy to answer all opur questions,
but he also understood when we wanteds to be quiet. Our children felt car
sick several times because of the winding roads and he made every effort
to drive smoothly. He was also extremely tolerant when one of them was sick
in the car. All the hotels tried hard to make food for the children and
made us all feel welcome.
Horothopola was a delightful place. A ride on a bullock cart was unexpected
and much enjoyed. The Sri Lanka curry dinner was the best meal of the holiday
and there were lots of other good ones.
Mahaweli Reach:
When we arrived we were shown to rooms that smelt so bad they made you choke.
They were extremely musty and obviousaly had not been opened for weeks.
Everything had the feel of mass catering.
Tea Trails: Brilliant in every way. |
-- CC - Richmond |
20 April, 2007: Ayanthi responded quickly
to emails and provided a personal service. The air taxi from Galle was a
great experience. Ananda was a informative and excellent driver, knowledgeable
about wildlife.
Park Street had excellent service and was very comfortable. Definitely recommended.
Castlereagh (Tea Trails): Superb service and wonderfully relaxing,
although the guided walk was a disappointment as the guide was obviously
in a hurry and didn;t want to walk slowly. definitely highly recommended.
Thambapanni: I was disappointed, although the concept should
work. I would only recommend the top Tower Suite -- we eventually paid for
an upgrade to test it and it had superb views. The ayurvedic massage centre
was very primitive.
Apa Villas: Excellent food and service
and beautiful position. Perfect for relaxing. |
-- MP - Surrey |
April 16, 2007: Erwin was very helpful
and polite. Driving in Sri Lanka is something else and should only be attempted
by the natives.
Club Villa: After 29 years of marraige,
this was like a second honeymoon. Wonderful laid-back atmosphere yet attention
to small details and comfort - superb. Towels could be updated but that's
only a small quibble
The elephant safari was disappointing -- hardly through the jungle, but
along a main road and a painfully slow half-mile through a swamp and back. |
-- TC - Oxfordshire |
14 April, 2007:
Thambapanni:
Excellent. We loved this original, quaint hotel.
Centauria:
We left our camera and phone charger there. They stored it safely. |
-- JP - Essex |
11 April, 2007: A fantastic experience.
Thank-you to Red Dot for putting this tour together at such short notice.
I would highly recommend Red Dot Tours. Ayanthi was fantastic at putting
the tour package together at such short notice. Sunil [driver] was extremely
professional. He was very polite and helpful and I always had trust in him.
Ice Bear: A pleasant, relaxing stay. A homely atmosphere,
I loved the attention to detail and the personal effects in the room. Brilliant
location. I would recommend this -- it has a charm of its own. Thank-you.
Chaaya Village: On my last night the staff came and decorated
my bed with petals and a 'good luck' message which was a great gesture.
Overall, a really wonderful stay, but personally it was too big a hotel
for me.
Sharon Inn: Very homely and personal -- I would
recommend it.
Ambiente: Location fantastic, but I felt
the room was a little basic.
Tabrobane: Disappointed.
They kindly let me move into Thambapanni, a sister hotel, up the road.
Thambapanni: Peaceful, relaxing, service excellent, and worth
paying the extra. The room had a balcony that I could sit out on and a hammock.
Real character. |
-- LM - Wirral |
10 April, 2007: Wijay [our driver] was
a true gentleman, very knowledgeable, friendly and totally honest, courteous
and professional. He was a star.
Kandalama: Paradise.
What more can we say?
Eden: Friendly staff, good location,
great pool, very clean 4*. |
-- NW - Leeds |
7 April, 2007: The driver is the human
face of the company and Gunawardana was excellent, courteous and informative.
A major asset to the company. Look after him!
Elephant Hotel:
The hotel desperately needs an experienced chef and a better menu. Fantastic
hotel - all 5-star, including the dining room, but the food was the worst
of the trip.
Kandy House: Location should be highlighted:
a long way to the centre of Kandy.
Norwood (Tea Trails): Outstanding in every way. An absolute delight.
Such a contrast in catering to Elephant Corridor.
Fortress:
A fantastic hotel. Check-in was a bit haphazard and it took 12 hours to
sort out all the bits but the place made up for it. |
-- KR - Sheffield |
7 April, 2007: We were very happy with
Delan [driver] and couldn't have askeds for anyone better.
Horothopola:
A great hotel, of all the boutique hotels they had the best food, the only
problem being its location at the end of a loing, poorly made road.
Kandy House: A truly beautiful place. They made us a home
away from home.
Taru Villas: Its location across the Indian
Ocean was unsurapassed. |
-- BH - Leeds |
| April 2, 2007: The booking procedures
and communications with Red Dot were excellent. Our driver Roy was fantastic,
a fount of knowledge, expert driver and good fun to be with. Deer Park Hotel
was top class, attentive and friendly staff, superb accommodation and facilities
and good food. Villa Rosa was idyllic in every way, the accommodation, situation,
staff and food absolutely perfect.. Kelburne Mountain View was a totally
different experience. Our own house boy. Vijay was fantastic, a fellow cricket
fan, and the views from the terrace were out of this world. Stanley, the
cook, was on his own but looked after us well and the surrounding area was
fascinating. Claughton House: Had an unbelievable situation and was a wonderful
spot to chill out for a few days. There was a slight communication problem
with some staff regarding meals but otherwise it was brilliant. Taru Villas:
Attentive staff and great accommodation but rather expensive. Galle Face:
A blast from the past with good food and helpful staff. |
-- DM - Cheshire |
1 April, 2007: Cyril [our driver] was
outstanding, with useful local contacts. He suggested some sensible amendments
to our itinerary which made better use of the time available. He was also
punctual and immaculately turned out.
Cinnamon Lodge:
Fantastic - lovely room, lovely food and excellent personal service. A great
choice for our honeymoon.
Mahaweli Reach: The room was
very shabby with broken lights, nowhere near the standard expected of a
5-star hotel. There were mosquitos everywhere and only ten sunbeds for the
entire hotel.
The Tea Factory: A lovely hotel in a beautiful
location. The rooms are a little basic and tired but overall this did nothing
to detract from our very enjoyable stay.
Mirihi, Maldives:
Outstanding: the perfect way to finish our honeymoon, every bit a 5-star
resort. |
-- CG - Harpenden |
31 March 2007: Ayanthi was courteous,
efficient and a joy to deal with.
Ananda was a wonderful driver and ambassador for Sri Lanka and your company.
His knowledge of wildlife was exemplary. Other Uk travellers were keen to
use Red Dot in future, based on our experience.
Martin's Lodge:
Basic but a wonderful experience. Martin was knowledgeable and made us feel
part of the family. The rainforest guide was good, although he did try to
avoid the second (booked) walking tour!
Centauria Hotel:
The management were more interested in selling us alcohol than giving us
service. Single glasses of wine were discouraged as "only Australian."
We know Australian wine - this was not! It was undrinkable and smelt off.
The manager told us he had warned us not to drink it. The wine waiter told
us that he had informed the manager it was undrinkable before serving it
but he had been tolds to give it to us. No alternative or refund offered.
Yala Village: Wonderful place to stay. |
-- PW - Sussex |
| 31 March, 2007: Seelan [driver] is a
wealth of information and has a passion for Sri lanka which made our trip
so much more enjoyable and taught us a lot about Sri Lanka culture and heritage.
He is a fantastic ambassador. Don't let him go! |
-- MD - Middlesex |
30 March, 2007: Roy [driver} was a major
factor in making our holiday so memorable. He provided valuable information
and was always cheerful and thoughtful.
Claughton House:
Amazing location, but language difficulties with some staff which mader
ordering food impossible if they were on duty. |
-- DM - Stockport |
| March 29, 2007: Dickwella Beach
Resort: Nice enough resort, although we were the youngest people there
by 25 years. |
-- MD - London |
28 March, 2007: A pleasure to have personal
contact in these days of automated responses. Ervin drove impeccably. A
good driver/guide doubles the amount you get out of a holiday. The 4x4 was
a good investment in the hill country.
Villa Rosa: The
cooking lesson by the chef, Nuwanchan, is well worth while if you seriously
want to attack Sri Lankan curries.
Ravana Heights: Excellent
Thai food cooked by owner's wife. Owner is very bright, but talkative and
not 100 per cent tuned into the hotel industry. Basically a Thai food restaurant
with three rooms. Set-up potentially very good. The day trip to Lipton's
Seat on a cloudless day was outstanding, as was lunch at the peerless location
of Kelbourne Cottages.
Club Villa: Excellent all-round. |
-- RL - Oxfordshire |
25 March, 2007: Boniface was a very
professional driver. We consider ourselves very lucky to have him.
Kandalama: The staff were the friendliest I have ever met in a
hotel. Genuinely interested and proud of their hotel. |
-- LB - Kingston |
25 March, 2007: The efficient, easy-to-use
website was one of the first reasons to go with Red Dot, as well as the
fact that you covered all aspects of a holiday. We have never had a more
pleasant and helpful driver than Sunil. His driving was excellent and his
local knowledge added greatly to the enjoyment of our trip. There were many
lovely birds and butterflies in Sinharajah and a leopard and fantastic birds
in Yala.
Martins Lodge: Delivered on all fronts. Only
downside was very bumpy access road. I was impressed that Red Dot's local
knowledge provided jeep transport for a track we thought was driveable by
car.
Ice Bear: Wonderful room, full of character, but
mosquitoes were very abundant.
Garden Beach: A lovely
hotel with turtle laying in the evening. |
-- GH - Cradley |
| 24 March, 2007: Ajantha [our driver]
was charming and helpful and did everything he could to ensure we enjoyed
our holiday as much as possible. he was knowledgeable and full of interesting
suggestions of things to see and do. |
-- AW - Surrey |
March 24, 2007: We were very impressed
and we will be recommending Red Dot to others. Herman [our driver] really
did go out of his way to introduce us to many new experiences whilst always
checking we were happy with arrangements. One particular example was when
herman saw to it that my birthday celebrations at Pasitissade included a
BBQ on the beach, bonfite, table set for two, champagne, birtthday cake
and everything that had considered necessary for the occasion. Truly memorable!
Ice Bear: Great food and ambience.
Galapita:
Thank-you for the upgrade to the individual "house." This really
was out of this world and we felt extremely relaxed.
Colombo
House: Room not properly cleaned, smelled of damp and lacked waste
bin and curtains. That said both ceiling fan and a/c worked well. Fabulous
building, ripe for renovation.
Sigiriya: Unbelievable.
Polonnuruwa: Lovely tro cycle around the ruins, such a surprisingly
large site. |
-- AJ - London |
19 March, 2007: Ayanthi was very helpful
and flexible and was happy for us to book as much or as little as we wanted
with no pressure. Also no pressure to book more expensive hotels, willing
to offer cheaper alternatives. Chandra was an excellent driver. He was always
on time and we always felt safe. He was a real gentleman and very discreet.
His knowledge of the local areas was excellent.
Villa Rosa:
Room was expensive for what it was. Clearly we were paying for the view
and ther fact there are only six rooms, both of which are delightful features.
Norwood (Tea Trails): Absolutely superb and we had the bungalow
to ourselves.
Palm Paradise Cabanas: Great location. Food
was much better than expected. |
-- SS - London |
March 18, 2007: We did not know anything
about Horton Plains and thought on the itinerary it referred to something
in Kerala.
Suisse Hotel: This hotel should have everything
going for it -- it potentially has a superb ambience due to its heritage
-- but the only aspect that was fine as far as we were concerned was the
bar and a friendly and attentive barman. the food was not good quality and
I sent my dinner starter back due to an insect crawling out of it - no-one
saw fit to apologise. Thew room was comfortable but the absence of side
lights made it difficult on read at night. We did not get the wake-up call
we had ordered. We would not return to Hotel Suisse other than to have a
drink in the bar.
Hill Club: Service was excellent: old-fashioned
attention that you don;t often get these days.
Mount Lavinia
Hotel: Restaurant service not good - had to wait forever for drinks.
Edessay East End Hotel, Mannar: reminded us of a seedy American hotel. We
didn't use the shower in our room -- it was filthy. Mannar itself has nothing
going for it -- it is the drive from Cochin that is a great experience.
Cardamon County, Thekaddy: We ate a la carte for dinner on
two nightsd but they refused to offset any of the costs against the included
buffet dinner - their argument was that the buffet was the set dinner. Two
problems: firstly, we weren;lt told and, secondly, The buffet was entirely
curries and there is a limit to the number of curries that the average British
stomach can take!
Coco Bay Resort, Kumarakun: Great location,
good accommodation and some good food. But two problems: half the items
on the menu were not available and we were overcharged on our bill. They
gave in eventually.
Brunton Boatyard: Everything a good
hotel should be. |
-- KC - London |
10 March, 2007: The website is fantastic
-- very informative. All employees we spoke to were also extremely helpful.
Ananda [driver] has been one of the highlights of our trip -- so helpful,
considerate, kind and generous.
Galapita: We had a difficult
first few hours at Galapita. Our room was very basic,. not what we had imagined.
But we were moved to the villa which was fantastic.
Castlereagh
(Tea Trails): Absolutely loved every single minute. The only difficulty
was when one of the butlers was aggressive to Ananda and would not let him
in.
Galle Face Regency: Fine, but very slow service in
their fine-ding restaurant which is also overpriced. |
-- ET - London |
March 8, 2007: Christina was exceptionally
helpful in arranging a holiday at short notice. We cannot speak too highly
of Sunil [our driver] who ensured that we had a marvellous time. During
the first week, when I was on my own, he found all sorts of interesting
things to do.
Kandy House: What a pity a beautiful old
house has had a brutaliost concrete style imposed upon i -- in particular
the slippery bathroom floor with very uncomfortable concrete bath and the
bare concrete staircases with no handrail.
Park Street:
A great place to spend our last night. Designed to the highest international
standards with a huge bedroom and attentive staff. |
-- SP - Stoke |
| March 7, 2007: Sunil was very efficient,
friendly and an excellent driver. He was always concerend for our welfare. |
-- WC - Northants |
| March 6, 2007: What a fantastic holiday
my parents and I had travelling around Sri Lanka with our driver, Alan.
The whole trip was brilliantly organised, worked like clockwork, the hotels
were wonderful and Alan was a fantastic driver. Very polite, kind, helpful,
informative - he really did everything he could to make our trip comfortable,
safe and interesting. |
-- LF - Galle |
March 4 2007: Roy [our driver] has been
unfailingly helpful and made our holiday go smoothly. His commentary during
some quite lengthy journeys has been interesting and informative.
Chaaya Village: Caters more for groups than individuals. No meal
choices, only buffets.
Sharon Inn: Great one-night stopover.
Tientsen (Tea Trails): Amazing. Blissful indulgence and should be a must
for everyone.
Galapita: Complete contrast to Tea Trails
but equally amazing. This eco lodge offered a glimpse of the simple life. |
-- SM - Westbury |
March 2, 2007: I wrote a speculative
email and got a useful response from Suren. thereafter he was always, providing
answers to the most obvious questions as well as the more important concerns.
Boniface [driver] was a happy, smiling chap, always keen to point out interesting
flora and fauna which helped break up the long drives. His driving has been
extremely good -- and clearly compares well with other drivers mentioned
by visitors that we have met on our journey!
Ice Bear:
As described in the brochure: somewhat unique. The most welcoming and helpful
of all the guesthouses visited. However, we had not been allocated the villa
we expected and this took the gloss of our experience.
Sharon
Inn: More of a glorified youth hostel in atmosphere than a guesthouse.
Not great, but clkean, comfortable and functional.
Ambiente:
What a fantastic view -- a nice change after the hustle and bustle of Kandy.
The staff were great, the room was nice and the view from the balcony was
worth the journey alone.
Galapita: An exquisite location
for relaxation. Good fun swimming in the river. Food and drink pricing is
a complete mystery and as many meals are shared communication as to meal
timings could be better. |
-- TW - Uxbridge |
February 26, 2007:
Garden
Beach: Manager and staff extremely friendly. Lovely garden but limited
activities. Perfectly located for the Kosgoda turtle hatchery. Well worth
a stop here.
Apa Villas: Loved it. Beautifuil setting.
Enjoyed a mountain bike ride arranged by hotel.
Galapita:
Would have liked to have been told about available activities on arrival,
but otherwise very relaxing stay and would recommend it. Fabulous massage.
Helga's Folly: A truly unique hotel, very good food and excellent service.
The only downside is that the place is looking a little tired in places. |
-- LB - Guiseley |
| February 25, 2007: Chandra, our driver,
is highly recommended. He was very knowledgeable, courteous and helpful,
always on time and flexible. We would recommend that all cars have water
on pick-up. Just what you need after a long flight.
Sharon Inn: Basic, but just what we needed -- family service
and environment.
Tea Factory: Nice location and building. Food was average and
overpriced. Good walks.
Galapita: Amazing - loved it. Better than expected, food was
good too.
Taru Villas: Lovely little place. Service can be a little in
your face at times.
Ceylon Continental: Does the job if you don't mind 70s-style
decor. |
-- MM - Hong Kong |
February 25 2007: Red Dot had a great
selection [of accommodation]. I enjoyed the freedom to choose exactlyu where
I wanted to stay and visit.
Samantha [driver] was an excellent guide - very friendly, patient and informative.
We feel very sad to leave him.
Ice Bear: Full ofr character,
beautiful location and great atmosphere. Pity about the noisy party on the
beach on our last night.
Sharon Inn: We arrived after
a really busy and exciting day and were roundly told off for being late.
Hill Club: A step back in time -- great atmosphere.
Tea Factory: Beautiful views but it was up a terrible road, full
of potholes.
Yala Village: Brilliant place, we loved it. |
-- HT - Cambridge |
February 25 2007: Dulshan was an excellent
driver and extremely helpful and knowledgeable.
Amaya Lake:
Beautiful setting, excellent service. Buffet at dinner and breakfast - we
prefer to be served at the table but it is a minor quibble. |
-- AJ - Hampshire |
| February 24, 2007: The time difference
between UK and Sri lanka makes correspondence awkward. Otherwise great.
Sunil, our driver, showed us some great places not on the itinerary. He
has played a big part in making our stay truly amazing.
Chayya Village: Idyllic setting, beautiful pool, very nice room.
Very friendly and helpful staff. Good choice of food. However, after twice
finding a live caterpillar in the salad, we were told ``Yes, they live
there.'' As everything else was perfect, we found this very funny.
The Beach: We are so glad Christina recommended this hotel.
The room was huge and the pool and restaurant superb.
Sigiriya is unmissable -- the holiday highlight. It must rank as one
of my finest experiences on a holiday.
|
-- SG - London |
February 24 2007: Charlie and David
were very helpful. All very efficient. Would recommend to friends.
Kandalama: An excellent hotel in all respects.
Villa
Rosa: The beds had plastic undersheets which made then hot. My wife
had multiple bites.
Norwood (Tea Trails): This was a paradise.
Wish we had stayed longer. My wife had a back problem and the staff were
quick to arrange therapy.
Taru Villas: Good friendly service,
good food, beautiful ambience. |
-- JPW - Rutland |
February 23 2007: Havelock Bungalow:
Room was not up to standard of boutique hotel. for international travellers
seeking 5-star treatment.
Victoria Chalets: Perfect golf vacation.
Tallala Retreat:
Website descriubes a dream not yet a reality. Needs more work but very beautiuful
location and lots of possibility. |
-- CS - London |
February 23, 2007: Ananda, our driver,
helped to make our holiday all we had hoped for. Always cheerful and helpful
with suggestions.
Galle Face: The only hotel not to give
us a warm welcome. Staff not very friendly and very inefficient.
Shopping at Odels and Barefoot in Colombo was very good as was the shop
at Kandalama.
We will certainly recommend your office to friends. |
-- AW - London |
| February 16, 2007: The whole booking
process, speed of response, flexibility, give and take, and information
provided was quite exceptional. It was a pleasure dealing with Charlie (and
with David on admin) and I'm not an easy man to please! Ervin was a great
driver/guide. He exceeded expecations even though he came with a good recommendation.
Ervin is a delightful guy, with immaculate English and pretty knowledgeable,
even compared to dedicated guides we have had elsewhere. We never felt pressured
to visit anywhere -- especially shops. The 4WD was a delight. The trip would
not have been as enjoyable in a regular car. |
-- HB - Singapore |
| February 16, 2007: Punchi was an excellent
driver -- safe, courteous and informative. |
-- UA - Brighton |
15 February 2007: When on holiday it
is people that really make the difference between a good or great time.
Boniface [driver] did to make sure we had a great holiday. We did. Well
done Boniface!
Mount Lavinia Hotel: Very nice location,
staff pleasant, plumbing (toilets) needs attention.Java Moon: A very different
experience, run by a charming couple.
Castlereagh and Norwood (both Tea Trails): Amazing, relaxed environment.
Delightful people. Excellent concept. |
-- SD - Surrey |
February 14, 2007: Our thanks to the
Red Dot team for their enthusiasm. We had a fantastic holiday. Ayanthi was
very helpful and the tour was arranged quickly even though we booked --
and changed some items -- a few days before leaving. We found Rayen, our
driver, to be punctual, courteous and concerned for our welfare. He gave
good advice when asked and never recommended shops and restaurants without
being asked.
Ranweli Eco Lodge: A good location for a
restful first night. We would have liked to have had an evening or morning
bird tour.
Cinnamon Lodge: Wondereful to be surrounded
by wildlife, yet so close to cultural triangle attractions. Our room and
the grounds were immaculate.
Hunas Falls Hotel: Although
the hotel needs a little care and attention, this was outweighed by the
fantastic location. We couldn't want a better place for spotting birds and
butterflies. The naturalist here is excellent.
Kelbourne Cottages:
Although the rooms are not hotel standard, the fact we had a whole cottage
to stay in made that insignificant. Tranquil, relaxing and a treat to stay
there. The room boy service was second to none. Best cup of tea in Sri Lanka.
We recommend the trip from Kelbourne Cottages to Addisham Monastery. |
-- PS - Nottingham |
February 14, 2007: Red Dot is the best
tour operator we have ever used. Roy, our driver, was a very courteous and
helpful man and knows Sri Lanka like the back of his hand.
Kandalama:
A beautiful, enchanting environment.
Norwood: It could warrant a two-week stay there alone. But the excursion
to Horton plains from Norwood is ill-advised.
RainForest Edge:
The pool area could do with some sun beds as all that exist at the moment
are fold-away camping chairs. |
-- OB - London |
February 12, 2007: This honeymoon trip
has been even greater than we imagined. Ayanthi did an excellent job, understanding
where we wanted. Friendly and didn't "try to sell."
Sunil was the best driver we could think of, and a very knowledgeable guide
as well who told us as much as we wanted. We felt very safe with him.
Kandy House: A lovely hotel, right in the jungle.
Norwood (Tea Trails) Wow! A 360 degree view, on a plateau, overlooking
mountains and the tea estates. Honeymoon dinner. The butler was excellent
- friendly, sensitive and informative. Lovely, long pool and beautiful gardens.
Uda Walawe Camping Safari: To come so close to wild elephants, buffalo,
monkeys and birds was amazing. The campsite was excellent and the guide,
Jahavene, was knowledgeable, humorous and accommodating.
Kahinda
Kanda: Exciting local and contemporary architecture. So beautiful,
on an elevated hill. Wonderful pool.
Galle Fort Hotel:
A remarkable restoration, great design and atmosphere. Karl, the owner,
was very humorous and helpful. Service was a bit slow.
The climb up Adam's Peak was very strenuous and descent even more difficult. |
-- MT - Woking |
February 10, 2007: Mount Lavinia House:
Convenient for my business in Colombo, but the trains come close enough
to the house to feel the vibrations. Max the Rottweiler is very friendly,
but non- dog lovers should be aware that he has free run of the house.
Tea Trails (Castlereagh): Heavenly. |
-- JA - Gloucs |
February 9, 2007: I have never enjoyed
booking a holiday so much. Charlie's patience and advice was endless. SriLankan
business class had wonderful service and food. Muthu gave us a great adventure.
He gave us a good insight into the country.
Horothopola:
Above expectation. It was a superb suggestion by Charlie to have the first
two nights here. The bullock-cart ride was particularly memorable.
Kandy House: Again, above expectation. A wonderful retreat from
the hustle and bustle of Kandy.
Kelbourne Cottages: Any
minor criticism, such as the access road only being suitable for 4x4s, were
easily outweighed by the location and ambience of the place. Our houseboy,
Ravi, was outstanding.
Yala Village: The only hotel we have stayed at in the world where ther
minibar was locked the night before out departure -- ridiculous! Otherwise,
great location and food experience.
Talalla Retreat: So
laid back, and we felt like one of the family by the time we had left. |
-- PS - Northants |
February 5, 2007: We have just
returned from a three-week tour with Red Dot to Sri Lanka and the Maldives.
The organisation and attention to detail has been excellent and our guide
Ervin was again first class, taking us to all the special places on and
off the tourist route. We were also very privileged to be invited to a family
meal with Ervin. The diversity of the island is beyond belief from elephants,
turtles , tea plantations, jungle, fishing it goes on and on. An absolute
must is the Turtle Protection Project in Bentota. Take a tour and see the
turtles and then come back at sunset and release the baby hatched turtles
back into the ocean, a very special experience. The Red Dot team must be
complimented on providing such knowledgeable guides and being able to provide
the tour bespoke to the individuals' requirements. Final relaxation in the
Maldives can only be described as the added bonus, clear sky, unbroken sunshine,
clear water, need I say more. Thanks again for a wonderful experience we
will be back next year. |
-- CB - Southampton |
January 31, 2007: Really appreciated
flexibility to mix-and-match between Red Dot bookings and our own independent
bookings, and excursions to our project sites.
Dickwella Resort:
Stunning location, but just something missing – a lack of attention
to detail. |
-- RK - Colombo |
| January 29, 2007: All accommodation
was accurately described. I have no complaints. |
-- PC – London |
| January 26, 2007: Thank you so much
for the lovely presents. They will be a wonderful reminder of a wonderful
holiday. We loved Sri Lanka and all the people we met, and were very well
looked after by Mr. Cyril. I don't know when, but we would love to return.
Thank you for arranging such an enjoyable holiday. |
-- PM - Beds |
| January 25, 2007: A big thank-you to
everyone at Red Dot for helping to make our wedding in Sri Lanka and honeymoon
in Kerala a truly fantastic experience. Everything went to plan and we appreciate
your assistance and advice. Christina and Dirk were always very quick to
respond and helped make the organisation of our trip very easy. Thank you
for always replying to my many thousands of emails in a speedy and professional
manner. We were very touched to receive the gifts upon our arrival in Colombo
on Christmas day. This was a very thoughtful gesture and we were very grateful.
Also, many thanks for the beautiful flowers that you sent us on our wedding
day at Ranweli. This was a wonderful touch and we were, again, very grateful.
A very big thank-you to Ervin, our fantastic driver, who is a real asset
to Red Dot. We found Ervin to be the perfect driver and guide who |
