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April 01, 2013 :
The Wallawwa, Kotugoda: First class choice for easy access to the airport.
Jetwing Vil Uyana, Sigiriya: Dangerous multi-level room, food disgusting and pretentious.
Warwick Gardens, Ambewela: Highlight of the holiday – a gem!
Master Campers, Wildlife Parks: Not luxury camping! No hot water, poor lighting, no fan. Overall a fun experience.
Chaaya Wild, Yala: Lots of large tour groups. Poor service from management.
Buckingham Place, Rekawa: First class choice – great host.
Rainforest Eco Lodge, Deniyaya: Great walks, no liquor licence (yet), poor dinners. Breakfast okay. Has potential.
Millenium Elephant Foundation: Not much to see.
Horton Plains: Disappointing – not a great walk.
Sigiriya: Fine.
Sigiriya: Okay.
-RHP – UK
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March 31, 2013 :
Booking process was easy. Ayanthi [consultant] provided us with good advice and was flexible to our suggestions. Hasantha [driver/guide] was excellent, especially with our kids. He is courteous and very knowledgeable about Sri Lanka and its wildlife.
Wild Grass Nature Resort, Sigiriya: Beautiful location – peaceful.
Governors Mansion, Dickoya: Lovely hotel, access road is poor. Location beautiful.
Dambulla Cave Temple: Highlight of the trip – very interesting.
Sigiriya: Enjoyed the climb and the view.
Train – Kandy to Hatton: Great scenery, would recommend this.
Yala Safari: Very good, although crowded with jeeps.
-GP – Singapore
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March 30, 2013 :
Excellent website. Good to see pictures and details of hotels before arrival. Dilhari [consultant] responded quickly to email queries and so the booking process was comfortable and easy. Sujith [driver/guide] was great! Very attentive, flexible and responsive, he made good suggestions of additions to our itinerary.
St Lachlan Hotel, Negombo: Really liked this hotel. Large, clean, bright room. Nice pool, close to beach, very good food.
Palm Garden Village, Anuradhapura: Good rooms, lovely grounds, large pool. Restaurant lacks atmosphere, buffet not great.
Nilaveli Beach Hotel, Nilaveli: Lovely hotel. Room basic, excellent food. Lovely beach, rubbish near hotel, uncomfortable sunbeds.
Heritage Habarana, Habarana: Modern room, not cleaned during stay. Noisy location. Overall a nice hotel.
Queens Hotel, Kandy: Lovely old colonial hotel. Good facilities, excellent location, small bathroom. Food good, poor atmosphere in restaurant.
Upper Glencairn, Dickoya: Location is stunning. Food good, attentive manager. Also a local restaurant – lots of noise.
The Safari, Tissamaharama: Fantastic room, excellent location, food average. Service willing but not brilliant.
Wilpattu Safari: Very good.
Yala Safari: Better jeep and tracker.
Sigiriya: Well worth the effort.
Adam’s Peak: Tough!
Botanical Gardens: Fabulous.
Turtle watching: Seemed disorganised. Nice though.
Whale watching: Well-organised, spotted loads of whales.
-AW – York, UK
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March 26, 2013 :
We were pleasantly surprised with how quickly and efficiently our booking was made. Lahiru [driver/guide] was brilliant! He really looked after us, anticipating our needs before we did! He was a knowledgeable guide and a pleasure to be with on our trip.
Ulagalla Resort, Anuradhapura: Fantastic place – wow! Food good but limited.
Ellerton, Kandy: Lovely, homely place – really relaxing. Amazing food.
98 Acres Resort, Ella: Amazing views, lovely room, charming staff.
Anuradhapura: Fantastic guide!
-SJ – UK
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March 22, 2013 :
We would recommend Red Dot for the chauffers, but could have booked the hotels ourselves and saved money. Elmo [driver/guide] was excellent. He was friendly, helpful and knowledgeable, had a good sense of humour and did not press us to do anything we did not want to do. He was always very well turned-out and kept the car immaculate.
Dambulla Cave Temple: Good.
Sigiriya: Excellent.
Botanical Gardens: Great – lovely and relaxing.
Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage: Great to see so many together and see them interacting with one another.
-JW – Kent, UK
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March 19, 2013 :
Comprehension of our requirements could have been better.
Wilpattu National Park: Excellent.
Sigiriya: Very good.
Dambulla Cave Temple: Very good.
Yala National Park: Excellent.
Whale watching: Very good.
-JG – Essex, UK
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March 18, 2013 :
Whole experience with Red Dot was very good – I will certainly recommend you to others. Lahiru [driver/guide] was knowledgeable, friendly and assisted us where he could. He drove safely at all times. Highly recommend.
Warwick Gardens, Ambewela: Very pleasant hotel. Fantastic dinner!
Uda Walawe Safari: Excellent.
Horton Plains: Very pleasant walk.
-EH
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March 17, 2013 :
Sunil [driver/guide] was very friendly and professional. He was always punctual and recommended good excursions.
Chaaya Wild, Yala: Staff were friendly but spoke limited English. No facilities other than the villa, villa is basic.
Jungle Beach, Kuchchaveli: Some of the best food of our trip. Lovely to have a private path to the beach.
Ulagalla Resort, Anuradhapura: Amazing setting – lots of wildlife.
Cinnamon Citadel, Kandy: Good for a large hotel.
Aditya, Rathgama: Lovely hotel. Room very good, expensive food.
Anuradhapura: Very interesting tour.
Dambulla Cave Temple: Beautiful.
Sigiriya: Best excursion.
Yala Safari: Saw lots of wildlife.
-AR – Liverpool
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March 15, 2013 :
Frustratingly slow responses to our emails during the booking process. Ananda [driver/guide] was professional, responsible, punctual and extremely helpful throughout the trip. With his flexibility and great sense of humour, he made our trip enjoyable. We felt safe at all times with him.
Jims Farm Villas, Matale: Great place to stay. Lovely setting, food average and expensive.
Queens Hotel, Kandy: Tired – needs renovating. Location, staff and food excellent.
Kitulgala Rest House, Kitulgala: Service slow, no atmosphere, uncomfortable bed.
Upper Glencairn, Dickoya: Rooms extremely run-down, terrible service.
Kalus Hideaway, Uda Walawe: Stylish and clean, service overbearing and insincere.
Flower Garden, Unawatuna: Great room, friendly staff, good service. Nice atmosphere.
Galle Face Regency, Colombo: Service slow, staff friendly and courteous. Excellent food.
-JM – Australia
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March 15, 2013 :
We booked at the last minute and yet everything went very smoothly. Sumeda [driver/guide] was a safe driver who provided us with amusing and knowledgeable commentary as a guide. He was flexible and yet superbly organised.
Waters Edge Tisawewa, Anuradhapura: Staff excellent, great food, lovely views. A little bit remote.
Green Paradise, Dambulla: Great facilities but feels a bit corporate – there is little to suggest that you are in Sri Lanka. Food excellent but Western.
View Point Villa, Ella: We loved it! Laid back with friendly and informal staff. Excellent Sri Lankan food.
Sigiriya: Stunning.
Yala: Superb!
Millenium Elephant Sanctuary: Much more rewarding experience than at Pinnawela Elephant Orphanage.
-DP – UK
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March 13, 2013 :
We were very happy with Charmaine [consultant]. Kevin [driver/guide] is professional and pleasant – very easy to be with. He is a superb guide.
Heritance Kandalama, Kandalama: Great location, nice staff, good buffet food.
Lavender House, Pussellawa: Very nice staff, especially the chef and manager. Fantastic location.
Sigiriya: One of the best excursions we have ever done.
Safari: Extraordinary.
Dambulla Cave Temple: Very interesting.
Temple of the Tooth: Very good.
-GG
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March 10, 2013 :
Some small details needed to be followed up on, but the booking process was generally very good and efficient.
-KH – London, UK
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March 10, 2013 :
Generally a very good and efficient booking process. Responses a bit slow at times. Ram [driver/guide] was excellent. He was very friendly and helpful and constantly cheerful. His knowledge of wildlife and ability to spot it is incredible! His presence really enhanced our holiday.
Heritance Kandalama, Kandalama: Good food, service lacking at times. Poor shower.
Theva Residency, Kandy: Excellent food, location and service.
98 Acres Resort, Ella: Room poorly cleaned. Pool not cleaned. Breakfast poor.
Yala Safari: Full day safari is excellent – not surrounded by jeeps for most of the day.
-PM – London, UK
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March 10, 2013 :
Ranjith [driver/guide] was warm and friendly throughout the holiday. He quietly established a good relationship with us and was attentive to our every need. He communicated well and was very knowledgeable. Ranjith is an excellent ambassador for his country and Red Dot. We will miss him!
Villa Kalapuwa, Thalhena: Great staff. Accommodation needs updating.
Jetwing Vil Uyana, Sigiriya: Comfortable hotel, poor food.
Ellerton, Kandy: Super location. Good food and excellent staff – great value for money.
Lavender House, Pussellawa: To die for.
Living Heritage, Koslanda: A wonderful experience.
Chaaya Wild, Yala: Excellent facilities. Buffet food only.
-MM
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March 09, 2013 :
Appreciated the quick replies of Dilhari [consultant] and her knowledge of Sri Lanka. She was pro-active and showed flexibility and professionalism. Kevin [driver/guide] was helpful, patient and great with our kids. He drove carefully and was a very knowledgeable guide.
Sigiriya Village, Sigiriya: Bathroom needs renovation, room really clean.
Queens Hotel, Kandy: Charming hotel in a good location. Bit noisy.
Glendower Hotel, Nuwara Eliya: Bathroom old. Charming place.
Grand Uda Walawe Safari Resort: Nice room, good breakfasts. Great place for safari.
Pinnawela Elephant Orphanage: Nice, very touristy.
-SD – Singapore
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March 09, 2013 :
Sunil [driver/guide] looked after us so well during our visit to Sri Lanka. He did his job perfectly and professionally and was hugely knowledgeable and enthusiastic. Most of all, we appreciated his friendship.
-JA
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March 09, 2013 :
The website is difficult to navigate. The support during our stay was unsatisfactory – poor response to emails and calls. Prabath [driver/guide] was amazing! Friendly, helpful and extremely punctual, he has good English and extensive knowledge of Sri Lanka. He has a great sense of humour and made our trip very special.
Amaara Sky, Kandy: Service was slow.
Governors Chalets, Nuwara Eliya: Very nice room, poor restaurant.
View Point Villa, Ella: Poor bathroom, otherwise our favourite hotel!
Sigiriya: Amazing.
Adam’s Peak: The best excursion!
Polonnaruwa: A bit disappointing.
Anuradhapura: Great!
-NS
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March 08, 2013 :
Senarath [driver/guide] was courteous, helpful and very knowledgeable. He could not be faulted and made our holiday very special.
Villa Talangama, Talangama: Location excellent for seeing birds.
Leopard Safaris- National Parks: Staff friendly and helpful, accommodation basic. Poor food.
Jetwing Vil Uyana, Sigiriya: For a big hotel it is very nice.
Sir Johns Bungalow, Knuckles: Lovely staff and location. Room okay, bathroom needs refurbishment.
Warwick Gardens, Ambewela: Lovely house – beautifully kept. Communal dining – fine, but possibly not for all.
Chaaya Wild, Yala: Couldn’t fault it. Very busy.
Maya Villa, Tangalle: One of the nicest places we have stayed in.
Rainforest Eco Lodge, Deniyaya: Friendly, helpful staff. Isolated location – not a lot to do.
Galle Fort Hotel, Galle Fort: Superb setting and location for Galle. Room in need of decoration, smell of drains in bathroom.
Wilpattu Safari: Excellent.
Sigiriya: Excellent.
Polonnaruwa: Very good.
Dambulla Cave Temple: Excellent.
Temple of the Tooth: Very good.
Horton Plains: Very good.
Yala National Park: Very busy! Disappointing after Wilpattu.
-EH – Durham, UK
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March 08, 2013 :
We found the service and speed of response excellent during the booking process. Sunil [driver/guide] was a wonderful, knowledgeable guide and a safe driver. His personality charmed us throughout the trip and made our time in Sri Lanka very special – we cannot recommend him highly enough.
Sun House, Galle: Fantastic! Truly beautiful.
Galle Face Hotel, Colombo: Great location, big rooms. No air-con in the dining areas.
Heritance Kandalama, Kandalama: Fantastic – truly amazing.
Clove Villa, Kandy: Wonderful service, good location, lovely rooms, great food.
Kelburne Mountain View Cottages, Haputale: We loved this place – absolutely unbelievable! A ‘must-do’.
Chaaya Wild, Yala: Great location. Wonderful service, very clean, good food.
Lunuganga, Bentota: An absolute gem of a place. Fabulous way to end the holiday.
-RH – London, UK
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March 08, 2013 :
Generally the booking process was excellent, but due to a flight change on the day of departure we still did not have one night of accommodation booked. Otherwise everything was arranged wonderfully.
Upul [driver/guide] was a considerate, good and helpful driver but lacked the knowledge to be a guide.
Galle Face Hotel, Colombo: A lovely start.
Galkadawala, Habarana: We loved it! So different. Best good of the trip.
Warwick Gardens, Ambewela: Lovely location. Stylish with excellent staff.
Zion View, Ella: Great staff and good curries.
Kalus Hideaway, Uda Walawe: Potentially a great hotel. Too many staff, not enough leadership.
Buckingham Place, Rekawa: Stylish and well-organised, this is a sophisticated hotel. Lovely grounds.
Turtle Bay, Kalametiya: Very friendly hotel. Lovely staff, very helpful. Amazing seafood!
Colombo walking tour: Professional and interesting walk.
Pinnawela Elephant Orphanage: Enjoyed seeing them in the river, but the rest of the experience was poor.
Horton Plains: Loved the walk and the area. Many birds.
-SP – Dorset, UK
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March 07, 2013 :
Overall, the booking process was easy and responses were prompt even after payment. Ashok [driver/guide] was punctual, flexible and sensitive to our mood.
Green Paradise, Dambulla: Clean room, good food, nice pool, great service.
Clove Villa, Kandy: Lovely rooms, nice food and pool, enthusiastic staff.
Avian Breeze, Nuwara Eliya: Very clean, good food, very good service.
The Safari, Tissamaharama: Good buffet food. Nice pool, great location, lovely views.
Fort Bliss, Galle Fort: Great location, lovely views.
Pinnawela Elephant Orphanage: Excellent experience.
Sigiriya: Worthwhile getting to the top! Great views.
Polonnaruwa: Very interesting history.
Dambulla Cave Temple: Interesting and great views.
Yala National Park: Excellent – saw everything, even a leopard! Would definitely go back.
-SF – UK
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March 07, 2013 :
Wije [driver/guide] was punctual, helpful, communicative and informative. He is a careful driver and I always felt comfortable and safe. Highly recommend.
The Kandy House, Kandy: Top class! We were very well looked-after.
The Fortress, Koggala: A bit tired. Delightful staff and food.
-CG – Kent, UK
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March 05, 2013 :
Suitable options offered when preferred hotels were not available. Good support provided during holiday.
Our driver/guide was very helpful and concerned with making the trip the best it could be. He has been a delight and I highly recommend him to all.
Governors Mansion, Dickoya: Staff are polite and pleasant.
-LE – Dubai
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March 04, 2013 :
Heritance Kandalama, Kandalama: Very good for such a large hotel – very impressed with staff.
Leopard Safaris- National Parks: Luxury camping. Staff and food excellent. Access road hazardous!
Mount Cinnamon, Mirissa: Beautiful setting, helpful and attentive staff, good food. Clean but lacking in décor.
Yala Safari: Thoroughly enjoyable.
Whale Watching: Not to be missed!
-VB
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March 04, 2013 :
Roshan [driver/guide] is excellent. He is very helpful and has made our holiday very enjoyable.
-DS – London, UK
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March 03, 2013 :
Gune [driver/guide] provided excellent service and was very courteous. He was always concerned about our needs and wishes and gave helpful advice where needed. He was very knowledgeable and we highly recommend him to others.
-GF – UK
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March 03, 2013 :
Our driver/guide was excellent.
Whale watching, Mirissa: Well-organised. Friendly and knowledgeable crew.
Yala Safari: Good drivers and spotters. Some of the vehicles are old.
-HM
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March 02, 2013 :
Cannot fault whole booking process – highly recommend Red Dot. Bandu [driver/guide] was pleasant and unassuming, always punctual and very helpful.
Villa Talangama, Talangama: Fantastic place. Good room, great food and lovely hosts.
Rainforest Eco Lodge, Deniyaya: Isolated – little to do after your evening meal. Food poor. Would not stay here again.
Kalus Hideaway, Uda Walawe: Great service, good food, lovely chalet. Nice to have your room away from the main building.
Leopard Safaris- National Parks: Could not fault it! Highlight of the holiday – fantastic!
Coco Tangalla: Fantastic! Excellent service, food and staff.
The Wallawwa, Kotugoda: Lovely place; expensive for what it is.
Yala National Park: Excellent – saw three leopards thanks to the guide! Food was brilliant.
Uda Walawe National Park: Very good – plenty of wildlife.
Whale watching, Mirissa: Fantastic experience! Spent 40 minutes with blue whales – it was very humbling.
-IJ – UK
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March 02, 2013 :
Dilhari [consultant] was very good. Our driver/guide was excellent. Very knowledgeable, he was the best guide we could have had and really made our trip wonderful.
Clove Villa, Kandy: Nice for one night. Ground floor rooms can hear the noise of dining room.
-P – London
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March 01, 2013 :
Wije [driver/guide] was excellent. He was very helpful, likeable and quickly worked out which activities I would enjoy, tailoring his recommendations to me personally.
The Wallawwa, Kotugoda: Perfect airport hotel – you feel your holiday has really started when you arrive here.
Green Paradise, Dambulla: Not really a paradise.
98 Acres Resort, Ella: Highly recommended.
The Last House, Tangalle: Outstanding – one of the nicest hotels I’ve visited in any country.
Yala Safari: Excellent.
-GS – Luxembourg
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February 28, 2013 :
Yala National Park: Excellent – very flexible.
Horton Plains: Wonderful –well worth the early start!
-S
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February 28, 2013 :
Dirk [consultant] and all the Red Dot team made our holiday memorable and enjoyable. We knew you had gone to a lot of trouble to make it all go well – we really appreciate your efforts. Namunu driver/guide] was excellent. He was a good and careful driver, a knowledgeable guide and was very sensitive to what we wanted to do.
Elephant Corridor, Habarana: Treated like royalty! Staff charming, room excellent, lovely pool and superb food.
Ulagalla Resort, Anuradhapura: Superb! Felt utterly spoiled.
The Fortress, Koggala: Can’t swim in the sea, but beach is stunning. Wonderful pool, beautiful room, excellent food. A wonderful place to stay.
-AJ – Italy
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February 28, 2013 :
Bandara [driver/guide] was excellent.
Cinnamon Citadel, Kandy: Long way out of town.
Kandy dancing: Excellent.
-IB
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February 28, 2013 :
Very pleased with Sean’s [consultant] flexibility, response and general communication. Booking with Red Dot allowed us to do the exact itinerary we wanted compared to an organised tour. Prasad [driver/guide] has been fantastic. He is unfailingly polite, punctual, cheerful and accommodating and has great knowledge of Sri Lanka. We always felt completely safe and comfortable with him. He has definitely contributed to the success of our trip and we do not hesitate in recommending him.
Heritance Kandalama, Kandalama: Fantastic location. Great room and pool, plenty of choice at buffet breakfast and dinner.
St Andrews Hotel, Nuwara Eliya: Room old, bathroom worn and basic. Damp and musty.
Cinnamon Citadel, Kandy: Beautiful scenery. Clean and well-kept hotel.
Sigiriya: Definitely worth the climb!
-AB – Germany
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February 27, 2013 :
Very good website – clear and very easy to use. Kevin was a wonderful driver/guide – we called him to ‘Google of Sri Lanka’ because he knew everything and was very helpful.
The Kandy House, Kandy: Wonderful hotel. Perfect room, brilliant service – the best hotel we stayed in.
Lavender House, Pussellawa: Perfect location, wonderful views. Needs renovation. Great pool, staff brilliant.
The Kandy House, Kandy: No alcohol licence, lovely meals. Wonderful hotel.
Bundala National Park: Disgusting toilets. Expensive and did not see much wildlife.
-MC – Lancashire, UK
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February 27, 2013 :
Cinnamon Lodge, Habarana: An excellent hotel to start in.
Clove Villa, Kandy: No alcohol available. Rather noisy.
Dutch House Galle: Excellent – a very special place to relax.
-ME – London, UK
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February 27, 2013 :
Bonifus [driver/guide] has been excellent.
Cinnamon Lodge, Habarana: Lots of tour parties. Wide variety of food, not great quality.
Park Street Hotel, Colombo: Noise from construction site next to hotel at night. Very nice – good character and friendly staff.
-RS – UK
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February 26, 2013 :
Lukmanie [consultant] was very helpful in dealing with our queries and itinerary changes. Aravinda [driver/guide] was perfect in every way. Punctual and knowledgeable, he made sure we had a wonderful trip. He is a credit to your company and we felt very fortunate to have him as our driver. When we return we will certainly be using Red Dot (and hopefully Aravinda!) again.
Heritance Kandalama, Kandalama: Unique hotel in a great location. Fantastic food.
Earls Regency, Kandy: Very comfortable hotel. Lovely pool area.
Sigiriya: Very enjoyable trip – great views from the top.
Polonnaruwa: Lots to see, history is very interesting.
Temple of the Tooth: A ‘must-see’.
Botanical Gardens: Very interesting – wear comfortable shoes!
-DW – UK
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February 26, 2013 :
Red Dot were the only organisation who were able to fully meet all of my requirements. Ayanthi [consultant] responded to my many enquiries with accurate information and constructive comments. Shane [driver/guide] was exceptional – all of the highlights of the holiday were due to his suggestion and recommendation. He constantly exceeded our expectations.
The Wallawwa, Kotugoda: An outstanding hotel – a wonderful introduction to Sri Lanka.
Heritance Kandalama, Kandalama: Remarkable hotel.
Amaara Sky, Kandy: Disappointing. Bathroom renovation incomplete, appalling evening meal. Good Sri Lankan breakfast.
Grand Hotel, Nuwara Eliya: Good standard overall.
Chaaya Wild, Yala: Another exceptional hotel which exceed our expectations in all respects.
Galle Face Regency, Colombo: Lovely hotel in an excellent location.
-JR
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February 25, 2013 :
Our driver/guide Naliin far exceeded our expectations. He solved our problems and became a trusted friend to our family – he was particularly good with our children.
The Wallawwa, Kotugoda: Good stop after long flight.
Clove Villa, Kandy: Very well-equipped and comfortable. Good location.
Kelburne Mountain View Cottages, Haputale: Very remote, but beautiful.
Grand Uda Walawe Safari Resort: Good hotel. Well-equipped and comfortable rooms, beautiful scenery, huge pool.
Victoria, Thalpe: Paradise.
Villa Kalapuwa, Thalhena: Odd layout. Rooms next to kitchen – cooking smells not pleasant. However, served purpose before flight home.
Pinnawela Elephant Orphanage: Wonderful.
Temple of the Tooth: Interesting.
Sigiriya: Fantastic! A unique experience.
Galle Fort: Very interesting.
-MP – Cornwall, UK
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February 25, 2013 :
Wije [driver/guide] was a first-class driver. We recommend him to all future Red Dot travellers.
Jetwing Beach, Negombo: Excellent hotel. Perfect beach location, hotel staff friendly and accommodating.
Heritance Kandalama, Kandalama: A little isolated and impersonal.
Mahaweli Reach, Kandy: Favourite hotel – not too big with lots of character. Excellent service and food.
Lavender House, Pussellawa: Great location, helpful staff. No air-con or mirror in room.
The Wallawwa, Kotugoda: Beautiful hotel, secluded setting. Quiet and peaceful. Swimming pool shaded – not good for sun-bathing! Good for one night only.
Sigiriya: Well worth the effort.
Minneriya National Park: Great fun and enjoyable.
Dambulla Cave Temple: Fascinating.
Temple of the Tooth: Quite an experience.
Spice Garden: Interesting, but we felt pressured to purchase their goods.
Botanical Gardens: Extremely well-maintained.
-JH – Northern Ireland, UK
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February 25, 2013 :
Simma [driver/guide] is very knowledgeable and an excellent driver. He made our time in Sri Lanka an absolute pleasure and is a credit to your company.
-GP – London, UK
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February 25, 2013 :
Shane [driver/guide] always provided us with water and kept the car spotless.
Theva Residency, Kandy: Musty smell in room.
-BT – UK
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February 24, 2013 :
The Wallawwa, Kotugoda: Food is expensive.
Wild Grass Nature Resort, Sigiriya: Wonderful location, fabulous service.
-SB – UK
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February 24, 2013 :
Ram [driver/guide] was excellent. He was knowledgeable, safe and always well turned out. It was a real pleasure travelling with him.
Rainforest Eco Lodge, Deniyaya: Great setting. Tasty lunch, a bit cold.
Kalus Hideaway, Uda Walawe: Room needs renovating. Food average, lovely pool.
Warwick Gardens, Ambewela: Amazing place – very unique! Staff friendly, brilliant and inexpensive food, great views.
Uda Walawe Safari: Saw lots of wildlife, generally very good.
-AS – UK
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February 23, 2013 :
Quickly got what we wanted during the booking process. Chandra [driver/guide] was friendly and efficient with a warm and outgoing personality.
Cinnamon Lodge, Habarana: A la carte menu was awful, buffet excellent.
Mandira Dickoya Bungalow, Dickoya: Location is a dream! Very personal service.
Unawatuna Beach Resort, Unawatuna: Next to a building site on a bad road. Beach and pool are fantastic.
Sigiriya: Excellent.
Polonnaruwa: Excellent overall.
Elephant Ride: Great fun.
Spice Garden: Interesting.
Galle Fort: Excellent – very interesting tour.
-W – London, UK
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February 23, 2013 :
Wije [driver/guide] was recommended to us by previous Red Dot clients and rightly so! His service and attention to our needs was second to none and we heartily recommend him to other travellers.
The Wallawwa, Kotugoda: Very friendly staff, good food. Swimming pool a bit suspect.
Cinnamon Lodge, Habarana: Not our favourite hotel.
Theva Residency, Kandy: First-class boutique hotel. Great food and room.
Lavender House, Pussellawa: Beautiful, peaceful location. Very friendly staff.
The Safari, Tissamaharama: Service bad, staff had limited English. Would not recommend.
Frangipani Tree, Thalpe: No safe bathing on beach. Food disappointing and expensive.
Polonnaruwa: Very interesting.
Dambulla Cave Temple: Well worth seeing.
Temple of the Tooth: Very busy – we felt 'hurried-through'.
Yala National Park: Safari was long and very uncomfortable. Worth it for the wildlife!
-KG – UK
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February 22, 2013 :
Very quick replies to emails, very helpful throughout. Namunu [driver/guide] was a great companion, an excellent driver and an extremely knowledgeable guide.
Ulagalla Resort, Anuradhapura: Beautiful place, charming staff.
Elephant Corridor, Habarana: Loved this place! Great location, lovely room, wonderful staff. Breakfast was poor.
The Kandy House, Kandy: Beautiful hotel in a gorgeous setting. Food superb, staff charming, can be quite noisy.
The Fortress, Koggala: Fabulous place with excellent amenities. Incredible setting, wonderful pool. Very relaxing.
-AJ – Italy
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February 22, 2013 :
Itinerary was planned efficiently, but there were a few time gaps in correspondence which resulted in the loss of a choice of accommodation. Ervin [driver/guide] was outstanding. He was good company, very flexible, courteous and knowledgeable.
St Lachlan Hotel, Negombo: Loved this place.
Heritage Habarana, Habarana: Lacked character, situated on a busy road.
Borderlands, Kitulgala: Such good fun! Excellent.
Sigiriya: Lovely.
Temple of the Tooth: Beautiful.
-VM
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February 22, 2013 :
It is difficult to communicate using the website, as you respond inefficiently to online inquiries. Lahiru [driver/guide] is a excellent driver. He was helpful, courteous, friendly and very concerned for the safety of our two year-old son. We would love to use him again.
Chaaya Wild, Yala: Really enjoyed our stay here – they are fabulous with children. Lovely location, great room, staff went out of their way for us.
Lavender House, Pussellawa: Great location, not suited for those with children. Western food not great, limited breakfast, lack of dinner choices.
-EC – Qatar
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February 22, 2013 :
Very good communication from Lahiru [consultant]. We will recommend Red Dot to friends. Sarath [driver/guide] is a lovely man. An excellent driver, he was very courteous and helpful and always looked very smart. He made our holiday easy and enjoyable.
Palm Garden Village, Anuradhapura: Lovely location by lake.
Kassapa Lions Rock, Didgampathaha: Bland accommodation. Rooms dark.
Clove Villa, Kandy: Excellent food and chef. Stylish interiors, nice pool and gardens, no alcohol (yet). Perfect!
Melheim Resort, Haputale: One of the best hotels!
Kalus Hideaway, Uda Walawe: Communal areas dark and dingy. Food and pool excellent.
Coco Tangalla: Lovely hotel! Great location and pool. Another top score!
Uda Walawe National Park: Excellent!
Polonnaruwa: Interesting – an essential part of the tour.
Sigiriya: Excellent excursion.
Dambulla Cave Temple: Interesting.
Temple of the Tooth: Not that interesting.
Train journey – Kandy to Haputale: Lovely scenery but a very long journey!
-HG – Norwich, UK
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February 21, 2013 :
Information was exchanged efficiently and quickly during the booking process. Bandara [driver/guide] was excellent. Courteous, caring and supportive, he was considerate to all our needs. He was a great guide and an excellent, pleasant travelling companion.
Green Paradise, Dambulla: A bland, soulless place.
The Kandy House, Kandy: Absolutely lovely! First-class accommodation.
Chaaya Wild, Yala: Excellent. Good location, excellent service.
Fort Printers, Galle Fort: Pleasant and interesting hotel. We recommend.
Pinnawela Elephant Orphanage: Should be a ‘must-do’ for tourists.
Yala National Park: Stunning scenery and a very good safari.
Polonnaruwa: Very worth-while.
-PS
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February 20, 2013 :
Nice touch that Red Dot called to check how things were going. Ashok [driver/guide] deserves a 10/10 for helpfulness. He always made good suggestions and was easy to be with for long periods of time. He was constantly concerned for our safety and kept the vehicle clean and in good condition. He is a great ambassador for Sri Lanka and for Red Dot.
Sigiriya Village, Sigiriya: Poor service upon arrival. Room was poorly lit, bathroom lighting was harsh.
Zion View, Ella: Professional and friendly owner and staff. Food excellent and reasonably-priced.
Hibiscus Garden, Tissamaharama: Isolated. No hot water at night, better lighting.
Fort Bliss, Galle Fort: Great shower, friendly and welcoming staff.
-DN – USA
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February 20, 2013 :
Whole trip was very good. One weak part of the booking process is the flight booking section. Our driver/guide was a very good guide and looked after us well. The relationship between guide and party is key to a successful holiday, so thank you!
Cinnamon Lodge, Habarana: Very good.
Villa Rosa, Kandy: Very good!
Ceylon Tea Trails Tientsin, Dickoya: Very good.
Melheim Resort, Haputale: Wonderful location, very good staff. Reception unattractive and poorly furnished.
Paradise Beach Club, Mirissa: Lovely family hotel on the beach.
Tea Trails: Wonderful countryside with quite remarkable views.
Train journey – Kandy to Haputale: Unlike any other.
-ET – UK
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February 20, 2013 :
Jaya [driver/guide] was very helpful and attended to our every request.
Cinnamon Lodge, Habarana: Food was bad.
Theva Residency, Kandy: Poorly furnished room, food excellent. Enjoyed our stay here.
Ceylon Tea Trails Norwood, Dickoya: Very good experience.
Buckingham Place, Rekawa: Wonderful host. Everything was perfect!
Kahanda Kanda, Koggala: Property needs money spent on it. Pool dirty, stunning location. Wonderful place!
-GF – UK
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February 20, 2013 :
Kalus Hideaway, Uda Walawe: Poor room, limited food selection.
98 Acres Resort, Ella: Fantastic hotel. Food limited.
-JS
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February 19, 2013 :
I would highly recommend Moses [driver/guide] to everyone. Polite, courteous and helpful, Moses was extremely conscientious and very informative. He is a very good man.
Tissawewa Rest House, Anaradhapura: Location excellent, room disappointing. Food okay.
Kandy Cottage, Kandy: Best food we tasted in Sri Lanka. No privacy. Charming place overall.
Governors Chalets, Nuwara Eliya: Room lovely, beautiful location. Non-existent service.
Mandira Dickoya Bungalow, Dickoya: Beautiful place. Staff make you feel like you’re their own special personal guest.
View Point Villa, Ella: Excellent location. Room in need of good service. Food okay.
-SD
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February 19, 2013 :
Lahiru [consultant] was fantastic, contacting us promptly with helpful information. She was supportive and flexible in incorporating our requests into our itinerary. The website is user-friendly and enticing. Bernard [driver/guide] was extremely knowledgeable and informative, but on occasion it felt like he was lecturing us, treating us as immature and unintelligent. That said, he was a safe, passionate and only meant well.
Ulagalla Resort, Anuradhapura: Amazing location, friendly staff, incredible room, delicious food. Loved being surrounded by wildlife in such a spacious setting.
Clove Villa, Kandy: Very friendly chef. Great bathroom.
Ceylon Tea Trails Summerville, Dickoya: Wow! Sensational views, beautiful room and shower. Attentive staff, great chef.
Ceylon Tea Trails Tientsin, Dickoya: Beautiful manor house. Lovely gardens, greats rooms and food.
Kahanda Kanda, Koggala: Great last stop. Staff very nice and helpful, great food and lovely room.
Sigiriya: Beautiful.
-LM
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February 19, 2013 :
Our driver/guide had excellent knowledge of birds and other wildlife which added immensely to our holiday experience. He was very helpful and had an amazing command of English.
-JH – Edinburgh, UK
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February 18, 2013 :
Reliable and speedy replies to questions.
Villa Bentota, Bentota: Excellent room, location and service..
The Wallawwa, Kotugoda: Good location for airport. Room and service exceptional.
Whale watching, Mirissa: Good trip, saw plenty of whales.
Tea Plantation: Fantastic experience.
Turtle Hatchery: Interesting and hands on.
-SJH – UK
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February 18, 2013 :
Dilhari [consultant] was very good. Seelan [driver/guide] was excellent. He was very knowledgeable, reliable and friendly and knew when to provide us with information and when to allow us quiet time.
St Lachlan Hotel, Negombo: A decent and functional place to stay before/after the airport.
Heritance Kandalama, Kandalama: Breath-taking scenery, poor service. Food options limited and disappointing.
Stafford Bungalow, Ragala: Service fine, ground lovely. Old furnishings, dirty bed linen.
Kalus Hideaway, Uda Walawe: My favourite place. Friendly and accommodating service, clean, minimalistic rooms.
Chaaya Tranz, Hikkaduwa: Decent place to stay. Dirty floors.
-HS – Hong Kong
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February 17, 2013 :
Rasika [driver/guide] was a pleasant and safe driver. We recommend him to anybody!
St Lachlan Hotel, Negombo: Perfect for a first night stay.
Mandira Strathdon Bungalow, Watawala: Great personnel. Had a really nice stay here.
-AM – Hong Kong
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February 17, 2013 :
Lahiru [consultant] was incredibly patient and helpful, putting together a fantastic itinerary for us. I really appreciate the support and professionalism from the entire Red Dot team.
Aravindha [driver/guide] was warm, welcoming, sincere and professional throughout our trip. He was flexible, had excellent knowledge and struck the perfect balance between being a friend and maintaining his professionalism. He is a credit to Red Dot and Sri Lanka.
Zylan, Colombo: Great location for a first stop. Large room, pleasant communal areas, good food.
Unawatuna Beach Resort, Unawatuna: Dated room, good food, great location.
Mangrove Garden, Tangalle: Amazing! A little piece of paradise. Great food, good vibe, very isolated.
Leopard Safaris- National Parks: Amazing experience from beginning to end. Camp and food are faultless!
Mandira Dickoya Bungalow, Dickoya: Very poor bathroom. Food expensive and cold, unfriendly staff.
Clove Villa, Kandy: Beautiful and modern hotel. Unique rooms, excellent standards, friendly staff. Food very good.
-RG – UK
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February 16, 2013 :
Very happy with our driver/guide. He was excellent with our young children and we always felt safe and taken care of.
Beach Hut, Dalawella: Villa should be kept in better shape.
Governors Mansion, Dickoya: Decent hotel.
Cinnamon Citadel, Kandy: Best hotel for Kandy. Very noisy.
Botanical Gardens: Nice.
Whale Watching: Amazing.
-EG – Singapore
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February 16, 2013 :
Need to respond quicker to emails. Tour designed by Red Dot could not be faulted! Will certainly be using you again.
Our driver/guide was superb – couldn’t do enough for us! Polite, punctual and knowledgeable, he made our tour exceptional.
-CF – UK
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February 15, 2013 :
Ranjith [driver/guide] was excellent, going out of his way to show us all points of interest, big or small. He was pleasant to travel with and we enjoyed his company.
Cinnamon Lodge, Habarana: Pleasant stay.
Lavender House, Pussellawa: Top-notch all round – really enjoyed this.
Jetwing Beach, Negombo: Very good stay.
Dambulla Cave Temple: Enjoyable.
Tea Factory: Okay.
-ES
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February 15, 2013 :
Occasionally email response was a little slow.
Wiki [driver/guide] was flexible, helpful, punctual ad polite. He had great knowledge of the cultural sites and we always felt comfortable and safe with him. We’ve really enjoyed our tour with him.
-GH – UK
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February 15, 2013 :
Jetwing Vil Uyana, Sigiriya: No complaints.
Theva Residency, Kandy: Cramped.
Lavender House, Pussellawa: Poor road to the premises. Wines expensive and limited choice.
Apa Villas, Thalpe: Noise from the road; sleeping is difficult.
-FH – York, UK
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February 14, 2013 :
Our driver was very good. He was helpful, accommodating and a true gentleman. At times difficult to understand.
Galle Face Hotel, Colombo: Dining area staff grumpy.
Ceylon Tea Trails Norwood, Dickoya: Excellent food, staff, grounds and ambience. Would happily spend a whole holiday here.
Villa Rosa, Kandy: Eccentric but pleasant owner. Fantastic food and staff.
Kalus Hideaway, Uda Walawe: Great location. Excellent tracker, nice pool. Staff need some ‘polish’.
Whale watching, Mirissa: Friendly, helpful crew, nice boat. Saw lots of whales.
-EK – USA
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February 14, 2013 :
Bodu [driver/guide] was simply excellent, in his manner, helpfulness and knowledge.
Langdale by Amaya, Radalla: Excellent friendly staff. Lovely location.
Fort Printers, Galle Fort: Simple but good.
-HT – Israel
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February 14, 2013 :
Angelo [driver/guide] was excellent and a delight. I cannot think of anything he could have done better.
Mount Lavinia Hotel, Mount Lavinia: Had to wait an hour on arrival for the room to be ready.
Waters Edge Tisawewa, Anuradhapura: Basic, clean and comfortable. Good views, obliging service and great food.
Villa Rosa, Kandy: First class!
Chaaya Wild, Yala: Should have stayed longer!
Yala National Park: Very good – morning safari is better.
-ML
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February 14, 2013 :
The responses, booking information and decisions were all very good. Jageth [driver/guide] was excellent. He was courteous, helpful and advised us well throughout the trip. He was a safe driver and always punctual. We strongly recommend him as a driver and guide.
Heritance Kandalama, Kandalama: Poor food, lovely room. Brilliant location.
Clove Villa, Kandy: Staff, décor, facilities and food much better than we expected from the profile. It was a great stay.
Lavender House, Pussellawa: What an amazing place! You are paying for something special. Fantastic staff.
Pinnawela Elephant Orphanage: More like a zoo – not a place to encourage.
Sigiriya: Amazing – brilliant views.
Dambulla Cave Temple: Really interesting.
Yala Safari: Fantastic!
-RB – Sussex, UK
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February 12, 2013 :
Booking process was all done very smoothly – Lahiru [consultant] was very helpful.
Sun House, Galle: Loved the colonial feel. Staff excellent.
Ellerton, Kandy: Lovely place, good and helpful staff.
Jims Farm Villas, Matale: Really lovely place to stay. Impeccable service, food average.
Palagama Beach, Alankuda: Fantastic end to our holiday. Lovely cabanas, clean beach.
-RB – Sussex, UK
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February 12, 2013 :
Padma [driver/guide] was excellent throughout, arranging everything efficiently and keeping us well-informed.
Zion View, Ella: Room and food good.
Horton Plains: A very enjoyable day.
Sigiriya: Spectacular site – full of history.
Yala National Park: An excellent park with a wide range of wildlife.
-HP – London, UK
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February 12, 2013 :
Sumedha [driver/guide] is an excellent driver. He was resourceful, flexible and knowledgeable. I recommend him highly.
Heritance Kandalama, Kandalama: Food very good.
Amaya Hills, Kandy: Hotel in need of renovation. Location fantastic.
Lavender House, Pussellawa: Food a little bland. Attentive and sociable staff.
Polonnaruwa: Beautiful.
Sigiriya: Excellent.
Dambulla Cave Temple: Exceptionally stunning site.
-AL – Canada
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February 11, 2013 :
Bernard [driver/guide] was an ultra-safe driver, always, punctual, very knowledgeable, unfailingly courteous and constantly enthusiastic.
Heritage Habarana, Habarana: Modern and stylish room, very sweet receptionist. Everything excellent.
Kandy Cottage, Kandy: Basic bathroom, otherwise perfect. Loved the setting ,food and staff.
Mountain Heavens, Ella: All about the view – more than compensates for the average food.
Mangrove Garden, Tangalle: Dingy, dark cabin. No hot water. Can see why most people would consider this paradise, however.
Seagreen Guesthouse, Galle Fort: Nice setting. Friendly people, good restaurant.
-TW – North Yorkshire, UK
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February 11, 2013 :
Booking process was simple and straightforward – Ayanthi [consultant] was extremely helpful. Hasantha [driver/guide] was superb in all respects. He was a confident and safe driver, always patient and helpful and an excellent wildlife spotter.
Jetwing Vil Uyana, Sigiriya: Not much choice at breakfast. Wine is expensive.
Rangala House, Bobebilla: A gem of a guesthouse. Talented chef, generous host, lovely isolated location.
Zion View, Ella: Friendly, willing staff, superb location.
Chaaya Wild, Yala: Excellent location.
Fort Printers, Galle Fort: Charming but somewhat dilapidated – very old world and lovely with it.
Pinnawela Elephant Orphanage: Not as commercialised as expected.
Tea Trails: Fascinating – excellent guided tour.
Yala Safari: Brilliant array of wildlife – very exciting!
-DC
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February 11, 2013 :
Cligendael Hotel, Kandy: Tastefully decorated, impeccable service. We will certainly miss this place.
-FR
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February 10, 2013 :
Quick and easy booking process – clear advice and prompt responses. Bonifus [driver/guide] was polite, professional and punctual. He was a very good driver and knew when to chat and when we wanted quiet.
Aditya, Rathgama: High-class beach resort. Good facilities, grounds small. Lovely sea-facing rooms.
Buckingham Place, Rekawa: Well-run, well-trained staff, good location. Very good hotel.
Ceylon Tea Trails Castlereagh, Dickoya: Superb hotel – best in Sri Lanka. Excellent location, superb service and exquisite food.
Ceylon Tea Trails Tientsin, Dickoya: Excellent food and service in a ‘colonial’ atmosphere. Noise from nearby village during the day.
The Wallawwa, Kotugoda: Excellent hotel for the airport without having the ‘feel’ of an airport hotel.
Yala National Park: Excellent.
-PD – York, UK
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February 09, 2013 :
Ananda [driver/guide] is an excellent driver with a winning personality. He is a fantastic guide to Sri Lanka – highly recommended.
View Point Villa, Ella: Poor food, superb views, great location. Shabby accommodation.
-NM – Sussex, UK
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February 08, 2013 :
Booking process was excellent in every way. Our driver/guide was excellent – he really made the holiday a pleasure. Very reliable and determined to help us in any way that he could.
Cinnamon Lodge, Habarana: Superb food, excellent staff, wonderful pool.
Fort Printers, Galle Fort: Very good hotel in the town.
Frangipani Tree, Thalpe: Lovely hotel. Peaceful atmosphere, great staff. Wonderful lodges with amazing bathrooms.
Galle: Interesting town to explore.
-PK – London, UK
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February 08, 2013 :
Tea Factory: Good.
Spice Garden: Great.
-AF
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February 06, 2013 :
Horathapola Estate, Horathapola: Best hotel we have ever visited.
The Kandy House, Kandy: Superb food and service.
Hill Club, Nuwara Eliya: Unique experience – well worth the minor inconveniencies.
Apa Villas, Thalpe: Lovely beach location.
Mount Lavinia Hotel, Mount Lavinia: Historic hotel in a good location.
-DJ – UK
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February 05, 2013 :
Naren [consultant] was very efficient and helpful, responding to all my requests immediately. Ananda [driver/guide] is a brilliant ambassador for Red Dot. He was knowledgeable, helpful, humorous and patient and has a very good command of English. He enabled us to get the most out of our visit – we were very sad to say goodbye to him.
Cinnamon Lodge, Habarana: Staff friendly and helpful, food really good.
Villa Rosa, Kandy: Lovely views, attentive staff. Shower dangerously hot!
Chaaya Wild, Yala: Chalet good, awful food. Reception staff good, restaurant service dreadful.
Buckingham Place, Rekawa: Excellent in all respects. Beautiful room, incredible views, excellent service and food. Truly relaxing experience.
Dambulla Cave Temple: Great enjoyed this.
Royal Botanical Gardens: Amazing!
Train journey to Bandarawela: Really worth doing – fantastic views!
Tea Plantation: Excellent. Fabulous views and very interesting.
-DW – Exeter, UK
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February 05, 2013 :
Prabath [driver/guide] was very kind and helpful. Nothing was too much trouble for him.
Kelburne Mountain View Cottages, Haputale: Room service food is cold upon arrival.
Lavender House, Pussellawa: Good manager.
Cinnamon Lodge, Habarana: Very good.
-KT – England, UK
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February 04, 2013 :
Prassana [driver/guide] has been a very helpful, flexible and friendly companion. We have enjoyed our time with him and always felt safe.
The Wallawwa, Kotugoda: Good place to start.
Ulagalla Resort, Anuradhapura: Exceptional service, wonderful rooms. Great place!
Sanctuary, Victoria Golf & Country Resort: Some staff were unfriendly. Beautiful room, poorly cleaned.
Lavender House, Pussellawa: A dream!
Jetwing Lagoon, Negombo: Not a boutique hotel. Rooms are nice.
-MF
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February 04, 2013 :
I would be happy for Naren [consultant] to organise all my holidays! Kumar [driver/guide] really helped us obtain an insight into Sri Lankan culture and was a very experienced guide. If we travel with you again we will be asking for Kumar.
Ice Bear, Negombo: Lovely start to our holiday.
Galkadawala, Habarana: Amazing! Fantastic location, food five-star.
Kandy Cottage, Kandy: Thomas is an excellent host.
View Point Villa, Ella: Amazing views, room excellent.
Hibiscus Garden, Tissamaharama: No hot water in the morning – solar-powered. Pool lovely. Overall a bit disappointing.
Fort Bliss, Galle Fort: Excellent location for exploring the fort. Loved the old furniture.
Villa Kalapuwa, Thalhena: First impressions are amazing!
Sigiriya: Very memorable.
Dambulla Cave Temple: Amazing place.
Temple of the Tooth: A wonderful experience.
Tea Factory: Fascinating.
Yala National Park: An amazing three hours – fabulous.
-RP – UK
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February 03, 2013 :
We knew from the outset that we were dealing with professional, efficient Sri Lanka experts during the booking process. Dhushara [driver/guide] was very flexible and accommodating. Pleasant, cheerful and helpful, we enjoyed his company and felt safe in his hands.
Ulagalla Resort, Anuradhapura: Luxurious and comfortable, very pleasant staff.
Theva Residency, Kandy: Amazing room, fantastic views.
Ceylon Tea Trails Norwood, Dickoya: Food incredible, beautiful location.
Cadjan Earth, Aanamaduwa: Very unique property. Hospitable, friendly staff and close proximity to nature.
Sigiriya: Very beautiful.
Temple of the Tooth: Beautiful and interesting.
Yala National Park: Really special place.
-CS – London, UK
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January 31, 2013 :
Roy [driver/guide] is a delightful man and an excellent driver. We were very satisfied with him and would use him again.
Amaya Hills, Kandy: Beautiful location. Room fine, bathroom towels worn, food awful.
Green Paradise, Dambulla: Better than advertised – a very beautiful place. Service very slow, staff pleasant and fun.
Pinnawela Elephant Orphanage: Magical! We loved it.
Dambulla Cave Temple: Spectacular.
Polonnaruwa: A wonderful place.
Sigiriya: Incredible views.
-SS –USA
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January 29, 2013 :
Sumedha [driver/guide] is knowledgeable, caring, good-humoured and flexible. Our time with him was delightful and we highly recommend him.
Polonnaruwa: Excellent.
Sigiriya: Fantastic!
Dambulla Cave Temple: Wonderful.
Yala Safari: Excellent driver.
-EG – London, UK
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January 29, 2013 :
Booking our tailored trip was easy – Naren [consultant] was helpful and provided us with great suggestions and advice. By the end of the trip, we were sad to say goodbye to Chaminda [driver/guide]. We enjoyed his company and he was very knowledgeable.
Ocean View Cottage, Thiranagama: Rooms basic, great location, staff slow but friendly.
Blue Magpie Lodge, Sinharaja: Basic accommodation. Excellent food, helpful staff and great location.
Hibiscus Garden, Tissamaharama: Pleasant hotel. Spacious rooms, great pool, disappointing food.
St Lachlan Hotel, Negombo: Good facilities. Breakfast excellent, dinner very good, brilliant service from all staff.
Sigiriya: Interesting excursion.
Yala Safari: Crowds were huge – somewhat detracted from the experience.
-DN – Australia
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January 29, 2013 :
Booking process was simple and easy, with fast responses and flexible service. Ashok [driver/guide] is fantastic. He was welcoming, knowledgeable, very helpful and a great driver. We definitely want him as our driver/guide again – he is amazing!
The Wallawwa, Kotugoda: Excellent hotel. Room perfect, food great, fantastic service.
Sigiriya Village, Sigiriya: Great location, room dated, food okay. Good service.
Cinnamon Citadel, Kandy: Clean and modern. Room perfect, food was amazing.
Melheim Resort, Haputale: Good hotel. Welcoming staff, spectacular views, food very nice.
The Safari, Tissamaharama: Lovely hotel. Excellent views, food great, service good but slow.
Fort Printers, Galle Fort: Lovely place to end our stay. Food lovely, service good, fantastic room.
-SB – UK
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January 28, 2013 :
We felt that a more detailed itinerary was needed.
We appreciated the knowledge and experience of Wijekoon [driver/guide]. During our trip, we developed a lot of confidence and trust in him.
The Wallawwa, Kotugoda: Staff warm and efficient. Excellent massage service. A great beginning and end to the trip.
Jetwing Vil Uyana, Sigiriya: Unique concept. Food first rate, phenomenal birdlife.
The Kandy House, Kandy: Wonderful! Beautiful gardens, fantastic service, magnificent house and furnishings.
Ceylon Tea Trails Tientsin, Dickoya: Most memorable three days. Wonderful, relaxing environment, superb food and service. Great value for money.
Aditya, Rathgama: Wonderful hotel, everything high quality.
Sigiriya: Wonderful experience!
Dambulla Cave Temple: Well worth the effort of the climb.
Polonnaruwa: A very extensive site.
Temple of the Tooth: Very moving.
-DJ – Australia
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January 27, 2013 :
Herman [driver/guide] was very good.
Udekki, Alankuda: Room okay but unable to close door – safety and security not okay.
The Wallawwa, Kotugoda: The hotel is okay for a stop-over but not for a long time.
-DP
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January 27, 2013 :
Generally a good website. Jamaldeen [driver/guide] was very good.
Amaya Lake, Dambulla: Food expensive. Nice attention to detail.
-MG – Lancaster, UK
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January 27, 2013 :
Red Dot were £600 cheaper than another agent, which was our main reason for booking with you. We were looked after by our driver/guide very well.
Ulagalla Resort, Anuradhapura: Totally unique and tranquil. Perfect start to the holiday.
Ceylon Tea Trails Norwood, Dickoya: Amazing! Cannot get better than this.
Sigiriya: Well-organised with a good guide.
-RD – Edinburgh, UK
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January 26, 2013 :
Waters Edge Tisawewa, Anuradhapura: No air-con. Peaceful. Excellent food, courteous staff.
Mahaweli Reach, Kandy: Room not too clean, massage centre dilapidated. Dining area excellent – perfect ambience.
-ER
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January 26, 2013 :
Sigiriya: Strenuous and interesting.
Temple of the Tooth: Interesting.
-LJ – UK
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January 26, 2013 :
Dilhari [consultant] was very helpful and prompt in his replies. Sujit [driver/guide] was a very good and informative guide.
Jetwing Beach, Negombo: Good hotel, nice beach.
Governors Mansion, Dickoya: Nice hotel, good service.
St Lachlan Hotel, Negombo: Bad wifi.
-CV
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January 24, 2013 :
Our driver did an outstanding job and is an excellent person.
Green Paradise, Dambulla: Great hotel. Isolated location, good pool.
Borderlands, Kitulgala: Relaxing and interesting stay. Staff friendly, good food.
Kelburne Mountain View Cottages, Haputale: Fabulous! Great staff, expensive food.
Sigiriya: : Very interesting.
White-water rafting: Great!
Yala Safari: Very good.
-IM – Australia
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January 24, 2013 :
George [driver/guide] was a great driver and very knowledgeable.
Theva Residency, Kandy: Brilliant!
-HA – UK
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January 24, 2013 :
Response time was generally poor throughout the booking process. Mewan [driver/guide] was a pleasure to travel with. He was a safe driver, very knowledgeable and helpful and excellent company. I highly recommend him to anyone – without him, I would not have enjoyed my trip as much as I have.
Villa Kalapuwa, Thalhena: Excellent start to the holiday.
Green Paradise, Dambulla: Middle of nowhere. Food expensive and average, gym is dangerous.
Clove Villa, Kandy: Delightful place to stay. Beautifully decorated, fantastic staff, peaceful atmosphere. Excellent food.
View Point Villa, Ella: Isolated location. Basic, clean rooms, good food.
Chaaya Wild, Yala: Great resort. Good rooms, nice pool, average food. Staff helpful.
Polonnaruwa: Very interesting.
Sigiriya: Really enjoyed this.
Yala Safari: Brilliant.
-CC – Hong Kong
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January 23, 2013 :
Chaaya Wild, Yala: Excellent food, location and cleanliness.
41 Lighthouse Street, Galle Fort: Superb in every way. Could not have wished for better.
Yala National Park: Excellent driver. 3 out of 4 drives we saw leopards!
Whale watching, Mirissa: Wonderful. Saw blue whales, sperm whales and spinner dolphins.
-JR
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January 22, 2013 :
Punchi [driver/guide] is a very kind and courteous man who was exceedingly helpful and always on time. He is a credit to Red Dot and his country – our holiday would not have been the same without him.
Villa Kalapuwa, Thalhena: Great introduction to Sri Lanka. Room basic, friendly staff, lovely pool and food.
Clove Villa, Kandy: Excellent hotel and staff.
Kelburne Mountain View Cottages, Haputale: Shower difficult to use.
Cadjan Wild, Yala: Hard to find. Dinner very unappetising.
Coco Tangalla: Best food we had, especially the breakfast. Would love to stay here again – highly recommend.
Frangipani Tree, Thalpe: Service lacking compared to other hotels. Noisy location, pool unclean.
Galle Face Regency, Colombo: Terrible service. Would not stay here again.
Yala National Park: Driver was aggressive and scared away wildlife.
-CS – UK
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January 21, 2013 :
Padma [driver/guide] was an excellent driver and his presence made our holiday more unique and enjoyable. We had no concerns when we were with him, enabling us to relax and enjoy our experience to the max.
Cadjan Earth, Aanamaduwa: Very unique experience. Best food.
Clove Villa, Kandy: Excellent service.
Kelburne Mountain View Cottages, Haputale: Amazing views, incredible service.
-R – Australia
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January 21, 2013 :
Lahiru [driver/guide] is excellent. Vehicle was comfortable and we felt very safe at all times.
Master Campers, Wildlife Parks: A real highlight of our holiday. Nothing was too much trouble – they went out of their way to look after us.
Yala National Park: Very good for safaris.
-DP
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January 19, 2013 :
Our driver insisted us in every way, including finding a doctor in Kandy.
The Wallawwa, Kotugoda: Good set-up. Handy for the airport.
The Kandy House, Kandy: Highlight of the trip. Difficult location, great pool, good service.
Lavender House, Pussellawa: Lack of attention to guests. Pool and gardens were the highlight.
Chaaya Wild, Yala: Buffet food and service fine. Very good rooms.
Pinnawela Elephant Orphanage: Terrific experience.
-GC – Australia
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January 19, 2013 :
Ayanthi [consultant] did a great job.
Chrishantha [driver/guide] was unfailingly cheerful and helpful. He was a pleasure to have with us and an excellent source of information.
Horathapola Estate, Horathapola: Perfect place to recover from jet lag. Food wonderful, attentive staff, attractively furnished.
Galkadawala, Habarana: Small changes would greatly increase comfort. Very imaginative and quirky.
Samadhi Centre, Kandy: Wonderfully spiritual. Stunning bathroom, beautifully furnished rooms, very atmospheric.
Mawella Villa, Tangalle: Outstanding cooking, great bar. Comfortable and stylish villa.
Galle Fort Hotel, Galle Fort: Lovely relaxed, comfortable hotel. Pretty pool, delicious food, great attention to detail.
-LH
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January 18, 2013 :
Excellent website. Dirk [consultant] was helpful and responsive to emails and suggestions. Hasantha [driver/guide] was a good driver and kept the vehicle very clean. He was punctual, helpful, cheerful and knowledgeable. Very difficult to fault him!
Thaproban, Unawatuna: Great location, helpful staff, food average and expensive. Would recommend.
Thambapanni Retreat, Unawatuna: Bathroom in need of a makeover. Staff friendly and helpful, lovely swimming pool. Would recommend.
Mangrove Garden, Tangalle: Poor location, staff speak little English. Room dark, outside bathroom, no hot water.
Hibiscus Garden, Tissamaharama: Nice hotel. Friendly staff, good pool, big and clean room. Couldn’t fault it.
Avian Breeze, Nuwara Eliya: A lovely hotel. Dedicated, helpful staff. Location a bit far out. Bit over-priced. Would recommend.
Sigiriya Village, Sigiriya: Lovely restaurant, food and grounds. Pool shabby, room musty.
Lake Lodge - Colombo: Good service and food. Room clean, good ambience. Would recommend.
Yala National Park: Very enjoyable.
Tea Plantation: Good tour.
Temple of the Tooth: Very interesting.
Dambulla: Interesting.
Sigiriya: Really good – slightly scary climb!
Pinnawela Elephant Orphanage: Very well-run.
-NC – UK
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January 17, 2013 :
Responses were very fast during the booking process, but slow afterward (after everything was finalised).
Aravindha [driver/guide] was fantastic. Very polite, knowledgeable, flexible and energetic. Highly recommend.
Kandy Cottage, Kandy: Best food of the trip.
Hibiscus Garden, Tissamaharama: Nice hotel, no hot water.
Paradise Beach Club, Mirissa: Nice hotel, horrible food, great location.
Sigiriya: Spectacular.
Yala National Park: Great experience, saw lots of wildlife.
-AH – Cambridge, UK
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January 17, 2013 :
Lake Lodge - Colombo: A hidden gem. Ideal location, thoughtful and helpful staff.
Mandalay, Koggala: Well designed and looked-after. Beautiful surroundings, lovely gardens and pool, great facilities. Highly recommended.
Thambili House, Galle: Great house, well located. Superb Sri Lankan food.
Paradise Beach Club, Mirissa: Relaxing.
Hibiscus Garden, Tissamaharama: Small rooms. Wonderful views from dining room, great local food.
Thilanka Hotel, Kandy: Unfinished room, wonderful views. Great location.
Pinnawela Elephant Orphanage: Highlight for my grandchildren.
-RA – Perth, Australia
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January 16, 2013 :
Chandra [driver/guide] was excellent. He is very knowledgeable and helpful.
Mas Villa, Kotmale: The food was exceptional.
98 Acres Resort, Ella: Fantastic room, service average.
Chaaya Wild, Yala: Overall service good.
Pinnawela Elephant Orphanage: Better to see elephants in the wild instead.
Minneria Safari: Excellent.
Sigiriya: Really enjoyed this – views are spectacular!
Polonnaruwa: Very enjoyable.
Temple of the Tooth: Beautiful – a 'must-see'.
Yala Safari: Excellent safari in beautiful surroundings.
-JM – Manchester, UK
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January 16, 2013 :
Udekki, Alankuda: Expensive food, no safe in room. Staff very friendly.
Clove Villa, Kandy: Very good staff.
-EB – Paris, France
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January 16, 2013 :
Consultant was very patient and flexible. In the end we had a perfect itinerary. We would definitely use Bandu [driver/guide] again. He is pleasant, professional, punctual and flexible.
-JF – Singapore
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January 15, 2013 :
All elements of the booking process were excellent.
Namunu [driver/guide] kept the car immaculate. He was helpful, knowledgeable and constantly went above and beyond. He is a true gem and an asset to Red Dot.
Villa Kalapuwa, Thalhena: Huge room, poorly cleaned. Staff friendly, food excellent.
Wild Grass Nature Resort, Sigiriya: One of the nicest hotels we have ever stayed in. Wonderful setting, fantastic service. Food expensive but delicious.
Clove Villa, Kandy: Lovely boutique hotel, beautifully designed and decorated.
Lavender House, Pussellawa: Wonderful setting. Fantastic rooms, serene atmosphere, best food of our stay.
Frangipani Tree, Thalpe: Superb room!
Pinnawela Elephant Orphanage: Lovely.
Sigiriya: Breath-taking.
Polonnaruwa: Superb, so much to see!
Temple of the Tooth: Amazing experience – not to be missed.
Botanical Gardens: Peaceful.
-GT – UK
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January 15, 2013 :
Thissa [driver/guide] was exceptional in all aspects. He was informative, courteous and a very safe driver.
Sigiriya: Great!
-ST – Hong Kong
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January 14, 2013 :
Altogether the booking process was very good indeed.
Our driver/guide was a very safe driver. He was great fun, but was also discreet and knew when we did not want to talk. We felt very well looked-after.
Galle Face Hotel, Colombo: Room fantastic, wonderful location.
Rangala House, Bobebilla: Calm, tranquil place. Attentive staff, incredible views, excellent pool and food.
Lavender House, Pussellawa: A lovely hotel. Extraordinary pool, brilliant service and welcoming staff. Great bathroom.
Zion View, Ella: Breath-taking views, service good, room very nice. An informal place – very relaxing.
Kahanda Kanda, Koggala: A wonderful hotel. Staff lovely, beautifully furnished room, stunning setting. Fantastic pool. Treated like royalty!
Whale watching: Wonderful!
Train journey – Gampola to Ella: Truly fantastic.
Uda Walawe Safari: Just excellent.
Galle Tour: Beautiful place.
-CD – London, UK
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January 13, 2013 :
Charmaine [consultant] was very helpful, accommodating all of our changes and answering all of our questions. Duminda [driver/guide] was excellent. He is an amazing driver, lots of fun and very informative. We highly recommend him.
Mangrove Garden, Tangalle: Excellent food.
Galkadawala, Habarana: Very nice staff.
-IL – London, UK
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January 13, 2013 :
Our driver/guide had fantastic knowledge and was always punctual. We could not have wished for better – superb!
-PC – UK
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January 13, 2013 :
During the booking process, there was good response to our requests. Sometimes replies were slow, sometimes they were fast. Vehicle much better than anticipated. Our driver/guide was a cautious, good driver who worked hard to ensure we had an excellent holiday.
St Lachlan Hotel, Negombo: Good location. Dated décor in dining area, small pool, rooms need refurbishing.
Jetwing Vil Uyana, Sigiriya: Beautiful setting. Great staff, disappointing food, lovely room.
Clove Villa, Kandy: Great! Modern, stylish hotel.
Mandira Strathdon Bungalow, Watawala: Tired room. Beautiful location.
Kulu Safaris, Uda Walawe & Yala: Tent poor quality.
Pinnawela Elephant Orphanage: Interesting but too commercial.
Polonnaruwa: Excellent. Fantastic site.
Sigiriya: Worth the effort!
Dambulla Cave Temple: Interesting.
-LD – Bristol, UK
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January 12, 2013 :
Sunil [driver/guide] was very good and made our holiday easy.
Siddhalepa Ayurveda Resort, Wadduwa: Spa great, food okay.
Back of Beyond - Pidurangala: Loved this place.
The Kandy House, Kandy: Owner pushy, great food.
View Point Villa, Ella: Lovely place. Good food.
The Safari, Tissamaharama: Great hotel, loved it.
Fort Bliss, Galle Fort: Staff very helpful, loved this place.
Sigiriya: Loved the climb, great views.
Temple of the Tooth: Beautiful.
-SR
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January 12, 2013 :
Dirk [consultant] was prompt and helpful when dealing with my booking; everything went very smoothly. Shane [driver/guide] provided excellent support and help during my trip. I was looked after really well.
Jetwing Lagoon, Negombo: Excellent way to begin the holiday. Fabulous swimming pool and room.
Jetwing Vil Uyana, Sigiriya: Excellent service. Room lovely.
Mas Villa, Kotmale: Fabulous place to stay. Manager and staff make this a very special hotel.
98 Acres Resort, Ella: Very disappointed with this hotel. Location great, service poor. Not worth the money.
Chaaya Wild, Yala: Excellent service by all staff. Rooms great.
Jetwing Lighthouse, Galle: Fabulous room, dirty bathroom. Service excellent.
Sigiriya: Very informative.
Dambulla Cave Temple: Very good.
Polonnaruwa: Very interesting.
Temple of the Tooth: Really interesting place.
Yala National Park: A real highlight of the holiday.
-RC – London, UK
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January 11, 2013 :
Herman [driver/guide] was great! Very helpful and knowledgeable.
Green Paradise, Dambulla: Terrible room and restaurant service.
-JE – Singapore
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January 11, 2013 :
Ranjith [driver/guide] was a good match for us. He was warm, kind, genuine and excellent with our kids. He was conscientious, drove well and had a very positive attitude at all times. He made our trip to Sri Lanka very special and won’t forget his service. We highly recommend him.
Victoria Golf Chalets, Kandy: Location far from Kandy. Gorgeous property! Loved the fireflies at night.
-RN
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January 09, 2013 :
Lahiru [consultant] was patient and gave good advice. She took my call at 11:30pm on New Year’s Eve which was very kind – thank you! Fernando [driver/guide] was a pleasant surprise. He was punctual, a skilled driver and is very well educated. He stuck the balance between providing us with relevant information and allowing us quiet time.
Lavender House, Pussellawa: Great find – best hotel of our trip. Beautiful location, friendly staff.
-BP
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January 09, 2013 :
The Red Dot team were quick to respond during the booking and provided us with prompt support during the holiday. Booking with you was a pleasant experience and we will recommend you to others. Jaya [driver/guide] is great. A pleasure to travel with, he is an asset to the Red Dot team.
Thilanka Hotel, Kandy: Staff attitude is poor.
Slightly Chilled Yellow House, Dalhousie: Excellent breakfast!
Long Beach Resort, Koggala: Extra effort for birthday guest much appreciated.
Horton Plains: Nice arrangement.
-YTL – Hong Kong
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January 09, 2013 :
Quick response and good personal attention. Dilhari [consultant] was wonderful to work with, very professional and responsive. Ranjith [driver/guide] is a good, safe driver. He was very helpful and kind and we were very happy that he was our guide.
Sigiriya Village, Sigiriya: Nice view from pool. Lobby quite dark. Would stay again.
Grand Hotel, Nuwara Eliya: Grounds lovely. Could be very good with some more effort – has potential.
The Safari, Tissamaharama: Lovely setting. Great rooms, food okay.
Talalla Retreat, Matara: Food was great! Nice beach.
Sigiriya: Well worth the climb.
Whale Watching: Saw many whales. Very well organised and run.
-CC – Texas, USA
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January 08, 2013 :
Johanna [consultant] was fantastic! Chandra [driver/guide] was the best driver/guide we have ever had in Sri Lanka. We will be asking for him again the next time we come to Sri Lanka.
Galkadawala, Habarana: In a class of its own.
Sigiriya: Excellent.
Polonnaruwa: Fantastic.
Yala Safari: Best safari we have ever done.
-SJ
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January 07, 2013 :
Kalus Hideaway, Uda Walawe: Quite disappointed with this accommodation.
Kelburne Mountain View Cottages, Haputale: Much better than expected.
Governors Mansion, Dickoya: Food not up to the standard of the accommodation. Bathroom not good.
Safari, Uda Walawe: Enjoyed it very much.
Temple of the Tooth: Very informative.
-EW – Sydney, Australia
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January 07, 2013 :
Rathna [driver/guide] was wonderful and a pleasure to be with. A safe driver, he was always responsive to our requests and made great suggestions. A real strength of Red Dot is the drivers and this showed with Rathna.
Sigiriya Village, Sigiriya: Room very poorly cleaned, mouldy and damp.
Country Garden Resort, Panabokke: Lovely hotel far away from the action of Kandy. Staff friendly, nice food, beautiful grounds and pool. Room worked well for a family.
Borderlands, Kitulgala: Wonderful staff. We felt safe and comfortable at all times. Good food, lovely setting – one of the highlights of our Sri Lanka trip.
Avian Breeze, Nuwara Eliya: Very nice staff, comfortable room. Dinner meals disappointing.
Kelburne Mountain View Cottages, Haputale: Staff, food and cottage were all lovely. A very special place.
Sigiriya: Enjoyed climbing this!
Tea Plantation: Lovely – small and very personal. Really enjoyed.
Yala Safari: Great animal and bird sightings.
-JG – Singapore
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January 06, 2013 :
Heritance Kandalama, Kandalama: Big, noisy, crowded – very touristy.
Amangalla, Galle: Great service.
-JT
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January 06, 2013 :
Booking process very efficient, website informative and inspirational. I will recommend Red Dot to my friends. The driver/guide was always punctual and pleasant, helpful and informative.
Kandy Cottage, Kandy: Very nice place to stay – great hospitality.
Galle Face Hotel, Colombo: Room in good condition.
Dambulla Cave Temple: Good experience – the highlight of my trip!
Pinnawela Elephant Orphanage: Would not recommend.
-CR – Japan
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January 06, 2013 :
Slow initial response, but after that fantastic service from Dirk [consultant]. Crishan [driver/guide] was an excellent driver – we always felt safe. He was always punctual and guided us well around the historical sites.
St Lachlan Hotel, Negombo: Good service and good food.
Cinnamon Lodge, Habarana: Some problems with rooms and slow service at times. Food excellent, nice rooms, lovely grounds.
Lavender House, Pussellawa: We were very well looked after. Lovely spot.
98 Acres Resort, Ella: Amazing location, views and landscaping. Badly designed rooms. Good service.
Leopard Safaris- National Parks: Really enjoyed this. Amazing food. Location was a problem, but not fault of the management.
-AL
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January 05, 2013 :
Dirk and Dilhari [consultants] were very helpful and responsive. However, the 24/7 operations team never responded to my emails during the trip. Thushara [driver/guide] was wonderful- we could not have done the trip without him. He was cheerful, helpful and a safe driver. We highly recommend him.
Wild Grass Nature Resort, Sigiriya: Villa beautiful but incomplete. Food good, staff pleasant and well-meaning but naïve.
Clove Villa, Kandy: Pleasant place to stay. Location not very central.
Master Campers, Wildlife Parks: Should have been cancelled due to flooding. Poor quality jeeps, difficult to reach site. Lunch good, dinner mediocre. Nothing done to celebrate NYE. Very little lighting provided. Considering the price of this, it was entirely unsatisfactory.
Palm Paradise Cabanas, Tangalle: Great location on beach. Good breakfast, dinner poor. Good value for money.
Galle Fort tour: Lovely. Helpful manager, suite beautiful, central location. Food limited and dull.
Whale Watching: Loved it.
-MC – New York, USA
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January 05, 2013 :
Sarath [driver/guide] was brilliant – first class. Easy to contact and always there when needed. He was knowledgeable, a model of courtesy and had a great sense of humour. His driving demonstrated immaculate judgement.
Grand Hotel, Nuwara Eliya: Super old hotel. Bit short on entertainment for children.
Master Campers, Wildlife Parks: Authentic safari experience.
Galle Face Hotel, Colombo: Wonderful hotel.
Polonnaruwa: Very interesting, moving at times.
Sigiriya: Challenging, exciting, spectacular.
-EL
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January 05, 2013 :
Kevin [driver/guide] was highly professional, friendly and supportive.
Chaaya Village, Habarana: Excellent.
Clove Villa, Kandy: Room very dark.
Governors Mansion, Dickoya: Beautiful setting.
Rainforest Edge, Waddagala: We really loved this place – very relaxed.
Polonnaruwa: Excellent.
-VT – Norwich, UK
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January 05, 2013 :
Red Dot did not provide sufficient support throughout the holiday. Good quality car, pleasant and helpful driver.
Villa Bentota, Bentota: Fantastic design and location. Great pool area. Staff friendly but inattentive.
Frangipani Tree, Thalpe: Stained sheets, ants in room. Staff friendly and attentive.
The Wallawwa, Kotugoda: Excellent hotel.
Turtle Hatchery: Fun to watch but a bit disappointing.
Galle: Enjoyable and interesting.
-EO
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January 05, 2013 :
We found Lukmanie [consultant] inexperienced and her response time was slow.
Earls Regency, Kandy: Overpriced, dirty, terrible service.
Pinnawela Elephant Orphanage: Tourist trap.
-CB
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January 04, 2013 :
It was a pleasure to be driven by Priyankara [driver/guide] and it was fun to get to know him during our trip. He is a very special person and added greatly to our Sri Lankan experience.
Train journey: Very disappointing.
Sigiriya Rock: Especially enjoyed this.
Yala Safari: Fantastic!
Whale Watching: Fantastic! Saw loads of whales.
-EC – Singapore
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January 04, 2013 :
Easy and good booking process. Angelo [driver/guide] is an excellent driver. He was courteous and went out of his way to make sure we enjoyed our holiday at all times. He was flexible and keen to please – we highly recommend him.
St Lachlan Hotel, Negombo: Bathroom door didn’t close and walls were mouldy. Good overnight stay, handy for the airport.
Sigiriya Village, Sigiriya: Room smelt of damp. Awful loud music in restaurant. Rooms big and spacious, nice setting.
Thilanka Resort and Spa, Dambulla: Bar and pool area lacks character. Rooms big and spacious.
Kelburne Mountain View Cottages, Haputale: Great spot. Helpful and friendly staff, fantastic views, really relaxing environment.
Kalus Hideaway, Uda Walawe: No local Sri Lankan food for dinner. Comfortable stop with pretty views.
Chaaya Wild, Yala: Very nice hotel. Great rooftop bar.
Palace Mirissa, Mirissa: Very badly managed hotel. Great location, terrible food, indifferent staff. Whole resort in need of renovation. Enjoyed our stay.
-RB – Auckland, New Zealand
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January 04, 2013 :
All was excellent – very happy with Red Dot. Kingsley [driver/guide] was an absolutely pleasure! Always willing, punctual and great with our kids. We highly recommend him.
View Point Villa, Ella: Poorly kept bathroom, mouldy room, no air-con. Staff were outstanding.
Frangipani Tree, Thalpe: Bit pricey for meals.
-HG – Dubai, UAE
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January 04, 2013 :
Excellent service and very prompt replies to our emails. Prabath [driver/guide] is a first-class driver. He is also a knowledgeable guide and went out of his way to help us. He is excellent and has very good English.
Lake Lodge - Colombo: Lovely décor, food first-class. Ideal for an overnight stay.
Kandy Cottage, Kandy: Food and service was excellent.
Kelburne Mountain View Cottages, Haputale: Superb location. Excellent facilities, food and service.
Temple of the Tooth: Very good, worth doing.
-SK – UK
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January 03, 2013 :
Hasantha [driver/guide] is a superb driver and the best guide we have ever had. He was knowledgeable, considerate and accommodating.
Villa Bentota, Bentota: Superb.
-PB – New York, USA
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January 03, 2013 :
Booking process was great – Lahiru [consultant] did a very good job. Upul [driver/guide] was professional, helpful and knowledgeable. He was a careful driver and I felt safe throughout the trip.
The Wallawwa, Kotugoda: Loved this hotel. Everything was perfect – room, service and staff.
Ulagalla Resort, Anuradhapura: Rooms a bit small for a family of four. Very good hotel.
Cinnamon Lodge, Habarana: Room small but okay. Food excellent, poor service.
Earls Regency, Kandy: Air-con broken. Buffet okay but over-priced for the quality.
-F – Shanghai, China
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January 03, 2013 :
I really appreciate the team’s concerns over our itinerary and, having dealt with Lahiru [consultant] twice now, I feel that I am in good hands. Excellent and caring service. Ranjith [driver/guide] was an absolute star and a real pleasure to be with.
Villa Kalapuwa, Thalhena: A nice bungalow, excellent food and lovely people.
Borderlands, Kitulgala: Beautiful surroundings, excellent food. Extremely friendly and proficient staff.
Kelburne Mountain View Cottages, Haputale: Great experience on a working tea plantation. Staff very caring and helpful.
-MS – Cornwall, UK
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January 03, 2013 :
The Safari, Tissamaharama: Poor food and service standards in dining area.
Governors Mansion, Dickoya: Good service, average food.
Clove Villa, Kandy: Poor food.
Wild Grass Nature Resort, Sigiriya: Grounds need some work.
Zylan, Colombo: Very comfortable.
Yala National Park: Very rough roads.
-RR
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January 03, 2013 :
Jetwing Beach, Negombo: Beach is beautiful.
Mahaweli Reach, Kandy: Great room and pool.
Grand Hotel, Nuwara Eliya: Food was dreadful. Nice room, awful bathroom.
Pinnawela Elephant Orphanage: Good for children, not necessary for adults.
Sigiriya: Great!
Temple of the Tooth: Disappointing.
Polonnaruwa: Great!
Train journey: One of the most beautiful things I have ever seen.
-BL – Islamabad, Pakistan
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January 02, 2013 :
Sanjeewa [driver/guide] is an excellent driver. He was always friendly, flexible and reliable and had excellent knowledge of all the sites we visited. Polite and respectful, we really enjoyed have him as our driver in Sri Lanka. Absolutely A+!
Mas Villa, Kotmale: In the middle of nowhere. Expensive food.
Cinnamon Lodge, Habarana: Excellent!
Dolphin Beach, Alankuda: Awful place! Unsatisfactory location, food and service.
Yala National Park: Enjoyed it, but a little crowded.
Temple of the Tooth: Very interesting.
Sigiriya: Unforgettable.
Train from Ella to Nanu Oya: Wonderful!
-CM – Belgium
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January 02, 2013 :
Amila [driver/guide] was very courteous and helpful. He drove well and we felt safe at all times. Van was a bit old.
Galle Fort Hotel, Galle Fort: Expensive. Good service.
Zylan, Colombo: Bed and bed linen not good quality. Very expensive.
Governors Mansion, Dickoya: Excellent service, amazing views.
-JC
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January 02, 2013 :
Charmaine [consultant] provided excellent quick answers. It was good and easy having contact with the same person all the time. Herman [driver/guide] was perfect!
Cinnamon Lodge, Habarana: Perfect service and food. Free wifi.
Kelburne Mountain View Cottages, Haputale: Wonderful place! Perfect service.
Chaaya Wild, Yala: Rushed arrival service.
-AW
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January 01, 2013 :
Our driver/guide was responsible, punctual and went out of his way to point out the bird life to us (in which we are highly interested).
St Lachlan Hotel, Negombo: An ideal stop after a long flight.
Chaaya Village, Habarana: Rooms a little noisy.
Eagles Falls, Victoria: Superb villa.
Stonyhurst, Nuwara Eliya: You should be proud to have found this beautiful property. We were enchanted with both the house and the staff.
View Point Villa, Ella: Stunning views.
Chaaya Wild, Yala: Efficient large hotel. Lovely pool.
Maya Villa, Tangalle: Location is exceptional.
-R – London, UK
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December 31, 2012 :
Ulagalla Resort, Anuradhapura: Excellent – exceed expectations.
Theva Residency, Kandy: Not very close to Kandy centre.
Ceylon Tea Trails Castlereagh, Dickoya: Excellent.
Villa Kalapuwa, Thalhena: No one there when we arrived. Rooms lacked character. No hot water.
Talalla Retreat, Matara: Fantastic beach, laid-back atmosphere.
Kahanda Kanda, Koggala: Beautiful hotel. Slow service.
Villa Talangama, Talangama: Very friendly host, good service.
-AH – London, UK
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December 30, 2012 :
All went smoothly during the booking process. It was an absolute delight and pleasure to travel around Sri Lanka with our driver/guide (and now friend) Ram. His knowledge, courteous manner, smiling face and careful driving made our time with him an incredible experience. We were sad to say goodbye!
Sigiriya Village, Sigiriya: Nice hotel in a convenient location. Food okay.
Avian Breeze, Nuwara Eliya: Comfortable hotel. Attentive staff, food lacked variety.
Ravanas Secret, Ella: Lovely owners who made us feel most welcome. Great and interesting cuisine. Nice walks.
Galle Face Hotel, Colombo: Delightful and charming old-style hotel.
Temple of the Tooth: Very busy, but interesting.
Pinnawela Elephant Orphanage: Fun experience.
Polonnaruwa: Fascinating.
Sigiriya: Great climb, spectacular site.
Ramboda Falls: Nice spot for a bite to eat and a photo opportunity.
-SM – Hong Kong
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December 30, 2012 :
Samidi [driver/guide] was excellent. We enjoyed our holiday in large part because of his services.
Avian Breeze, Nuwara Eliya: Middle of nowhere – not a good location.
Lagoon Paradise Beach Resort, Tangalle: No service, no choice of food.
Cycling: We had a wonderful cycling holiday.
-PB – Toronto, Canada
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December 29, 2012 :
Charmaine [consultant] took a long time to reply and was not responsive in her emails. Our driver/guide was very courteous, polite, friendly and sociable. He was highly professional and took the greatest care in our safety.
Sigiriya: Very good.
Polonnaruwa: Well arranged.
Dambulla Cave Temple: Went well.
Temple of the Tooth: Well set up.
-GC
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December 29, 2012 :
Numanu [driver/guide] was accurate in his estimations about how long a journey would take and kept the car very clean. He was pleasant and courteous at all times and is a strong, knowledgeable guide.
The Wallawwa, Kotugoda: A really nice start to the trip.
Priyankara Hotel,Tissamaharama: Small room. Senior staff rude. Awful location.
Mandira Dickoya Bungalow, Dickoya: Very basic. Nice staff. Would not stay more than one night.
Clove Villa, Kandy: Like staying at a really nice house. Staff are excellent, especially Charlie.
Heritance Kandalama, Kandalama: Great location from which to see the sights. Food good.
Jetwing Sea, Negombo: Relaxing end to the trip. Good rooms.
Dambulla Cave Temple: Beautiful and fascinating.
Sigiriya: Amazing – a highlight.
Polonnaruwa: Great place to spend some time – beautiful and interesting.
Yala National Park: Beautiful scenery but a lack of wildlife – not a ‘must do’.
Temple of the Tooth: A good excursion.
Adam’s Peak: Wonderful experience.
-AH
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December 28, 2012 :
Options for and alterations to the itinerary were thoughtfully proposed and efficiently processed. Sujith [driver/guide] was courteous and engaging. He was very knowledgeable about all aspects of his country, which we saw in a new light due to his intelligent and insightful commentary and discussion. He drove safely throughout the trip and was flexible to any alterations we wanted in our itinerary. He went out of his way to cater to our preferences.
The Wallawwa, Kotugoda: A beautiful way to recover after the flight. Outstanding massage, good service.
Ulagalla Resort, Anuradhapura: A magical place, perfect in every respect.
Heritance Kandalama, Kandalama: Scale of the hotel meant that the warmth and charm of the other hotels was lost here.
-RG – Australia
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December 28, 2012 :
Very happy with overall booking experience – responses were always punctual and helpful. Would recommend to others. Shane [driver/guide] was always on hand with useful advice. He has an extensive knowledge of Sri Lanka and its wildlife and was flexible to our requests. He was fantastic!
Palm Garden Village, Anuradhapura: Great location.
Chaaya Village, Habarana: Buffet-style food was excellent. Great location.
Slightly Chilled Yellow House, Dalhousie: Not much space to relax. Great food. Good location in the hills for Adam’s Peak.
Borderlands, Kitulgala: Great place to stay. Camping was comfortable and relaxing. Great atmosphere, felt very safe.
Master Campers, Wildlife Parks: Truly amazing experience. Staff were hospitable and friendly. Best food of the tour. Tent was luxury.
Aditya, Rathgama: Wonderful – everything was fantastic! Food, staff and room surpassed all expectations.
White-water Rafting: Excellent!
Polonnaruwa: Great, very informative guide.
-SS – UK
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December 27, 2012 :
Red Dot was recommended to me as a very good organisation to deal with. I fully agree with that recommendation. Ashok [driver/guide] did a fantastic job and is a credit to Red Dot. Highly recommend.
Kalus Hideaway, Uda Walawe: Rooms near the entrance to the hotel are noisy.
Kelburne Mountain View Cottages, Haputale: Excellent accommodation. Food and service outstanding, great location.
Clove Villa, Kandy: Good hotel with friendly staff.
Kassapa Lions Rock, Didgampathaha: Food okay, lacked variety and taste. Rooms spacious and comfortable.
Lion Rock: Lots of steps but well worth the effort!
-DT
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December 23, 2012 :
Ratwa [driver/guide] was outstanding! Informative, respectful and wonderful with the children. He was a real joy to be with.
Sigiriya: Brilliant.
Polonnaruwa: Very informative and interesting.
Dambulla Cave Temple: Amazing!
-JB – UK
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December 23, 2012 :
Although correspondence was at times slow, my emails were always answered and the replies were helpful. I also saved £1500 by booking an identical itinerary with Red Dot rather than another tour operator. Kumar [driver/guide] is excellent and delivered us safely to each destination. He provided us with useful information and advice throughout and gave us a very happy and memorable holiday.
The Wallawwa, Kotugoda: Beautiful hotel. Great location for airport. Immaculate room and peaceful grounds.
Kelburne Mountain View Cottages, Haputale: Best accommodation we’ve ever stayed in! Location, views, staff and room all excellent. Cannot be faulted!
Chaaya Wild, Yala: Excellent accommodation in a fantastic location. Thoroughly recommend.
Kalus Hideaway, Uda Walawe: Limited food choice. Kalu is a very nice gentleman.
Buckingham Place, Rekawa: Lovely, beautiful hotel. Rooms clean and spacious, stunning grounds, food excellent (though expensive). Peaceful and relaxing.
Park Street Hotel, Colombo: Spacious rooms, nice swimming pool, good location. Road traffic noisy.
Horton Plains: Thoroughly recommend – wonderful!
Yala Safaris: Excellent.
-NW – England, UK
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December 22, 2012 :
Kalus Hideaway, Uda Walawe: Rooms were poorly furnished. Lots of insects.
Chaaya Wild, Yala: Room not ready on arrival. Once moved in it was very comfortable.
Weligama Bay Resort, Weligama: Location not great.
Sigiriya: Strenuous! Beautiful and interesting.
Anuradhapura: Fascinating.
Polonnaruwa: Historically intriguing.
Dambulla Cave Temple: Outstanding – a real highlight.
Temple of the Tooth: A very special and moving experience.
Tea Factory: Informative.
Waterfalls: Beautiful.
Uda Walawe National Park: Brilliant.
-FQ – Australia
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December 22, 2012 :
Green Paradise, Dambulla: Great concept.
Sigiriya: Brilliant.
Dambulla Cave Temple: Excellent!
-W – Australia
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December 20, 2012 :
Excellent booking procedure from start to finish. Dilhari [consultant] worked very long hours to properly prepare our trip at very short notice.
Prabath [driver/guide] was outstanding. He was flexible, helpful, provided us with invaluable advice and was great with our children. It felt as if we had a good friend showing us around his country. There was nothing wanting; we cannot praise him enough.
Train journey: A wonderful experience.
Temple of the Tooth: Interesting – even the children enjoyed it.
Kandy Dancing: Excellent.
Botanical Gardens: Well worth seeing.
-ZS – Singapore
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December 16, 2012 :
Pleasantly surprised to be able to book our tour with just two weeks notice! Prices are expensive. Driver/guide was pleasant and good-natured, helping and giving information when he could.
Jetwing Sea, Negombo: Nice location, good rooms. Daughter loved it so much she did not want to leave!
Chaaya Village, Habarana: Food excellent.
Lavender House, Pussellawa: One of the best hotels. Wonderful service. No wifi.
Chaaya Wild, Yala: House-keeping poor. Service not great.
Polonnaruwa: Very enlightening.
Sigiriya: Challenging but enjoyable and fascinating.
Yala Safari: Enjoyable.
-R – Singapore
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December 16, 2012 :
Overall an easy procedure. Gamini [driver/guide] was very helpful and knowledgeable and was always punctual. He made our trip very enjoyable.
Whale Watching: Good experience. Recommend.
-AG – India
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December 16, 2012 :
Excellent communication throughout booking process. Our driver/guide was excellent – extremely knowledgeable and helpful.
Royal Lotus, Giritale: Rooms need a good clean. Stains on seats.
Sigiriya: Not for someone scared of heights. Spectacular views.
Temple of the Tooth: Beautiful.
Tea Factory: Really enjoyable. Recommend.
-JG – UK
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December 15, 2012 :
Jayasuriya [driver/guide] was fantastic! He made our trip.
The Wallawwa, Kotugoda: Wonderful hotel. Great rooms and bathroom. Delicious food and brilliant service.
Heritance Kandalama, Kandalama: Wonderful hotel.
Victoria Golf Chalets, Kandy: Lovely location, beautiful golf course. Rooms less appealing but fine. Good staff.
Kelburne Mountain View Cottages, Haputale: Amazing place! Outstanding views, wonderful staff and immaculate service. 10/10.
Buckingham Place, Rekawa: Lovely boutique hotel. Very relaxed, amazing rooms, fantastic staff. Very welcoming.
Rockside Cabanas, Unawatuna: Lovely location and fantastic staff. Cabanas basic but fine. Rude and unpleasant manager.
Sigiriya: Great.
Train journey: Wonderful – would recommend.
-NM
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December 15, 2012 :
Muthu [driver/guide] was very knowledgeable and often pointed out interesting things I could have missed. He is an efficient driver and a very thoughtful man. I highly recommend him.
-SC – New York, USA
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December 15, 2012 :
Sean [consultant] was very helpful and accommodating to all requests. Service was efficient and prompt. Wiki [driver/guide] was excellent. Always punctual, friendly and accommodating to all requests. Highly recommend.
Villa Araliya, Negombo: Staff friendly and helpful.
Clove Villa, Kandy: Fantastic place! Awesome room, very friendly and accommodating staff.
Heritance Kandalama, Kandalama: Staff very friendly, great service.
Ranna 212, Kahandamodara: Nice resort, good service. Isolated location. Food expensive.
Frangipani Tree, Thalpe: Perfect getaway. Excellent service from wonderful staff.
Tea Factory: Informative and hands-on.
Temple of the Tooth: Interesting.
Yala Safari: Driver was excellent but the guide was unprofessional.
Whale Watching: Great!
-DP – Singapore
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December 15, 2012 :
Tea Plantation: Enjoyable.
Whale Watching: Fun and interesting.
-HR
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December 15, 2012 :
Ervin [driver/guide] provided us with excellent assistance on excursions and drove very well and safely despite the weather(!)
Cinnamon Grand, Colombo: Bit like a railway station – very, very noisy.
Ceylon Tea Trails Castlereagh, Dickoya: Perfect.
The Kandy House, Kandy: Noisy. Silly bath in the middle of the room.
Ulagalla Resort, Anuradhapura: Excellent.
Jetwing Lagoon, Negombo: We prefer a bathroom to be indoors, particularly during a storm. Ill-lit bedroom.
-A – Ireland
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December 15, 2012 :
Booking process was smooth throughout. Website prices were not up-to-date.
The Wallawwa, Kotugoda: Lovely hotel.
Heritance Kandalama, Kandalama: Wonderful – peaceful and beautiful. Superb room. Breath-taking setting and architecture. Perfect and memorable.
Theva Residency, Kandy: Over-priced for what it is, food and views are redeeming features. Not a boutique hotel.
Ceylon Tea Trails Castlereagh, Dickoya: Charming, well-run bungalows. Staff couldn’t do enough for us. Views to die for, lush gardens, wonderful and varied meals.
The Last House, Tangalle: Stylish, chic and relaxed. Breath-taking views, unobtrusive service and delicious food. Luxurious and simple at the same time.
Tintagel, Colombo: Gorgeous boutique hotel.
Colombo City Walk: Could not have been better!
-VM – Durham, UK
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December 10, 2012 :
Very pleased with Red Dot. Would use again and will recommend to friends. We would definitely use Kevin [driver/guide] again and recommend him to others.
Sigiriya Village, Sigiriya: Lovely location, very good food.
Clove Villa, Kandy: Excellent facility. Bugs in bathroom.
St Andrews Hotel, Nuwara Eliya: Food excellent, staff helpful. Lack of hot water during the day.
Kalus Hideaway, Uda Walawe: No place to hang clothes. Lots of insects. No Sri Lankan food at dinner buffet.
Talalla Retreat, Matara: Relaxing and beautiful. Excellent, friendly staff. Magical fireflies. Snorkelling is poor.
Kandy Botanical Gardens: Good recommendation.
-MK
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December 10, 2012 :
Lahiru [consultant] was very good at offering alternative options when required. Ervin [driver/guide] is very friendly and has great knowledge of Sri Lanka.
Theva Residency, Kandy: Wonderful food, stunning views, luxurious rooms.
98 Acres Resort, Ella: Nice, clean rooms with amazing bathrooms. Best views I have ever seen! Food menu dull, breakfast cold. Unfriendly service.
Chaaya Wild, Yala: Amazing location. Swimming pool lovely and clean, roof terrace beautiful. Lovely food, mixed service.
Temple of the Tooth: Great.
Yala Safari: Fantastic!
-CR
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December 09, 2012 :
Herman [driver/guide] made our stay more enjoyable. We would recommend him to all and would definitely request him as our driver for any future visits.
Chaaya Village, Habarana: Lacked that ‘wow!’ factor. In need of refurbishment!
Ceylon Tea Trails Castlereagh, Dickoya: Amazing location.
The Fortress, Koggala: Wow.
Villa Bentota, Bentota: Room a little tatty in places.
-RF – Malta
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December 09, 2012 :
Dushan [driver/guide] is most outstanding, the best one we have experienced on our travels. Nothing was too much trouble and he went out of his way to accommodate our wishes.
Heritance Kandalama, Kandalama: A most outstanding location. Great architectural design.
Villa Rosa, Kandy: Outstanding views, uncomfortable bed, no safe.
Chaaya Wild, Yala: most enjoyable stay.
-WW – Australia
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December 09, 2012 :
Bonifus [driver] was pleasant, good humoured and brightened up each morning with his big smile. He was helpful throughout our trip., always punctual and a safe driver.
The Wallawwa, Kotugoda: Excellent hotel. Good location to relax after the long flight. Highly recommend.
Jetwing Vil Uyana, Sigiriya: Stunning hotel, very memorable. Excellent restaurant.
Ellerton, Kandy: Small and quaint. Loved the setting; breath-taking views. Pleasant staff and good food.
Ceylon Tea Trails Castlereagh, Dickoya: Outstanding. Best hotel experience we have ever had. Stunning location, lovely big room, amazing food and top class staff.
Chaaya Wild, Yala: Felt very ‘package tour’. Buffet food, cramped room, good breakfast.
Aditya, Rathgama: Excellent hotel. Very stylish, great views, lovely pool. Good food, superb staff.
Polonnaruwa: Fascinating.
Sigiriya: A ‘must-see’. Stunning climb to the top.
Kandula National Park: A highlight of the trip – incredible sightings of elephants.
Kandy Dance Shows: A little ‘touristy’ but very enjoyable nonetheless.
Yala National Park: Enjoyable – saw lots of interesting wildlife.
-AM – London, UK
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December 09, 2012 :
I was impressed with the efficiency of the consultant and how well the booking process was executed. I would not hesitate in recommending Red Dot. Ashok [driver/guide] was extremely courteous and efficient, providing valuable insights about Sri Lanka and its history. I am greatly in debt to him for making my holiday so memorable.
Clove Villa, Kandy: Very good boutique hotel.
Grand Hotel, Nuwara Eliya: A bit rundown. Questionable plumbing.
98 Acres Resort, Ella: Good location for Adam’s Peak. Very picturesque.
Back of Beyond - Yala: Very rustic. Terrible insects.
Ranna 212, Kahandamodara: Excellent hotel with great staff.
Villa Araliya, Negombo: Very basic.
-VT – Australia
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December 09, 2012 :
Shane [driver/guide] is a good driver with a cheerful disposition. He has great general knowledge and was helpful throughout our journey. He and RedDot will be recommended to all my friends.
The Wallawwa, Kotugoda: Beautiful hotel with friendly staff and delicious food.
Heritance Kandalama, Kandalama: Wonderful architecture. Great food, dark rooms, good location.
The Kandy House, Kandy: Charming, well-decorated, lovely garden.
98 Acres Resort, Ella: Rooms dark and dingy, awful room service food. Nice garden.
Chaaya Wild, Yala: Truly fabulous. Beautiful huts.
-SG – Australia
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December 05, 2012 :
Priyankara [driver/guide] was excellent. Professional, attentive and friendly, he was eager to share his knowledge of his rich and diverse country with us.
Ayubowan Guesthouse, Negombo: Very welcoming, impeccable service.
Green Paradise, Dambulla: ‘Internationally welcoming’. Lovely pool.
Serendip Stone Bungalow, Kandy: Very lovely decoration. Warm welcome, good food.
Avian Breeze, Nuwara Eliya: Excellent food, charming staff.
View Point Villa, Ella: Fabulous site, everything ‘just as it should be’
Hibiscus Garden, Tissamaharama: Lovely pool, beautiful garden, international welcome.
Mangrove Garden, Tangalle: Very good.
Paradise Beach Club, Mirissa: Very welcoming to international guests.
Seagreen Guesthouse, Galle Fort: Charming.
-S – France
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December 04, 2012 :
Charmaine [consultant] was very efficient and helpful during the booking process. Ranjith [driver/guide] was helpful, respectful and professional. We felt comfortable and relaxed at all times. We highly recommend him.
Rafters Retreat, Kitulgala: Great food.
Slightly Chilled Yellow House, Dalhousie: Basic, clean, spacious rooms. Lovely views, staff and food. Excellent value for money.
Zion View, Ella: Amazing location. Staff nice, owner not very friendly.
Uda Walawe Safari: Excellent jeep and guide – feels like you have the park to yourself!
-SR – London, UK
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December 04, 2012 :
Farad [driver/guide] was courteous and helpful throughout. Whilst he could not do enough for us, he was not overly attentive. He was always punctual and smartly-dressed and the car was immaculate.
Villa Talangama, Talangama: Lovely place to ‘recover’ after the journey.
Maya Villa, Tangalle: Lovely place but very remote.
Frangipani Tree, Thalpe: Nice location.
Yala Safari: We saw lots of wildlife.
-FW – UK
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December 02, 2012 :
Sunil [driver/guide] was excellent in every regard. He was gracious, friendly, hospitable and knowledgeable. A true delight, he made us feel both safe and welcome.
Ulagalla Resort, Anuradhapura: Perfect! This place is golden. Staff, food and room all at the top of the charts.
-LA
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December 01, 2012 :
Sanjeewa [driver/guide] drove extremely well, always careful and calm. He was punctual, very knowledgeable and courteous.
Galle Fort Hotel, Galle Fort: Beautiful historic buildings, great location.
The Safari, Tissamaharama: Truly beautiful spot – calm and tranquil. Excellent location for safaris, wonderful bird-watching. Staff very friendly and professional.
Zion View, Ella: Delightful. Wonderful views, staff very kind and helpful. Good base for walking, e.g. Adam’s Peak.
Yala Safari: Excellent.
-KR – UK
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November 30, 2012 :
Always prompt reply to emails.
Villa Kalapuwa, Thalhena: Very peaceful and remote. Limited drink options.
Rainforest Eco Lodge, Deniyaya: Staff very lovely. Accommodation is clean and lovely. Very different but enjoyable.
Chaaya Wild, Yala: Lovely hotel. Service very good, pool great. Our favourite place.
Yala Safari: Well organised with good guides.
-VM – Edinburgh, Scotland
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November 29, 2012 :
Dilhari [consultant] was a constant, reliable contact, helpful in every way. Prabath [driver/guide] was exactly what we’d hoped for – excellent.
-NR – UK
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November 29, 2012 :
Dirk [consultant] was very helpful when customising our itinerary. Ananda [driver/guide] was wonderful, making our stay in Sri Lanka fun and fantastic. We cannot recommend him highly enough.
Hideaway Wathuregama, Wathuregama: A little too secluded and remote.
Lavender House, Pussellawa: Staff were exceptionally attentive.
Dambulla Cave Temple: Fantastic, fully worth the climb!
Sigiriya Rock: Our favourite – highly recommend.
Tea Plantation: Stunning views en route.
-JA – New York, USA
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November 27, 2012 :
Villa Talangama, Talangama: Blissful surroundings. Great curry, whirring ceiling fans and a pool all to myself. I woke up to watch the buffalos wandering past and was told I could have that curd on my table the very next day.
-DH – York, UK
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November 26, 2012 :
Excellent response time during booking process and when I requested changes they were made immediately. Journey times need to be revised by Red Dot.
John [driver/guide] was a very good driver – I always felt safe with him. Did not really guide me – suggested I hired a guide for each excursion.
Wild Grass Nature Resort, Sigiriya: Quiet – lonely for one travelling alone.
Clove Villa, Kandy: Really lovely hotel.
Temple of the Tooth: Excellent.
Tea Factory: Very good.
-ED – London, UK
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November 25, 2012 :
Booking was smooth with fast and concise communication. We were lucky to get Ram [driver/guide]. His knowledge is amazing and he is a very safe driver. Everything was exceptional.
Hibiscus Garden, Tissamaharama: Expected more from the place – disappointed.
Zion View, Ella: Room basic for the price. View good, staff and food great.
Palm Garden Village, Anuradhapura: Restaurant service was dreadful. Everything else was good.
Yala Safari: Good guide and vehicle.
Sigiriya: Great experience.
Snorkelling: Good.
-KM – Ahmedabad
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November 25, 2012 :
Villa Araliya, Negombo: Basic but comfortable. Fine for a one night stay.
Green Paradise, Dambulla: Slow service at reception. Buffet only option for dinner. Lovely pool area. Nice, new hotel – we enjoyed our stay.
Clove Villa, Kandy: Staff lovely and very attentive. Beautifully decorated with lovely bathrooms. Peaceful location outside of Kandy. Good food and reasonably priced. Loved our time here.
Zion View, Ella: Basic, spotlessly clean rooms with incredible views. No air-con. Great food and staff.
Hibiscus Garden, Tissamaharama: Nice pool, good service.
-OB
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November 24, 2012 :
Sumedha [driver/guide] was the best driver/guide we’ve ever had – his experience and knowledge of Sri Lanka was invaluable. He was polite, helpful and fun, as well as being a safe driver. Strongly recommend him!
Wild Grass Nature Resort, Sigiriya: No mosquito net. Bit too quiet for us, felt lonely.
Melheim Resort, Haputale: Basic room, delicious food, excellent service.
Chaaya Wild, Yala: Big resort feel, expected something more private. Friendly staff, slow service, good a la carte menu. Comfortable, stylish rooms.
Frangipani Tree, Thalpe: Beautiful location. Spacious, comfortable room. Excellent food and service. Fantastic pool.
Temple of the Tooth, Kandy: Beautiful.
Spice Garden: Touristy. Pushy guide.
Kandula Safari: Great! Best sighting of elephants.
Polonnaruwa: Very interesting and beautiful.
-JT – Switzerland
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November 24, 2012 :
Aravinda [driver/guide] was polite and friendly and went out of his way to be helpful. His knowledge was excellent and he made us feel very welcome in Sri Lanka.
Galkadawala, Habarana: Unique hotel. Staff very friendly.
Zion View, Ella: Staff lovely.
-PG
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November 24, 2012 :
We loved Numanu [driver/guide] and would recommend him to everyone. He has outstanding knowledge of Sri Lanka and gained our complete trust very easily.
Amaya Lake, Dambulla: Great facilities, especially the pool. Room was far away from the main hotel.
Ranna 212, Kahandamodara: Very good! Great room, facilities and service. Beach setting is beautiful.
98 Acres Resort, Ella: Amazing location and views. Food very good, service great. Really enjoyed it here.
Sigiriya Rock: Very good.
Dambulla Cave Temples: Beautiful!
-GF – London, UK
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November 23, 2012 :
Wijekoon [driver/guide] is an excellent tour guide. He is very knowledgeable, friendly, helpful and a safe driver. He made our tour a real success!
Thilanka Resort and Spa, Dambulla: Food is average.
Queens Hotel, Kandy: Excellent location and service. Rooms need updating. Good breakfasts.
Mountain Heavens, Ella: Stunning location. Service very good, food excellent.
Sigiriya Rock: Stunning views.
Dambulla Cave Temples: Beautiful – almost unbelievable to see.
Temple of the Tooth: Very interesting but busy.
Kandy Dancing Show: Impressive and colourful – very enjoyable.
-NJ – Cardiff, Wales
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November 20, 2012 :
Thushara [driver/guide] was a very safe driver. He proactively made suggestions to cut travel time on excursion days and had a very positive attitude. He was professional and punctual and did all he could to make our holiday a success.
Back of Beyond - Pidurangala: Very much enjoyed experience.
Hill Club, Nuwara Eliya: Very much enjoyed it here.
Mountain Heavens, Ella: No hot water during peak times. View stunning from balcony. Enjoyed it here very much.
Talalla Retreat, Matara: Quiet beach location is excellent, very isolated. Rooms are very nice, good facilities. Food okay.
Whale Watching: Fabulous experience.
-BC – Singapore
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November 19, 2012 :
Ananda [driver/guide] is an asset to your business. We could not fault him.
Zion View, Ella: Food lacked variety.
Zion View, Ella: Food lacked variety.
Thambapanni Retreat, Unawatuna: Staff too pushy about eating in hotel restaurant. Restaurant staff ill-trained and unpleasant.
Hot-air balloon, Sigiriya: Excellent!
-AB – Australia
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November 19, 2012 :
RedDot provided us with an excellent itinerary programme. Prasanna [driver/guide] could not have been better – perfect!
Kassapa Lions Rock, Didgampathaha: Attentive service from staff.
The Kandy House, Kandy: Very good service from staff.
View Point Villa, Ella: Room not cleaned during stay.
Bandarawela Hotel, Bandarawela: Excellent hotel – very comfortable stay. Highly recommend.
Lake Lodge - Colombo: Central location.
-JH – Spain
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November 18, 2012 :
Horton Plains: Beautiful.
Sigiriya Rock: A must do! Definitely must see.
Polonnaruwa: Must do!
Tea Factory: Interesting, lovely surroundings.
-TH
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November 18, 2012 :
Raj [driver/guide] was very helpful and informative – would definitely use again.
Kalus Hideaway, Uda Walawe: Best service of the trip.
Yala Safari: Very good safari.
Uda Walawe Safari: Very good guide and park.
-NL
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November 17, 2012 :
Jonah [consultant] arranged a wonderful trip for us – the accommodation was first class.
Shane [driver/guide] was excellent. He was courteous, knowledgeable and patient and his car always clean and comfortable.
-SV – UK
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November 17, 2012 :
In general the booking process was very efficient, with all our needs respected and included.
Galle Face Regency, Colombo: Rooms are a little old. Dinner could be improved.
Galkadawala, Habarana: Outstanding experience. Very friendly staff, great food.
Clove Villa, Kandy: Very good staff.
Horton Plains: Great trip – long drive from Ella.
Yala Safari: Great!
-SK – London, UK
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November 17, 2012 :
Dilhari [consultant] was phenomenally responsive to all requests.
Sarath [driver/guide] was extremely helpful and friendly. He made the journeys very comfortable.
Avani Kalutara Resort, Kalutara: Location beautiful and room comfortable. Some basic facilities missing.
Thilanka Hotel, Kandy: Room not comfortable, poor service.
Cinnamon Grand, Colombo: Super experience here!
-AM
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November 17, 2012 :
We were very impressed with the speed that Charmaine [consultant] got back to us and how informative she was throughout the booking process. Thissa [driver/guide] was great! Helpful and a with a great sense of humour, no request was too big or too small. We enjoyed being greeted by his smile every day.
Victoria Golf Chalets, Kandy: Wonderful food and staff!
Cinnamon Island and Virgin White Tea: Amazing!
-RO – Singapore
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November 16, 2012 :
Charmaine [consultant] provided an easy, efficient and enjoyable booking process for us – she is an asset to your team!
Sunil [driver/guide] has been a pleasure to spend time with. He is kind, informative and a safe driver. We recommend him to everyone.
Waters Edge Tisawewa, Anuradhapura: Friendly staff, delicious food, clean bungalow. Lots of insects!
Jetwing Vil Uyana, Sigiriya: This hotel is amazing! Loved staying here. Brilliant staff, stunning hotel, amazing food and service, fantastic room.
The Wallawwa, Kotugoda: Beautiful! Rooms, staff, food and restaurant – great.
Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage: Thoroughly enjoyed this.
-LB – Doha, Qatar
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November 15, 2012 :
We booked late and the service we were given was very helpful. Red Dot were very keen to understand and match our requirements and were patient when we made changes. You provided us with a very enjoyable holiday. Kumar [driver/guide] was always helpful. He was friendly, interested and knowledgeable and always concerned for our safety.
Rainforest Eco Lodge, Deniyaya: Great location, very attentive staff. Excellent food.
Sharon Inn, Kandy: Very clean, helpful owner. We were well looked after.
Zion View, Ella: Great breakfasts, fabulous views.
Train – Kandy to Ella: Spectacular.
-BM – UK
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November 14, 2012 :
RedDotTours provided us with an excellent service throughout and we recommend you to everyone with no reservations.
Angelo’s [driver/guide] knowledge and politeness was beyond our expectations. Highly recommend.
-MR – Quebec, Canada
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November 13, 2012 :
Hasantha [driver/guide] is excellent – would definitely recommend.
Yala National Park: Extremely knowledgeable safari guide.
-BS
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November 12, 2012 :
Sunil [driver/guide] was very helpful and made our trip extremely enjoyable.
Jetwing Vil Uyana, Sigiriya: Excellent place to stay.
Jetwing Lighthouse, Galle: Beautiful setting, terrible service.
Sigiriya: Great experience, really enjoyed the walk.
Kandy dancers: Very entertaining!
-LH – Australia
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November 11, 2012 :
Couldn’t fault the booking process. Luxman [driver/guide] has been an absolute pleasure to have as a companion. He is very knowledgeable about all aspects of Sri Lanka and recommended some great stops for us along the way. We highly recommend him as he gave us a wonderful tour.
The Wallawwa, Kotugoda: Hotel is beautiful and restaurant has great food. Excellent location for a stop before beginning our journey to Sigiriya.
Jetwing Vil Uyana, Sigiriya: A unique hotel where you can enjoy the nature reserve whilst having easy access to Sigiriya and Kandula National Park. Very good restaurant.
The Kandy House, Kandy: Beautiful hotel, delicious food, good location for some peace away from the city.
Chaaya Wild, Yala: Great hotel: clean room, helpful staff and a wide range of food. Amazing experience with the animals roaming around.
Kandula Safari: Amazing experience! Highly recommend.
Yala Safari: One of our highlights of the tour. Saw a leopard!
Sigiriya: Fantastic trip.
-TC – London, UK
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November 11, 2012 :
Jetwing Vil Uyana, Sigiriya: Excellent location. Friendly staff, great food.
Ellerton, Kandy: Lacks local ambience. Uninspiring food, limited choice.
Polonnaruwa: Very interesting, enjoyed it!
Dambulla Cave Temple: Very good to experience.
-LD – UK
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November 10, 2012 :
Heritance Kandalama, Kandalama: Food is rather pricey.
-LMC – Singapore
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November 10, 2012 :
Lukmanie [consultant] was very efficient and helpful – a pleasure to deal with.
Bernard [driver/guide] was very good. He taught us many interesting things about Sri Lanka.
-AR – Australia
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November 04, 2012 :
Boniface [driver/guide] was a safe driver and always helpful and professional.
-SF
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November 04, 2012 :
Lahiru [consultant]is very courteous, customer service-orientated, calm and mature. George [driver] met us at the airport and was very unfriendly. Bernard [driver/guide] was with us for the rest of the trip – what a difference! He was passionate, bubbly, informative and professional and made our trip very enjoyable.
The Wallawwa, Kotugoda: Hotel looks very run down from the outside.
Ulagalla Resort, Anuradhapura: Large, luxurious villa. Fantastic massage!
Theva Residency, Kandy: Great location – beautiful views. Room poorly finished – dirty corners, poorly painted, no cupboard. Blocked drain in bathroom.
Ceylon Tea Trails Tientsin, Dickoya: Very attentive service. Food average.
Chaaya Wild, Yala: Nice room. Good location. Great variety of food.
-FH
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November 04, 2012 :
Jetwing Vil Uyana, Sigiriya: Checked out early – would not recommend.
Ceylon Tea Trails Castlereagh, Dickoya: Superlative. Gracious and attentive service.
-MM – UK
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November 03, 2012 :
Boniface [driver/guide] did a really good job. He was very pleasant and drove well in awful conditions.
Galle Face Regency, Colombo: Gracious old hotel in need of a well-deserved freshening up.
Nilaveli Beach Hotel, Nilaveli: Staff mostly surly and bored.
Amaya Hills, Kandy: Very pleasant. Great live music at dinner.
Grand Hotel, Nuwara Eliya: Just glorious. Excellent value for money.
Elephant Beach Ride: Rather basic, staff push for tips – would not recommend.
Sigiriya Rock: Fascinating.
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November 02, 2012 :
Sunil was a very agreeable and knowledgeable driver.
Chaaya Wild, Yala: Handy proximity to Yala National Park – wild animals on hotel premises were exciting for the children.
Uda Walawe National Park: Excellent guide, very interesting safari.
Yala Safari: Very busy but very good.
-SD – Oman
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November 02, 2012 :
Sila [driver/guide] was very friendly and professional. His estimations of the time duration of our journeys was often inaccurate.
Turtle Bay, Kalametiya: Great beaches, nice facilities.
Mangrove Garden, Tangalle: Great set-up, very attentive staff.
Galle Fort tour: Informative and fun.
Bird Sanctuary, Turtle Bay: Relaxing with beautiful scenery.
Yala Safari: Tough roads, interesting wildlife.
Moonstone Mine, Hikkaduwa: Interesting but not spectacular.
-MB – Doha, Qatar
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November 02, 2012 :
Lukmanie [consultant] was slow to respond initially but then easily accommodated our tailor-made travel plans. Excellent information on website. Shane [drvier/guide] made our trip to Sri Lanka a very special experience. A knowledgeable and friendly guy, Shane ensured that our trip was fun as well as informative. We feel we have made a good friend and highly recommend him to all – we could not have asked for a better guide.
Ellerton, Kandy: A wonderful experience in every way – rooms, food and service all fantastic. Would definitely stay here again and do not hesitate to recommend.
-MP – Dubai, UAE
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November 01, 2012 :
Felt that the booking process could have been quicker. Shantha [driver/guide] has provided excellent service. He has been very patient and accommodating with our children, is very knowledgeable and has been prompt at all times. Excellent driver.
Ice Bear, Negombo: Room clean, food good.
Sigiriya Village, Sigiriya: Lovely hotel. Bathroom shabby, room a bit small. Pool very nice.
Sharon Inn, Kandy: Room clean but over-crowded with furniture. Unpleasant owner. Food good.
Grand Hotel, Nuwara Eliya: I wish we had not stayed at this hotel. Would not recommend to others.
-MM – Muscat, Oman
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November 01, 2012 :
Sigiriya: Excellent. Steps a little tired in places.
-CJ – Muscat, Oman
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October 31, 2012 :
Naren [consultant] was extremely helpful, offering insightful and inspiring suggestions. Naren had no impatience or frustration with our many alterations.
Sigiriya: Well worth the effort – it is amazing and the views are to die for!
Yala Safari: Excellent.
Temple of the Tooth: Very interesting and an incredible atmosphere.
Polonnaruwa: A really good day out – be ready for the ‘hard sell’.
Train to Haputale: A ‘must do’! Scenery is beautiful.
-HM – UK
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October 29, 2012 :
We had no issues with Herman [driver/guide]. He was very helpful and a decent person.
Melheim Resort, Haputale: Liked this hotel very much.
South Point Abbey, Kathaluwa: Too much traffic sound.
-BB – Istanbul, Turkey
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October 28, 2012 :
Sigiriya Village, Sigiriya: Best quality hotel for the price of the trip.
View Point Villa, Ella: No hot water. Over-priced for service, superb location.
Temple of the Tooth: Very good.
-EM – Bangkok
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October 28, 2012 :
Overall the booking process was a very positive experience.
-MF
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October 28, 2012 :
Bernard [driver/guide] was friendly, helpful and informative. Also a good driver! Would recommend.
Horathapola Estate, Horathapola: Wonderful breakfast, great service.
Master Campers, Wildlife Parks: Best food! Fantastic experience.
-GF – Singapore
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October 28, 2012 :
Herman [driver] is a true gentleman. Reliable, good-natured and a safe driver, he does his best at all times to get you to the next location on time and in comfort. He is very knowledgeable and went above and beyond for us several times during the trip.
Villa Kalapuwa, Thalhena: Stunning hotel, gorgeously designed in a beautiful location. Attentive staff.
Wild Grass Nature Resort, Sigiriya: Lovely design, beautiful setting amid the jungle. Very attentive staff. Good food, Western prices.
Lavender House, Pussellawa: Exquisite hotel. Brilliant views, loved the infinity pool.
Borderlands, Kitulgala: Staff were supportive and encouraging. Great fun!
98 Acres Resort, Ella: Beautiful views. Quite remote. Wonderful chef!
The Safari, Tissamaharama: One rude waiter, other staff lovely. Good location for safari.
-RP – Australia
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October 28, 2012 :
Pinnawela Elephant Orphanage: Very good – children loved it.
Sigiriya Rock: Excellent.
Dambulla Cave Temples: Fantastic.
Temple of the Tooth: Very nice.
Royal Botanical Gardens: Very beautiful.
-SV – Abu Dhabi, UAE
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October 26, 2012 :
Lukmanie [consultant] provided very personal service and was very well organised. We felt very well informed and appreciated all the general information about Sri Lanka. Rathna [driver/guide] was most impressive. An excellent driver and very helpful, we felt safe and relaxed at all times.
Borderlands, Kitulgala: A gem of a place – lovely tents. Clean showers and toilets, scrumptious and plentiful food. Very relaxed atmosphere.
-RG - Dubai, UAE
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October 23, 2012 :
Lahiru was a very friendly consultant. Our driver/guide was attentive and helpful and assisted us in any way he could. His vehicle was unsuitable for half of the roads of our journey – a 4X4 would have been better.
Frangipani Tree, Thalpe: Great service, good food, wonderful location.
Rainforest Eco Lodge, Deniyaya: Excellent location, outstanding wildlife guides.
Warwick Gardens, Ambewela: Simply beautiful! Unreliable connection on card machine when paying.
Horton Plains, World’s End: Very enjoyable walk with knowledgeable guide.
Polonnaruwa: Excellent guide, very interesting.
-DE – France
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October 21, 2012 :
Kevin [driver/guide] was fantastic. Very knowledgeable and great with our son.
Sigiriya Village, Sigiriya: Room was quite dark.
Elephant Ride: Very good.
Dambulla Cave Temple: Very good.
-GF
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October 21, 2012 :
Jamal [driver/guide] is excellent. He was helpful and did everything he could to make our experience enjoyable. Good balance between guiding us and letting us explore ourselves.
Heritance Kandalama, Kandalama: Beautiful location, excellent service. Overall a fantastic experience.
Villa Rosa, Kandy: Spectacular views, couldn’t fault the service. Top home-cooked Sri Lankan food.
Hibiscus Garden, Tissamaharama: Very nice. Friendly staff, limited English.
Sigiriya Rock: Very interesting. We would advise others to not bother with a guide.
Temple of the Tooth: Interesting and fun!
Yala Safari: Excellent – really enjoyed!
-DB – London, UK
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October 17, 2012 :
Charmaine [consultant] was always very helpful and responsive.
Bernard was an excellent driver/guide. A real pleasure to be with.
-DG – UK
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October 16, 2012 :
Rathna [driver/guide] was absolutely the best. Always prompt, professional and willing to help.
CASA Colombo, Colombo: Outstanding service!
Ceylon Tea Trails Castlereagh, Dickoya: The best experience we had in Sri Lanka!
Tea Trails: Fantastic experience! Excellent and entertaining tour guide.
Uda Walawe National Park: This was an unforgettable safari. A true earthy and adventurous experience.
-KN – Australia
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October 16, 2012 :
Charmaine was pleasant and professional. She was very prompt and efficient and provided a clear overview of our itinerary. Prasanna [driver/guide] is an excellent driver with very good local knowledge. Kind, caring and helpful, we do not hesitate in recommending him to others.
Chaaya Blu, Uppuveli: Service could definitely be improved.
Helgas Folly, Kandy: Great atmosphere, excellent service. Bathroom could be improved.
Kulu Safaris, Uda Walawe & Yala: Great manager, food was amazing! Had a great time here.
Aditya, Rathgama: Looks stunning, poor service, disappointing food.
-KV – Sydney, Australia
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October 15, 2012 :
Jonah [consultant] was great, responding right away and flexible with our requests. Shane [driver/guide] was very helpful and courteous. Highly recommend.
St Lachlan Hotel, Negombo: Nice hotel – could be a little cleaner. Very nice staff.
Jetwing Vil Uyana, Sigiriya: Excellent hotel! Highly recommend.
Hideaway Arugambay: Excellent hotel, best food in Sri Lanka.
Hibiscus Garden, Tissamaharama: Very nice – food okay.
CASA Colombo, Colombo: Excellent hotel – highly recommend. Room and staff were spectacular.
Tea Plantations: A highlight!
-AC – New York, USA
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October 14, 2012 :
Jonah [consultant] took a long time to answer emails.
Renuka Hotel, Colombo: Musty room, noisy traffic outside.
Sigiriya Village, Sigiriya: Fantastic setting in the jungle.
Queens Hotel, Kandy: Old-fashioned charm. Central location. Noisy, comfortable room.
-PW – Sussex, UK
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October 12, 2012 :
Jonah [consultant] suggested an excellent itinerary and was very helpful during the consultation process. My experience with Red Dot has been excellent. From the moment we left the airport, we felt well cared for by our driver/guide. His knowledge and love of Sri Lanka made our holiday brilliant. He was punctual, an excellent driver and his vehicle was always pristine. Our holiday would not have been half as good without him.
Kassapa Lions Rock, Didgampathaha: Excellent chalet accommodation. Spotlessly clean and extremely comfortable, wonderful staff.
Clove Villa, Kandy: Beautiful accommodation. Warm hospitality and excellent food. Highly recommend!
St Andrews Hotel, Nuwara Eliya: Staff excellent, bar wonderful. We had a lovely stay here.
98 Acres Resort, Ella: Great potential. Bathroom flooded, insects in room, reception staff not concerned. Restaurant staff excellent and food great.
Priyankara Hotel,Tissamaharama: Loved this hotel! Great staff, room, food and pool.
Flower Garden, Unawatuna: Room dark and badly arranged. Pool and staff wonderful.
St Lachlan Hotel, Negombo: Fantastic hotel. Excellent room, lovely pool, delicious food.
Minneriya: Beautiful park, excellent guide.
Sigiriya Rock: Wonderful excursion – really interesting, amazing views.
Polonnaruwa: Fascinating ancient city.
Yala Safari: Brilliant – our guide was great.
-DG – Dublin, Ireland
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October 09, 2012 :
Naren [consultant] was very helpful throughout the booking process, always quick to respond to queries.
Our driver was fantastic. Sociable but not too chatty, we really enjoyed his company and advice.
CASA Colombo, Colombo: Beautiful property. Room was something to behold! Breakfast very nice.
The Kandy House, Kandy: Just lovely. Staff are attentive, the property superb. Loved it.
-MJ – Birmingham, UK
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October 05, 2012 :
Palagama Beach, Alankuda: Dolphin/whale-watching unavailable when not peak season.
Colombo Courtyard,Colombo: Exceptional room.
Polonnaruwa: Very good.
Temple of the Tooth: Going during prayers was really special.
Wilpattu National Park: Stunning facility – saw a leopard!
-AM – Kent, UK
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October 03, 2012 :
Lahiru [consultant] was fantastic. Very responsive and flexible, with good ideas on hotels.
Ashok [driver/guide] was one of the most conscientious guides I have ever had. Always punctual, smart, polite and organised. We were very well taken care of. He was patient, with a good attitude and positive spirit. We loved Ashok!
Queens Hotel, Kandy: Room a bit tired. Restaurant options nearly all poor.
98 Acres Resort, Ella: No alcohol license.
Chaaya Wild, Yala: Food was exceptional.
Mihintale: Very interesting and worthwhile!
Ritigala: Excellent site that we really enjoyed.
-KO – Cheshire, UK
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September 21, 2012 :
Booking process was very good. Jonah [consultant] was helpful and patient in suggesting options and amending our plans after we made a number of itinerary changes. William [driver/guide] was outstanding. He contributed greatly to our enjoyment of the trip and we absolutely recommend him 100%!
Jetwing Vil Uyana, Sigiriya: Stunning hotel and perfect base for the nearby excursions.
Queens Hotel, Kandy: Amazing hotel and location.
Heritance Tea Factory, Kandapola: Another outstanding hotel. Highly recommend.
-NL – Australia
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September 18, 2012 :
Governors Mansion, Dickoya: Service very good. Not a boutique hotel, very remote.
Zion View, Ella: Really special guesthouse – lovely food, amazing views.
Leopard Safaris- National Parks: Truly exceptional experience. Food was incredible.
White Water Rafting: Brilliant fun!
Train journey – Colombo to Hatton: Great experience.
Yala National Park: : Exciting safari.
-JL – Twickenham, UK
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September 17, 2012 :
Seelan [driver/guide] was superlative – we can find no fault with his service. We are deeply appreciative of his efforts to ensure our comfort and welfare during the journey and highly recommend him to others.
Heritance Kandalama, Kandalama: Superlative.
98 Acres Resort, Ella: Service at times unpolished, yet very earnest. Property rather ‘raw’, environment was spectacular. Very enjoyable stay.
Lunuganga, Bentota: Superlative.
Train journey – Kandy to Ella: Superlative.
Ayuvedic Massage, Colombo: Forgettable.
-SY
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September 10, 2012 :
Namunu [driver/guide] could not have been more helpful. Very knowledgeable and patient, he satisfied our every request. Highly recommend.
Heritance Kandalama, Kandalama: Overall, exceptional.
The Wallawwa, Kotugoda: Beautiful hotel.
The Kandy House, Kandy: Exceptional and very special. Best food of the tour – breakfast on our private terrace was delightful.
The Last House, Tangalle: Beautiful pool, great location by the beach. Food very good, staff friendly.
Jetwing Lighthouse, Galle: Two pools and both exceptional. Breakfast with the beach ‘on your doorstep’ is very special.
-KA – Australia
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September 09, 2012 :
Prasanna [driver/guide] was excellent. His knowledge of Sri Lanka was very good and he provided us with excellent tours of both Sigiriya and Polonnaruwa. He was very kind, courteous and went the extra mile to ensure we enjoyed the holiday to the fullest. We would definitely recommend Prasanna to others.
Sigiriya: The climb and the view at the top were amazing.
Polonnaruwa: Enjoyed cycling around the ancient city – very interesting.
-NP – UK
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September 08, 2012 :
I found Sunil [driver/guide] extremely helpful, accommodating and knowledgeable.
Mas Villa, Kotmale: Superb! Wonderful staff – chef could be a star with European food.
Kelburne Mountain View Cottages, Haputale: Stunning location, very relaxing. Staff very attentive.
Hibiscus Garden, Tissamaharama: Staff were a little disinterested. No patio/private area on which to relax at night.
The Last House, Tangalle: Would be difficult to improve upon – best hotel we stayed in. Superb!
Villa Kalapuwa, Thalhena: Friendly staff, good food. Lots of insects. Good for the airport.
Minneriya: Very enjoyable!
Yala Safari: Very good.
-MP – UK
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September 08, 2012 :
Response to initial enquiry was slow, but speed of response improved throughout process.
Shane [driver/guide] is incredibly helpful, welcoming and eager to surpass all of our expectations. He went out of his way to make our first impression of Sri Lanka pleasant and long-lasting. We would definitely recommend him to others – he is a valuable asset to RedDot.
Jetwing Sea, Negombo: Great bathroom, nice sea view.
Chaaya Village, Habarana: Food excellent – would recommend half-board to others.
Randholee, Kandy: Great setting.
Melheim Resort, Haputale: Fantastic service. Pool a bit dirty. Amazing setting, a little isolated.
Chaaya Wild, Yala: Amazing setting, beautiful room.
Mangrove Garden, Tangalle: Great location, quiet retreat – quite basic (no hot water). Great value for money.
Sigiriya Rock: Long climb but completely worth it.
Yala Safari: Jeep was very comfortable, tracker very patient. We saw a wide variety of animals.
-SM – Australia
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September 06, 2012 :
Lahiru [consultant] was very efficient – booking process was seamless from beginning to end.
Ananda [driver/guide] is a wonderful driver and really made our trip. He has a wealth of knowledge and is a truly lovely person. Extremely professional, helpful, obliging and trustworthy, he has been a pleasure to travel with. We cannot recommend him more highly.
Theva Residency, Kandy: Would not want to stay more than one night – a bit characterless.
Kahanda Kanda, Koggala: A beautiful oasis, perfect for relaxing in away from the business of Galle. Very good food, over-attentive service.
Pinnawela Elephant Orphanage: Good to see, a little touristy.
Temple of the Tooth: Very interesting cultural experience.
Tea Factory: Fantastic tour!
-BF – London, Uk
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September 06, 2012 :
Lahiru [consultant] was excellent. Information on website was good. Sanjeewa [driver/guide] was excellent throughout. Vehicle was in great condition and very comfortable. He was very knowledgeable and personal and added greatly to our experience of the trip.
Palm Garden Village, Anuradhapura: Nice set-up – very peaceful. Very nice pool, restaurant and bar. Free wifi.
Sigiriya Village, Sigiriya: Fantastic service, very personable staff. Beautiful view and stunning grounds. Small pool, fantastic food.
Clove Villa, Kandy: Beautiful hotel – excellent food, friendly staff.
Zion View, Ella: Fabulous views, room comfortable. Relaxed atmosphere. Food well-priced and excellent.
Priyankara Hotel,Tissamaharama: Nice hotel, nice rooms. Service slow, food nice.
Anuradhapura: Very impressive – great trip.
Sigiriya Rock: Excellent – best cultural sight we’ve visited.
Dambulla Cave Temple: Beautiful and very interesting.
Botanical Gardens: Peaceful.
Temple of the Tooth: Vibrant – fantastic!
-PD – Kilkenny, Ireland
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September 06, 2012 :
Roshan [driver/guide] was a great asset to our holiday. He was always friendly and helpful, and is amazingly knowledgeable about Sri Lanka.
St Lachlan Hotel, Negombo: Comfortable stay.
Mandira Strathdon Bungalow, Watawala: Loved staying here – like being a guest in a friend’s house. Very welcoming and friendly, delicious food.
Randholee, Kandy: Wonderful location, gorgeous pool.
Kassapa Lions Rock, Didgampathaha: Very friendly staff.
Nilaveli Beach Hotel, Nilaveli: Perfect location on gorgeous beach. Friendly, helpful staff.
Polonnaruwa: Really interesting!
Sigiriya: Not for the faint-hearted, but a great trip.
-LP – UK
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September 04, 2012 :
Fernando [driver] was very nice and helpful, looking after us and my 4 year old very well.
The Wallawwa, Kotugoda: Fantastic place – amazing breakfast!
Zion View, Ella: Great small hotel – location and food is wonderful.
Master Campers: Food was astonishingly good. The whole stay was amazing – the location is incredible.
Train from Kandy to Ella: Fantastic, beautiful.
-JS
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September 04, 2012 :
Our driver was brilliant with the kids. He was an all-round nice guy to spend the holiday with.
-CB
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September 02, 2012 :
We had a real problem whilst on our holiday, but we emailed the office and everyone we spoke to was amazing. Donovan and Dilit [consultants] worked very hard between them to ensure that we were happy whilst on our holiday. They are both a great asset to your company.
William [driver] was fantastic, very informative and he really cared about the quality of our trip in every aspect. I can’t praise him highly enough!
The Fortress, Koggala: Profile doesn’t do it justice – fabulous.
Heritance, Ahungalla: Should not be positioned as a 5 star hotel – in the UK it would be a 3 star. It took two hours to be shown to our room, which smelled like drains.
White Water Rafting: Well organised and fun.
Temple of the Tooth: Great.
-JC – UK
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September 02, 2012 :
Hasantha [driver/guide] was fantastic, always friendly, polite and helpful. Excellent knowledge of Sri Lanka, especially of wildlife and flora and fauna.
Thilanka Resort and Spa, Dambulla: Lovely large rooms and pool. Remarkable spa!
Randholee, Kandy: Lovely view.
Kelburne Mountain View Cottages, Haputale: Loved this place – on top of the world, fabulous views. Great staff, lovely food.
Chaaya Wild, Yala: Nice rooms and bathroom. More staff would greatly improve service.
The Fortress, Koggala: Beautiful huge room, no view and noisy. Beautiful pool, helpful staff, good spa.
Dambulla Caves: Need suitable footwear for climb down!
Train journey – Kandy to Haputale: Great experience.
Turtle Hatchery, Galle: Interesting seeing all the different turtles. Kids loved it.
-KG – UK
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September 02, 2012 :
Trip would not have been the same without Nalin [driver/guide]. His advice was invaluable and his knowledge of Sri Lanka superb.
Jetwing Lighthouse, Galle: Great service and location, lovely rooms and pools.
Zion View, Ella: Great!
Amaya Hills, Kandy: Tap water in breakfast juice and tea – made us ill.
Cinnamon Lodge, Habarana: Excellent food, great pool, okay room.
Nilaveli Beach Hotel, Nilaveli: Great family hotel. Lovely beach, good food.
Ulagalla Resort, Anuradhapura: Beautiful rooms, food disappointing. Service should be better for this standard of hotel.
Turtle Sanctuary: Good – kids liked this.
Yala National Park: Fantastic experience – unforgettable. Great guide.
Safari Boat Trip: Great – kids loved it!
-RW – UK
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September 01, 2012 :
Some errors made in confirmation process, but when I arrived everything was as I had requested.
Driver was always punctual and provided good advice. Vehicle was spotlessly clean and in good condition which made me feel safe. I have travelled independently on tours for fifteen years and this ranks among my best experiences.
Galle Face Regency, Colombo: Wonderful service.
Waters Edge Tisawewa, Anuradhapura: Very charming, no air-con or beer. Excellent service.
Heritance Kandalama, Kandalama: Not a five-star hotel.
The Fortress, Koggala: An amazing room and pool. Food is poor and over-priced.
-JS – USA
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August 31, 2012 :
Naren [consultant] provided us with rapid responses during the booking process. Ananda [driver/guide] made all the difference to the holiday. He is highly knowledgeable, friendly without being intrusive and an excellent, safe driver. I cannot recommend him highly enough!
Galle Face Regency, Colombo: Lovely hotel, excellent location. Lots of character, very beautiful.
Galle Face Regency, Colombo: Lovely hotel, excellent location. Lots of character, very beautiful.
Heritance Kandalama, Kandalama: Fantastic location – fabulous views of Sigiriya. Great wildlife.
Chaaya Blu, Uppuveli: Good location on beach. Rooms basic with lovely bathroom. Lovely dining area – good atmosphere.
Amaya Hills, Kandy: Fabulous views. Room a bit tired, especially bathroom. Dining room big, lack atmosphere – dining terrace is lovely.
Langdale by Amaya, Radalla: Hotel immaculate, beautiful room, service attentive. Location is very peaceful. Food excellent and beautifully served.
Jetwing Lighthouse, Galle: Stunning location, lovely dining on the sea front. Spa very good and well-priced.
Sigiriya: Very impressive tour – highly recommend!
Tea Estates: Very enjoyable – beautiful area!
-SS – Berkshire, England
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August 31, 2012 :
Booking process was straightforward and easy to follow online. Good contact details for any further questions. Senarath [driver/guide] has contributed greatly to our first trip to Sri Lanka. His relaxed approach and good sense of humour was greatly appreciated and he ensured that all of our holiday expectations were met.
Villa Talangama, Talangama: Superb location for bird-watching. All staff very friendly and courteous, room comfortable with great facilities. All meals were delicious.
Martins Lodge, Sinharaja: Location is superb – the remoteness of the lodge is a key factor, allowing easy access into the forest.
Kalus Hideaway, Uda Walawe: An outstanding experience. All staff polite and helpful, food delicious and beautifully presented. Facilities in the room were superb.
The Safari, Tissamaharama: Superb location over-looking the lake. Staff attentive and helpful, room excellent.
St Andrews Hotel, Nuwara Eliya: Staff extremely friendly, room very good. Food was outstanding, varied and superbly presented.
Horton Plains: A great experience.
Sigiriya Rock: A visit not to be missed. Breath-taking.
Yala Safari: An excellent national park with rich wildlife. Superb, thoughtful jeep driver and a knowledgeable guide.
-JD – Suffolk, UK
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August 31, 2012 :
Aravinda [driver/guide] was brilliant!
Ravanas Secret, Ella: Food fantastic. We were very happy here – will be great when completed!
Kalus Hideaway, Uda Walawe: Fantastic hotel – great service, friendly staff.
Yala National Park: Excellent – saw a wide variety of wildlife, including a leopard!
-PA – Anglesey, UK
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August 31, 2012 :
The booking process was easy with a speedy response at each stage of the planning process – hassle free!
Kumar [driver/guide] was extremely knowledgeable and we had good fun with him. He was also helpful in explaining local customs and etiquette to us and made sure we were safe at all times.
Fort Printers, Galle Fort: Room was lovely, staff and food very good. Location excellent for exploring Galle.
Kalus Hideaway, Uda Walawe: Staff were very welcoming, nice room and meals.
98 Acres Resort, Ella: Location and architecture wonderful, staff very friendly. No liquor license, pool area and gardens still being developed. Room fine, shower leaked.
Mas Villa, Kotmale: Lovely room, food expensive.
Heritance Kandalama, Kandalama: All aspects of our stay were wonderful. Good value for money for the standard of room, service, food and location. Organised some great trips for us, e.g. bird watching. Would definitely go back.
Villa Kalapuwa, Thalhena: Made to feel welcome and at home. Lovely pool, orginial setting, delicious dinner.
Uda Walawe National Park: Adequate jeep, good guide. It was a very nice trip.
Sigiriya Rock: An unforgettable sight.
-UK
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August 31, 2012 :
Prasanna [driver/guide] was excellent in every aspect. He was friendly yet maintained professionalism at all times and was very flexible throughout the trip. He went above and beyond our expectations.
-TP – UK
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August 31, 2012 :
Tisaha [driver/guide] is very thoughtful. He looked after each member of our group and nothing is too much trouble. He was a safe, careful driver and his knowledge of the country was very good, making him a truly lovely guide.
The Beach Place, Thalpe: Staff helpful and friendly. Villa tired with damp rooms from proximity to sea. Beach not very clean, sea not safe to swim in. Chef is helpful and his food delicious.
Weir House, Ulapane: Beautiful villa. Staff lovely and helpful. Quite far out from Kandy.
Cinnamon Grand, Colombo: Service at bar area awful.
Jetwing Lagoon, Negombo: New hotel so staff still learning the ropes. Lovely hotel, beautiful setting.
Royal Botanical Gardens: Lovely place to visit.
Temple of the Tooth: An amazing experience.
City Walk, Colombo: The highlight of all of our excursions.
-VK – Sussex, UK
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August 29, 2012 :
Lukmanie [consultant] was excellent and answered queries swiftly. Red Dot gave me the best quote of a number of tour companies that I contacted.
Our driver/guide was excellent. Extremely courteous, provided great insight and was full of knowledge. Car was immaculate and he drove very safely.
Thilanka Resort and Spa, Dambulla: Hotel lovely – food excellent, staff extremely attentive.
-JT – UK
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August 28, 2012 :
Elmo [driver/guide] drove us perfectly and had lots of interesting knowledge to share with us about Sri Lanka.
Lake Lodge - Colombo: Very nice new hotel.
Amaya Hills, Kandy: Perfect.
Hill Club, Nuwara Eliya: Interesting experience – more of a museum than family accommodation.
Ambiente, Ella: Location was good. Okay for one night.
Paradise Beach Club, Mirissa: Perfect location. Room okay, bathroom below acceptable hygiene standards.
-RF
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August 28, 2012 :
Booking process was handled well before departure, but liaison during our time in Sri Lanka was not handled well.
Cadjan Earth, Anamaduwa: Loved this place!
Mountain Heavens, Ella: Lovely!
Hideaway, Arugambay: Fantastic – shame about the expensive food.
-CO – Brighton, UK
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August 28, 2012 :
Elmo [driver] drove perfectly and was very knowledgeable about his country.
Hills Club, Nuwara Eliya: Interesting experience. Felt more like a museum than family-friendly accommodation.
Ambiente, Ella: Location was the best part of the hotel. Okay for one night.
Yala Villas, Yala: Perfect!
Paradise Beach Club, Mirissa: Perfect location. Room okay, bathroom unhygienic.
-RF – The Netherlands
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August 27, 2012 :
Ashok [driver/guide] was an excellent driver and was thoughtful and considerate, especially with the children. He was invaluable throughout the holiday.
The Wallawwa, Kotugoda: Excellent hotel in which to start the holiday. Great room and service.
Wild Grass Nature Resort, Sigiriya: Perfect location, wonderful experience. Food could be improved.
Elephant Ride: Children loved this.
Safari: Great jeep driver, good experience.
-JM
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August 27, 2012 :
Initial response until Lukmanie [consultant] was slow, but then Lukmanie was fast and efficient and responsive and helpful when I made a number of changes to the itinerary during the booking process. Ervine [driver/guide] was exceptionally professional, friendly and accommodating to our adjustments. Nothing was too much trouble and his advice was always spot on and well-articulated. Journeys were smooth and comfortable.
Mas Villa, Kotmale: Stunning accommodation in a spectacular location, outstanding cleanliness. Staff very helpful and friendly. Great food but expensive.
Minneriya Safari: Good – a well-executed safari. A bit impersonal and over-priced.
Polonnaruwa: A great historical location.
White-water rafting: Excellent excursion. Super value for money with very friendly staff.
-CB – UK
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August 26, 2012 :
We were very impressed with the service we received from Red Dot – will definitely recommend to others.
Ranjith [driver/guide] was fantastic all round, really making the holiday a stress-free experience.
Sigiriya Village, Sigiriya: Beautiful setting, staff very friendly – a lovely hotel.
Pigeon Island: Lovely island at Nilaveli coast – incredible snorkelling, close with the sharks.
-RW – Cumbria, UK
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August 26, 2012 :
No issues with the booking process and generally efficient. Shane [driver/guide] went above and beyond our expectations, making our trip very special. We do not hesitate in recommending him to others.
Dolphin Beach, Alankuda: Staff were very helpful and responsive. Some tents looking a bit tired.
Heritance Kandalama, Kandalama: Location, concept and design all excellent. Great service. Let down slightly by the ‘big hotel’ feeling, especially the buffet food. Good ‘a la carte’ menu.
Melheim Resort, Haputale: Our favourite place. Amazing views, great rooms and excellent service. Food is very nice.
The Safari, Tissamaharama: Food hit and miss, restaurant service over-attentive.
Club Bentota, Bentota: The service and ambience were excellent. Lunch selections were good.
Yala Safari: Excellent – driver made sure we saw as much as possible.
-H - London, UK
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August 26, 2012 :
Schedule planned for us was unrealistic on some days in terms of time required to complete the excursions. Our driver/guide was very helpful, friendly, supportive and flexible.
Galle Face Regency, Colombo: Room was old and dirty with damaged facilities.
Clove Villa, Kandy: Hotel still very new, so limited choice for dinner. Very nice place – great potential!
Melheim Resort, Haputale: Very poor service and quality of food. Management ignored complaints. Room dirty.
Chaaya Wild, Yala: Very friendly and helpful staff.
Frangipani Tree, Thalpe: Very nice room. Good food, meals expensive. Unable to fully darken room.
Yala Safari: Too many jeeps – felt like Colombo rush hour. Jeep broke down twice.
-TV – Switzerland
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August 26, 2012 :
Sigiriya Village, Sigiriya: Good buffet selection for dinner and breakfast.
Sharon Inn, Kandy: Simple hotel, but fantastic home-made Sri Lankan food for dinner and comfortable beds. Good laundry service.
Melheim Resort, Haputale: Great location and views. Good rooms.
Botanical Gardens: Lovely and relaxing.
-DH – UK
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August 26, 2012 :
We strongly recommend Red Dot to anyone arranging a holiday in Sri Lanka. The advice is good and we were very reassured by the contact information provided before the trip, including our driver’s mobile number.
Hasantha [driver/guide] is polite, patient, reliable and has a great sense of humour. He is very knowledgeable about all aspects of Sri Lanka which greatly enhanced our trip. He was an excellent guide and great with our children. We would strongly recommend him to any group, but especially those interested in wildlife.
-JL – UK
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August 26, 2012 :
Elephant Ride: Great experience.
Sigiriya Rock: Very good.
Horton Plains: Nice walk.
-VH – London, UK
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August 25, 2012 :
Good idea to send the finalised itinerary with the voucher.
Roy was a very obliging driver. We would have valued a bit more background information about Sri Lanka on our journey. He seemed unfamiliar with the location of our hotels and a little too keen to promote certain restaurants – though several of his suggestions proved very good.
Ice Bear, Negombo: Lovely guest house on a beautiful beach with nice gardens.
Sigiriya Village, Sigiriya: Excellent hotel all round. Extremely pleasant and helpful staff.
Galkadawala, Habarana: This eco-lodge is exceptional. Excellent staff, location and food and a wonderful ethos.
Yala National Park: Good safari with great and determined driver.
Temple of the Tooth: Over-hyped due to crowds.
Sigiriya Rock: Definitely worth the climb.
-HJ – Northern Island, UK
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August 22, 2012 :
Darel [driver] added a lot to our enjoyment of the holiday. He drove carefully and well, was always punctual and went out of his way to make our trip special. He was very knowledgeable and helpful without being obtrusive. The car was spacious and comfortable. We were sorry to leave him and his excellent sense of humor.
Pinnawela Elephant Orphanage: Just loved it – fabulous.
Sinharaja Rainforest: An experience that I will remember all my life.
Yala National Park: Highlight of our excursions.
-KM – UK
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August 21, 2012 :
Mangrove Garden, Tangalle: Top location with kind service. Good value for money.
Kandy Cottage, Kandy: Walking distance to Kandy. Very welcoming feeling, poor rooms.
Sigiriya Village, Sigiriya: Service slow but good. Expensive food and drink.
Pinnawela Elephant Orphanage: Super.
Polonnaruwa: Hot but impressive.
-ED – Amsterdam, The Netherlands
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August 21, 2012 :
Darrel [driver/guide] was excellent.
Avian Breeze, Nuwara Eliya: Bit far out of town. Rooms were dark. Good staff.
Hibiscus Garden, Tissamaharama: Beautiful and clean new hotel.
Master Campers, Wildlife Parks: Lovely!
Temple of the Tooth: Very interesting!
Botanical Gardens: Fabulous!
Yala Safari: Brilliant – we had a very good guide.
-KM – Qatar
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August 20, 2012 :
We enjoyed the company of Sunil [driver/guide]. He was always friendly and supportive, polite and well-presented. Eager to please and extremely helpful – would highly recommend.
Cinnamon Lodge, Habarana: Breakfast food cold, buffet cutlery dirty. Grounds well-kept, pool area was good with towels and comfortable loungers.
Amaya Hills, Kandy: Very ‘tired looking’ rooms – not pleasant. Good bar food.
98 Acres Resort, Ella: No chairs by pool. Service excellent and friendly, food brilliant.
Chaaya Wild, Yala: Expensive. Access road poor. Excellent hotel – clean room, great food and pool. Highly recommend.
Elephant Safari: Excellent.
Botanical Gardens: Beautiful.
-KF – UK
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August 19, 2012 :
Very pleased with the way Red Dot quickly built a full tour around my initial ideas for an itinerary. Email contact was very good and the accommodation section of the website was very helpful.
Namunu [driver/guide] is a great guy – more of a companion than a driver. He took all the hassle out of travelling and sight-seeing, leaving us with a wonderful holiday. A charming, well-mannered, well-informed man with high values.
Palm Garden Village, Anuradhapura: A very good, high-quality hotel.
Sigiriya Village, Sigiriya: Super location with great views of Sigiriya Rock. Hotel is simple and effective. Dim lighting in room.
Queens Hotel, Kandy: A lovely, traditional atmosphere with a good city-centre location. Some of the rooms noisy.
Lake Lodge - Colombo: A wonderful, small, modern guest house in a quiet location in the city centre. Very pleasant staff and relaxed atmosphere.
Sigiriya: One of the world’s best sites! A fantastic story behind an amazing palace. Extraordinary views.
-RJ – Mumbai, India
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August 18, 2012 :
Sigiriya: Great.
Tea Trails: Amazing!
Yala Safari: Good but very busy and crowded.
-LM – Barcelona, Spain
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August 18, 2012 :
A couple of items on initial itinerary not included. Driver was lovely, happy and helpful at all times. No criticism at all.
Ulagalla Resort, Anuradhapura: Food let the hotel down.
Sigiriya Village, Sigiriya: Horrible room - dirty walls and stained linen.
Living Heritage, Koslanda: Stunning hotel and service, disappointing breakfast. We’ll be going back!
The Safari, Tissamaharama: Only negative was slow service.
Galle Fort Hotel, Galle Fort: Very over-rated. Room nice, service bad.
Galle Face Regency, Colombo: Room tired, bathroom smelly. Unpleasant and unhelpful staff. Expensive internet. Stunning meal.
-LD – Abu Dhabi, UAE
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August 17, 2012 :
Seelan [driver] was a star performer from start to finish, terrific in every way. Knowledgeable, helpful, delightful, reliable, interested and great with our kids. Always arrived on time with a clean vehicle.
Cadjan Earth, Anamaduwa: Truly exceptional – just marvellous!
Wild Grass, Sigiriya: Villas okay, pool needed cleaning. Staff delightful, food excellent.
Brook Boutique Hotel, Melsiripura: Staff combine informality with competence and are very attentive. Rooms were lovely, food fabulous. Very good hotel all round. Spa is charmingly simple (and good too!).
Wilpattu Safari: Great fun – saw a leopard!
-PC – UK
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August 15, 2012 :
We had very helpful support from Donovan [consultant].
Jamal [driver/guide] was excellent in every way – a very good driver, pleasant and good company and always helpful. He was responsive and attentive to our needs at all times. He gave us useful information and made great suggestions about activities and excursions.
-AJ – UK
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August 15, 2012 :
Efficient and impartial advice was given on the tour - Red Dot has very knowledgeable and positive staff. Website could do with updating. Angelo is a wonderful driver/guide, a real asset to Red Dot. He is very knowledgeable and pointed out lots of interesting things on our journey.
St Lachlan Hotel, Negombo: Rooms could do with some much needed maintenance. Staff very friendly.
Sigiriya Village, Sigiriya: Beautiful setting. Room needed a thorough cleaning.
Clove Villa, Kandy: Beautifully restored with lovely staff – a gem in the making!
-LC – London, UK
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August 15, 2012 :
Ranjith [driver/guide] was very helpful and polite.
Pinnawela Elephant Orphanage: Beautiful place, amazing for children.
Sigiriya: Excellent.
Tea Factory: Nice place.
Temple of the Tooth: Very interesting.
-RK – Slovakia
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August 14, 2012 :
Ranweli Holiday Village, Negombo: Not especially good for seeing birds.
Mud House, Anamaduwa: Even better than expected. Service was incredible.
Sir Johns Bungalow, Knuckles: Beautiful views at breakfast over the hills.
Minneriya: Superb park.
Coral Island: Beautiful spot – good for snorkelling.
-S – The Netherlands
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August 14, 2012 :
Very impressed with how Charmaine [consultant] dealt with our changing requests, always coming back to us with our queries fully satisfied. Really felt that she listened to us, planning a package suitable to our needs.
Chrishan [driver] was caring, polite and knowledgeable, going the extra mile to make our trip memorable. He was always punctual and dealt with our requests efficiently. His driving was exemplary and we always felt safe – an absolute perfect driver.
Governor’s Mansion, Dickoya: Fantastic in every way – could not find fault with it. Exceptional hotel and staff.
Chaaya Wild, Yala: Allows easy access to safari. Buffet food okay – lots of choice but nothing too exciting.
The Fortress, Koggala: Food superb, even the buffet. A wonderful retreat in which to chill.
Dambulla Caves: Excellent.
Sigiriya Rock: Amazing.
Yala National Park: Super driver – amazing experience. Highly recommend.
Train to Hatton: Excellent – would recommend to others too.
-HS – Cheshire, UK
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August 13, 2012 :
Lahiru [consultant] provided us with a very comprehensive itinerary with a personal level of flexibility. We viewed so much of the country in such a short time and the accommodation was varied and interesting.
Ice Bear, Negombo: Good fun – the staff are happy in their job. Good food.
Thilanka Hotel, Kandy: Lovely rooms.
Mas Villa, Kotmale: Excellent service.
Kelburne Mountain View Cottages, Haputale: Loved the staff and the isolation and peace.
Priyankara Hotel,Tissamaharama: Great room – spotless and beautiful. Staff could not be more relaxed. Manager was charming and very helpful.
-PS – Australia
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August 13, 2012 :
Lahiru [consultant] was always prompt in answering our questions or, if she was unable to answer a query right away, sent a quick email letting us know when she was available. This is great service. Sumanadasa [driver/guide] was always there when we needed him. He knows everything there is to know about Sri Lanka and enjoyed answering our questions. He ensured we were at the sites when fewer tourists were there and at a temperature that was best for the excursions.
Ranweli Holiday Village, Negombo: Great place – very restful. Would recommend.
Palm Garden Village, Anuradhapura: Lovely hotel, great pool and fabulous location.
Back of Beyond - Yala: Staff excellent and food marvellous. Would recommend, with some reservations – not for those with a fear of frogs!
Kelburne Mountain View Cottages, Haputale: Beautiful and quiet, wonderful staff. Everything was great.
The Safari, Tissamaharama: Another lovely hotel. Great staff and again, lovely all round.
Talalla Retreat, Matara: Loved this place. Everyone was nice and it was so peaceful – did not want to leave. Very relaxing, beach was terrific.
Villa Talangama, Talangama: Wonderful location, staff lovely and friendly – could not do enough for us. Loved it.
Botanical Gardens: Definitely worth going but allow at least 3-4 hours to do it properly.
Polonnaruwa: One of the best places we visited.
-JS – Canada
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August 11, 2012 :
Lahiru [consultant] was very helpful overall and accommodated our numerous requests for changes quickly and with patience. Mangala [driver/guide] was excellent overall. He was very knowledgeable about the history, culture and politics of Sri Lanka which added lots of interest to the trip. He is mindful of safety and his van is extremely well-maintained and comfortable. He was always concerned about our comfort and enjoyment – at all times a great guide.
Borderlands, Kitulgala: Tents not too clean – linen a bit musty. Service good, well run.
Yala National Park: Standard of park and guides is disappointing.
-IS
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August 11, 2012 :
We could not fault Prasantha [driver/guide] at all.
The Kandy House, Kandy: Presentation and service was impeccable.
Temple of the Tooth: Really enjoyed this.
Spice and Herb Garden: Very interesting.
-TM
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August 11, 2012 :
Raj [driver/guide] was excellent overall. He had a good balance between leaving us alone and interacting.
St Lachlan Hotel, Negombo: Good swimming pool.
Elephant Feeding: Great.
-CS – London, UK
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August 11, 2012 :
Our tour was extremely well organised at short notice. Ashoka [driver/guide] has told us many interesting facts about places we’ve visited and Sri Lankan life in general. We felt very safe because of Ashoka in this foreign country with a very different culture to our own. We thoroughly enjoyed his company and highly recommend him.
Villa Kalapuwa, Thalhena: Staff looked after us very well.
Amaya Lake, Dambulla: Lovely location.
Clove Villa, Kandy: Very comfortable hotel, friendly staff and just a tuc-tuc ride away from Kandy town centre.
98 Acres Resort, Ella: Fabulous location with excellent views. Friendly staff – we arrived late and they quickly delivered us food to our room.
Hibiscus Garden, Tissamaharama: Lovely pool area – plenty of sunbeds. Room quite basic, seating area not particularly comfortable.
Paradise Beach Club, Mirissa: Excellent room with fabulous sea views. Comfortable seating in room and on balcony. Super pool-side service.
Sigiriya Rock: Super views, quite a big climb.
Polonnaruwa: Well worth a visit.
Dambulla Cave Temple: Lovely temple, interesting – lovely views.
Yala National Park: Fabulous.
-MD – UK
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August 11, 2012 :
Prabath [driver/guide] is very good. He gave us lots of information and went out of his way to please us, arranging lots of extra tours and meals for us. We were very pleased with his help.
Theva Residency, Kandy: Very good hotel.
St Andrews Hotel, Nuwara Eliya: Good hotel. Bar prices expensive.
Botanical Gardens: Very good – we spent two hours there and enjoyed it.
-JF – Manchester, UK
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August 10, 2012 :
The booking process was a very positive experience despite us booking very late – Ayanthi [consultant] dealt with it quickly and efficiently. We submitted an outline of what we’d like to do and Ayanthi matched it perfectly.
Ananda [driver/guide] has been excellent – the perfect companion. He has helped to make the trip truly fantastic! His knowledge of all the areas we visited was interesting and helped us to make the most out of each visit.
Sigiriya Village, Sigiriya: Our favourite hotel – lovely location, nice lay-out and fantastic food.
Polonnoruwa: Very enjoyable.
Sigiriya: Very memorable. Ananda timed it so we saw the sunset – incredible.
Minneriya Safari: Thoroughly enjoyed it!
Adam’s Peak: Great experience, but exhausting.
-RB – UK
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August 10, 2012 :
We would highly recommend Abdul [driver/guide] to others and would definitely use him again. He was always friendly and accommodating.
Mas Villa, Kotmale: Fantastic staff, location, food and room – fantastic everything!
Wilpattu National Park: Great success – good trackers and guides. We thoroughly enjoyed it.
Polonnaruwa: Amazing – thoroughly appreciated.
Tea Plantations: Beautiful location.
-JS – Dubai, UAE
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August 10, 2012 :
Jude [driver] was professional and helpful.
Kelburne Mountain View Cottages, Haputale: Highlight of the trip – what a special place!
Villa Kalapuwa, Negombo: Staff speak limited English. Lovely evening meal, spacious rooms and a good pool. Tranquil.
-KM – UK
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August 09, 2012 :
Sunil [driver/guide] was a good guide during the excursions. Difficulty adapting to customer wishes – we had to adapt instead. Not eager to drive on non-transfer days or in the evening.
Victoria Golf Chalets, Kandy: Location was beautiful with stunning views, but it was a bit too far from Kandy.
Anuradhapura: Very impressive.
Sigiriya: Very impressive.
Yala National Park: A breath-taking experience – the driver/guide from the safari was excellent.
-RB – The Netherlands
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August 09, 2012 :
Jonah [consultant] provided a service which was impeccable, from fast responses when answering queries to making the various changes we requested for our itinerary – nothing was too much trouble.
Namunu [driver/guide] was been wonderful – nothing we requested has been too much trouble for him.
St Lachlan Hotel, Negombo: Room excellent, staff friendly and helpful. We would be happy to stay here again!
Thilanka Hotel, Kandy: Excellent facilities, good food, staff friendly and helpful.
Regent Lodge, Kandy: One of our favourite stays! We were made very welcome, nothing was too much trouble for the staff. Food was delicious. Seeing monkeys in the garden was fantastic! We would love to stay here again.
View Point Villa, Ella: Our favourite place! Fantastic food, spectacular views – top marks for hospitality, comfort and personality.
The Safari, Tissamaharama: Room very small with ants. Staff friendly, lovely location, food poor. Hotel lacks character.
Pinnewala Elephant Orphanage: Fantastic! Helped to feed and wash elephants.
Train to Ella: Fantastic views!
Safari Trip: Wonderful day – guide/driver was excellent and saw a lot of animals.
Sigiriya: Wow!
Dambulla Cave Paintings: Beautiful!
-KH – Scotland
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August 08, 2012 :
Booking process was long and often responses were slow.
Seelan [driver] has made this tour an unforgettable experience. He is truly a superb guide – very friendly, knowledgeable and punctual. We cannot imagine a better guide than this kind and professional man.
Horathapola Estate, Horathapola: A very relaxing place.
Cinnamon Lodge, Habarana: Very good hotel, nice swimming pool for children.
98 Acres Resort, Ella: Very nice and brand new, superb location. Restaurant service slow.
Yala Villa, Yala: Super! Very personal atmosphere. Excellent food, nicely decorated.
Polonaruwa: Great experience.
-PC –The Netherlands
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August 08, 2012 :
Mangrove Garden, Tangalle: Excellent location. Nice, clean and simple bungalows. Very personable staff.
Planters Bungalow, Ella: A real highlight, lovely location. Best food of the trip, delightful staff and helpful owner.
Pigeon Island Beach Resort, Nilaveli: A disaster – we checked out after just one night.
St. Lachlans, Negombo: Breakfast service slow. Fine for one night before returning home.
-AS – Sussex, UK
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August 07, 2012 :
Itinerary only given to us a week prior to leaving and therefore no time to make any alterations we felt were necessary. Kevin [driver/guide] was polite and friendly.
Kassapa Lions Rock, Didgampathaha: A little run-down.
Jungle Beach, Kuchchaveli: A very nice hotel. Sound-proofing between floors very poor.
Borderlands, Kitulgala: Tents and toilets were not in a good condition – accommodation is over-priced. Food and service very good.
Zion View, Ella: Family room is a bit small for four.
Kalus Hideaway, Uda Walawe: Okay but lacks character.
Leopard Safaris- National Parks: Expensive for what it is. Children really enjoyed it.
Sigiriya Rock: Good excursion.
Uda Walawe National Park: Good for seeing elephants.
Yala Safari: Very enjoyable – saw a wide variety of animals and birds.
-SB-B
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August 06, 2012 :
Holiday was of very good quality and was a great price. We appreciated the help, flexibility and attitude of Anwar [driver/guide] very much.
Dickwella Resort & Spa, Dickwella: Very romantic, nice views. Poor breakfast.
-MG
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August 06, 2012 :
Throughout our tour, Ranjith [driver/guide] was extremely helpful and organised; he had a great sense of humour and took care of our three children in a very sensible manner. He exceed our expectations each day of the tour. Ranjith started out as a very professional driver/guide and ended up a friend, which made our trip a great success!
Why House, Thalpe: Very friendly staff and manager, great rooms.
Back of Beyond - Yala: Perfect nature experience. Excellent food.
St Andrews Hotel, Nuwara Eliya: Rooms very large and comfortable, slow service.
Victoria Golf Chalets, Kandy: Reception staff arrogant, room service not polite. Restaurant service very good.
Cinnamon Lodge, Habarana: Rooms good, nice and clean. Excellent pool. Food okay.
Manor House, Kandy: Extremely friendly staff and manager. Lots of atmosphere, beautiful furniture.
-SW – Vienna, Austria
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July 27, 2012 :
Naren [consultant] replied to emails extremely promptly and accurately – excellent service.
Chandra [driver] was not punctual. He was a safe driver, friendly and flexible.
Galle Face Hotel, Colombo: Lovely historic start to the trip, very atmospheric.
Fort Bliss, Galle: Nice place, great location and friendly staff.
Coco Tangalla: Amazing! Best food, immaculate room and pool, wonderful service.
Sharon Inn, Kandy: Wonderful food, friendly and helpful staff, nice room.
Galkadawala, Habarana: Amazing, unique place. Exceptional service, food and hygiene. Wonderful owner – a very special place to stay.
The Wallawwa, Kotugoda: A tranquil oasis with wonderful spa treatments.
-KS – Switzerland
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July 25, 2012 :
Lukmanie [consultant] was very responsive and took our preferences into account. Could have used more expertise and ideas when planning the itinerary.
Guna [driver/guide] was a star on this trip. He was incredibly helpful and always maintained a great attitude. He was very knowledgeable, a fantastic resource for all of our questions. He went above and beyond our expectations.
St Lachlan Hotel, Negombo: Bit shabby for the price.
Royal Lotus, Giritale: Felt over-priced.
Kandy Cottage, Kandy: Simple and rustic. Warm service and great food. Best value for money.
Chaaya Wild, Yala: Terrible service from management.
Yala Safari: Very good.
-JT – Singapore
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July 07, 2012 :
Ayanthi [consultant] was very good and responsive.
William [driver] was reliable. We were very happy with him.
63 Pedlar Street, Galle: Spacious and airy villa.
Kandy House, Kandy: A little piece of luxury.
Wild Grass Nature Resort, Sigiriya: Beautiful buildings in a beautiful setting. Staff friendly and very willing but poorly trained.
Galle Face Regency, Colombo: Whole hotel operates in an efficient and charming way. We loved it!
Peradeniya Botanical Gardens, Kandy: Beautiful as ever.
Sigiriya Rock: Very interesting and a worthwhile visit.
-CW – UK
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July 04, 2012 :
Ranjith was a friendly and safe driver.
Pinnawela Elephant Orphanage: Fantastic!
Sigiriya Rock: Wonderful.
Train Ride: Excellent.
-DO – Australia
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July 03, 2012 :
George [driver] provided exceptional service that went above and beyond my expectations.
-MG – UK
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June 24, 2012 :
We were very pleased at how efficiently our booking was handled by Indira [consultant].
We were completely satisfied with Namunu [driver]. Always polite, smartly dressed, punctual and cheerful.
Casa Colombo, Colombo: Over-rated!
-JS – Singapore
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June 15, 2012 :
Liked the interactive trip planner and breakdown of individual prices on the website. Nalin [driver/guide] was always willing to go beyond standard good service, especially in regard to accompanying us on excursions.
Mangrove Garden, Tangalle: Interesting novelty trapdoor bathroom. Beautiful beach.
Kalus Hideaway, Uda Walawe: Really lovely place, great pool.
Whale watching: Nice boat, not too busy. Crew good at spotting the whales and dolphins.
-SG – London, UK
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June 11, 2012 :
The booking process was good and flexible, allowing us to change our plans along the way. Asaanga [driver/guide] is a perfect ‘history book’ to travel with.
Jetwing Vil Uyana, Sigiriya: Perfect service and location – a great start to the holiday.
Amaya Lake, Dambulla: Nice hotel, perfect location. Food average.
Yala National Park: Good – many animals and good views.
-MV – Greenland
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June 06, 2012 :
Rathnasiri [driver/guide] was very cordial and flexible to our requests.
Sigiriya Village, Sigiriya: Excellent surroundings. Good rooms, average food, no wifi-connection.
Lake Lodge - Colombo: Nice contemporary rooms and good service. Breakfast should have more options.
Pinnewala Elephant Orphanage: The best part of our visit – we loved it and had ample time to enjoy the activity.
-SS – India
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June 05, 2012 :
Great website, very informative. Jonah [consultant] was very helpful and created for us a perfect itinerary. Sauret [driver/guide] is very friendly yet not intrusive, knowledgeable and happy to answer any of our questions. He has shown us the real Sri Lanka – he even took us to his house for an incredible Sri Lankan meal! He’s a star driver!
St Lachlan Hotel, Negombo: Simple and clean hotel, friendly staff. Good location by the beach. Noisy air-con.
Jetwing Vil Uyana, Sigiriya: Amazing room and beautiful scenery. Food hit and miss – Western food is especially bad. Staff are friendly but lack of English makes communication difficult.
Mas Villa, Kotmale: Very lovely place but remote location. Super friendly and professional staff – amazing chef!
Lake Lodge - Colombo: Good for a couple of days – staff not especially nice/friendly. Breakfast not very nice.
-BY – London, UK
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May 31, 2012 :
Your tour was excellent value for money – thank you, we will definitely be coming back. Namunu [driver/guide] went out of his way to look after us – we liked him immensely. Sri Lankan roads can be quite stressful but Namunu is an excellent driver.
The Last House, Tangalle: Very peaceful – a long way from civilisation. Expensive food and drink. Nice beach.
-GC – UK
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May 27, 2012 :
Ananda [driver/guide] is the best driver anyone could wish for! He made our time in Sri Lanka very special and we will highly recommend him to friends and family. He has a wide knowledge on many subjects and a great sense of humour.
Kelburne Mountain View Cottages, Haputale: Absolutely excellent in all aspects.
Back of Beyond - Pidurangala: A very special experience for those who don’t mind a few insects – highly recommended.
-CM – Australia
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May 18, 2012 :
Booking was completely hassle free – we were given good advice and Ayanthi [consultant] was very flexible. Ananda [driver] really made our holiday. He was knowledgeable and friendly and spoke great English.
The Last House, Tangalle: Felt like we had our own beach house and staff – amazing!
Sigiriya Rock: Really interesting.
Temple of the Tooth: Fascinating – a must see.
-AK – UK
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May 12, 2012 :
Sigiriya Village, Sigiriya: Lovely environment, excellent room, good service.
Bontanical Garden, Kandy: Excellent.
-JH – UK
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May 12, 2012 :
Very fast response upon my enquiry – impressed with the efficiency of the company. Seelan [driver] was very thoughtful, helpful, knowledgeable and a safe driver. He was very attentive to our needs and we came to learn a lot from him about Sri Lanka.
St Lachlan Hotel, Negombo: Very beautiful, cosy, small hotel.
Avian Breeze, Nuwara Eliya: Small but extremely cosy hotel – very friendly staff, well maintained garden.
Hibiscus Garden, Tissamaharama: Nicest food of any hotel we’ve ever stayed in. Spacious rooms, nice surroundings.
Flower Garden, Unawatuna: Beautiful room – romantic feel, great bed, lots of clothes hangers. Bathroom very clean.
-CSY – Malaysia
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May 11, 2012 :
Angelo [driver/guide] was fantastic!
Pinnewala: Very good.
-SH – Saudi Arabia
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May 11, 2012 :
Dirk [consultant] was great. Very efficient and responsive – helped us to book a fantastic trip. Namanu [driver] was always happy and helpful – he looked after us very well. His car was always spotless! His knowledge made our trip very special.
Jetwing Vil Uyana, Sigiriya: Absolutely beautiful – stunning location, incredible room.
The Kandy House, Kandy: Stunning location and hotel with amazing staff. Food was outstanding. Highly recommend.
Aditya, Rathgama: Beautiful location, lovely hotel and wonderful rooms. Service was a little slow at first but improved dramatically throughout our stay.
Sigiriya Rock: Wonderful. A must do!
-JM
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May 08, 2012 :
Galkadawala, Habarana: Really nice place, good location to visit all the cultural triangle sites. Very helpful staff, nice food and lovely rooms.
Rangala House, Kandy: Beautiful house in a perfect setting. Lovely food and great staff. Quite far out from the centre of Kandy!
Melheim Resort, Haputale: Lovely resort with stunning views and a great pool. Food was okay.
Leopard Safaris, Yala: Highlight of our trip – fantastic experience. Best food of our trip, excellent staff and great campsite! It’s brilliant!
Horton Plains: Great walk to World’s End and great views.
-LM – Australia
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May 05, 2012 :
We have had numerous tour guides but I can honestly say that Seelan [driver/guide] is our most beloved. He has been very accommodating, extremely professional and is a living encyclopedia on all aspects of Sri Lanka. He is a jewel in your company’s crown.
-AR – Bermuda
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May 04, 2012 :
Sunil was a perfect guide and driver.
-GP – New Zealand
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May 03, 2012 :
Aravinda [driver/guide] is a true gentleman in every way – so impressed.
Clingendael, Kandy: Wow! Beautiful, quirky place – very relaxing stay.
-GB – Kent, UK
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May 02, 2012 :
The Wallawwa, Kotugoda: Brilliant service with a smile.
Yala: Very good.
Galle: Rubbish when it rains.
-MD
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May 02, 2012 :
Bernard [driver/guide] was very helpful.
We would recommend Red Dot to anyone!
-DS
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May 02, 2012 :
Naren [consultant] was responsive, helpful, informed and efficient. Could not have been better. However, no support from him throughout trip – dealt with Donovan instead.
The Old Palm House: Idyllic. Luxurious, yet family friendly. Incredible hospitality.
Ellerton, Kandy: Poor rooms, bathrooms not very clean. Eating area felt like an English motel.
The Manor House, Kandy: Furnishings cheap and tacky. Pool not clean. Could hear traffic from road.
Galkadawala, Habarana: Excellent – a fantastic place to stay. Wonderful hospitality and care. Great food. Just lovely – rather magical!
-AB – UK
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April 27, 2012 :
Wijekoon [driver] was very helpful, friendly and a great guide.
Brook Boutique Hotel, Melsiripura: Weird place. Lovely location, stunning architecture, overly attentive service.
Ulagalla Resort, Anuradhapura: Best hotel we’ve ever stayed at!
Theva Residency, Kandy: Bit tired – not as good as we expected from profile.
Tintagel, Colombo: Outstanding!
Tea Trails Factory Tour: Highly recommend.
-CS – London, UK
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April 25, 2012 :
Liked having the interactive trip planner and breakdown of individual prices during the booking process. Nalin [driver] was very good. He was always willing to go beyond ‘standard’ good service, especially in regard to accompanying us on excursions such as Sigiriya.
Kalus Hideaway, Uda Walawe: Really lovely place, great pool.
Whale watching: Nice boat, not too busy, crew good at spotting whales and dolphins.
Uda Walawe: Really good safari – great to do early morning.
-SG – London, UK
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April 22, 2012 :
Everything about the booking process was very smooth and simple. Abdul [driver] was fantastic – we felt so safe and comfortable with him. His knowledge about Sri Lanka’s history and wildlife was really impressive. Always had a smile and took everything in his stride.
St Lachlan Hotel, Negombo: Very comfortable hotel to rest in after a long journey. Nice beach and good choice of restaurants on the doorstep. Room large and comfortable, pool and bar decent.
Cinnamon Lodge, Habarana: Everything spot on. Great for wildlife spotting.
Melheim Resort, Haputale: Beautifully designed property in a stunning location. Gorgeous food and stunning service, if a little over-bearing at times. Close to 'textbook perfect'.
Kalus Hideaway, Uda Walawe: Had potential to be wonderful but lack of attention to detail added up to make a big difference, eg. Broken light fittings, unfurnished grounds, tatty bathroom.
Chaaya Wild, Yala: Wonderful! Amazing setting – so much wildlife! Great pool, lovely furnishings, friendly and efficient staff.
Yala Safari: Saw great wildlife!
Botanical Gardens: Lovely – really picturesque. Loved the fruit bats!
-JT – UK
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April 22, 2012 :
Sunil [driver] could not have been better – extremely good driving, very good English, knowledgeable and helpful.
-IE – Bangkok, Thailand
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April 22, 2012 :
Sumanadasa was an excellent driver/guide. Always punctual, reliable and very knowledgeable. We enjoyed our time and conversations with him.
Club Villa, Bentota: Mixed quality of service provided.
Ulagalla Resort, Anuradhapura: Simply outstanding – highly recommend! One of the best places we’ve ever stayed in.
-SP – UK
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April 21, 2012 :
Rohan [driver] was excellent. His car was always immaculate and he looked after us extremely well, making sure we were always safe and comfortable. He made a huge difference to our holiday. We really appreciated his friendly and professional service.
Sigiriya: Extensive and fabulous views and not too physically challenging.
Dambulla Caves: Well worth the visit.
-JC – London, UK
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April 17, 2012 :
Ranjith [driver] is very helpful, friendly and knowledgeable, a nice man and a good driver. We will recommend him to all our friends.
Lake Lodge - Colombo: Fantastic place in the city.
-JR – Athens, Greece
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April 14, 2012 :
Smooth booking process, good communication.
Our driver was very helpful, friendly and polite - great with the kids. Vehicle was spacious and air-conditioned. Took us promptly to safety during the tsunami alert.
Kalus Hideaway, Uda Walawe: Lovely place.
Leopard Safaris- National Parks: Fabulous experience.
The Wallawwa, Kotugoda: Very good.
-SH – UK
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April 14, 2012 :
Rathna [driver] was very friendly, helpful and had very good knowledge. He definitely contributed a great deal to the success of our holiday.
-DM & JF – UK
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April 14, 2012 :
Naren [consultant] provided a smooth and efficient service, responding quickly to all my queries and concerns.
Throughout the holiday our drivers have been excellent – very personable, knowledgeable and efficient.
Galle Face Hotel, Colombo: Beautiful hotel, although in places looked like it needed updating. Service slow, staff at times impersonal.
Wild Grass Nature Resort, Sigiriya: Amazing! Stunning location, fantastic food, friendly and accommodating staff.
Amaya Hills, Kandy: Stunning location and good food. Hotel needs some TLC however, looks tired and dated. Staff friendly and helpful.
Sigiriya Rock: Great experience, well worth the climb to the top!
Dambulla Caves: Lovely trip, fascinating to see the carvings in the caves.
Botanical Gardens, Kandy: Beautiful, peaceful surroundings. A real ‘gem’.
-MG – Kent, UK
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April 14, 2012 :
Naren [consultant] was very responsive when things went wrong. He took prompt action and did his upmost to sort it out – overall a wonderful holiday.
Our driver was very friendly, helpful and knowledgeable. Good driver, professional at all times.
Chaaya Village, Habarana: Pleasant hotel, pretty setting. Good food and facilities. Helpful, informative staff.
The Grand, Nuwara Eliya: Great location but poor service. Room smelled like cigarettes, plumbing was poor. Beautiful gardens.
The Safari, Tissamaharama: Nice hotel – good rooms, lovely location. Terrible service. Helpful staff.
Apa Villas, Thalpe: Beautiful place – stunning views. Room small. Food and service excellent.
Polonnaruwa: Very good – quite a long day for children.
Sigiriya Rock: Very good.
-C – UK
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April 14, 2012 :
Chamara [driver] could not have been better; friendly, polite, helpful and knowledgeable. Nothing was too much trouble for him – I recommend him to everyone. His driving was good and his car always clean.
Jetwing Beach, Negombo: Overall good service.
Chaaya Village, Habarana: Excellent resort, excellent service.
Lavender House, Pussellawa: Food fantastic, chef flexible to our requests. Service impeccable. No internet access.
Bentota Beach Hotel, Bentota: Rooms looking a little tired. Bad service in bar.
Elephant Ride: Fab!
Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage: Really good, children really enjoyed it.
Kandy Dancing: Great show, great value!
-DH – UK
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April 14, 2012 :
Rathna [driver] was very friendly, helpful and knowledgeable. He contributed a great deal to the success of our holiday.
Tisara Villas, Koggala: Lovely, peaceful.
-DF – UK
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April 14, 2012 :
We appreciated Ayanthi [consultant] tailoring the holiday to meet our requests.
Palagama Beach, Alankuda: Perfect antidote to jet lag – we found it quite delightful and were sorry to leave.
Amaya Lake, Dambulla: Beautiful hotel, great setting, charming gardens. Great service.
Elephant Reach, Yala: Good service, above average food, excellent location (for Yala National Park).
Jetwing Lighthouse, Galle: Hotel excellent – much nicer than it appears on the website. Beautiful rooms, great location, friendly staff.
Sigiriya and Polonnaruwa: We enjoyed these greatly!
Yala Safari: Well organised, great jeep and driver. Fantastic wildlife.
-RF – Luxembourg
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April 13, 2012 :
Very impressed by booking process – rapid replies to queries, helpful advice given and a good choice of accommodation to choose from.
Unwar [driver] was polite, courteous and helpful and a very safe driver. He was always good humoured and acted as our guide around the sites we visited. Car was spotless and well maintained.
Chaaya Village, Yala: Lovely and comfortable. Warm welcome and good food.
Kelburne Mountain View Cottages, Haputale: Comfortable but simple. Beautiful location, amazing service and lovely food.
Elephant Ride, Habarana: Good fun, kids really enjoyed it.
Sigiriya: Wonderful.
-MS – UK
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April 13, 2012 :
Very efficient email exchange during booking process.
Seelan [driver] was excellent all round. He was courteous, punctual and knowledgeable. Van was spotless.
Ellerton, Kandy: Fantastically friendly, nice pool.
Leopard Safari, Yala: Fantastic!
Whale Watching: Well worth it.
-DF – UK
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April 12, 2012 :
Chrishan [driver] had an excellent attitude. He was flexible, cheerful, patient and had our comfort and safety in mind all the time.
Amaya Lake, Dambulla: Rooms in need of refurbishment.
Amaya Hills, Kandy: Great!
Pegasus Reef Hotel, Wattala: Very bad service and poor room.
-SA – Dubai, UAE
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April 11, 2012 :
Chandra [driver] was superb throughout. Nothing was too much trouble for him and he went out of his way to make sure we had a good time.
The Grand, Nuwara Eliya: We found this hotel pretentious – attitude of the management was insulting. Building interesting, average rooms.
Priyankara, Tissamaharama: Delightful. Staff were wonderful, could not have been more helpful.
Bojangles Beach House, Kabalana: Wonderfully relaxing, fantastic setting. Staff looked after us brilliantly and could not have been more helpful. No hot water, electricity failed repeatedly. We enjoyed our stay but the lack of basic facilities let down the excellent service and food.
Villa Bentota, Bentota: Very relaxing, felt exclusive. Food expensive, but good.
-TJ – UK
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April 11, 2012 :
Padma was very courteous and punctual. He was pleasant, insightful and eager to please, but is quite a slow driver.
Buckingham Place, Tangalle: Good service and great food. Rooms nothing special.
Fort Printers, Galle: We loved this hotel. Good food, great location and nice room.
-EL – Hong Kong
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April 10, 2012 :
Lahiru [consultant] was incredibly helpful and efficient – thanks to her we have had an amazing experience.
We would highly recommend Prabath [driver] to all Red Dot travellers.
Ulagalla Resort, Anuradhapura: Incredible!
Elephant Corridor: Beautiful rooms with views. Poor bathroom. Food poor and over-priced.
-JB – Singapore
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April 10, 2012 :
Lahiru [consultant] was incredibly helpful and efficient – thanks to her we have had an amazing experience.
We would highly recommend Prabath [driver] to all travellers to Sri Lanka.
Elephant Corridor, Habarana: Beautiful rooms with views. Shower broken and toilet leaking. Food poor quality and hugely over-priced.
-JB – Singapore
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April 09, 2012 :
Jonah [consultant] made exceptional arrangements for us. His planning and itinerary were faultless.
-IF – UK
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April 08, 2012 :
Booking process was great – Jonah [consultant] was extremely helpful in answering all my questions.
Nihal was the perfect guide/driver. He is lovely, knowledgeable and made everything easy for us. He is also wonderfully kind – everything was perfect!
Pinnawela Orphanage: Excellent. Unforgettable experience, loved feeding the baby elephants!
Anuradhapura: Interesting and informative tour steeped in history and culture.
-HC – Newcastle, UK
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April 08, 2012 :
Both Sanjeewa and Jude [drivers] were polite and efficient and very knowledgeable.
-MS – Cornwall, UK
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April 08, 2012 :
The booking process was very professional – we appreciated it.
We were very happy with Mangala [driver]. He was very professional, courteous and knowledgeable – his attitude contributed to our excellent trip to Sri Lanka.
Jetwing Beach, Negombo: We enjoyed our short stay – the staff were very pleasant.
Cinnamon Lodge, Habarana: Fantastic place – we loved it!
Ellerton, Kandy: We loved the friendly staff!
Master Campus, Yala: Great experience! Wonderful environment, staff were perfect.
The Sun House, Galle: Had a very warm welcome which we appreciated – staff were very pleasant.
Sigiriya Rock and Dambulla Temple Caves: Simply fantastic!
-EH – India
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April 08, 2012 :
Booking service was great – Jonah was extremely helpful in answering all my questions.
Nehal [driver] was the perfect driver/guide. He is a lovely man and made everything easy and enjoyable for us. His knowledge made each location even more interesting and he was very kind to us, even looking after me when I was travel sick.
Dambulla Caves: Very impressive – beautiful statues.
Pinnawela Elephant Orphanage: Excellent – an unforgettable experience. Loved feeding the baby elephants!
Sigiriya Rock: Excellent – enjoyed climb and the very impressive view.
-HC – Newcastle, UK
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April 07, 2012 :
Dirk [consultant] got back to me whenever I emailed with a question, efficiently tailoring the holiday to our requirements.
Gamini [driver] was excellent throughout our holiday, making us and our children feel very welcome and safe. He went out of his way to tell us about the culture of Sri Lanka – we learnt so much! He was more than a driver – a great guide and now a good friend.
Sigiriya Village, Sigiriya: Very friendly, excellent buffet.
Kalu’s Hideaway, Uda Walawe: Very good and friendly. Only downside was building work, but it was not a big problem.
-MC – Oxford, UK
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April 07, 2012 :
Jude [driver] was fantastic, a skilful and safe driver. Always polite and flexible to our requests.
Easy Beach, Ahangama: Room tiny. Bed linen and towels not changed once during our six night stay. A two star hotel at best.
Chaaya Citadel, Kandy: Rooms above average size, with good seating area and a small patio. Food good. Room service a bit 'hit or miss'.
Temple of the Tooth, Kandy: A must do!
-GF – UK
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April 07, 2012 :
Dirk [consultant] got back to me whenever I emailed with a question. – he tailored the holiday to our requirements.
Gamini [driver] was excellent throughout, making us and the children feel very welcome and safe. He was so much more than just a driver – he was a great guide and now a good friend.
Sigiriya Village, Sigiriya: Staff very friendly. Excellent buffet.
Mahaweli Reach, Kandy: Very good, quite formal. Evening meal was expensive.
Kalu’s Hideaway, Uda Walawe: Very good, very friendly staff.
-MC – UK
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April 06, 2012 :
Jonah [consultant] was most attentive and helpful.
Prabath [driver] was very conscientious and attentive. Punctual, well turned out, efficient and knowledgeable – we highly recommend him.
The Wallawwa, Kotugoda: Convenient for the airport.
Vil Uyana, Sigiriya: Lovely setting. Guided walk was very enjoyable – birds wonderful.
Ellerton, Kandy: Excellent choice – very comfortable, funny charm and character.
Tea Trails, Dickoya: Superb food, staff excellent.
The Sun House, Galle: Quirky and eccentric but needs ‘sprucing up’.
The Safari, Tissa: Superb room, amazing views, good service. Buffet meals lacked character.
Kalu’s Hideaway, Uda Walawe: Good feeling – nice welcome and good attention to detail. Very good management. Different from other places – it’s interesting.
Rainforest Edge, Waddagala: Poor access to hotel. Poor management but willing staff. Furniture in rooms not comfortable. Pool maintenance poor, general maintenance inadequate. Good management would make all the difference!
Yala: Safari and walks very enjoyable, saw a huge amount of wildlife.
Tea Factory: First rate – excellent tour.
-IF – UK
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April 05, 2012 :
Chrishan could not have been better. He is knowledgeable, charming, helpful and an excellent driver. A general star!
Tissara Villas, Koggala: Peaceful spot, friendly staff. Woken up by advertising vans every morning!
Leopard Safaris, Nation Parks: Delightful.
Langdale by Amaya, Radalla: A lovely, charming place. Delicious curry. A bit ‘out of the way’.
Kandalama, Dambulla: A really interesting building. Brief stay but worth it.
Cinnamon Lodge, Colombo: Perfectly good but very large. Friendly staff and comfortable room.
Leopard Safari: Top class!
Sigiriya: The most exciting place we have ever seen.
-JD – London, UK
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April 05, 2012 :
Website is good. Overall, booking process was fantastic.
Sumeatha was a fantastic driver/guide. He taught us a lot – he is very knowledgeable. He responded quickly to our requests and made sure we got everything we wanted. I’m so glad we came with Red Dot!
Ranweli Holiday Village, Negombo: Quite an ‘English package holiday’ hotel.
Heritance Kandalama, Kandalama: Nicest hotel I’ve ever stayed in. Food was amazing.
Ellerton, Kandy: Lovely boutique hotel. Room was amazing, food very good – possibly the best we’ve had!
Chaaya Wild, Yala: Food was variable. Beautiful lodge and setting – loved the room with views over the lagoon. I would definitely stay again.
Turtle Bay, Kalametiya: Lovely hotel, but very remote.
Rainforest Edge, Waddagala: Amazing – my favourite place of the trip! Fantastic location, staff and room, brilliant food and pool, lovely massage. Want to go again!
Dambulla Caves: Interesting and unusual site – well worth a trip.
-NR – London, UK
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April 04, 2012 :
We were a little dissatisfied with the speed of response during booking.
All of our drivers/guides were very helpful and courteous.
Villa Bentota, Bentota: Beautiful house, great service and food.
Ceylon Tea Trails, Dickoya: Amazing.
Kandy House, Kandy: Food very good but expensive. Beautiful place.
Kandy Botanical Gardens: Wonderful.
Temple of the Tooth: Incredible place.
-DS – Ireland
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April 03, 2012 :
William [driver] was friendly, helpful, always punctual and spoke very good English.
Galkadawara, Habarana: We really loved this place! Very tranquil, friendly service. Something special!
Lake Lodge, Colombo: Great shower and air-conditioning. Nice for one night.
Martin’s Lodge, Sinharaja: Very basic. Lovely to be in the rainforest.
Ocean View, Hikkeduwa: Staff and manager very friendly and helpful.
Sinharaja Rainforest: Lovely place, recommend for bird or wildlife lovers. Beware of leeches!
Blue Whale Watching: A definite must!
-ME – London, UK
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April 02, 2012 :
Ranjith was an outstanding driver and companion. He was always on time, cheerful and calm when driving. He is also very knowledgeable and his English excellent. We will miss him.
Amaya Hills, Kandy: Reception staff excellent, restaurant staff inattentive. Massage was excellent.
St. Andrews, Nuwara Eliya: Evening meal was some of the best food I’ve ever had.
Priyankara Hotel, Tissamaharama: Evening meal is buffet for half-board. Breakfast was excellent. Good hotel, great safari, interesting atmosphere.
Appa Villas, Thalpe: Peaceful. Staff are very welcoming. Good place to relax and eat well.
Golf, Victoria Golf Park: One of the best courses anywhere, very friendly staff and caddies.
Safari, Yala: Much to see and well worth going.
-AF – Surrey, UK
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April 01, 2012 :
Rohan [driver/guide] was friendly, helpful and punctual.
Polwatha Ecolodge, Kandy: Enjoyed the stay, staff very friendly helpful. Could hear road noise.
Slightly Chilled, Dalhousie: Staff helpful. Good location (Adam’s Peak).
Melheim Resort, Haputale: Very nice hotel, staff friendly.
Back of Beyond, Yala: Great food, lovely location, very relaxing.
-AD – UK
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April 01, 2012 :
Everything very professional and efficient during booking process.
Jayasuriya [driver] provided us with an excellent service and he soon became a travelling companion instead of just a driver. We felt respected – he was professional at all times, never intrusive and very knowledgeable. We felt extremely fortunate to have him as our driver and guide.
Casa Colombo, Colombo: An ideal starting point. Sets a standard for attentive service.
Wild Grass, Sigiriya: Wonderful welcome, impressive service. Dinner on roof with lovely views. Great pool. Bugs in room.
Kandy House, Kandy: Pool high quality, hotel stylish. Caring, helpful staff.
Governors Mansion, Dickoya: Spectacular views. We enjoyed everything about our stay here. It was a perfect experience.
Chaaya Wild, Yala: Food extensive and good. Water expensive.
Buckingham Place, Rekawa: A lovely location, tasteful and relaxing. Staff are excellent, owner friendly.
Train journey to Hatton: An essential activity – incredible.
-NH – Devon, UK
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April 01, 2012 :
Very helpful in matching our itinerary to our requirements. Always quick to respond to our questions.
Rohan [driver/guide] was friendly, helpful and always arrived on time.
Polwaththa Eco Lodges, Digana: Staff very friendly and helpful, could hear road noise at night.
Slightly Chilled, Dalhousie: Staff very helpful, well located for Adam’s Peak.
Melheim Resort, Haputale: Very nice hotel, personally prefer more rustic accommodation. Staff very friendly.
Back of Beyond, Yala: We really enjoyed this hotel – great food, lovely location. A very relaxing experience.
Knuckles Trek: Excellent walk in the Knuckles Range.
-AD – UK
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April 01, 2012 :
Seelan [driver/guide] was excellent – couldn’t have been more helpful or knowledgeable.
Galle Face Hotel, Colombo: Pool side service was appalling.
Ulagalla Resort, Anuradhapura: Outstanding.
Grand Hotel, Nuwara Eliya: Appalling hotel – focuses on package tourists. Room poor, service awful.
Yala Village, Yala: Dining area crowded and very hot – only complaint.
-CJ – UK
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April 01, 2012 :
Ayanthi [consultant] was very professional and efficient.
Jayasuriya [driver/guide] provided us with an excellent service, soon becoming a trusted travel companion. He was professional, knowledgeable and an excellent driver – we always felt respected and safe. He was discreet, good at judging when to provide information and when to say little. His mission was our enjoyment and pleasure.
Casa Colombo, Colombo: An ideal starting point for Sri Lanka. Very attentive service.
Wild Grass, Sigiriya: Wonderful welcome and attentive service. Lots of insects in room. Lovely views.
Kandy House, Kandy: High quality pool. Stylish hotel, very attentive staff.
Governors Mansion, Dickoya: Spectacular views across to Adam’s Peak. We enjoyed everything about our stay at this hotel.
Chaaya Wild, Yala: Buffet meals were lavish, food extensive and good.
Buckingham Place, Rekawa: A lovely location, tastefully set out for beautiful views. Very relaxing, staff are excellent.
Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage: Excellent activity.
Sigiriya Rock: Very worthwhile.
Kandy Botanical Gardens: A wonderful experience.
Train journey to Hatton: An essential activity.
Tea Factory: Fabulous sights, well worth it.
Yala National Park: Excellent, even more so thanks to our knowledgeable tracker and skilled driver.
-NH & VH – Devon, UK
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March 31, 2012 :
Kandy Cottage, Kandy: Hairs found in breakfast food.
Buckingham Place, Rekawa: An incredible retreat and good value for money.
Adam’s Peak: Great experience.
Whale Watching: Well organised and professional.
-CH – Hertfordshire, UK
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March 31, 2012 :
Our impression of RedDot is very good – emails replied to quickly and all my requests taken into consideration.
Ranjith [driver/guide] is gregarious and likeable. He is very knowledgeable on the history, culture and wildlife of Sri Lanka and is very thoughtful, taking great pride in his work. He was attentive but never over-bearing.
Sigiriya Village, Sigiriya: Good standard of hotel, very clean rooms and attentive staff.
Hibiscus Garden: Again very clean, nice room.
Buckingham Place, Rekawa: Amazing hotel. Lovely room and great service and food. Highly recommend!
Dambulla: Very interesting.
Sigiriya Rock: Very beautiful historical sight.
-CS – UK
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March 31, 2012 :
Naren [consultant] provided a great service, giving us options and listening to our requirements.
Prassama [driver/guide] was excellent. He was punctual, good company, full of interesting stories and extremely safe on the roads.
Lake Lodge, Colombo: Quiet oasis in the hustle and bustle of Colombo. Staff very friendly and helpful.
Serendip Stone Bungalow, Kandy: Very tranquil and full of wildlife, lots of birds. Staff were excellent. Need more variety of food.
Avian Breeze, Nuwara Eliya: Clean and quiet. Friendly staff, average food.
Hibiscus Garden, Tissamaharama: Great location. Food excellent, staff friendly, great massages. Garden excellent for seeing birds and relaxing in.
Sigiriya Rock: Remarkable experience, I’d recommend it to anyone.
Train from Kandy to Nuwara Eliya: A wonderful experience, like taking a step back in time. RedDot organised us excellent seats!
-NJ – UK
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March 31, 2012 :
Club Dolphin, Waikkal: Food is expensive!
Elephant Orphanage: Amazing! Very close to the elephants.
-RR – India
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March 31, 2012 :
Naren [consultant] provided a great service.
Prassana [driver] was excellent. He was punctual, good company and knowledgeable.
Lake Lodge, Colombo: Great spot – quiet oasis in the hustle and bustle of Colombo. Staff very helpful and friendly.
Serendip Stone Bungalow, Kandy: Great spot. Tranquil garden full of birds. Staff excellent. Limited variety of food.
Avian Breeze, Nuwara Eliya: Clean, staff friendly, food average.
Hibiscus Garden, Tissamaharama: Food excellent, staff very friendly, garden lovely. Great massages.
Sigiriya: Remarkable experience.
-NJ – UK
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March 31, 2012 :
Boniface [driver] looked after us well. Always polite, punctual and willing to help.
The Wallawwa, Kotugoda: Good first/last day stop. Good food.
Kandy House, Kandy: Really helpful staff. Lovely setting.
Rainforest Edge, Waddagala: Brilliant setting. Bed awful. Needs more care and attention.
Kulu Safaris, Yala: Wonderful setting, staff very good. Loved eating by the river.
-TR – UK
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March 31, 2012 :
Baramba, Kandy: Lovely guest house, staff could not do enough for us. Great rooms and excellent, freshly cooked food. Thoroughly recommend.
Melheim Resort, Haputale: Isolated. Prices high.
The Last House, Tangalle: Superb setting, good service. Expensive meals, no alcohol licence.
Frangipani Tree, Thalpe: Nice hotel, good location. Excellent service. Manager only there during the day.
-IC – UK
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March 31, 2012 :
Ayanthi [consultant] addressed all concerns promptly.
Herman [driver] went out of his way to help us. He is a credit to the company.
Leopard Safaris, National Parks: Wonderful – highly recommend. Staff did absolutely everything to help.
Frangipani Tree, Thalpe: Lovely being next to the sea.
Yala Safari: Wonderful, could not be faulted.
Temple of the Tooth, Kandy: Very moving – worth the trip.
-JM – UK
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March 30, 2012 :
Ayanthi [consultant] provided us with speedy, clear and satisfactory responses.
Luxman [driver] could not have been more helpful and courteous or driven more safely. We were very lucky to have him.
Ellerton, Kandy: Lovely atmosphere, friendly and relaxed. Outdated shower.
Warwick Gardens, Ambewela: Stunning views, beautiful garden. No swimming pool.
-MG – London, UK
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March 30, 2012 :
When booking, questions raised were efficiently dealt with.
Sigiriya Village, Sigiriya: Room was satisfactory, hotel complex as a whole is excellent. Food top class, staff courteous, friendly and helpful.
Mount Lavinia Hotel, Mount Lavinia: Superb facilities. Food excellent, friendly staff.
-DM – UK
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March 29, 2012 :
I chose Red Dot because of the speed of response to my initial email and the helpfulness of the consultant [Naren].
John [driver/guide] was everything we could want – helpful, knowledgeable and always willing to offer assistance when required.
-SL – UK
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March 29, 2012 :
I chose to book with RedDot because of the speed of response to my initial email and the helpfulness of the consultant.|
John [driver/guide] was everything we wanted – helpful, knowledgeable and always willing to offer assistance when required.
Kandy House, Kandy: Wonderful hotel with magnificent pool setting.
Adelphi, Bandarawela: Stunning location and decoration – original décor added to experience. Extremely helpful owners on site.
Yala Villa, Yala: Excellent location, close to National Park. Lovely pool, delicious food. Beautiful architecture.
Elephant Santuary: Good break from journey – especially enjoyed meal over-looking the river bath.
Kandy Botanical Gardens: Interesting and beautiful.
-IL – UK
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March 28, 2012 :
No issues with booking at all, Red Dot team are responsive and professional.
Sanjeewa [driver] was great – he became almost a part of the family by the end of the trip. He knew when to ‘be there’ and when to fade into the background.
Mount Cinnamon, Mirissa: Very special place – remarkable!
Zion View, Ella: Homey and friendly, great food. An easy place to relax.
Jetwing Sea, Negombo: Great place to unwind.
Elephant Safari: Awesome!
-M
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March 26, 2012 :
Emil Fernando [driver/guide] was charming and courteous throughout – nothing was too much trouble for him. He displayed great knowledge of his country and culture.
Jetwing Lighthouse, Galle: The Lighthouse was a lovely hotel. Excellent room, great food and service.
Mas Villa, Kotmale: Perfect for those who want a quiet retreat. Delightful hotel – fabulous views, friendly and polite staff, great food. Can’t praise this hotel enough.
-BF – Bath, UK
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March 26, 2012 :
Emil [driver] was charming courteous and displayed great knowledge of his country. Nothing was too much trouble for him.
Jetwing Lighthouse, Galle: Lovely hotel. Excellent room, great food and service.
-BF – Bath, UK
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March 24, 2012 :
We were delighted with Red Dot’s service, from Charmaine [consultant] in particular.
Sarith [driver] made our holiday so special. He was polite and kind and a very careful driver. We appreciated his constant good humour which made our time in Sri Lanka an unforgettable experience.
Lake Lodge, Colombo: Very good choice for our initial accommodation – good location.
Sigiriya Village, Sigiriya: Wonderful site and location, too large for my taste.
Kandy Cottage, Kandy: A delightful stay from start to finish.
Avian Breeze, Nuwara Eliya: Such willing and friendly staff. Would be good if they offered traditional Sri Lankan dishes as well as Western food.
Zion View, Ella: Stunning views from our terrace and room. Staff could not have done more for us. Food top class, walking was great.
Hibiscus Garden, Tissamaharama: Wonderful location and standard of accommodation. Food disappointing for us – lack of choice, tureens were cold at breakfast. Too many staff who were very over-familiar.
-PR & ST – Oxford, UK
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March 23, 2012 :
Shane [driver] was very helpful and looked after us well – he even treated a nasty mosquito bite on my leg!
Amaya Hills, Kandy: Great pool and excellent views. Room smelled of cigarette smoke – unpleasant for a non-smoker.
Ceylon Tea Trails, Norwood: Outstanding. Food particularly was fantastic, made individually to 'order'.
-TG – UK
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March 22, 2012 :
Ishan [consultant] was responsive and helpful.
Rathnasiri was polite, helpful and punctual. He was able to respond to all our questions.
St. Lachlan, Negombo: Great Wifi.
Chaaya Wild, Yala: Good hotel.
Coral Sands, Hikkaduwa: Good 3* hotel.
-HK – Singapore
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March 20, 2012 :
Red Dot exceeded every expectation and made the entire experience of Sri Lanka unforgettable.
Tissa [driver] is an unbelievable asset to Red Dot. He was totally professional at all times and his pride in Sri Lanka is infectious. His concern for our safety and pleasure was incredible – we adored him.
-SS – Sydney, Australia
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March 19, 2012 :
Rangala House, Bobebilla: Can’t praise this enough!
Tea Trails, Norwood: The best of the holiday – fantastic!
Adam’s Peak: Amazing, but exhausting!
Tea Factory: Excellent, highlight of the trip.
-AL
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March 19, 2012 :
Ananda [driver] is friendly and knowledgeable, always punctual and well-presented and has wonderful sense of humour. His vehicle is always clean and he is very safe on the dangerous roads. We would not hesitate to recommend him.
Chaaya Village, Habarana: Amazing buffet meals. Nice pool area. Well located for sight-seeing in cultural triangle. Good value. Highly recommend.
Temple of the Tooth, Kandy: A bit disappointing.
-RS – Australia
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March 19, 2012 :
Angelo [driver] was extremely helpful, good with practical advice and always cheerful. Punctual and flexible.
Kandy Cottage, Kandy: Lovely family-run accommodation. Excellent service.
Zion View, Ella: Excellent food, everyone helpful.
Fort Bliss, Galle: Great breakfast, very friendly staff. Wonderful location, lovely room.
Dambulla Cave Temple: Excellent part of trip.
-JW – UK
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March 17, 2012 :
Initial booking process smooth and efficient. Support during the holiday was excellent from Ervin [driver]. Late collections, particularly worryingly from Colombo to the airport, were disappointing.
Ervin was very knowledgeable and friendly, always punctual and helpful. Second week we had Donovan [driver] who struggled to respond as we hoped.
St Lachlan’s, Negombo: Perfectly adequate stop-over hotel for first night in Sri Lanka – friendly staff and lovely food. Room had a leaking sink and wardrobe doors held together with an elastic band.
Vil Uyana, Sigiriya: Wonderful place – could have stayed longer. Very isolated – no real option to eat elsewhere. Would have gone on half-board basis.
Theva Residency, Kandy: Excellent location – superb views. Menu could have been a little more extensive.
-MS - UK
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March 17, 2012 :
All aspects of booking excellent, Ishan [consultant] was very helpful with suggestions. Usually speedy response to emails but an occasional long wait for a response.
Namunu [driver/guide] was excellent all round. He was helpful, friendly, always courteous and always understood what we wanted.
Chaaya Village, Yala: Well worth having a deluxe room for the view and the privacy.
Rangala House, Bobebilla: Loved everything about this place – amazing views, fantastic food.
Slightly Chilled Yellow House, Dalhousie: Dinner poor, breakfast okay. Staff very unfriendly – poor customer service.
Buckingham Place, Rekawa: Wonderful.
Palace Mirissa, Mirissa: Very good breakfast, poor dinner.
-RC – UK
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March 17, 2012 :
The booking process was done mainly over email and through the website therefore it did not feel personal. However, I would use Red Dot again and recommend you to friends.
Our driver was excellent – always helpful, had a sense of humour and was very knowledgeable.
Kandalama: A big international hotel. Well run in a fantastic location.
Villa Rosa, Asgiriya: A ‘gem’. Would use again. Small, intimate and friendly.
Rainforest Edge, Waddagala: Really good food.
Frangipani Tree, Thalpe: Some problems with management. Excellent chef and a great location, a good place to chill.
-DM – UK
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March 16, 2012 :
Wild Grass Nature Resort, Sigiriya: Traditional food excellent, attempts at Western food poor.
Theva Residency, Kandy: Lovely hotel. Staff welcoming and keen to please.
Turtle Bay, Kalametiya: Good location, lovely room. Good pool and close to beach. More effort needed on food.
-HC – UK
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March 16, 2012 :
Warwick Gardens, Ambewela: Beautiful place, great room. Food average.
-SM – USA
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March 15, 2012 :
Very smooth booking process and no problems during holiday. All questions were answered efficiently and accurately.
Dushan [driver] is a pleasure to be with. Excellent company and able to sort out any minor hiccoughs.
Melheim Resort, Haputale: Lots of minor problems not satisfactorily addressed.
Botanical Gardens, Kandy: Excellent.
-NH – London, UK
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March 15, 2012 :
Herman [driver] is really great, one of the best driver/guides in Sri Lanka and the best we’ve ever had. Van needs better seatbelts, especially for children.
The Wallawwa, Kotugoda: Very good hotel with excellent staff and food. A long way from Colombo centre, but convenient for airport.
Cultural Triangle: Excellent sights.
-DM – London, UK
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March 12, 2012 :
Red Dot website is superb. The booking process was easy and a pleasure – Lahiru [consultant] was professional and delightful to deal with.
Sunil [driver] was unfailingly courteous and friendly, going out of his way to enhance our visit. Could not have been more helpful, attentive, informative and professional.
Ulagalla Resort, Anuradhapura: Stunning hotel in a glorious location. Very comfortable and excellent service. Food good but lacked variety. Fabulous swimming pool. Nature walk is expensive.
Ellerton, Kandy: Feels like a private home – welcoming staff in a stunning location. Spectacular views. Food very good but limited choice. Adequate pool.
Dutch House, Bandarawela: Charming and comfortable rooms with lovely views. Perfect climate. Brilliant service and welcoming owners. Excellent food.
Sun House, Galle: Excellent in every way, except the swimming pool is very small!
Frangipani Tree, Thalpe: Very unsatisfactory, would not recommend.
Chaaya Wild, Yala: Very touristy. Disappointing restaurant, good bar food. Shallow and uninviting pool, bad drain smell.
Dambulla Caves: Stunning Buddhas.
Tea Factory: Very interesting.
Safari at Yala National Park: Very enjoyable four hours!
-AP – UK
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March 11, 2012 :
Initial responsiveness is what clinched our choice of Red Dot. Everything else was good.
Our driver Ranjith was professional, always courteous, thoughtful and very knowledgeable. Excellent advice and guidance throughout, flexible and responsive. A pleasure to be with.
Mahaweli Reach, Kandy: A real 5* hotel. Excellent swimming pool, service and food.
Mandara Resort, Mirissa: Good location, useless staff. Food average, swimming pool good.
St Lachlan Hotel, Negombo: What a delight! Best food, great pool, fantastic service.
Elephant Reach, Yala: Very helpful staff, good pool and beds, food okay. Unpretentious - good atmosphere.
-SM – UK
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March 10, 2012 :
Bernard [driver/guide] was very helpful, knowledgeable and provided a very high level of service.
Hunas Falls, Elkaduwa: A bit out-dated, but stunning views. Very far from Kandy.
-NG – UK
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March 10, 2012 :
Charmaine [consultant] was very helpful and patient, especially as we booked this trip last minute.
Esala [driver] is very polite and punctual throughout the tour. He made it a memorable and enjoyable trip for us – we would definitely use him again. Fully recommend.
Ulagalla Resort, Anuradhapura: Superb hotel, service and location.
Cinnamon Lodge, Habarana: Nice location, food and cleanliness not as good as Ulagalla.
Anuradhapura: Beautiful location/buildings – really enjoyed seeing the sights.
Sigiriya: Highlight of the trip.
Polonnaruwa: Nice ruins – not as good as Anuradhapura.
-CC – Kuala Lumpur
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March 09, 2012 :
Booking process went very smoothly.
Sunil [driver/guide] was very good – helpful, friendly and knowledgeable. We were very happy with his service and he went the ‘extra mile’ to make sure we got what we wanted. He went to a lot of effort to make sure we were looked after by hotel staff as well.
Weligama Bay Resort, Weligama: Very good. Service was of a very high quality, brilliant location. Noisy at night in the main hotel.
Turtle Bay Resort, Kalametiya: This is an excellent place, rooms and food are excellent. Everyone is very helpful and friendly, very good service. Great location.
Kelburne Cottages, Haputale: We really enjoyed this place! Great location, stunning views. Service friendly and helpful. Uncomfortable beds.
Slightly Chilled Yellow House, Dalhousie: Staff really good, nice atmosphere.
Royal River Palace, Kitulgala: Staff friendly and place nice, but no one seemed to be running it properly when we were there – at the time of our arrival there was no one to welcome us or check us in.
Mirissa Whale Watching: Very successful and enjoyable.
-CP – Australia
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March 09, 2012 :
We appreciated Prabath’s [driver] calmness on the roads and his kindness to our children.
Chaaya Village, Yala: Superb – we were upgraded to the best suite. Buffet excellent, good location.
Ellerton, Kandy: Unique and beautiful.
-AS – London
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March 07, 2012 :
Seranath [driver] is an excellent guide and chauffer who made a good holiday into a wonderful and informative one.
Mud House, Anumaduwa: A truly wonderful experience.
St Andrews, Nuwara Eliya: Nice room, bathroom and food. Friendly staff. Very overpriced.
-AK – UK
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March 07, 2012 :
We had a really memorable and enjoyable holiday, for which we are enormously grateful to Red Dot – I think we will be back! We will certainly be letting people know what Red Dot can do.
A little more ‘local area’ printed information we could carry with us would have been good.
Jagath [driver] was very good at answering the host of questions we threw at him, but was perhaps ‘fading’ towards the end of what was a fairly long trip for him. We liked him.
Galle Face Hotel, Colombo: A splendid arrival destination.
Vil Uyana, Sigiriya: Nowhere private to sit that was out of the sun – obliged to use ‘library area’. A great place to start our Sri Lanka adventure.
Tamarind Lodge, Victoria: A true ‘home from home’ feel – loved it, could have stayed longer.
Ceylon Tea Trails, Dickoya & Kahanda Kanda, Koggala: Both were truly fabulous experiences which we would repeat should we return to Sri Lanka.
Dutch House, Bandarawela: Lacked atmosphere. Service a little on the overbearing side.
The Wallawwa, Kotogaoda: Loved it – we’d use it for both arrival and departure.
Last House, Tangalle: Another huge hit with us – we would repeat, definitely!
-DF & VF – Hampshire, UK
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March 06, 2012 :
Warwick Gardens, Ambewela: Garden nice, house a little tired.
Corbert’s Rest, Knuckles: Bathroom dirty, staff very nice. Location is fantasic.
-RD – UK
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March 06, 2012 :
We have been very happy with Naren [consultant] and how he handled our enquiry. We were delighted with Ervin [driver] from start finish – he exceed our expectations.
The Wallawwa, Kotugoda: Very good – would always want to stay here.
Wild Grass Nature Resort, Sigiriya: We enjoyed our time here and the staff were very attentive – perhaps a little too attentive at meal times. Lighting for dinner was too dark, no locks on the toilets.
Ellerton, Kandy: Excellent.
Grand Hotel, Nuwara Eliya: We were very happy here.
Kalus Hideaway, Uda Walawe: Not clear it was still under development. Staff enthusiastic but lack experience.
Apa Villas, Thalpe: Food and service excellent.
Elephant Orphanage: Excellent, good value.
Train Journey: Excellent.
Safari at Uda Walawe: Excellent experience and good value.
-CC – Peterborough, UK
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March 05, 2012 :
Exchange of emails during booking proved excellent – we were kept constantly updated.
Namanu [driver/guide] made our holiday extra special, providing an excellent service.
Villa Bentota, Bentota: Nice and relaxing after long flight.
Buckingham Place, Rekawa: Out of the way, but hotel and staff excellent. Great to be immersed in nature.
The Wallawwa, Kotugoda: Good place to relax before flight home.
Temple of the Tooth: Really glad we saw it!
Whale watching: Excellent!
-VF – UK
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March 05, 2012 :
Very pleased with the whole booking process.
Guna [driver/guide] had a very pleasant personality, but was occasionally rather too serious! However he relaxed with the passage of time and looked after us very well.
Sigiriya Village, Sigiriya: No internet.
Royal Lotus, Giritale: Somewhat disappointing – no internet and limited television channels.
Hunas Falls, Elkaduwa: Wonderful location. Very good room, food and service.
Kulu Safaris, Uda Walawe and Yala: Paradise! Lovely location, willing and cheerful service.
Polonnaruwa: Definitely for ‘culture vultures’. Very impressive and interesting.
Yala National Park: Fabulous!
Botanical Gardens: Wonderful variety of plants.
Temple of the Tooth: Unique.
-TW – Devon, UK
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March 02, 2012 :
Extensive website with useful suggestions. Dirk [consultant] was helpful in creating an itinerary to suit our interests.
Aravinda [driver] has been helpful, professional and informative throughout our trip. His vehicle is spotless and comfortable. He is a great ambassador for Red Dot and Sri Lanka.
St Lachlan, Negombo: Nice breakfast, convenient location. Small bathroom.
Wild Grass Nature Resort, Sigiriya: Stylish. Location, villa and staff all excellent.
Kelburne Mountain View Cottages, Haputale: Great setting. Staff charming and helpful. Very clean and tidy, furniture is dated.
Polonnaruwa: Substantial site, plenty to see.
Sigiriya: A must see sight in Sri Lanka.
Yala Safari: Great scenery, plenty of animals to see.
-PB – UK
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March 02, 2012 :
We started the holiday in trepidation as none of us had ever heard of Red Dot Tours before – the holiday we have just finished has dismissed all of those doubts. You need to shout a bit louder from the rooftops as to how good your company is!
The success of our holiday was mainly down to one person – Ram (Pathasiri) [driver]. He was always there for us – nothing was too much trouble. He met us at Colombo Airport with a smile and it never changed during our entire holiday. We think he is a great asset to your company.
-PL & FL – UK
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February 29, 2012 :
A very good experience, we have enjoyed ourselves!
We found Bonifus [driver] to be a very good travelling companion, something that is extremely important in this kind of holiday. He is a first class driver.
Vil Uyana, Sigiriya: Room was good, having bathroom downstairs was slightly inconvenient.
Chaaya Wild, Yala: Dinner not up to standard, breakfast good. Room very good indeed.
Galle Fort, Galle: Generally excellent, particularly food, but room was getting ‘tired’ – needs some attention.
The Wallawwa, Kotagoda: Excellent.
-SG – London, UK
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February 29, 2012 :
Very happy indeed – will use you again and recommend you to others.
VJ [driver] is a treasure – unfailingly prompt, polite, helpful and obliging. Incredibly knowledgeable – seems to know everything about and everyone on the island. He drives slowly, which for us – not used to Sri Lankan roads – was just great! Cannot praise him enough, you are lucky to have him.
Galle Heritage Villas, Galle: Delightful place, huge rooms.
Turtle Bay, Tangalle: Lovely place, if a bit remote.
Yala Villa, Yala: Friendly, pleasant, little hotel. Liked it.
Grand Hotel, Nuwara Eliya: Magnificent old place, wonderful public areas. Bedrooms too small for a ‘deluxe’ title. Fantastic cocktail bar.
Chaya Citadel, Kandy: Lovely, wonderful setting.
Kassapa Lions Rock, Sigiriya: Awful bathroom, TV and minibar not working. Noisy tour bus parties.
Palm Garden Village, Anarudhapura: Excellent, if slightly impersonal.
Galle Face Regency, Colombo: Magnificent in every way!
-J – UK
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February 29, 2012 :
Booking process faultless, information provided prior to holiday excellent. Thank you for planning and organising a wonderful holiday.
Aravinda Abeykoon [driver] was the aspect which really made our holiday a success. We think it would be difficult to find a more dedicated person to accompany you around Sri Lanka – he is passionate about his country and has a wealth of knowledge that he is eager to pass on to you. His car was always perfectly clean and his punctuality is perfect. He is prepared to go beyond his normal driver/guide responsibilities – even to the extent of returning to the airport in the early hours of the morning to try to recover my hat I had stupidly left on the aircraft!
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February 29, 2012 :
The driver that met us at the airport did not drive safely, but our driver for the week was always punctual, safe and very helpful.
Whale watching: Great and well organised.
-AL – Hong Kong
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February 28, 2012 :
My driver was remarkable – quite outstanding and simply brilliant.
Sigiriya: Stunning: go early, 6am!
Koggala Lake: Dirty, too commercial.
-JC – Ireland
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February 28, 2012 :
Anwar is a very well informed and well-mannered guide – his knowledge is exemplary. He is a gentleman and an ambassador of Sri Lankan hospitality and tourism. We highly recommend him!
Suisse Hotel, Kandy: Excellent food.
-KK
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February 28, 2012 :
Jamaldeen [driver] was really excellent – nothing was too much trouble. Always cheerful and punctual. A fountain of knowledge. His driving was extremely safe – we always felt comfortable.
Horathopola Estate, Horathopola: Excellent place to stay to recover after long flight. Excellent setting, good food. Beautiful gardens.
Zion View, Ella: Simple but stunning views. Staff attentive. Food very good but limited variety.
Hill Walking in Ella: Very pleasant and inspiring, definitely worthwhile.
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February 28, 2012 :
Dirk [consultant] has provided us with excellent suggestions when organising our trip. He was very flexible to all our changes.
Bernard [driver] has supported us throughout our trip. He is very friendly and an excellent driver – a pleasure to be with.
Heritance Kandalama, Dambulla: Excellent architecture.
Cinnamon Lodge, Habarana: Lovely garden and pool. Great for children.
Lavender House, Pussellawa: Lovely for adults, would not recommend to families. Very nice garden and pool.
Jetwing Beach, Negombo: Lovely pool, great service. Good rooms.
-MB – France
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February 27, 2012 :
Dushan [driver] has been a fantastic driver/guide, looking after us really well. We have felt safe since the first day and would not hesitate to use him again.
Ashburnham Estate, Elkaduwa: Very welcoming, great food.
Manor House, Kandy: Little run down, average food. Dirty pool.
Living Heritage, Koslanda: Exceeded all expectations. Amazing place. Warm welcome and excellent service.
-EP
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February 27, 2012 :
Ranjith [driver] went above and beyond. He was very helpful, always remained calm and was really friendly – we really liked him. Always maintained his professionalism.
Cinnamon Lodge, Habarana: Amazing. Great food, wildlife and pool. Staff really nice.
Rangala House, Bobebilla: Food was superb, great service. Incredible views. Very relaxing. Owner gave us a great personal farewell.
Randholee, Kandy: Good food and live entertainment. Pool was great, rooms nice.
Slightly Chilled, Dalhousie: Food great. Friendly staff.
Royal River Resort, Kitulgala: Bit dated. Pretty setting.
Kalus Hideaway, Uda Walawe: Food really good, loved infinity pool. Beautiful and close to National Park. We loved this place.
Adam’s Peak: A great challenge to complete, but so satisfying to see the sunrise.
-TK – UK
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February 27, 2012 :
Naren [consultant] was very helpful and receptive to all our queries during the booking process.
The Wallawwa, Kotugoda: Perfect luxury and attentive service. Food well priced. Calm, secluded.
Palm Garden Village, Anuradhapura: Lovely pool. Nice, clean, well-kept. Emphasis on Western food. Friendly staff. Large room.
Galkadawala, Habarana: Perfect hidden hideaway, felt very peaceful. Staff incredibly friendly and attentive. Delicious food. A hidden gem.
Zion View, Ella: A stunning stop, breath-taking views. Food best we’ve had.
-RM – UK
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February 27, 2012 :
John [driver] was fantastic, very kind, helpful and polite. He went the extra mile for us and understood our budget limitations.
Lake Lodge, Colombo: Nice place, no window in room, lovely staff.
Galkadawala, Habarana: Absolutely wonderful. Loved it here - owner and staff made our stay. Amazing food!
Botanical Gardens: Really lovely and interesting.
-MM – UK
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February 26, 2012 :
Ram [driver] is a great ambassador for Sri Lanka. Always smiling, helpful and caring – a great travelling companion.
Kandy Cottage, Kandy: Food and service compensated for basic room.
Kelburne Mountain Lodge, Haputale: Our favourite – Ravi [houseboy] was excellent.
Spice Garden: Well worth a visit.
Tea Factory, Haputale: Very interesting.
-AL – Canada
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February 26, 2012 :
Ram [driver] made our holiday. He was always there when we wanted him; his knowledge of Sri Lanka made our holiday so enjoyable. Vehicle always clean and well proportioned. He is a good driver and we always felt safe. Ram is an asset to Red Dot.
The Safari, Tissamaharama: Beautiful views from bedroom across the lake. Marvellous service.
Lagoon Paradise Beach Resort, Tangalle: Limited meal choices, mainly Western cuisine. Beautiful site in wonderful setting. Great pool. Slow service in restaurant.
Pinewella Elephant Orphanage: A very enjoyable experience.
Train journey, Kandy to Haputale: Thoroughly enjoyed the journey.
-PL- UK
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February 25, 2012 :
Jonah [consultant] has been a great help – she is fluent in French which was enormously helpful!
Prabath [driver] has done a very good job and passed on to us his passion for this beautiful country. He was always very flexible to our wishes.
Tissawella Rest House, Anuradhapura: Beautiful building – lots of charm. Bathroom in poor condition.
Zion View, Ella: Great view, nice pool.
-DF – France
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February 24, 2012 :
Sanjeewa was an excellent driver/guide – very helpful, friendly and good company.
Sanctuary, Victoria Golf and Country Resort: Excellent views.
Golf: Stunning course, excellent caddies.
Elephant Ride: One of the highlights.
-AB – UK
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February 23, 2012 :
Lahiru [consultant] did a good job in arranging trip at such short notice (less than six days).
Melheim Resort, Haputale: Excellent rooms, views and pool. Good views.
Safari, Yala: Excellent! Saw a leopard.
-RH – London, UK
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February 21, 2012 :
Nothing was too much trouble for Aravinda [driver]. His passionate love of the country was evident – we feel it would be difficult to find a better driver/guide!
Ulagalla Resort, Anuradhapura: A really special place. Everything about this place was first class.
Amaya Hills, Kandy: Dining room noisy, lacked atmosphere. Food average.
Heritage Tea Factory, Kandapola: Superb. Relaxing and enjoyable.
-JR – Cornwall, UK
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February 21, 2012 :
Ayanthi [consultant] was very efficient after a somewhat slow response.
Namunu [driver] is a very good driver and guide – a credit to your company. Helpful, friendly and knowledgeable, nothing was too much trouble with him.
Mud House, Anamaduwa: Very good service and selection of food. Good nature walks, very friendly care from staff. Would be better with electricity and hot showers.
Back of Beyond, Pidurangala: Room lovely but uncomfortable beds. Food very good on the whole, drinks very cheap. Staff friendly and helpful. Good location.
Lake Lodge, Colombo: Lovely room and terrace, staff helpful and friendly. Food very good but service poor.
Hill Club, Nuwara Eliya: A nice surprise. Old-fashioned, but casual dining. Friendly and helpful staff, good food and drinks.
Temple of the Tooth, Kandy: Fascinating.
-KS – Guernsey
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February 18, 2012 :
Mas Villa, Kotmale: Could improve on their attention to detail. Manager very casual and informal.
Ancient Cities: All excellent and very enjoyable. Good use of our time.
-AH – Australia
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February 17, 2012 :
Galle Face Regency, Colombo: Sea water swimming pool with view was wonderful.
Thilanka, Kandy: Staff very helpful. Food average, hotel shabby in places.
Melheim Resort, Haputale: Terrific views, lovely room.
Yala Village: Very special. Beautiful.
Sigiriya Rock: Deserves ‘8th wonder of the world’ status. Glorious.
-DM – USA
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February 17, 2012 :
Abdul [driver] was extremely polite and helpful, always punctual. Excellent service – highly impressed.
-MM – UK
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February 17, 2012 :
Namunu [driver] was excellent – we really enjoyed our time with him. His English was very good – he was a pleasure to be around. Very professional and a safe driver.
-SJ – UK
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February 17, 2012 :
Jonah [consultant] was very helpful and efficient, responsive to our needs – would recommend.
Tudor [driver] was very friendly and helpful, especially with the kids. Polite, punctual and respectful, took pride in his work and his country. His English language skills were good but on occasion his lack of understanding of our questions led to misinterpretation. Could also have been more flexible in relation to timing of departures and excursions. Would ‘score’ as 9/10.
Tamarind Tree, Katunayaka: Well located for airport, nice grounds and pool. Bathroom needed updating.
Sigiriya Village, Sigiriya: Lovely hotel, good service.
Amaya Hills, Kandy: An excellent hotel (our favourite). Lovely room and pool, very good food.
Zion View, Ella: Fantastic guest house – lovely rooms and food.
-CB - UK
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February 15, 2012 :
We loved dealing with Lahiru [consultant]. So good to skype with – she gave us very good advice. We have really enjoyed our trip and have recommended Red Dot to friends, who have since booked with you.
Ranjit [driver] was most attentive and helpful, helping with our excursions and making suggestions for others we could do. He is knowledgeable on many subjects and has a great sense of humour – we had some good laughs!
Casa Colombo: We arrived at 6:30am and the staff we most kind and helpful. We had a very late breakfast – no problem to them.
Kassapa Lions Rock, Sigiriya: Lighting was bad. Outside shower meant everything got wet in the rain.
Theva Residency, Kandy: Better than we expected. Air-conditioning very noisy. Wonderful preparation for meals.
Ellerton Hotel, Kandy: Wonderful gardens. Lovely to have drinks and tips included in the bill.
The Safari Hotel, Yala: Very comfortable, extremely attentive staff. Food very good and particularly good value.
Melheim, Haputale: Location wonderful, lacked atmosphere in dining/reception area. Internet poor, safe broken, towels smelled bad. Staff most friendly.
-NA – Dublin, Ireland
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February 14, 2012 :
Generally slow to respond to email messages.
Bernard [driver] is very knowledgeable and courteous, but we felt he clearly has failing eyesight and his vehicle was in very poor condition.
The Wallawwa, Negombo: Outstanding!
Vil Uyana, Sigiriya: Wonderful!
Tamarind Lodge, Kandy: A very good alternative to our expected stay at The Kandy House, albeit 22km out of Kandy.
Luxury Safari Camping, Yala National Park: The highlight of our holiday. The team were inspirational.
Casa Colombo: Excellent choice, but needs some TLC – paintwork, furnishings etc.
-DC & AC - Nottingham, UK
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February 13, 2012 :
The booking process went very smoothly.
Chandra [driver] is excellent. He is professional, knowledgeable, flexible, calm, responsive, resourceful, kind, good sense of humour. A valuable asset to the Red Dot team.
Mas Villa, Kandy: Excellent curry. Personal service but not intrusive. Nice room. Peaceful setting, beautiful views. Experience may have been different if there had been more guests other than myself staying there.
-AW – UK
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February 13, 2012 :
You have the best website on holidays to Sri Lanka – so much information!
Ellerton, Kandy: A gem. Service and location superb.
Kelburne Mountain View, Haputale: Didn’t want to leave. Stunning views.
Palm Paradise Cabanas, Tangalle: Exceed expectations, lovely setting on beach.
Mamas Galle Fort, Galle: Property with character. Rooftop restaurant is spectacular.
Galle Face Regency, Colombo: Service patchy, room small.
Sigiriya Rock: The view from the top is worth the climb.
Temple of the Tooth, Kandy: Not to be missed!
-GT – UK
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February 12, 2012 :
We will definitely be recommending RedDot to friends and family.
Shantha [driver] is a wonderful driver and excellent guide. He looked after us at all times and through him we have learned so much about Sri Lanka.
Villa Talangama, Colombo: A very relaxing place, good spot to recover from flight.
Dolphin Beach, Kalpitiya: Very quirky, delightful accommodation.
Vil Uyana, Sigiriya: Luxurious accommodation – individual and unique.
Laggala Bungalow, Laggala: Fantastic host, best Sri Lankan food on trip.
Galle Fort Hotel, Galle: Excellent setting, very convenient. Lovely food.
River House, Bentota: Beautiful setting. Attentive staff, excellent food.
Wilpathu National Park: Excellent.
-KW – Scarborough, UK
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February 11, 2012 :
Ishan [consultant] was patient, responding well to our queries and was flexible in adapting to our numerous alterations.
Angelo [driver] exceeded our expectations. Very polite, careful and diplomatic – not too intrusive. Excellent service, professional and kind. We would definitely recommend him.
Amaya Hills, Kandy: Very charming and personable experience.
Mahoora Safari Camps, Uda Walawe: Unforgettable experience. Naturalists were exceptional – kind and friendly, yet able to give us space. Superb!
Polonnaruwa: Exceptional – beyond our expectations.
Rafting and Kayaking: Excellent facilities, great guides.
-NM – Montreal, Canada
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February 09, 2012 :
Dolphin Beach, Kalpitiya: A great place to start our holiday.
Palm Garden Village, Anuradhapura: Poor food and slow, surly staff.
Leopard Safaris, National Parks: Fantastic place, great food and staff. Fabulous ambience.
Kalu’s Hideaway, Uda Walawe: Adequate place, nice surroundings. Good service, okay food.
Palace Mirissa, Mirissa: Lovely location, terrible food. Breakfast average.
-RL – Wales, UK
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February 09, 2012 :
Palm Garden Village, Anuradhapura: Good room and pool, buffet style meals.
Back of Beyond, Sigiriya: An experience! Great place, friendly helpful staff. Bed hard.
-VP – UK
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February 08, 2012 :
I will recommend your company to everyone.
Dinesh [driver] is honest, helpful and knowledgeable. Would recommend to anyone with no hesitation.
Zion View, Ella: Superb place and service.
-DC – UK
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February 06, 2012 :
Jamaldeen [driver] was helpful, kind and informative. Professional at all times and a safe, careful driver.
Lavender House, Pussellawa: Fantastic.
Apa Village, Galle: Beautiful.
Villa Bentota, Bentota: Very relaxing.
Ceylon Tea Trails: Excellent.
-FH – Canada
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February 04, 2012 :
Jetwing Sea, Negombo: Good – well refurbished. Better value than Jetwing Beach, but food better at the latter. We would recommend this place.
Villa Rosa, Kandy: Our favourite for idyllic relaxation. Food excellent. Got on well with the staff. Highly recommended!
Zion View, Ella: Wrong choice for us – more suitable for backpackers / younger people. Home cooked food excellent however.
Elephant Reach, Yala: Fine as an alternative if Safari is not available, but preferred the latter. Attractive grounds.
Safari, Tissa: Very good hotel, great location. Dreadful music played all day on terrace.
Jetwing Lighthouse, Galle: Very good, gets better each time – food improved greatly. Highly recommended.
Tamarind Tree, Colombo: False economy for us. Dingy and depressing, appalling beds. Indifferent food. Garden and pool pleasant.
-TO
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February 03, 2012 :
The website was really informative on all aspects of Sri Lanka – only negative is that there isn’t immediate hotel prices on the website. I was able to book some hotels with other providers at a cheaper rate.
Ervin [driver] was absolutely fantastic! Very polite, knowledgeable and so helpful. Van always clean and on time. A credit to Reddot and to SriLanka.
Chaaya Village, Habarana: Food was very nice, staff polite. Good base for cultural triangle. Room was very clean, could do with repainting.
Theva Residency, Kandy: Room was well maintained, excellent view. Food was fantastic. Slightly out of Kandy – couldn’t explore on foot. A little pricey, but would definitely stay again.
Slightly Chilled, Dalhousie: No safe in room.
Sigiriya rock: Really enjoyed this, but I thought it was expensive.
White water rafting: We hadn’t thought of doing this, but we really enjoyed ourselves!
Yala Safari Park: Really good again – we spotted two leopards!
Adam’s Peak: Hard, but it is well worth doing it if you’re fit enough. I would advise taking a change of clothes for the top.
-RT – UK
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February 03, 2012 :
Samarakoon [driver] was first class, very helpful and concerned about our well-being. Excellent guide. Experienced and safe driver who I highly recommend.
The Wallawwa, Colombo: Very comfortable, convenient for airport.
Heritance, Kandalama: Stunning location, but size meant service is less personal than in a smaller hotel.
Lavender House, Pussellawa: Lovely hotel, friendly staff. Music spoils peace of setting. Limited possible excursions.
The Last House, Tangalle: Wonderful! Couldn’t fault it.
The Sun House, Galle: Excellent, super place. Room was fabulous.
Dambulla Caves : Best done early in the morning.
-SR – Portugal
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February 03, 2012 :
Ishan [consultant] was very efficient, organising an excellent holiday at such short notice.
Angelo [driver] has been friendly, helpful and informative. His car was always immaculate and he was extremely punctual.
Galle Fort Hotel, Galle: Beautiful hotel, room superb.
St Lachlan Hotel, Negombo: Lovely room, staff very friendly, food not so good.
Sigiriya Village, Sigiriya: Good food, room needs refurbishment.
Sigiriya Rock: Spectacular views, need to be relatively fit.
Botanical Gardens, Kandy: Beautiful surroundings, very well maintained.
Elephant Orphanage, Pinnewala: Highlight of the week, well worth a visit.
-VL – Lancaster, UK
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February 03, 2012 :
Seelan spoke excellent English, was informative and knowledgeable and was a mostly careful driver. He was extremely helpful in organising our itinerary to make it even more enjoyable.
The Wallawwa, Kotugoda: An ideal place to relax after long plane journey.
Vil Uyana, Sigiriya: Outstanding place and location.
Kandy House, Kandy: Meals and drinks expensive. Room rather small, lovely pool.
Kelburne Mountain View Cottages, Haputale: Lack of furniture in bedroom – nowhere to put clothes. Charming, attentive staff. Loved the views.
Chaaya Wild, Yala: Good location near the Safari Park. Full of tour groups.
-TH & WH – UK
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February 02, 2012 :
Abdul [driver/guide] is genuinely really nice and helpful – he always has a smile on his face. He seemed to have good knowledge and enjoyed explaining aspects of his country and culture to us.
Kandalama, Dambulla: Really lovely hotel, but awful service, especially from the management.
Amaya Lake, Dambulla: Nice hotel, lovely food.
Melheim Resort, Haputale: Lovely hotel. Staff really friendly, average food.
The Safari, Tissamaharama: Very hot curry!
Fort Printers, Galle Fort: Nice hotel, great service. Sheets were dirty.
Polonnaruwa: Really enjoyable.
Temple of the Tooth: Not as impressive as I’d hoped.
-PL – UK
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February 02, 2012 :
Naren [consultant] has been very helpful throughout.
Muthu [driver] is an excellent driver, taking care on Sri Lanka’s difficult roads. He is very helpful and knowledgeable.
Jetwing Sea, Negombo: An excellent hotel – stylish, great staff, wonderful location for airport.
Villa Rosa, Kandy: Fantastic food and service, a very special place.
Zion View, Ella: Fantastic view of Ella Rock. Great for backpackers. Excellent food and service.
Elephant Reach, Yala: Better than expected. Nice rooms, good pool, beautiful gardens.
Bird watching Bundala: Exceptional views of wildlife – elephants and alligators as well as a wide range of birds.
-TO – London, UK
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February 02, 2012 :
Ashok [driver] is a true gentleman – humble, polite and very professional. His integrity is unquestionable – a credit to his country and to RedDot. We felt like we were travelling with a friend by the end of the holiday! He made it very special for us.
The Mudhouse, Anamaduwa: Fantastic, unique place!
Galkadawala, Habarana: Outstanding place and people – our favourite place! There aren’t many places in the world we’d revisit but we’d make an exception here – we will remember it forever.
Rangala House, Bobebilla: Stunning location and superb accommodation.
-CLR – Stockport, UK
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February 02, 2012 :
Trusted the office, consultant and driver completely.
Rangala House, Bobebilla: The owner and staff are friendly.
-WA – Medina
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February 01, 2012 :
Excellent care all around throughout booking process.
Our driver/guide was excellent, nothing was too much trouble.
Amaya Hills, Kandy: Very nice resort hotel, popular with tour parties.
-VG – London, UK
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February 01, 2012 :
Booking process was very efficiently done. We’ve had a wonderful three weeks, thank you Red Dot!
Prabath [driver] was an excellent driver/guide – we would recommend him.
Village Safari: An excellent trip.
Elephant Safari: A great experience.
-TN – UK
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January 31, 2012 :
Kumar [driver] was very helpful and knowledgeable. He helped us to get the nicest rooms!
Royal River Resort, Kitulgala: Very peaceful.
-TF & AF
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January 31, 2012 :
Why House, Galle: Why House is perfect for winding down after a busy week travelling through the country – the atmosphere at Why is very serene and peaceful. We were made to feel very welcome and we couldn’t have asked for more. Our whole Cabana had been designed for comfort and style and was kept in immaculate condition. Meals are prepared from fresh produce and cooked to your liking – nothing is too much trouble at Why! On the last night, Henrietta invited us to have dinner with her and her friends - we were really made to feel part of the family. It was the perfect end to our holiday.
-AP – UK
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January 30, 2012 :
Didn’t receive phone card information or the name of our driver until we were in Sri Lanka. No detailed information of the hotels was emailed to us - looked them up on the website myself.
Senareth [driver] was an excellent ‘birder’ – found us birds that, on our own, we would never have seen. He was very diligent and keen for us to see plenty of birds. Very clean and comfortable car!
Martin’s Lodge, Sinharaja Forest: Basic, but with ensuite! Location was fantastic. Loads of food and cups of tea.
Kalu’s Hideaway, Udawalawe: Food bland, staff very helpful and friendly. Dark interiors, but attractive.
Yala Villa: Very stylish – lovely pool, but small. Pleasant people and food – lovely!
Hill Club, Nuwara Eliya: A strange reminder of 100 years ago! Very old fashioned – didn’t like it at first, but in the end really enjoyed being there.
-HW & JW – UK
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January 30, 2012 :
Need to respond to email requests faster. Very good otherwise.
William [driver] was a gem! Driving is a big portion of the trip – having a good driver is paramount.
St Lachlan, Negombo: Roadside room loud at night. Fans were noisy.
Chaaya Village, Habanara: Rooms were musty smelling, bathrooms not as clean as expected. Restaurant was excellent, good food choices.
Grand Hotel, Nuwara Eliya: Garden was lovely. Nice to be able to eat at an earlier time in the Coffee House.
Upper Glencairn, Dickoya: Great potential – lovely location, nice character. Food cold, bathroom dirty. Mould stains and poor pillows in room.
-MH - Vietnam
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January 29, 2012 :
We felt immediately comfortable with RedDot and so did not shop around. Everything was very good.
Chrishan [driver/guide] was delightful company, very attentive and a careful driver.
St. Lachlan Hotel, Negombo: Great location – for airport and close to the beach.
Heritance Kandalama, Kandalama: An unexpected nice surprise!
Mas Villa, Kotmale: A gem of a place, spectacular.
-AC – Australia
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January 28, 2012 :
Throughout booking process could have done with more advice on itinerary options. Driving times often underestimated.
St. Lachlan, Negombo: Convenient for airport. Clean and friendly.
Thilanka Resort and Spa, Dambulla: Lovely setting and architecture, disappointingly executed. Damp and musty bathroom. Friendly, willing staff. Dinner is buffet only.
Mandira Bungalow, Dickoya: Peaceful setting, lots of character. Excellent food. Staff very friendly and caring, have limited English. Clean and comfortable.
-KM – UK
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January 23, 2012 :
Ananda [driver] was fantastic. Extremely knowledgeable and proactively helpful. He made every part of our trip pleasant and I would recommend him without hesitation.
St Lachlan’s, Negombo: Room was dingy.
-SB & TS - Hong Kong
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January 11, 2012 :
Ananda [driver] had a great attitude and suggested ideas without being pushy. We really liked him.
Our other driver [Ashoka] was less flexible with our itinerary.
Amanwella, Tangalle: Totally amazing – New Year’s Eve party was outstanding.
The River House, Bentota: Seemed to be a lot of emphasis on tipping here.
Temple of the Tooth, Kandy: Great to see.
-KM & PT – London, UK
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January 05, 2012 :
Our driver was very friendly and helpful, went out of his way to make our trip enjoyable.
Tamarind Lodge, Victoria Golf & Country Resort: Hotel did not provide transport between our villa and the dining room – this was a problem.
Taj Samudra, Colombo: Excellent location.
-KS – Mumbai, India
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January 05, 2012 :
Jonah [consultant] has been extremely pleasant and efficient throughout the process.
Hensley [driver] has been by far the best chauffeur we have ever had.
Wild Grass, Sigiriya: A bit far from everything but overall still a very nice designer hotel – superb bungalows.
Mas Villa, Kotmale: Fantastic atmosphere, quality of rooms below standard of the hotel, food okay, fabulous location and views.
Chaaya Wild, Yala: Hotel is under-played on profile, much better than expected. Service was slow, overall a wonderful place.
-GN – Abu Dhabi, UAE
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January 05, 2012 :
Ishan [consultant] was very good and helpful whilst booking.
Could not fault the service Kapil [driver] offered us, it was fantastic.
Kalu’s Hideaway, Uda Walawe: Bit disappointed with slow evening meal service.
Leopard Safari, Yala: Amazing – saw a leopard every time we went out!
-RS – Isle of Man
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January 04, 2012 :
Taj Airport Garden Hotel, Colombo: Only good thing about this hotel was the food.
Chaaya Wild, Yala: Excellent – hotel staff extremely helpful.
Cinnamon Grand, Colombo: Excellent as always – all staff are always happy to assist you.
Chaaya Tranz, Hikkaduwa: Disappointing – expected much more after seeing the website, not up to the standard it proclaims. Wouldn’t recommend it.
-RM – Australia
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January 03, 2012 :
We had a wonderful time with Sunil [driver]. Great at chatting about Sri Lankan culture and the sites we visited. Responsive to all requests. Made our journeys comfortable, was prompt and always got us to our destination punctually. We hope to remain good friends with him – he is the best!
-JE - UK
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January 03, 2012 :
Chaaya Village, Habarana: Very good location, lots of wildlife. Food was great.
Mas Villa, Kotmale: An excellent hotel. On occasion food portions were a little small, but excellent quality.
Anuradhapura: Guide was good. Temples ad ruins of city were fantastic!
-PJ - Dubai
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January 02, 2012 :
Charitha [consultant] made sure we had an easy and efficient booking process, allowing us to book a last-minute holiday with no stress.
Wicki [driver] was very friendly, efficient, knowledgeable and safe – a great part of our trip.
Horathapola Estate, Horathapola: Beautiful scenery and colonial architecture, tranquil setting, excellent food and service.
Rainforest Edge, Waddagala: Beautiful location and architecture. Service good but inconsistent, no good chairs around the beautiful pool. Great food and accommodation.
Kalu’s Hideaway, Uda Walawe: Great environment, nice ‘ranch-style’ accommodation. Outstanding curry and service.
Priyankara Hotel, Tissamaharama: Very nice place – clean rooms and good service.
Turtle Bay, Tangalle: A standout – beautiful location, fabulous rooms, excellent service, great food. A perfect place to relax – highlight of our trip.
-RS – Shanghai, China
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January 02, 2012 :
Estimated travelling times were not accurate – we wanted more realistic advice.
Hasantha [driver] was very helpful and cheerful the whole time he was with us. We appreciated his knowledge and safe driving – we felt confident in his care.
Heritance Kandalama, Dambulla: A bit too big, but fantastic location.
Sigiriya Rock: Wonderful!
-GG – London, UK
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January 01, 2012 :
Sanishka [ground operations] was extremely helpful. She solved an issue quickly and efficiently and double-checked everything was okay – we truly appreciated her help.
Gune [driver] was excellent. He is very genuine and we felt comfortable with him as a result – he made our stay memorable.
-SC – Singapore
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January 01, 2012 :
Tissa [driver] was patient, friendly and knowledgeable and drove excellently on the difficult roads – a great ambassador for Reddot and Sri Lanka.
-NHJ – London, UK
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January 01, 2012 :
Shanishka [consultant] was extremely helpful. Solved an issue efficiently. Called us during our trip to make sure everything was okay – was truly appreciated her help.
Gune [driver] was excellent. We felt very comfortable with him, he was genuine in his approach. He made our stay very memorable.
-SC - Singapore
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January 01, 2012 :
Jonah [consultant] put together a very nice itinerary for us. We would certainly recommend Red Dot to others. Guna [driver/guide] was extremely personable and knowledgeable – couldn’t ask for more.
The Wallawwa, Kotugoda: Perfect first night. Profile does not do this hotel justice.
Governors Mansion, Dickoya: Lovely place, great hospitality.
Mahaweli Reach, Kandy: Nice hotel but nothing spectacular.
Kirchhayn Bungalow, Bandarawela: Really enjoyed our stay here. Great atmosphere, fantastic food.
The Safari, Tissamaharama: Appears nicer in profile than it actually is.
Aditya, Rathgama: One of the best hotels we have ever visited. Impeccable service and fantastic location. Couldn’t recommend this place too highly – perfect!
-AM – Hong Kong
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January 01, 2012 :
Thissa [driver/guide] was wonderful in every regard, we have nothing negative to say. He is a major asset to Red Dot and we highly recommend him to everyone. 10/10!
Cinnamon Grand, Colombo: Rooms are dated.
Elephant Corridor, Habarana: Rooms need renovation. Very slow breakfast service.
Chaaya Tranz, Hikkaduwa: Service was horrible.
-NJ – Qatar
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December 31, 2011 :
Angelo [driver] is always early, friendly and courteous. Informative without being over-bearing.
Randholee, Kandy: Poor food and bar selection. Too far out of town – not practical.
Melheim, Haputale: Excellent hotel. Efficient, friendly staff.
-ED - Singapore
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December 31, 2011 :
Beautiful website. Booking was easy – Naren very helpful.
Shane [driver] was superb throughout. Used his knowledge, expertise and judgement to recommend great activities and ensure we all have a fabulous trip. Nothing is too much trouble for him – really looked after us. We highly recommend him.
St Lachlan Hotel, Negombo: Very convenient for airport. Excellent staff.
Wild Grass Nature Resort, Dambulla: Stunningly beautiful hotel, excellent staff. Served Western food – we would have preferred to eat Sri Lankan!
Regent Lodge, Kandy: Amazingly warm and friendly welcome, service and food fantastic! Rooms fine, but not luxurious. This didn’t matter as stay was so enjoyable!
Slightly Chilled Yellow House, Adam’s Peak: Nothing special – no hot water, basic rooms. Staff friendly, perfectly located for Adam’s Peak.
The Safari, Tissamaharama: Beautiful rooms, great view, nice pool. Service a bit slow.
Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage: We fed the elephants! Had a great time.
Elephant ride: Good fun!
Trai ride – Perideniya to Hatton: Excellent suggestion! Great experience.
Safari: Excellent driver – saw everything! First driver to see the leopard!
-EC – London, UK
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December 31, 2011 :
Beautiful website, very easy booking process. Naren [consultant] was very helpful.
Shane [driver] was superb throughout the trip – we would highly recommend him.
St Lachlan Hotel, Negombo: Very convenient for the airport. Excellent staff.
Wild Grass Nature Resort, Dambulla: Stunningly beautiful, again excellent staff. Served competent Western food, but we would have liked to eat Sri Lankan!
Regent Lodge, Kandy: Amazingly warm and friendly welcome, service and food fantastic.
Train ride - Peradeniya to Hatton: Excellent suggestion! A great experience.
-EC – London
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December 30, 2011 :
Our driver was very polite, flexible, accommodating and friendly.
-RG – India
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December 30, 2011 :
Isuru [driver] was polite, flexible, accommodating and friendly.
-RG - India
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December 30, 2011 :
Namuma [driver] is a pleasure to be with. Knowledgeable, considerate, thoughtful and efficient. Very kind, great sympathy for his clients feelings.
The Tamarind Tree, Negombo: Airport ‘flophouse’ but pleasant even so!
Amaya Lake, Dambulla: Well run, lovely staff. Comfortable, food lacked variety.
-LS - France
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December 29, 2011 :
Chamara [driver] is very good, courteous and patient.
Galle Fort Hotel: Hotel poorly maintained.
Amanwella, Tangalle: Property slightly run down. Insects on beach.
-GL - Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
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December 22, 2011 :
Ayanthi [consultant] delivered a friendly and courteous service.
Chaaya Village, Habarana: Excellent hotel – clean, spacious rooms in a pleasant location. Great food and service.
Queen’s Hotel, Kandy: Old, mismatching furniture. Poor toiletries. Hot water ran out. Slow restaurant service and poor food variety.
-EH – Australia
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December 22, 2011 :
Friendly and courteous service when booking.
Indra [driver] was highly professional and met all requests. Gave us sound travel advice, knew all visited areas well and answered all questions. He made our entire trip run very smoothly, even when we altered our plans – very patient and flexible.
Chaaya Village, Habarana: Excellent – very clean and spacious rooms, pleasant location. Great food quality and variety. Attentive service, varied entertainment.
Chaaya Blu, Trincomalee: Beautiful location. No hot water at night. Slow service.
Queen’s Hotel, Kandy: No hairdryer or ironing-board, old furniture. Shower at bad angle, toiletries not replaced and limited (no shower gel). Slow restaurant service, poor variety of food.
-EH - Australia
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December 21, 2011 :
Chandra [driver] has a very friendly personality and was friendly with the children. Very resourceful with a sound understanding of all the places.
-SA – Singapore
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December 20, 2011 :
St Lachlan Hotel, Negombo: Convenient being close to the airport, especially as we arrived late.
Sharon Inn, Kandy: Very basic, messy with limited toiletries.
Grand Hotel, Nuwara Eliya: Excellent quality hotel.
Chaaya Wild, Yala: Excellent service quality and wide variety of good food.
Jetwing Lighthouse, Galle: No complaints whatsoever – great hotel, service, restaurant and reception.
Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage: We loved it! Got really close to the elephants.
-PK – Singapore
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December 20, 2011 :
Randholee, Kandy: We would happily stay there again.
Melheim, Heputale: Amazing views – staff very friendly and helpful.
Kulu Safari, Yala National Park: It rained nearly the whole time and the team kept the tents and campsite immaculate. They seemed to respect the animals better than the other companies in the park – we loved it!
Whale watching: A great experience but felt a little bit commercialised.
-LV & AB – Bristol, UK
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December 19, 2011 :
R.B Wijekoon [driver] was a thorough joy to travel with – well-informed, punctual and excellent local knowledge – really had an enjoyable time with him.
-AB & RA – UK
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December 18, 2011 :
Aravinda [driver] was excellent all around – considerate but not over-attentive, which I appreciated very much.
Heritage Kandalama Hotel, Dambulla: Well worth going for the architecture and nature. Massages at ‘Sixth Sense Spa’ are phenomenal.
Queen’s Hotel, Kandy: Average but great location. Lovely old building, first floor a bit noisy (music below).
-DS – Dubai
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December 18, 2011 :
I appreciated Ishan’s [consultant] quick response and after-hours help.
Arauinda [driver] was excellent all-round. Extremely considerate and a safe driver. Felt well looked-after without over-attention.
Heritance Kandalama, Dambulla: Well worth coming for architecture and nature. Aryurvedic massage at 6th sense spa is phenomenal.
Galkadawala, Habarana: Good experience – enjoyed Sri Lankan cuisine. One night here would probably be okay.
Queen’s Hotel, Kandy: Average but great location. Lovely old building. First floor a bit noisy – music below.
-DS - Dubai
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December 13, 2011 :
Vivanta By Taj, Bentota: Very poor standard for a 4 star hotel.
Cinnamon Lakeside, Colombo: Very impressive.
-NS & BS - UK
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December 11, 2011 :
Rangala House, Kandy: Absolutely fantastic place – character, stunning location, delicious food, friendly staff.
Slightly Chilled, Dalhousie: Great location for Adam’s Peak climb. Service friendly but a little ‘slap-dash’. Bathroom not great.
Borderline Camp, Kitulgala: Excellent camp – friendly, comfortable tents, good food, clean shower blocks.
Climbing Adam’s Peak: Excellent! Works well to climb during the afternoon and return at dusk.
Kayaking & White-water Rafting: Fantastic fun!
-AC & PG – Bath, UK
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December 11, 2011 :
We were very impressed by the standard of service provided by Red Dot. Lahiru [consultant] was a pleasure to deal with.
Mutha [driver] is a wonderful driver – good-humoured, prompt and always flexible to our requests.
The Wallawwa, Negombo: Stunning hotel, the perfect way to start our trip – an absolute gem!
Mas Villa, Kandy: Isolated, not much to do, views are stunning.
Ceylon Tea Trails, Hatton: Peaceful, beautiful location, excellent service.
Chaaya Wild, Yala: Slightly unfinished feel (due to recent re-opening). Food not great, setting is spectacular – wonderful to be right among the wildlife.
Galle Face, Colombo: High quality but a little impersonal.
-JR – London, UK
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December 11, 2011 :
Booking was hassle free and efficient.
Hasantha [driver] is pleasant, friendly, humorous, patient and knowledgeable – a good ambassador for Sri Lanka.
-CL – Singapore
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December 09, 2011 :
Gune [driver] is polite, courteous and helpful – a ‘real gentleman’. In all our years of travelling he has been the best chauffer and guide so far, going above and beyond what was required.
Palm Garden Village, Anuradhapura: Location is beautiful.
Kandy Cottage, Kandy: Food and hospitality – excellent. Small retreat for meeting other travellers.
-BL – UK
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December 06, 2011 :
Everything was effectively communicated and we were well taken care of and we had an excellent holiday as a consequence.
-VM and DS – UK
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December 06, 2011 :
Kuma [driver] was brilliant – knowledgeable, safe, friendly and helpful.
Jetwing Vil Uyana, Sigiria: Even better than expected.
Polonnaruwa: Great, very fun to do on bikes.
-CN – London, UK
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December 06, 2011 :
Jetwing Vil Uyana, Sigiriya: Access road difficult, amazing location and wildlife, loved the big bath and balcony.
Ceylon Tea Trails, Hatton: Staff especially friendly and helpful, food excellent.
The Wallawwa, Negombo: Wonderful way to end our honeymoon, spot of relaxation in a great location.
-MD – Edinburgh, UK
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December 06, 2011 :
Jonah [consultant] was extremely polite, flexible, patient when handling enquiries and very helpful.
-RK
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December 03, 2011 :
Kassapa Lions Rock, Sigiriya: Bathroom open to falling rain and no hot water. Communication about food was good.
Ellerton, Kandy: No hot water, great homely atmosphere.
Melheim Resort, Haputale: Profile does not show what an amazing location this is!
Ibis Guesthouse, Tangalle: Fantastic location, basic accommodation but relaxing.
-LD and MD – Canada
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December 01, 2011 :
Website very informative.
We were very happy and satisfied with Bonifus [driver].
Kalu's Hideaway: We missed the better maintenance and more professional service of other places we stayed.
The Safari, Tissamaharama: Nice room, poor dining room.
Turtle Bay Hotel: Best food, but no sun so no fun. Very dependent on weather.
-EA and SB – Basel, Switzerland
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December 01, 2011 :
Naren [consultant] was very helpful and always responded quickly with correct information.
Ashoka [driver] was a fabulous guide, very considerate and courteous and made us feel very safe and welcome. Great general knowledge of the country, places and sites.
-CT – Kent, UK
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December 01, 2011 :
Shane [driver] was always punctual and is a very good driver. The level of hospitality and care we experienced from Shane was invaluable - we even started to call him 'Dad'! - and when I was sick he arranged everything, including medicines and special care at the hotels.
Amaya Lake, Dambulla: Kind service and a very nice room.
Ellerton Bungalow, Gampola: Everything was excellent here!
-LM – Poland
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November 29, 2011 :
Seelan [driver] was prompt, polite and extremely knowledgeable. He is excellent and I would recommend him to others.
-LL – Singapore
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November 29, 2011 :
Ranjith (driver) is a great guide with a fantastic knowledge of Sri Lanka. He is a very safe driver and made sure we were comfortable. I would definitely recommend him.
Sharon Inn, Kandy: Fantastic food, highly recommended.
-SA – Bangalore, India
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November 28, 2011 :
Ishan [consultant] was very helpful and gave me lots of information. He was happy to change my schedule several times (at my request). Great service and easy booking process.
Very impressed by Aravinda’s [driver] knowledge of the roads and local sites. He knew a lot of history and interesting facts about the places we visited. He made our trip very pleasant and was flexible to our special requests.
-DH – Peterborough, UK
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November 26, 2011 :
Dirk [consultant] was very prompt in responding to my emails, crafting an ideal tour based on our particular interests. I appreciated his service!
V.J [driver] was a superb chauffer and guide and we felt safe and comfortable at all times. He is a delightful person and we enjoyed his company throughout our journey.
-CD – North Carolina, US
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November 25, 2011 :
Dirk [consultant] was always helpful and efficient. His suggestions were good and I ended up with a great itinerary and had a really great holiday.
Sumanadasa [driver] is a true gentleman, extremely courteous, considerate and knowledgeable.
Hideaway: Wonderful place to stay after long journey from England – would stay again.
Rainforest Edge: Wonderful location, great views, staff very attentive.
Kalu's Hideaway: Staff very good and great location overlooking the river. Flies were a problem.
Yala Village: Restaurant service very slow. Great location close to Yala Park, loved the beach chalet. Would definitely stay here again.
Frangipani: Peaceful location close to the sea, but not good for swimming. Great for watching turtles and masses of birds - these nights went very quickly!
Jetwing Sea: Nice location and hotel for last night in Sri Lanka.
-CJ – Kent, UK
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November 24, 2011 :
The i-trip tool available on the website was very useful. Very impressed by Jonah’s [consultant] quick response to emails.
Jaya’s [driver] driving was excellent throughout our trip – we always felt very safe despite the dangerous and chaotic roads. He was courteous, polite and helpful at all times, had a great sense of humour and made us feel very welcome in his country.
Tarshush Seascape, Unawatuna: A fantastic view, but felt a bit lonely as we were the only couple there. Probably best for groups who can take full advantage of it.
Kalu’s Hideaway, Udawalawe: Service attentive but often misguided. Felt like it as trying to be something it wasn’t (ie. a luxury safari lodge). If they aimed for something more modest it would be a good place to stay.
Zion View, Ella: Best place we stayed in Sri Lanka. Friendly, personable and fantastic views, food and service. Would highly recommend this place.
-RW – Barnet, UK
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November 23, 2011 :
Efficient booking process, especially as we only booked 7-10 days before travelling.
Ranjith [driver] was warm, efficient and extremely knowledgeable. He kept his vehicle impeccably clean. We would thoroughly recommend him as a tour guide.
Chaaya Village: Polite staff. A very commercial hotel.
-NS – Surrey, UK
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November 21, 2011 :
Kandy House, Kandy: Nice location, very accommodating service, rooms very comfortable.
Ceylon Tea Trails, Tientsin: Amazing. Service was outstanding.
Frangipani Tree, Thalpe: Rooms are basic but comfortable and service is average. Location is excellent.
-CB - Robertson Quay, Singapore
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November 19, 2011 :
You got our business because you were far more professional and efficient than other agents who we contacted with a similar proposal.
At times the overtaking [by the driver] was quite sudden and poor suspension meant that the ride was rather bouncy. It was not as smooth as it could have been.
Jetwing Blue, Negombo: Superb pool. Liked proximity to other restaurants and was a fantastic short airport transfer.
The Wallawwa, Kotogoda: Lovely place to chill out after flight.
Cinnamon Lodge, Habarana: Really pleased with hotel choice.
-PR - London
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November 16, 2011 :
Charmaine [sales consultant] was very helpful. Excellent service regarding late changes to the itinerary.
Chandra [driver] was always presentable, punctual and couldn't do enough to help. He was very polite and knowledgeable. A personal and responsive service.
Dolphin, Kalatya: Beautiful tents, great customer service, good massages. Beach littered. Manager very kind. Salt pool at next resort excellent. Very relaxing and peaceful.
Lake Lodge, Colombo: Smart rooms, a little dark. Clean, helpful staff. Noisy frogs, tasty food, slow breakfast service.
The Lighthouse, Galle: Beautiful location, gorgeous sunsets, excellent facilities, helpful staff, plentiful breakfasts, lovely room.
Safari, Tissamaharama: Wonderful modern, clean and comfortable rooms. Beautiful views, lovely pool, pretty front bar, great service. Breakfast not bad.
Ambiente, Ella: Beautiful location with stunning view. Rooms basic but clean. Good service, pretty garden, tasty pancakes. Some bathroom fittings broken.
Sharon Inn, Kandy: Lovely view from room. Evening meal delicious. Breakfast service poor. Beds a little hard.
-GF, Hampshire
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November 13, 2011 :
Excellent pre-holiday follow up, itineraries and multiple quotations given. Very speedy response and professional consultant. Reliable service worth the price.
Ratnasiri [driver] was very pleasant, welcoming, knowledgeable and calm. His driving skills are excellent. The vehicle smelt of moth repellent but was clean and comfortable.
Cinnamon Lodge, Habarana: Great food, lovely setting, room okay.
St Lachlan, Negombo: Met expectations, however one room was significantly better than the other - the bad one had a leak in the dressing room wall.
Cenlara Grand, Maldives: Beautiful paradise hotel, however island is very small, so few restaurant opportunities.
-AE
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November 12, 2011 :
Jonah [sales consultant] responded quickly to all my e-mails and questions. She was very flexible and made changes based on my concerns.
Ranjith [driver] was very helpful and friendly. The van was clean and the driver was always early or on time.
Jetwing Beach, Negombo: Excellent facility. We enjoyed our short stay.
Amaya Lake, Dambulla: Very nice eco hotel. Beautiful lake. A bit remote.
Galle Face Regency, Colombo: Wonderful hotel with a great location.
Club Bentota, Bentota: Very nice beach. Enjoyable stay but small rooms.
-KA, Chennai
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November 12, 2011 :
Your company was recommended by Tea Trails and we found that everything was done very efficiently.
Ananda [driver] was a good and safe driver, his judgement in all matters excellent. He has made a huge contribution to our holiday and his sense of humour is delightful. Wise, funny, extremely knowledgeable, he was in every way superb. Ananda is a star!
Kalundewa Retreat, Dambulla: The building itself is extraordinary, but this place is not ready to stay in. There needs to be a qualified chef, a liquor licence and some staff were not trained enough.
Rangala House, Knuckles: Small, quiet, stunning views and superbly fun, with wonderful gardens and swimming pool. Fantastic rooms and the best food of the entire trip.
Amaya Langdale, nr Nuwara Eliya: Garden was lovely, pool was nice but noisy. Food was okay. In a good situation, but a badly planned place – we did not feel ‘comfortable.’
Kelburne Cottages (Aerie): Stunning situation with enormous charm. Fine dinners and superb service; in every way enchanting.
-TW - Dorset, England
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November 12, 2011 :
Ishan [sales consultant] was very supportive of special requests and last minute changes.
Darrel [driver] was excellent in all respects. He was a great companion and guide through the whole trip.
Tissa Safari, Yala: Perfect base for visiting Yala. Food was lacking, otherwise nice hotel.
Weligama Bay Resort: Generally nice hotel. ‘Family suite’ falsely advertised as ‘connecting rooms’ – rooms are not connected but share a veranda.
Hill Club, Nuwara Eliya: Fun experience! We stayed in the main building and loved it. Make sure people know what to expect with regards to formality.
Ambalama: Great service, food and location.
-SS - Saudi Arabia
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November 12, 2011 :
Very helpful advice from Jonah [sales consultant] about what was practical which meant I could make informed choices.
Sunil [driver] has been very good, helpful and able to offer good advice whilst always working to our needs. I would thoroughly recommend Sunil.
Fort Printers, Galle: Food expensive but everything else good.
Blue Magpie Lodge, Sinharaja: Fantastic location.
Mandira Strathdon Bungalow: Great views, great service.
-SH - New Cairo, Egypt
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November 12, 2011 :
Bonifus [driver] as very helpful and friendly - part of our family for the week.
Cinnamon Lodge: Loved it!
-MM - Dubai
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November 11, 2011 :
I really liked the self-planning tool on the website.
Tea Trails: Pleasant drive through the tea plantations and interesting tea tasting. Visiting a tea factory needs organising from Colombo.
Turtle Hatchery: Small but interesting, children enjoyed it.
-TW - Qatar
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November 09, 2011 :
Prasanna [driver] was a safe and reliable driver and excellent tour guide, with a good knowledge of the tourist attractions. He made the whole experience relaxed and hassle-free.
Lavender House: A beautiful place to stay - peaceful setting with wonderful views and impressive accommodation and grounds. Friendly and helpful staff.
Kulu Safaris, Yala: Helpful and friendly staff with a good knowledge of wildlife, a true safari experience. Excellent food, would recommend to others.
Fort Printers, Galle: Excellent hotel, but issue with hotel staff who were unprepared for out arrival.
-MM - Dubai
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November 09, 2011 :
Very efficient, friendly service.
Prabath [driver] was helpful, attentive and nice and had a good knowledge of all things local.
-MS - Mirdif, UAE
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November 07, 2011 :
We were very lucky to have Mr Wije as a driver. He has always been very nice to us and the car was always extremely clean and cosy.
-GF - France
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November 06, 2011 :
Charmaine [sales consultant] very good and helpful.
Mr Ashoka [driver] was a very safe steady driver. Excellent: knowledgeable and pleasant company.
Lighthouse, Galle: Need places to plug in charging devices, a decent bar would be good.
Kandy House, Kandy: Food expensive relatively to other places, no TV, no desk, no plug point, mosquito need between bathroom and bedroom not ideal.
Lavender House, Pussellawa: Beautiful place/service/view. No TV, power point, or Wifi.
Galle Face, Colombo: Lots of character.
-PC, Hong Kong
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November 06, 2011 :
Bonifus [driver] is a great driver with a sense of safety.
-KP – Singapore
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November 05, 2011 :
Enjoyed the high-quality interactive website very much. Payment went very smoothly and the response from Dirk [consultant] was very good and flexible to our wishes. A good experience with the booking.
Ranjith [driver] is an excellent tour guide as well as driver. He drives in a defensive, very safe manner and plans the journeys very well. He was always very friendly, professional and has a good sense of humour.
Sumanadas [driver] is a good tour guide and in general, a good driver. On one of our trips he seemed to be driving in a rush when there was no reason to. We felt a more defensive style of driver would have been more comfortable for us. This only happened on that particular occasion.
[Red Dot note: Red Dot's drivers' code emphasises safety as the absolute priority. Customers are urged to intervene if at any time they feel such a code is not being followed].
Jetwing Vil Uyana, Sigiriya: Very nice, luxury hotel in a beautiful natural environment. Service was very good and professional and always came with a smile, and the food was good. Would stay here again.
Theva Residency, Kandy: Service was okay, but the friendliness was not as elsewhere. Hotel rooms showed signs of not so good maintenance, e.g. some toiletries were missing and the telephone fell apart. The food was mediocre and expensive.
Beach House, Hikkaduwa: Loved it! Had such a relaxing couple of days here, great villa, staff, food and location. Best beach accommodation we have ever stayed in! Will go back when next in Sri Lanka.
Galle Fort Hotel: We were very happy with the very professional and friendly service. Would stay here again if visiting Galle Fort.
Casa Colombo: We were very happy with the service and great room. Food is well priced and of good quality. Feels like a nice oasis in a chaotic city.
Sigiriya: Very interesting and impressive site.
Polonnaruwa: A very worthwhile visit.
Dambulla Cave Temples: Very beautiful and interesting. One of the many highlights of our tour.
Three Temple Walk: Good to see temples a bit more off the beaten-track, and especially liked the Stone Temple.
-MV - Rome, Italy
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November 02, 2011 :
Yala Villa: Pleasant villa accommodation, but overpriced.
-BT - France
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November 02, 2011 :
Lahiru [sales consultant] quickly made us feel like ‘guests’ even during the initial email enquiry. Got us good price on flights.
Dinali [sales consultant in Sri Lanka] was serene, accomplishing more than requested! Wonderful service, much appreciated.
Shane [driver] could not have been more helpful. His understanding of English was fantastic – understanding our English jokes! – and this really made it easy to have him as a constant companion.
Ranweli Holiday Village, Waikkal: Fantastic introduction to Sri Lanka. Service, room and buffet were all fantastic.
Pidurangala, Sigiriya: Too remote and basic - felt like we were camping.
Palm Garden Village, Anuradhapura: Brilliant staff, four star service and cleanliness. Food was good and excellent swimming pool, especially with elephants visiting the adjoining water tank. Would happily stay longer.
Ellerton Bungalow, Gampola: Wow! Best room, setting and staff of entire trip. Five stars!
Melheim Resort, Haputale: Lovely setting overlooking valley.
Priyankara Hotel, Tissamaharama: Service was good but average at reception. Food was okay but never excellent.
-CC - Leeds
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November 01, 2011 :
Naren [sales consultant] was responsive and helpful, booking process was smooth.
Rowan [driver] made our trip very comfortable and nice. He guided us about Sri Lankan culture, places to see and was extremely accommodating to our requests. Our stay wouldn't have been the same without him.
-AJ, India
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October 30, 2011 :
Hasantha [driver] was very helpful and accommodating throughout the trip. My parents (who are quite old) were travelling with us and he made sure they were well looked after. I’m and pleased with his level of service provided.
Jetwings Vil Uyana, Sigiriya: Lovely setting with a ‘back to nature’ feeling. Food was good for breakfast but a bit disappointing for dinner.
Hilton Residence, Colombo: Terrible service; rooms were old and run down.
Dambulla Cave Temples: Very beautiful and worth visiting – a highlight of the trip.
Sigiriya: Stunning!
Colombo: Not much to do or see.
-MG - Singapore
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October 29, 2011 :
Lahiru [consultant] was very prompt in answering questions, providing details and giving advice. As compared to other sites I tried, she came across as direct and friendly and I was able to communicate quickly and easily with her.
Indra [driver] was very courteous and helpful at all times and always considerate with the elderly and children. He was extremely knowledgeable with Sri Lankan history, the monuments visited and current affairs. He added to our enjoyment of the trip – full marks to him!
-KM - Mumbai
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October 29, 2011 :
Better co-ordination between driver and Red Dot needed. Bad billing system.
-AH, Mumbai
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October 28, 2011 :
Long booking process - about 3 weeks from initial phone call due to holidays and staff changes. More agent support needed. Overall result very good.
Senarath[driver] was the best driver one can imagine. Discrete and polite, always helpful, went out of his way to make our holiday even better. Always on time and very supportive. Very knowledgeable, with a clean car too.
Paradise Beach, Negombo: Great view on ocean, brilliant food and staff.
Sigiriya Village, Sigiriya: Wonderful place, but not much to do. Small swimming pool. Great location for cultural triangle.
Amaya Hills, Kandy Excellent hotel, difficult to get up to the top of the hill.
Club Hill: Staff obnoxious and impolite. Food well-presented, but tasteless and boring.
-AB, Manchester
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October 28, 2011 :
Driver went out of his way to guide us to some small/obscure Buddhist sites we wanted to see. A very good, knowledgeable and safe driver.
Tissawewa Rest House, Anurudhapura: Rooms not clean, beds had bugs. Left after 15 minutes.
Palm Garden Village, nr Anaradhapura: Very nice pool.
Royal Lotus, Giritale: Great view, very friendly. Bathroom needed updating and better shower heads.
Sigiriya Village, Sigiriya: Pool looked larger in ad. Difficult getting coffee and tea in the morning. Bar staff very friendly.
Chaaya Citadel, Kandy: Good breakfast and dinner buffet.
-FS, USA
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October 28, 2011 :
All very good, we thought our driver was going to be Wicki, but instead it was Angelo. We liked Angelo a lot though.
-TS, London
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October 22, 2011 :
Charmaine [consultant] was exhausted with all my bookings. A pleasure to work with. In short, fantastic!
Rowan [driver] is everything you would expect from a driver – good company and maximum marks in all areas. I would not hesitate to use him again.
Rain Forest Edge, Sinharajah: The staff were lazy with cleanliness and the food not so great. Drivers' quarters were very dusty and not well ventilated.
Turle Bay, Tangalle: Love this place.
Priyankara, Tissa: I chose this hotel. Would not recommend. Noisy from other guests.
Mountain Heavens, Ella: A good view was the only good feature. Rooms were depressing.
Ellerton, Gampola: I love Ellerton.
Horothopola: Love this place!
-VU - Melbourne, Australia
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October 21, 2011 :
I'm back at work dreaming about great food, beaches, sights, culture and everything else Sri Lankan. We had a fantastic holiday (beyond expectations) and I'd like to thank Red Dot for being such a professional team. Our driver Namnu was exceptional and one of the best drives we have had on any trip. We will recommend Sri lanka and especially Red Dot to all our friends.
-PC - Australia
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October 20, 2011 :
General enquiries were met with prompt and informative responses. Particularly impressed that the name and mobile of the person meeting us at the airport was provided.
Namunu [driver] was an excellent guide who looked after our interests extremely well. He is an excellent asset and representative for Red Dot. He is very informative about Sri Lankan culture, especially the
Buddhist way of life. He is friendly and courteous - we appreciated his company for the 2 weeks.
Hunas Falls, Elkaduwa: Place was a little tired and needed some attention. Staff wouldn't let us take pool towels to waterfall.
Slightly Chilled Yellow House, Dalhousie: Staff fine but room not good. Mattress uncomfortable, towels threadbare, tablecloth dirty and mouldy, room not serviced. Food excellent and views from balcony fantastic.
Rafters Retreat, Kitulgala: Location and ambience surprisingly fantastic. Very happy with room and location.
Hibiscus: Nice, but not many activities to do nearby. Food terrific.
Back of Beyond: Fantastic place with lots of room - loved the open bathroom. Extra special.
The Palace, Mirissa: Another great place - excellent on all accounts. First class accommodation overlooking magnificent area. Decor and painting of room was great.
Galle Face Regency, Colombo: Five star luxury - unbelievable food service and location.
-PM, Australia
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October 09, 2011 :
Ranjith [driver] was a very good driver - very friendly and knowledgeable.
Mas Villa, Kotmale: Staff wonderful, food great. They went beyond our expectations. We loved the pool table and the walk down to swim. Our favourite place.
Tea Trails, Summerville: Would have been nice to have a shower as well as a bath. Only good for a few days with kids. Tea excursion very interesting - we learnt a lot.
-MM, Singapore
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October 08, 2011 :
The consultant was a bit slow and should have indicated the trip duration in an email prior to arrival. No options given for price consideration.
[Red Dot note: we aim to give clear indications of journey times as many are under-estimated by clients. A guide to average journey times is also available here
Friendly driver. He even worke don his day off. Always drove safely and willing to stop whenever we wanted to take pictures or buy some wine/snacks. Shared his knowledge about the history and culture in Sri Lanka.
The Wallawwa, Kotugoda: Less than 30 minutes from the airport, great location especially when you check in late. Room service – kitchen was closed at night and shared computer was not working.
[Red Dot note: The clients arrived at 1am and the hotel had not been forewarned of late arrival]
Vil Uyana, Sigiriya: Loved the night excursion in Vil Uyana forst. Careful of croicodiles! No signage indication.
Mas Villa, Kandy: A bit of a drive from Kandy but rooms were impressive. Mas Villa guise who took us hiking needs more training.
Master Campers, Uda Walawe: Six hours from kandy. We wished we had seen tigers and lions in another park.
[Red Dot note: Red Dot makes no claims about the existence of lions and tigers in Sri Lanka].
Galle Fort Hotel, Galle: Lunch a la carte menu very limited. Friendly staff.
Aditya, Rathgama: Not much happening in surrounding environment. Aditya beach is a bit rough – sand not as golden and refined as at Unawatuna.
-NLS - Shanghai
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October 08, 2011 :
Boniface [driver] was very helpful and very pleasant. Reasonable knowledge of Sri Lanka and careful driver.
The Wallawwa, Kotagoda: Lovely small hotel with excellent food and staff. Good stopover option for a couple of days.
Heritence, Kandalama: As a "Bawa experience" it was excellent. A suggestion would be someone on the door to keep the monkeys out and allow natural ventilation instead of air-con.
Kandy House, Kandy: Lovel small hotel, only downside was the bumpy road to get there.
Galle Fort Hotel, Galle: Rooms massive and very comfortable apart from the creaky floor above. Staff very pleasant.
Norwood, Ceylon Tea Trails: Superb. One of the most special places. Chef Wijara took special care of us. Andrew the Tea Master was excellent. Faultless.
The Last House, Tangalle: Wonderful location, lovely house, very comfortable.
Lunaganga, Bentota: Lunaganga is best suited to people with an interest in Geoffrey Bawa. The house is a very special place and we love dit, but take note it is just as Bawa left it in 2003.
-CA - Sydney
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October 08, 2011 :
George [driver] was excellent driver and guide. Would highly recommend.
Buckingham Place, Tangalle: Great place to chill out.
St Lachlan, Negombo: Few staff to greet us - George and I unloaded the bags and carried them to my room.
-SP - UK
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October 07, 2011 :
Enjoyed the iTrip feature on the website and travel time calculator - made the booking process quicker and easier.
Pravanna [driver] has been an excellent guide. Very comfortable and well kept vehicle. His generosity in buying us king coconuts and pink bananas on arrival was much appreciated. Professional, punctual and friendly.
Vil Uyana, Sigiriya: Could have specialised the menu more.
Wallawwa, Kotugoda: Convenient location, made us feel very special.
-MM, Australia
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October 06, 2011 :
Chrishan [driver] was excellent and really made our holiday. His attention to detail was impressive and exceeded our expectations.
Kelbourne Mountain View Cottages, Haputale: One bathroom had ants in the shower but otherwise excellent.
-MW, London
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October 01, 2011 :
We found Naren [consultant] extremely helpful. He offered very good advice and came up with a great itinerary. Also very flexible which was important to us.
Kevin was the best driver ever. Nothing was too hard. Extremely reliable, professional and knowledgeable. Also very safe driver.
Villa Rosa, Kandy: The nicest, most welcoming staff. Magnificent location, fantastic rooms and high-quality staff.
Norwood, Ceylon Tea Trails: the best food and service. Room was fantastic.
Galle Face, Colombo: We found the Thai suite in the old wing a bit dated and rundown. Food was OK but not brilliant, the service was fantastic.
Jetwing Beach, Negombo: Room very nice and facilities great.
Leopard Safaris: Location and service were fantastic.
-IC - Singapore
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September 26, 2011 :
Ishan [sales consultant] was so helpful! - he was responsive and quick given our tight timelines and really personalised our itinerary so we covered as much as possible in a short period of time.
Ahanta [driver] was an absolute delight. He suggested extra excursions or slight changes which made the trip even better! He was polite, helpful, punctual and a very safe driver. Many thanks to him, him and his car could not have been better.
Kassapa Lion's Rock, Sigiriya: Very pleasant staff, great view and peaceful. Some extra amenities in the rooms would have been helpful, e.g. tea/coffee and kettle, hairdryer and min fridge in room. Food was varied and acceptable. Would stay again.
Amaya Hills, Kandy: Fabulous welcome, great staff and food was outstanding. Bathrooms were dated, dark and small but otherwise we were very happy with our stay here. Definitely recommend.
St Andrews, Nuwara Eliya: Lovely hotel: warm, welcoming, clean and cosy. We enjoyed the bar and food and the staff were great. Toilet was leaking in the bathroom. Hot water bottles before bed was a fantastic treat. Would stay again.
The Villa, Unawatuna: Although Unawatuna is gorgeous and the staff seemed polite, the room was totally unacceptable. The first room had broken air conditioning, and the second had loud air conditioning and was dirty. We requested to move hotels after this.
Hotel Kabalana, Ahangama: We moved here after The Villa. It was an improvement. Far too many choices on the menu for any actually to be good - on inquiry we discovered that they didn't have many of the options advertised. Very dark rooms, however staff were lovely and the beach was lovely. Enjoyed a calm time here.
Galle Face Regency, Colombo: No complaints as we got a refurbished room. Very good furnishings, polite staff, good fun and good food. Would definitely stay again.
--- AP, London
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September 25, 2011 :
Namyna [driver] was helpful and offered us a lot of information. Allowed us to do our own tghing but was always there whenever we needed anything.
Villa Talangama, Talangama: Room was lovely, staff very accommodating. A very relaxed stay.
Vil Uyana, Sigiriya: Good setting, lovely rooms, spa facilities looked good.
Mas Villa, Kotmale: Great couple of nights. Food excellent and staff always available to help. Road to hotel was bumpy.
Rainforest Edge: As the only guests it was an interesting stay. Basic but comfortable room. Road to hotel was bumpy.
Leopard Safari, National Parks: Although the accommodation was basic, the staff made the experience feel first class. Excellent location allowing for a great safari experience.
-MS, Surrey
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September 24, 2011 :
Occasional broken link on website.
Senarath [driver] is Sri Lanka's number 1 driver! An excellent naturalist.
Kandy Cottage, Kandy: An excellent owner and staff.
Governor's Chalet, Nuwara Eliya: Really nice room, but on arrival the towels were damp and the room had not been cleaned. Toilet roll not changed over the stay. Otherwise a very good service.
Mountain Heavens, Ella: Stunning location. Basic room, but had everything we needed.
Hibiscus Garden, Tissamaharama: Staff pleasant and willing, but couldn't be guaranteed to have understood what was asked of them.
Peacock Beach, Habantota: 1 bad meal in restaurant, however this was dealt with efficiently and well.
Kalu's Hideaway, Uda Walawe: Staff are excellent, they make that extra bit of effort.
--- KB, Bridgend
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September 24, 2011 :
Very pleased with how Jonah [sales consultant] handled our booking, since it was done at very short notice. Easy booking process.
Hasantha [driver] was a fantastic guide. Helpful, knowledgeable and kind. Very pleased that he was our guide! Top guy.
Heritance, Kandalama: One of the best hotels in Sri Lanka. Great food, great location and cheeky monkeys!
Theva Residency, Kandy: Road to the hotel could do with an upgrade, but a great view of Kandy from the room.
Heritance Tea Factory, Kandapola: Food wasn't great for an expensive hotel.
The Safari, Tissamaharama: Food was very poor. Room would be excellent, but the fan in the bathroom didn't have a cover and seemed to suck in lots of bugs. Great view over the lake.
Jetwing Lighthouse, Galle Fort: Great hotel, great food, great service.
Villa Bentota, Bentota: Not much to do, but good place to relax.
Cinnamon Grand, Colombo: Great hotel to finish our travels!
--- TM, Bangor
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September 24, 2011 :
May be helpful to save details when making online payments to save details, to make future payments quicker and easier. Dinali [sales consultant] was most helpful in making our last minute alterations due to weather. Prompt and accurate.
Wicky [driver] gave an exemplary service. His company, knowledge and advice made our trip. A true ambassador for Red Dot.
Rangala House, Bobebilla: 2 day stay just right. Wonderful staff and food.
Slightly Chilled Guest House, Adam's Peak: Photos slightly deceptive, guesthouse was very basic. Food average, friendly people, not so good in the rain.
Paradise Farm, Kitulgala: Preferable to have a 4 by 4 for the access road, which was very rocky.
Kalu Hideaway, Uda Walawe: Last minute change - advised by Red Dot, and it was good advice. Great place, newly renovated and highly recommended. Excellent.
Mangrove Beach Cabana, Tangalle: Great relaxing location and friendly staff.
Palace Mirissa, Mirissa: Best room from room 206. Can use sister hotel's beach! Food bordering on average, was a simple set menu.
--- NB, Hereford
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September 24, 2011 :
All the information that we received from Dirk [sales consultant] was perfect, but took a while to receive. If response time was quickened, everything about the service would be perfect.
Ashoka [driver] was a fantastic guide and driver. He has great knowledge of Sri Lanka and is a very friendly person.
--- T, Haarlem
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September 08, 2011 :
Almost too much information on website - very easy to get lost on it. Would be useful to be able to search for hotels by region.
[Red Dote note: We are introducing several measures to improve our search facility]
Mountain Heaven, Ella: Great views. Basic room had dirty towels and bath mats and no toilet paper so we upgraded.
Priyankara, Tissamaharama: No prior warning of renovation work. Waiting staff generally poor with the exception of head waiter.
[Red Dot note: We work with nearly 400 properties and permanently remind properties to keep us informed of any renovation, changes or disturbances. We recognise that we must continue to press for better results in this area].
-- CP, Reading
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September 06, 2011 :
Jetwing Beach Hotel, Negombo: Clean hotel but no charm and dirty beach.
Chaaya Village, Habarana: Very nice hotel and room but mainly buffet and not a la carte. Hotel allows large music parties that disturb guests until 11pm.
Wild Grass, Habarana: A wonderfully unique experience. We liked the seclusion and great service. Bathroom was incredible.
Ashburnham Estate, Elkaduwa: Beautiful country estate and wonderful house. Rooms are basic but the overall feel of the hotel is delightful and relaxing.
Theva Residency, Kandy: Great modern hotel - close to Kandy biut better locale for views etc. A wonderful boutique hotel.
-TK - Milwaukee, USA
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September 06, 2011 :
Very informative and helpful. Slight delays in response to our questions, possibly because Ishan [sales consultant] was very busy.
Sunil [driver] was excellent - he gave us a fantastic tour. Driving style of the general public took some getting used to but Sunil's was excellent. He also made sure he arrived early at our meeting points.
Chaaya Village, Habarana: Generally good for the price.
Theva Residency, Kandy: Excellent food, well presented. Beautiful views over the valley. Would definitely recommend the hotel, however pool very cold.
Ceylon Tea Trails, Dickoya: Exceptional service throughout - a fantastic experience to stay there.
Galle Face Regency, Colombo: Another beautiful hotel.
-- EA, Australia
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September 05, 2011 :
Roy [driver] was friendly, useful and helpful. Excellent.
Chaaya Village, Habarana: Not of the standard expected.
Lavender House, Pussellawa: Beautiful.
Bentota Beach, Bentota: Okay for one night.
Lighthouse, Galle: Generally not child friendly, rooms needed doing up.
St Lachlan, Negombo: Very nice, but drinks expensive.
-- EB, Dubai
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September 03, 2011 :
Ran [driver] was informative on our trip, giving pertinent information about sites and other aspects of Sri Lanka. He assisted in various aspects when asked and was flexible to our needs.
Sigiriya Village, Sigiriya: Good hotel with good service and lovely setting.
Kandy Cottage, Kandy: Too far from the city. Rooms and communal areas very basic.
Mountain Heavens, Ella: The views from the hotel are outstanding. Rooms a bit basic but clean. Food good but no variety - same breakfast and dinner for all the three days we were there.
Star Light Hotel, Galle: Only negative is there was nobody else staying in the hotel. Food and service good, but received the same food for the two days we were there.
Colombo City Hotel, Colombo: Room small, especially as an extra bed was added. Room not cleaned on first day. Food not adequate for half board - could only order a main and a dessert and only two mains were available. Food was poor, and restaurant staff were rude.
-- HC, London
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September 03, 2011 :
Dirk [sales consultant] was excellent.
Jetwing Beach, Negombo: Hotel adequate for our needs and the limited time we spent there.
Hill Club, Nuwara Eliya: Good experience and trip back in time.
Ceylon Tea Trails, Dickoya: Absolutely wonderful, wish we'd spent longer there. Well worth it.
-- AW, Singapore
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August 31, 2011 :
Narem [sales consultant] helped tailor our holiday to suit our requirements. Very happy all round.
Bandara [driver] was always on time and full of useful information making our stay memorable.
Palm Garden Village, Anurudhapura: Excellent, very peaceful. Staff nice, food excellent.
Vil Uyana, Sigiriya: Superb location and the accommodation was to die for. However, were let down by the food - overall food selection poor and breakfast cold and undercooked.
Chaaya Citadel, Kandy: Excellent, food very good and staff very friendly. Great location.
Slightly Chilled Yellow House, Dalhousie: Good hotel in a great location. Service and staff excellent. Rooms a bit run down but overall happy.
-- YC, Kuwait
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August 30, 2011 :
Lahiru [sales consultant] was a great contact and was very helpful in obtaining hotels suitable for walking limitations. Prompt and accurate at all times.
Herman [driver] proved patient and competent as a driver. We were indebted to his thoughtfulness and helpfulness.
Frangipani, Galle: Wonderful, restful place by the beach. Beautiful pool. Staff wonderfully helpful, food excellent.
Yala Village, Kirinda: Enjoyable stay, were looked after well.
Lavender House, Pussellawa: A beautiful situation - made very welcome by staff. Excellent food, lovely views from communal rooms. Super pool area.
Ellerton, Kandy: Delightful. Amazing gardens and views. Staff wonderful. Food excellent but limited.
Wallawwa, Kotugoda: Beautiful secluded position. Big rooms around courtyard, enormous ensuite. Lovely pool and sitting areas. Food excellent in open restaurant. Very attentive staff, a restful place.
-- JF, Wokingham
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August 29, 2011 :
Communication easy - all queries answered. Liked flexibility.
Sumanarathna [driver] provided an excellent service throughout. Showed guidance and friendliness and adapted for extra journeys.
Ice Bear, Negombo: Great - relaxing start/end to the holiday in a very comfortable environment. Disappointed with the quality of the beach.
Kassapa Lion's Rock, Didgampa: We enjoyed staying here apart from having 2 separate rooms instead of a family chalet. Great pool, nice complex, lovely views.
Kandy Cottage, Kandy: We loved it! Mr Kumar was an excellent host. Wonderful tea and food. Tranquil location, enjoyed jungle trek. Room basic but it didn't matter!
Kelbourne Mountain View Cottages, Haputale: A fabulous experience. Excellent service, food and tea accompanied by amazing views.
Hotel Chandrika, Tissamaharama: Nice outside area, rooms very basic. Not as much character as other places.
Mamas Galle Fort, Galle Fort: Good accommodation - a little musty but spacious. Food and service nit as good as expected.
-- LC, Lancashire
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August 29, 2011 :
We asked for a special programme from my country [Chile] and during the process it was very flexible - got a spectacular programme in the end. Information could have been more detailed about each place, but Ranjith [driver] was able to detail the possible activities for everywhere we went.
Ranjith [driver] surpassed our expectations - always waiting for us in advance, a very secure driver. The vehicle was in good condition and clean.
Chaaya Village, Habarana: Situation, architecture and setting are perfect and beautiful - not too far from the town.
-- NL, Chile
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August 28, 2011 :
Angelo was an exceptional driver - safe, punctual, polite and professional.
-- JM, London
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August 28, 2011 :
St Lachlan, Negombo: Would like to have stayed longer.
Governor's Chalet, Nuwara Eliya: Not as good as the other hotels.
Kalu's Hideaway, Uda Walawe: Excellent food but no alcoholic spirits.
Leopard Safaris, Yala: Brilliant.
-- EC, Australia
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August 28, 2011 :
Bandara was an extremely polite and helpful driver - we would recommend him highly. Always courteous, helpful and knowledgeable about all aspects of Sri Lanka.
-- B, Kuwait
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August 27, 2011 :
De Silva [driver] was very well informed about the country, especially birds and animals.
The Beach, Negombo: Superb, but unattentive service at poolside.
Chaaya Village, Habarana: Staff badly organised, food and drink overpriced. Rooms shabby.
Jetwing, St Andrews: Quirky, service is very good and personal.
-- JR, London
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August 27, 2011 :
The request for vegetarian food did not get through to any of the hotels.
-JF, St Albans
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August 26, 2011 :
Surprised why Hakgala pack in Nuwara Eliya was not included in the itinerary.
-JM, Chennai
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August 26, 2011 :
Website is good but would be better if maps were used more effectively to show relative positions of hotels. I was seriously misinformed of journey times and of prices, but was offered help in arranging an alternative when I complained.
Wicky [driver] was absolutely faultless. A very safe, knowledgeable and helpful driver.
The Mud House, Anamaduwa: Red Dot should use this place with caution - photos on website are out of date. Area in severe drought - very depressing. "Honeymoon Hut" was the most basic of all the huts. Staff very nice but disorganised.
Vil Uyana, Sigiriya: Food bad and overpriced. Everything else excellent.
Kelbourne Mountain View Cottages, Haputale: Staff were fantastic and food very good. Beautiful view, but not from our house, which was filthy. Bedroom smelt bad, mould on walls.
-- WT, London
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August 26, 2011 :
Charmaine [sales consultant] did a great job to change itinerary on short notice.
Driver was very good.
Cinnamon Lodge, Habarana: On arrival room was not ready.
-- K, Germany
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August 26, 2011 :
Very impressed with Red Dot - would certainly use again. In all cases the staff were friendly, helpful and happy. Sri Lanka is a truly beautiful country.
Sarath [driver] was a very pleasant and well turned out gentleman - always very punctual and willing to stop whenever asked. Always wanted to make sure we were enjoying our trip.
Manor House, Kandy: Room access off verandah where a noisy party was taking place. Water was only a trickle in basin. Staff were lovely and apologetic about the noise.
Avian, Nuwara Eliya: Moved room from one without a view - but moved to a much nicer room with good views which was more acceptable. Staff very good and made our visit most enjoyable. We asked for a typical Sri Lankan curry for dinner, which they were happy to prepare for us.
Hibiscus Garden, Tissamaharama: Room was good but was surrounded by building work. Staff had surly attitude. [Note: Red Dot arranged a hotel transfer.]
Mandara Rosen, Kataragama: Lovely hotel, good and welcoming staff. We very much enjoyed the pool area and the facilities. Lacked quirkiness, but was good as was the food, although western choices of food were limited.
Fort Printers, Galle: Loved this delightful hotel from the moment we arrived. Room lovely, staff happy and smiley.
Club Villa, Bentota: Great hotel to unwind. Staff welcoming, room delightful. Tap in bathroom wasn't too good, but all in all was very lovely relaxing visit. Verandah large and comfortable.
Taj Gardens Hotel, Colombo: Excellent stopover before a.m. flight as only 15 mins from airport. Comfortable room, hot shower, nice outlook, food okay, staff were competent and polite. After quality we had experienced was a little soulless, but fitted purpose perfectly.
-- GW, Reading
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August 24, 2011 :
Good overall service, but we regret lack of appropriate information on some of the hotels booked: Lavender House and Koggala Fortress. We also regret lack of flexibility for changing hotels during holiday.
Prasath [driver] was excellent on all aspects. Very efficient, kind, with excellent and professional suggestions and advice.
Jetwing Beach, Negombo: Good hotel for a one night stay on arrival and departure.
Ullagalla, Anurudhapura: Superb boutique hotel, meeting all our expectations.
Lavender House, Pussellawa: Bad location far from Kandy. Dark rooms, a bit smelly. No charm, not much to do.
Ceylon Tea Trails, Dickoya: Wonderful place, excellent service, beautiful location. Should warm then swimming pool.
The Fortress, Koggala: Not a luxury hotel, it is a basic beach hotel. Overrated and poor value for money. Small rooms, one pool, one expensive poor restaurant, no atmosphere. However, staff are very kind.
-- RK, Paris
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August 24, 2011 :
We have had a fantastic holiday and would love to come back. E-mail contact was very good but it was more difficult to speak to anybody by phone.
Jude [driver] has been incredibly professional and proud of his job throughout our stay. We all felt well looked after as he anticipated and met all of our needs and more. He is knowledgeable and speaks excellent English, completely brilliant.
St Lachlan, Negombo: Good first night, better than the photo on the website. Quick from airport, well positioned. Good breakfast. Very clean, nicely maintained.
Royal Lotus, Giritale: Beautiful pool and fantastic view. Friendly and helpful staff. Rooms tired, especially bathrooms and showers. Communal areas lovely.
Pigeon Island Resort, Nilaveli: Breakfast a great hit - doughnuts and egg hoppers. All staff very helpful and most spoke English. Lovely pool and great beach setting.
Sharon Inn, Kandy: Lovely food and helpful owners. It felt very homely. Lovely roof and garden.
Ella Adventure Park, Ella: Good idea but extremely tired rooms. Inadequate protection from bugs and animals. Activities on offer poor.
Hideaway, Arugam Bay: Excellent position and very helpful staff and owners. Noisy dogs at night, lovely breakfasts.
-- CW, Devon
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August 23, 2011 :
Hensley [driver] was friendly, helpful and professional at all times and we all liked him. We valued his knowledge and advice.
Villa Aralya, Negombo: Better than the pictures on the website. It has a very relaxing and calm atmosphere.
Sharon Inn, Kandy: There was no air conditioning. Rooms needed renovating but were clean. Owners very friendly.
Kelbourne Mountain View Cottages, Haputale: We really enjoyed staying here. The views are amazing and it had a magical feeling about the place. The service was excellent. Would have preferred rooms next to each other to be near the children.
The Safari, Tissamaharama: The children liked this hotel the best. The swimming pool was good and overlooked the lake.
-- NT, London
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August 22, 2011 :
There is a need to better organise travel distances.
Driver kind, very helpful. Drove safely.
Ice Bear Hotel, Negombo: Good value for money. Nice place to rest after the flight.
Ellerton, Kandy: A very good surprise. Much better than what you can expect seeing website. Service very kind - only problem a little bit far from Kandy.
Gulkadawala, Habarana: Incredible place - owner very kind, warm and helpful - wants to share her love of the area. A great experience.
Nilaveli Beach Hotel, Nilaveli: We were a bit disappointed by this hotel - everything is okay but has no real charm. Reception was not kind and services are expensive - we did not feel welcomed.
Back of Beyond, Pidurangala: Really nice. Good location to visit the cultural triangle. Food was very good.
-- MD, Paris
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August 21, 2011 :
James [driver] was very polite, informative and professional. We felt well looked after at all times.
Hotel Sigiriya, Sigiriya: Staff very helpful, friendly and accommodating. Food range and quality was excellent - a great range of dishes.
-- IB, Leeds
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August 20, 2011 :
Sunil [driver] provided an outstanding service. The friendly, professional and caring manner was out of this world.
Lake Lodge, Colombo: Great location, lovely first stop - easy to walk around.
Tisara Villas, Koggala: Just need softer pillows and perhaps a communal eating area indoors for everyone. Fantastic and lots of space. Amazing gardens and wildlife. Great staff.
Hibiscus Garden, Tissamaharama: Cold food and not great choice. Small room for 4 of us. Pool too chlorinated.
St Lachlan, Negombo: Lovely, immaculately clean hotel. So nice to have clean fresh smelling towels! Food fantastic, staff very lovely.
-- NM, UAE
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August 18, 2011 :
We were very happy with the excellent process that enabled us to plan and achieve out family holiday to Sri Lanka.
Chrishan was a fabulous driver and guide. He met the needs of our family consistently and ensured that we had a safe and wonderful time.
Viventa by Taj, Bentota: We were disappointed with this hotel. Had to move rooms because of the smell of damp. Next room better but with lots of insects. Hotel is very dirty - both rooms and common areas. Food was okay but dining area dirty. Pool area was good.
Jetwing Beach, Negombo: We loved this hotel. The staff were very friendly and gave good service.
Villa Talangama, Talangama: Can't say enough good about this fantastic setting, fabulous house loved the outside shower. The staff could not do enough for us - only wish we had stayed more than one night.
Cinnamon Lodge, Habarana: This hotel is in a wonderful setting. The whole family enjoyed the wildlife surrounding. The room was adequate and had a comfortable bed however it was not very clean and the paintwork was flaking in places. The food was excellent here and the service in the restaurant very attractive.
Earls Regency, Kandy: Amazing views - needs updating in the rooms. Bedding and towels shabby. Food was very good in the buffet restaurant but the bar menu was not as good.
Kirchayyn Bungalows, Bandarawela: Well located. Relaxing, servers spent time with the children , allowed them to help prepare the food. Bathrooms had ants, which they tried to eradicate. Generally a great place.
Elephant Reach, Yala: Location was very near the Yala National Park which was great for the Safari. Rooms were basic but adequate however small beetles were all over the room.
Turtle Bay, Kalametiya: Rooms fantastic. Lovely huge wooden beds and very clean with lots of tea coffee and water. The complimentary toiletries were of a high quality. Great beach but too rough to enjoy the sea.
The Safari, Tissamaharama: Service here was very slow and food not very good. The room was very good and had a great bathroom with a large walk in shower.
-- SQ, Abu Dhabi
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August 17, 2011 :
Overall we were pleased - good communication with Ishan [consultant] who dealt well with our requests.
Shane [driver] was very friendly and helpful. His vehicle was perfect and was always punctual.
Lake Lodge, Kandalama: Lovely hotel, nice view but lots of beetles in the room although it was nice big and clean. Service good and friendly but some mistakes made with the wine. Super special dinner cooked for us on the last night.
Queens Hotel, Kandy: Good location. The room was nice and clean and pool was lovely. Food okay but not so good a standard as it was a buffet.
Glendower Hotel, NuwaraEliya: The room was big but a bit tired. The enamel on the bath was coming off and needed a repaint. Chinese restaurant nice, breakfast okay.
Ambiente, Ella: The room was basic but nice with a fantastic view. The staff seemed friendly and the food was good.
Leopard Safari, Yala: Campsite and food were excellent. Did not see any leopards. Other safari companies looked for them first so we felt disappointed.
Mama's, Galle Fort: The room was huge but a bit tired. The staff were very friendly and the food was excellent.
-- SB, United Kingdom
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August 15, 2011 :
Having Ervin as our guide and driver absolutely made our holiday truly memorable. He was knowledgeable, very safe and willing driver and expert guide, was very punctual and an absolute pleasure to be with for a week.
-- KM, Paris
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August 15, 2011 :
Excellent and professional service provided by Suril [driver] who assisted me all along my trip.
Sigiriya Village, Sigiriya: Excellent hotel. Only minor points:- Buffet expensive and not great. The number of people made it hard to get an exclusive feel - sometimes feels like a tourist factory.
Samadhi Centre, Kandy: Beautiful location, excellent service and delicious food. Minor points: Distance and difficult road make it difficult to access. Good for staying long to relax. The rooms could afford to be slightly more comfortable.
Off Rocks, Unawatuna: Great welcome, beautiful rooms, prime location. Must we wonderful in high season when the sea is calm. No restaurant as such.
-- MM, Cairo
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August 14, 2011 :
Ranjith [driver] was extremely, friendly, knowledgeable and helpful. He was flexible, full of interesting anecdotes and helped made our holiday special.
Galle Face, Colombo: Wonderful rooms, only concern was that the sockets were prone to sparking.
Mahaweli Reach, Kandy: Full dinner provided after Perehera even though late.
Grand Hotel, Nuwara Eliya: Hotel was undergoing refrbishment - not many facilities but health club was reasonably priced.
-- W, Hampshire
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August 14, 2011 :
Jonah [sales consultant]'s speed of response was excellent, except for the initial request for information, which took a week.
Gune [driver] exceeded our expectations, and made the holiday great. Most importantly, he developed a friendly relationship with us.
-ES, Spain
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August 12, 2011 :
Although the quote was the most expensive we received, we chose Red Dot because of the professional appearance of actions of the website and agent.
Sanjeewa [driver] was excellent. He was very courteous and understanding of our family. He helped in more ways than we expected - we especially liked how he pointed out interesting plants animals and landmarks as we drove. We are very glad he was our driver.
Tamarind Tree, Negombo: Air con would be good in common room as well as bedroom, besides that everything was great.
Thilanka Resort and Spa, Dambulla: Bed very uncomfortable. Also window coverings still allowed people to see in the room. Service and atmosphere excellent though.
Governor's Chalets, Nuwara Eliya: We loved everything about this hotel and Nuwara Eliya.
Hibiscus Gardens, Tissamaharama: Hotel was nice, but seemed to be much lower budget than the price reflected.
-- R, UAE
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August 12, 2011 :
Jonah [sales consultant] was very prompt and informative, who didn't get upset when I asked for different accommodation choices. I was well-informed on all aspects prior to the trip.
Bandara [driver] is an outstanding guide/driver who takes pride in his country. He went out of his way to help us, and was honest and easy to get along with.
Garden Beach Hotel, Kosgoda: Needs signs on the hotel; we almost missed it. Pillows were horrible but bed was good. Room decent value for money. Food and service were excellent, though when we ordered a meal a lot of the menu was unavailable.
Hibiscus Garden, Tissamaharama: Beautiful apartments with a very relaxing atmosphere. The hot water was cool, solar, but probably because the apartment next door used it all.
Stardust Beach Hotel, Pothuril: We managed to get the family cabana which was great. Lots of animal noise during the night. They ran out of beer and told us there was none left in town - which was untrue.
Avian Breeze, NuwaraEliya: Everything was nice, including the room and the staff, but lacked atmosphere. Food was great, and one of the only places with free wifi
Stone Bungalow 'Serendip', Kandy: Very friendly staff and nice and relaxing. Enjoyable for the kids.Would have stayed here longer.
Thilanka Resort Spa, Dambulla: Delay in being picked up on arrival. Overcharged for children's buffet and alcoholic drinks. Room was very nice, but the tap to the bath was not connected and leaked. In addition the drains were blocked which made showering uncomfortable.
-- WL, UAE
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August 11, 2011 :
Roy was an excellent driver. Most polite and helpful. Very informative. Really made the trip memorable.
Galle Face Hotel, Colombo: Put in the old wing instead of Regency, because of a wedding.
Chaaya Village, Habarana: Very good hotel - all aspects were good.
Ellerton, Kandy: Excellent hotel. The lady who owned it was very helpful. The staff were very attentive.
Kelbourne Mountain View Cottages, Haputale: Plugs and showers need to be updated otherwise beautiful location.
-- HA, Kent
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August 06, 2011 :
Ranjith [driver] had a very good personality.
Kassapa Lion's Rock, Didgampa: Very friendly staff.
Chaaya Citadel, Kandy: Nice view and beautiful swimming pool.
Slightly Chilled Yellow House, Dalhousie: Food is expensive in terms of value for money. Very friendly staff.
Stardust Hotel, Arugam Bay: Hot place without air con in room but finally we really appreciate this place.
Safari Hotel, Tissamaharama: Nice room.
-- B, France
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August 05, 2011 :
Theva Residency, Kandy: Service brilliant, room quite small, pool a bit disappointing.
Castlereigh Tea Trails, Dickoya: Amazing!
Hibiscus Garden, Tissamaharama: Good for one night, wouldn't want to stay any longer. Room was clean and basic. Food was poor.
-- MM, Surrey
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August 04, 2011 :
Red Dot helped to plan a fantastic trip. We will travel with them again
We appreciated Lahiru [sales consultant] 's advice throughout and were happy with our itinerary at the booking stage. Some journey times were unnecessarily long, which we would have changed; we needed the nature of the roads and journeys spelt out to us.
Jamal and Preeantha [drivers] were always extremely courteous and made sure our needs were taken care of. They were polite, charming and informative. Our only concern (and a minor one) was the choice of restaurants for lunch and a stop at a relative's wood carving shop. However, we were clear to reject other 'interesting excursions', which was respected.
St Lachlan, Negombo: A convenient overnight stay with excellent evening meal and breakfast.
Cinnamon Lodge, Habarana: Great location for Cultural Triangle. Very comfortable stay with excellent swimming pool. Buffet very good but offered very little variation. Clean comfortable hotel.
Ellerton, Kandy: Loved this friendly, welcoming, well-appointed hotel. The owner could not have done more for us. Staff were happy helpful attentive and courteous. Meals superb. Perfection!
Lavender House, Pussellawa: Beautiful setting, but difficult to get to. Seemed to lack atmosphere and personality.Staff were good but very slow. Chef made up for the disappointments with excellent Sri Lankan and Western meals great attention to detail.
The Safari, Tissamaharama: A wonderful surprise, this newly refurbished hotel was delightful. Excellent facilities, beautiful lakeside location. Stunning sets over the lake, ideally situated for Yala National Park. Wonderful swimming pool and spotlessly clean. Highly recommended.
Apa Villas, Galle: Amazing beachside location with excellent pool and all amenities. On request, chef went to market, selected a fresh tuna and grilled to perfection. Excellent service, highly recommended.
-- SC, London.
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August 02, 2011 :
Sigiriya Village Hotel, Sigirya: Beautiful Hotel, beautiful location, wonderful food and excellent staff. Overall fabulous, could not fault.
Hotel Suisse, Kandy: enjoyed the colonial charm of this hotel. Great location.
Sunset Beach, Arugam Bay: One of the best hotels in Arugam, right on the beach. Nice food. Would benefit from modern comforts like air conditioning.
Elephant Reach, Kirinoi: Gorgeous hotel and the rooms are spectacular. Evening buffet offered a great selection of tasty food.
-- VS, Australia
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July 08, 2011 :
Initial contact via e-mail very slow and then consultant went on holiday so couldn't contact us. However he was very helpful and informative and ensured that the itinerary fitted to our needs . He was friendly when we spoke on the phone.
Hasantha [driver] was excellent; friendly and very knowledgeable about everything to do with Sri Lanka and its attractions. He was very accommodating to our needs regarding eating, shopping, and additional detours.
Jetwing Beach, Negombo: Nice, spacious and modern rooms, plenty of amenities in room. Food excellent; great choice and very tasty.
Cinnamon Lodge, Habarana: Swimming area great, comfy sunbeds. Nice wildlife surroundings. Staff friendly and helpful. Excellent choice of food with amazing desserts.
Amaya Hills, Kandy: Lovely surroundings and views. Very friendly staff. Excellent choice of delicious food. Twin beds very small for an adult. Bathroom dated. Thin walls. Small balcony with uncomfortable plastic chairs. Sunbeds not very comfortable around pool.
Heritance Tea Factory, Nuwara Eliya: Excellent views from garden, which was nice to walk around. 1 bedroom overlooking car park and outbuildings. Nice informative miniature Tea factory visit. Inside of hotel very authentic and informative to Old Tea Factory. Welcome fruit a little dried. Last 4km to hotel roads are in terrible condition.
The Safari, Tissamaharama: Pool nice location. Hotel in beautiful setting overlooking lake. Rooms lovely and clean, good size. Problems resolved quickly. Little choice for eating other than hotel. Lovely lunch but evening buffet only lukewarm. Poor variety of food.
--- S, Stafford
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July 01, 2011 :
Mahinda [driver] needs to check the condition of his tyres.
Kandalama Hotel: A masterpiece of modern architecture.
--- F, Malaysia
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June 26, 2011 :
Vil Uyana, Sigiriya: Really excellent stay - a wonderful hotel.
Norwood Bungalow, Tea Trails, Dickoya: Amazing, excellent facilities, wonderful food and superb service.
Galle Fort Hotel, Galle Fort: Tries a little too hard. Good but not excellent.
--- SW
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June 12, 2011 :
While service was generally satisfactory, it could have been better. Better information could have been given so that we could have arranged the itinerary better. The refund we were due from a change to itinerary was not initially addressed.
Hasantha [driver] has been informative and knowledgeable about the places we visited as well as the history and culture of Sri Lanka. He was accommodating and flexible to meet our needs. He was also a careful and safe driver and invaluable in making our trip enjoyable.
Tamarind Tree, Negombo: A convenient location for late arriving flights.
Kassapa Lion's Rock, Didgampa: Comfortable rooms, staff who are eager to make your stay pleasant and overall very ideal location for exploring the cultural triangle.
Richmond House, Kandy: Unassuming B&B but its location, good quality rooms and excellent views of Kandy make this one of the highlights of the visit to Kandy.
Priyaukara Hotel, Tissamaharama: Overall a comfortable hotel, but we were put in a wing undergoing renovation so had to put up with loud noises during the day. Views of the paddy field a plus.
Tisara Villas, Koggala: Staff are conscientious, polite and eager to please. Butler service deserves special mention. Villa very comfortable, setting very rustic and exceeded expectations overall.
Lake Lodge, Colombo: While generally good, water pressure in toilet was poor. Some lights also not working. But very comfortable bed, needs tea and coffee facilities in room and twin bed option.
--- SB, Kuala Lumpur
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June 07, 2011 :
Quick to get back to us and flexible. A pleasure to deal with.
Sunil [driver] is very kind and a pleasure to travel with. He was very helpful driving us around.
Theva Residency, Kandy: Far nicer than the website profile indicates. A gem of a place.Our best culinary experience in Sri Lanka.Very good and well priced.
Ayurveda Pavilions, Negombo: Lovely place, food is dearer than we expected.
-- FY, New Zealand.
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June 07, 2011 :
The Beach Hotel, Negombo: Lovely, stylish hotel. However, Negombo not a nice town with little to do.
Kassapa Lion's Rock, Didgampa: Good basic standard of accommodation with lovely pool. Good location for visiting Sigiriya Rock, however isolated for being able to leave hotel at night.
Amaya Hills, Kandy: Lovely hotel with amazing views. Food is excellent with very helpful staff. Hotel is let down by road from Kandy into the hills. Although not too far it has so many potholes it takes a long time to get up and down.
Kelbourne Mountain Cottage, Haputale: Fantastic service and excellent food. Amazing views from the cottage. Cottage could do with a bit of upgrading. Also, not much to do close by so were confined to cottage at night.
Stardust Beach Hotel, Arugam Bay: Charming hotel in lovely friendly and sociable village. Varied menu with good quality food. Staff very friendly and helpful, however room was only cleaned once in 5 days with no clean towels offered. Also, water pressure in upper floors poor so not always easy to have a shower.
-- EG, Glasgow.
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May 19, 2011 :
I have several reservations about Irvin as a driver. Although he is an excellent bird and wild animal spotter, he got us lost in Anuradhapura and did not always comply with the spirit of the Red Dot driver's code.
Cinnamon Lodge, Habarana: This was a beautiful place, with excellent service, personalised attention and care.
Weir House, Ulapane: An amazingly beautiful place. Would love to go back. Lucian [manager] did everything to ensure our comfort and Leslie's cooking is brilliant.
Wildflower Cottage, Kelbourne: The decor was a bit of a let-down. However, the views were magnificent and the service impeccable. The sunrise was awesome, and breakfast in the clouds unforgettable.
The Beach Place, Thalpe: Another stunning place. We were looked after beautifully; the manager made us a fantastic crab curry.
--- LA, Victoria
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May 03, 2011 :
Vicki [driver] was excellent and took us everywhere we wanted to go.
Governors Chalet, Nuwara Eliya: No hot water, inefficient heater.
Yala Village, Kirinda: Found cockroaches in the bathroom. Overall value for money poor as there was need for refurbishment.
--- AY, London
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May 01, 2011 :
Jonah [consultant] was very helpful.
Wije[driver] was excellent. Very helpful, a good driver, and knowledgeable about Sri Lanka.
--- MA, London
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April 30, 2011 :
It would have been helpful to have more information on the route to be taken. Had a few different driver's names which was confusing, but the ability to plan one's own itinterary was very good.
Jayantha [driver] drove very carefully and we felt very safe.
Ice Bear, Negombo: A lovely garden area and great for children. Very friendly staff. Bathroom could have been cleaner.
Sigiriya Village, Sigiriya: A peaceful location and a great swimming pool.
Regent Lodge, Kandy: A fantastic welcome and amazing food. Wonderful house and location, great for little children.
Melheim Resort, Haputale: Amazing view!
Flower Garden, Unawatuna: Much more developed than we expected - would have preferred somewhere quieter (guide books misleading given most development obviously recent). Had the nicest bathroom.
Galle Face Regency, Colombo: Felt like we were in a James Bond movie. A proper 5 star experience. Wow.
-- HW, Newcastle.
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April 25, 2011 :
Galle Face, Colombo: Had to change room because of the noise.
Palm Garden Village, Anarudhapura: Very beautiful place. Swimming pool very pleasant.
Kandalama: A 'tourist factory' - very noisy and crowded. Expected more from such an expensive hotel.
Victoria Golf Course Chalet, Kandy: An ideal place for golfers and people who love quiet atmosphere.
Ayubowan Guest House, Negombo: A place to recommend. Peaceful.
--- JM, Paris
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April 25, 2011 :
Ananda [driver] made our holiday truly special. He has great depth of knowledge about every subject we were interested in. He gave great insight into the culture and lives of Sri Lankan people.
Horathapola Estate, Horathapola: The staff were amazing - they went out of their way to help us. A great introduction to Sri Lankan life.
Palm Galden Village, Anarudhapura: Lovely location but the food was poor.
Wild Grass, Sigiriya: Outstanding. Stunning rooms, fantastic location and memorable food. Great for a nature fan.
Amaya Hills, Kandy: A good hotel in a lovely location, far from the town.
Melheim, Haputale: Little to do here. Too many leeches to go walking.
Priyankara Hotel, Tissamarahana: Poor selection of overcooked food. Public areas cramped and extremely hot.
--- PB, Melksham
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April 23, 2011 :
Herman [driver] was impeccable and looked after us beautifully. Nothing was too much trouble. He was very good about the poor driver accommodation in some places. Car clean and comfortable for 5 of us - will ask for him next time.
Jetwing Beach, Negombo: Perfect for one night on arrival and one night on departure.
Kohomba House, Alankuda Beach: A lovely house. Perfect for 2 couples and possibly children under 10. Driver accommodation is bad.
Weir House, Ulapane: Too far from Victoria Golf Course and Kandy.
Craig Bank, NuwaraEliya: The House needs major renovation and redecoration. Extremely dark drab and musty and is showing signs of neglect and damp. Water pressure and hot water system needs updating. The staff tried as hard as they could and were very helpful and food delicious but there is a lack of management and attention to detail. It has a lovely garden and could be a gem if updated.
-- SS, Cornwall
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April 17, 2011 :
Cinnamon Lodge, Habarana: A very nice hotel. Exceeded expectations. Food was good – curries were some of the best we had – and staff were extremely helpful, always friendly. Wildlife in and around the hotel grounds made it very interesting and entertaining.
Theva Residency, Kandy: A beautiful location with friendly, helpful staff (who arranged a birthday cake at very short notice) and good food (although there was a lot of mashed potato around!). However, we would classify this as a good restaurant with nice rooms. There were no seating areas to relax and no obvious shelter from the sun on the terraces. No seating in the room we had either.
Lighthouse Hotel, Galle: Our first impressions was that the hotel was somewhat disappointing. The Cardoman café restaurant was functional and rather unappealing. A combination of hard floors and low ceilings gave it a somewhat institutional atmosphere. But buffet was as good as Cinnamon Lodge and by the pool it was much nicer.
The Wallawwa, Kotagoda: A very pleasant, relaxing place to end our holiday. Room would benefit from a fridge to chill water.
--- JP - Henley
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April 17, 2011 :
Great service [from Dirk] although would have liked a few more details about transfer times. Queries made during stay always answered promptly.
Galle Fort Hotel, Galle: Our favourite hotel on the tour: unique, quirky, relaxing, friendly, comfortable. We stayed in a loft room for three nights and loved it. The place is like a haven of all things we like in a hotel. Great staff, friendly and helpful owner and lovely food.
Serene Pavilions, Wadduwa: A luxury 5-star hotel meeting all our expectations. Butler service excellent. Rooms beautiful; just lack a bit of Sri Lankan charm. Nevertheless a great place to relax at the end of a tour.
--- PH - Singapore
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April 11, 2011 :
Foundation of Goodness, Seeingama: Very cramped with up to 6 students in dorms. Very hot to sleep in, no hot water. A little dirty on arrival.
-- MH, York.
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April 10, 2011 :
James Perera [driver] was very friendly, courteous and extremely helpful, satisfying all the needs we had on our tour.
--- BT - Surrey
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April 09, 2011 :
Lahiru was very helpful as we were very specific about the facilities we wanted at each hotel.
Mr Perera [driver] was very courteous and helpful throughout the holiday.
Chaaya Citadel, Kandy: Lovely hotel. However, felt like a stopover hotel as coachloads of people would arrive, stay one night and leave the next morning. Location, lovely, food excellent, check-in poor.
The Beach, Negombo: The service from the butler for the room is excellent. The service from the staff by the pool and in the restaurant is average.
--- MW - Dubai
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April 07, 2011 :
You guys are a top-class organization, starting with an amazing website and ending with a satisfied customer waving goodbye to a new chum in Colombo. Rest assured that [we] will be recommending Red Dot to anyone contemplating a visit to Sri Lanka.
--- IW - London
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April 07, 2011 :
Everytime we called Lahiru [consultant] she was incredibly friendly and efficient. Meeting a group of tired and demanding Americans at the airport and keeping her cool throughout the hectic schedule was admirable.
Bandu [driver] was gracious and attentive, very educated and a fine raconteur. He managed to keep us entertained and was a wealth of knowledge.
Amangalla, Galle: We loved everything about Amangalla, particularly Olivia and her very sweet staff.
--/-
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April 03, 2011 :
Bonniface [driver] was a true professional. He was always early to pick us up and ready to offer help and advice when asked. He was a safe and responsible driver who kept the car extremely neat and tidy. We cannot fault his seamless professionalism throughout.
Kandy House, Kandy: Main meals were disappointing.
Galle Fort Hotel, Galle Fort: Some staff good, others poor.
Villa Bentota, Bentota: Service was average, as was the food.
--- EC, Hong Kong
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April 02, 2011 :
Prasanna [driver] was excellent in all respects and we would recommend him to all our friends.
Goldi Sands: A good budget hotel for first or last night stop. They were very helpful in providing an early breakfast for us – not a packed breakfast, a cooked breakfast.
Chaaya Citadel, Kandy: Lovely situation. Lovely room with good view.
St Andrews’s, Nuwara Eliya: We found the service not so good here. There was no information about anything – time of breakfast, dinner, where restaurant was, price of meal. Food was excellent though.
Yala Village, Kirinda: Great situation. Loved being among the wildlife.
The Lighthouse, Galle: Spectacular setting, lovely food, good service. Only two nighgles: taxes and service chargdes were not included on menu which meant that 23% had to be added to any price; didn’t like control-panel lighting in rooms.
--- KG – London
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April 02, 2011 :
Chamindra [driver] has been very conscientious and flexible, meeting all the demands that turn up on a trip with four small children with a smile.
--- ZD – Norway
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March 25, 2011 :
Jonah [sales consultant] is a great communicator and was very responsive.
Jaya [driver] was not unsatisfactory but didn't meet our expectations given the Red Dot drivers' code. He didn't ever ask us to stop on long journeys nor did he suggest day excursions. He was fast and aggressive but also skilled.
Suma [driver] is a lovely gentleman, with several ideas on what do to. He was always on time and very pleasant.
The Wallawwa, Kotugoda: A fantastic small hotel, perfect for its purpose, with friendly staff and excellent food.
Theva Residency, Kandy: Hotel was fine. It could use more comfortable places to sit outside and in the shade. Our room had only a small settee to sit on. However, food was very good and service was lovely.
Tea Trails, Dickoya: Exceptional! Loved visiting.
Galle Fort Hotel, Galle Fort: A gem! Ewan, the manager, is an outstanding host. Pool was lovely and many areas to sit and enjoy drinks, read etc. Dinners were fine but not outstanding for the price. However, this is a minor quibble during a fantastic stay.
Lunuganga Resort, Bentota: Truly an inspirational and special place. A lovely end to our trip - enjoyed being upgraded for the second 2 nights as we were the only guests.
--- JR, London
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March 20, 2011 :
Good service overall.
Roy Steve [driver] was very helpful and catered to our needs perfectly well. Excellent person to have during the tour.
Galle Face Regency, Colombo: Excellent hotel as per expectations.
Theva Residency, Kandy: Excellent view from penthouse, as described.
Villa Bentota, Bentota: A lot of mosquitoes in the room.
Aditya, Galle: Excellent place and quality of service.
--- AS, Lahore
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March 20, 2011 :
Roy [driver] was very helpful and catered to our needs perfectly well. Highly recommended. Excellent person to assist during the tour.
Galle Face Regency, Colombo: Excellent hotel as per expectations.
Theva, Kandy: Excellent view from penthouse as described.
Aditya: Excellent place and quality of service.
--- AS - Pakistan
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March 15, 2011 :
Nihal [driver] was very professional, helpful and a pleasure to be with.
Mas Villa, Kotmale: Quality of room was poor (No TV), but service was attentive, especially from the manager Ken.
--- MD
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March 14, 2011 :
We had a fabulous holiday and the itinerary was mostly excellent and well balanced. We had a problem with our final hotel and we were impressed by the way that Dinali handled it. All in all, very well done. We will happily recommend Red Dot. Chandra was excellent, very helpful and informative, friendly and a good and safe driver.
Ayubowan Guest House, Negombo: Ron and Brenda gave us a warm welcome on our arrival. The room was modest but comfortable and we slept well.
Kandalama Lake Lodge: The Lake Lodge is in a beautiful setting with truly amazing views. Our ground-floor room smelt slightly damp which was disappointing. After two nights we moved to a first-floor room which had very good views. No facilities to serve alcohol and the menu is neither Sri Lankan nor European. Swimming pool was nice.
Norwood Bungalow, Ceylon Tea Trails: An exceptionally beautiful and well-run hotel. World-class service and cuisine.
Ellerton, Gampola: We did not have a long enough stay. Excellent in every way.
Jetwing Blue, Negombo: We enjoyed our stay despite ongoing building works. The service was welcoming, helpful and efficient. Our room was lovely, pool is beautiful, location is great. There are still many minor snagging issues relating to the building eworks in and around the hotel.
Villa Araliya, Negombo: We checked out within the hour. Our welcome was lukewarm. We arrived after dark and the hotel and grounds were very dimply lit. There were several street dogs there apparently adopted by the hotel. The room was very budget, more like a hostel.
--- AF - London
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March 13, 2011 :
Generally a very good service. Would happily recommend to others and would use Red Dot again without hesitation.
The Wallawwa, Kotugoda: Excellent, can't think of any negatives.
Heritance, Kandalama: Really enjoyed this hotel - great location and the building had a wow factor in bucketloads.
Cinnamon Lodge, Habarana: A really lovely hotel - food was great and the rooms had everything you needed and much more.
Randholee, Kandy: Bad service, cold breakfast and lousy dinner, substandard room, unclean pool.
Slightly Chilled Yellow House, Dalhousie: Basic room with no fan or AC, but didn't matter as service was great, food lovely and the location stunning. The bed wasn't comfy, but for one night to climb Adam's Peak it was fine.
-- VE, Buckinghamshire
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March 13, 2011 :
Our 3rd booking with Red Dot, each consultant has given excellent personal attention to our requests.
Aravinda [driver] was exceptional even in difficult road conditions. The vehicle was always clean and presented in an immaculate condition every day.
Mud House, Anamaduwa: Kumar's welcome was outstanding. The character of the Mud House is wonderful and thankfully remains unspoilt. Service and attention deserves recognition.
Palm Garden Village, Anuradhapura: Service and cleanliness very good. Our only criticism would be to say that the restaurant area lacked intimacy and character and was 'canteenish' in the evenings. Food presentation and quality however was very good.
Palm Beach Hotel, Mt Lavinia: Disappointing because the general atmosphere was unfriendly in as much as it lacked care and consideration. Anything over and above what was necessary was lacking. No refreshment outside certain times and no hot water due to system being decommissioned.
Kandy Cottage, Kandy: A basic but very friendly place. Owner and staff very efficient.A good place to stay for a short time near to Kandy away from hustle and bustle.
Kelburne Mountain View Cottages, Haputale: A wonderful establishment which offered an exceptional experience. We would recommend to everyone. Airy cottage and paradise views with great personal attention.
-- RM, Somerset
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March 09, 2011 :
Mewan [driver] was absolutely brilliant. He took excellent care of us and made our trip really special.
Back of Beyond, Pidurangala: An amazing place. The food was the best we had in Sri Lanka.
Theva Residency, Kandy: Great hotel. Food lovely but pricy.
Governor’s Chalet, Nuwara Eliya: Absolutely beautiful location. Room was a bit basic and food wasn’t very special.
Hibiscus Garden, Tissa: The pool was a great bonus.
Galle Face Regency, Galle: What a beautiful hotel.
--- DH – South Australia
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March 07, 2011 :
We have arrived back [from the World Cup cricket in India] safe and sound from an absolutely wonderful trip. Everything went well with no flight delays, great accommodation and to top it all a couple of fantastic games of cricket. The tours you arranged were spot on, just enough, and the hotels were fine. Thank you so much for your help, advice and prompt response leading up to the trip especially amongst all the chaos following the Eden Gardens switch.
--- MG - Kent, UK
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March 06, 2011 :
We were extremely expressed with your service when we wanted to move from a planned stay at Era Beach as it was not what we were expecting. We felt that our driver’ s English was not very good and we could not understand the little that he said. He did not really engage with us. He was, however, polite, on time and well presented. Also we were scheduled to do a safari jeep ride in Minneriya to see the elephants and he took it upon himself to recommend another park which he said would be better, and a 30-minute drive, and we got into park after two hours and did not see any elephants.*
[Red Dot investigated these comments thoroughly]
The Wallawwa, Kotogoda: Excellent hotel as a stopover at beginning and end of trip. The massage was wonderful.
Wild Grass Nature Resort, Sigiriya: Great wildlife position. Great staff and villas were nice but no hair dryers and the glass needed cleaning.
Ellerton, Gampola: The best value for money on our trip, in the most beautiful location. We would thoroughly recommend this place.
Ceylon Tea Trails, Castlereagh: Absolutely fantastic in all aspects. The food, service, house, rooms and attention to detail was faultless. We also thoroughly enjoyed te Tea Factory visit and the hiking. Also the train from Kandy to Hatton was a fantastic experience.
Era Beach, Thalpe: Road noise at night was bad here and bar/food was ridiculously overpriced. The whole ambience felt very three-star. Not impressed at all apart from the setting.
[Since these comments, Jetwing have taken over management of this villa].
South Point Villa: You kindly organised our transfer here and we were not disappointed. The staff and food were second to none and the beachside setting was laid-back luxury.
Kahanda Kanda, Koggala: The best room of our whole trip. Absolute, tasteful luxury. Great place to chill and relax.
--- SG - London
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March 01, 2011 :
We had a different driver for the first few days until his car broke down. We were pleased that his replacement was arranged immediately and delighted with our new driver, Namunu, who was very good indeed in all respects. We would not have enjoyed our holiday as much without his services. Disappointed that Red Dot operations did not let us know when we would be collected from lake Lodge to begin our tour.
Back of Beyond, Pidurangala: Took us 2.5 hours to find the place partly because the approach roads were impassable due to the floods. The room was damp and smelled very musty. Not a pleasant experience. You moved us to another hotel – Kassapa Lion’s Rock – which was fine.
Kandy Cottage: Personable and helpful manager but poor location.
Slightly Chilled, Adam’s Peak: Definitely the best place we stayed in. Excellent food, brilliant service, magnificent location.
Melheim Resort, Haputale: Lovely room, good service, let down by extremely high food and beverage prices and miniscule dinner portions.
Mountain Heavens, Ella: Just ok. Not great service, but great views. Needs cleaning.
Palm Garden Village, Anaradhapura: General standard was OK despite the fact that the hotel was flooded and we should not have been sent there. No hot water in the morning and a staff that could not care less.
Lake Lodge, Colombo: Extremely disappointed with this guesthouse. The room itself was fine, nicely decorated, but nothing worked. No TV or hot water for our entire stay. The duty manager is a waste of space.
--- CE - Northampton
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February 26, 2011 :
Booking us into Warwick Gardens, one-and-a-half travel from Nuwara Eliya with roadworks, was not acceptable when we wanted to play golf at NE. But your operational team did an excellent job resolving problems.
Ashok is an excellent driver. He tried to make sure all our requests were met, including moving us from Warwick Gardens so we could play golf, and making sure we went on the train from Nuwara Eliya to Ella.
Ulagalla Resort, Thiripanne: A wonderful hotel, spoilt only by the fact that the food was sometimes served tepid rather than hot.
Craig Bank, Nuwara Eliya: A wonderful old bungalow on the edge of NE. Much more suitable than Warwick gardens for playing golf and visiting NE. We had the best curry in Sri lanka here. The service was wonderful.
Aditya: A wonderful hotel. Ideal for a honeymoon – although it is 40 years for us.
The Wallawwa, Kotogoda: Idea place to start or finish. Rooms were the smallest we stayed in and lacked hanging space but as most people stay only 1-2 nights that’s not important.
--- HS – Oxford
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February 26, 2011 :
Etihad’s route Manchester-Abu Dhabi-Colombo was convenient at an attractive price. More people should be using it.
Seelan was an excellent driver/guide, polite, courteous and pleasant at all times. He talked us around Mihintale and was massively well informed about the culture and civilisation of Sri Lanka.
Jetwing Sea, Negombo: A comfortable post-flight hotel but happy to leave after two nights.
Horothopola: A beautiful house, tranquil setting. Really liked the elegance and attention to detail. Excellent food and service, very friendly staff. Would definitely go back – worth the 70 minute drive from the airport.
Ulagalla, Thiripanne: An ideal place for cultural triangle visits. This beautiful hotel with luxurious, breathtaking grounds was a wonderful stay. The staff were all friendly and attentive. Will definitely go back.
--- JH – Leeds
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February 26, 2011 :
We would like to thank Ayanthi [sales consultant] for all her help.
Nimal [driver] was a good driver and did everything required. However, his English was not so good. As a guide he was courteous and polite, but unenthusiastic and boring. Nor was he good at communicating the length of time needed for journeys and visits.
Villa Rosa, Kandy: Very friendly and relaxed. Great massage.
Mud House, Anamaduwa: Very claustrophobic. Disappointing lack of access or views to lake edge. Lack of opportunity to interact with other guests. Good library, with insufficient lighting for evening reading. Very helpful staff but communication not always easy.
Alankuda Beach, Kalpitiya: Perfect end to the holiday.
Horathapola Estate, Horathapola: Enjoyed our stay, but would have stayed in Colombo another night or in Negombo for a last night.
--- CA, Kent
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February 26, 2011 :
Dirk [sales consultant] was responsive and helpful. Could have been more proactive suggesting excursions, but this was arranged by the guide provided. It was somewhat chaotic organising excursions 1 or 2 days in advance each time.
Christie [guide] was very helpful, who organised excursions without any fuss.
Ajit [driver] and Mahinder [his assistant] were very helpful and courteous. Both were neat and kept their vehicle very clean. However, given the distances we did, it was not that comfortable.
Galle Fort Hotel, Galle Fort: Unique rooms, some of which were better/larger than others. Lack of local food. It instead seems to be very tourist friendly.
Ceylon Tea Trails (Summerville and Castlereach), Dickoya: Wow! We all enjoyed the views, atmosphere and excellent food and service.
--- Group of 12, Malaysia
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February 23, 2011 :
Thilanka Resort and Spa, Dambulla: Mosquitoes and flies, inconsistent water supply, staff not courteous.
Serendip Stone Bungalow, Kandy: No air con.
--- JY, Singapore
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February 23, 2011 :
All went smoothly. It would have been nice to have costings for two or more grades of hotels in an area to make an informed choice.
We cannot speak highly enough of Abdul [our driver]. He was polite, knowledgeable, and enthusiastic and always greeted us with a friendly, beaming smile. He survived 10 days of driving around Sri Lanka without an accident and with us in the back bombarding him with questions. The car was very comfortable.
Chaaya Citadel, Kandy: We were generally delighted with this hotel. One niggle was that the upgraded room was above the restaurant.
Frangipani Tree, Thalpe: An excellent hotel worthy of praise in all areas. One downside was we thought the meals were a bit pricey for Sri Lanka. We were disappointed that there were no tea/coffee making facilities in the rooms. Seeing the swallows roosting at night at the turtles in the afternoon was the highlight.
Tea Factory Hotel: This hotel cannot be faulted. It was the highlight of our visit to Sri lanka. The whole experience – the service, the attention we received on our wedding anniversary, the food, the weather, the location… need we say more? The road journey there was tough on the driver but worth it.
The Wallawwa: This has to be the perfect hotel. Breathtaking style, excellent menu and service, the ideal location for the airport.
--- VH – Oxfordshire
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February 23, 2011 :
Response time to questions was too long. Consultant appeared unconcerned about misunderstandings. We stuck with Red Dot due to their wide range of accommodation choices.
Boniface [driver] was top notch.
Horathapola Estate, Horathapola: Wonderful service and very pretty, spacious accommodation and garden. Further than advertised from the airport. Excellent first impression- best food of anywhere on the trip.
Cinnamon Lodge, Habarana: Not so well suited to independent travellers. Dinner and breakfast quite crowded. Room was not clean - floor not swept, cobwebs under chairs, the management were suitably apologetic.
The Kandy House, Kandy: Rooms not built in an amenable way. No luggage racks, quirky fixtures and fittings. Beautiful setting, lovely pool and garden.Common rooms very stylish.Fantastic shower. Fell short of expectations.
Dutch House, Bandarawela: Perfect.
Heritage Villa, Galle: Liked this place very much. Secluded, quiet and restful. Service was willing but inadequately trained. Had dinner one night which was excellent but breakfasts hit and miss.
River House, Balapitiya: Boat trip was a surprising rip off at 6,500 rupees, mistake? Otherwise charming.
The Wallawwa, Kotugoda: Accuracy of profile: Private verandah overdoes description of the garden aspect.
-- RR, Charlottesville, USA.
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February 21, 2011 :
We had a wonderful holiday in Sri Lanka, despite the weather.
Back of Beyond, Pidurungala: Without doubt our favourite place. The people are wonderful, the accommodation is extremely good and the food was the best we had on the island.
The Mudhouse: Similar in some ways to back of Beyond, but a sort of enforced eco-chic. Lovely food and accommodation, but a bit cut off for us. There was something that felt a bit forced about the whole thing.
Ayurvedic Pavilions, Negombo: We stayed in a king villa which was heavenly, absolute perfect luxury. Perhaps the nicest place I have ever stayed in 9and we got engaged here!).
Simply Chilled, Adam’s Peak: Fine, good-sized room and buffet dinner that was OK. Freiendly staff. We would recommend this place.
The Villa, Unawatuna: Not a great room – overpriced. Restaurant food not great. We would not recommend.
Garden Beach Hotel, Kosgoda: Lousy. Fine for German package tourists. Good location on the beach. Great big room but terrible food.
Ashburnham Estate: A peculiar, welcoming, old colonial escape – not really close to Kandy but a good place to escape reality and taste a modern colonial style. And you get to meet a pet elephant and have scones for tea on the terrace.
--- ML - London
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February 20, 2011 :
Lavender House: A very beautiful place. We could have stayed much longer. The meals were mostly excellent. Service excellent.
Kaluu’s Hideaway, Uda Walawe: A mixed bag. The suggestion to break the journey from Lavender House to Tangalle, due to the floods, seemed great, but the route was very arduous. An early start for a well-run safari was also exhausting and although we were promised breakfast on our return noting was organized. Dinner, though, was very good. The rooms were fine but there were no locks on the doors.
Moonhill, Tangalle: A delightful place. Friendly helpful people. Mosquitos took some managing due to open section in bathroom.
Galle Fort Hotel, Galle: Staff warm and attentive, rooms fabulous.
Galle Face Hotel, Colombo: Old section of Galle face very basic in bathrooms and not well maintained (wiring etc), possible needs refurbishment. The new section (Regency) is beautiful.
The Wallawwa, Kotogoda: Excellent facilities and service, wish we had stayed longer.
--- JJ – New South Wales
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February 19, 2011 :
Red Dot were very responsive and helpful. Only suggestion would be to verify the quality of the room a client requires.
Jayasuriya [driver] was extremely knowledgeable, a very safe driver and good company. He was always helpful, flexible. Highly recommended.
Galle Face, Colombo: Very disappointing. Room next door was cleaned noisily at 11.30pm - we got the impression that we were not valued guests.
Heritance, Kandalama: Beautiful views, very good service despite large number of guests. Bathrooms at poolside smelled of sewage at times.
Ceylon Tea Trails, Tientsin, Dickoya: Beautiful location with fabulous views and walks. Tea experience interesting and entertaining. Food and service good as expected.
Tallala Retreat, Tangalle: Suitable for people looking for a 'back to nature' resort with basic facilities. Upstairs room essential.
Frangipani Tree, Thalpe: Service was variable, sometimes excellent and other times poor. Good location for families with small children, however sea not suitable for swimming.
Wallawwa, Kotugoda: Very impressed with the style and service.
--- RI, London
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February 15, 2011 :
Thanks to Seelan [driver] a disaster holiday[because of the floods] was averted. We were very lucky to have him and we would recommend him to anyone else. Thanks to our excellent tour guide we were able to adapt to the difficulties caused by the heavy initial rains in the cultural triangle, but even if the weather had been good it is not practical to do the cultural triangle sites in just two days.
Kalanduwa Retreat, Dambulla: A newish location with inexperienced staff. Torrential rain washed the access road away, requiring some agility and detours for us and our vehicle.
Ellerton, Gampola: Very high standard.
Melheim Resort, Haputale: Another newish venue. Not a quality place. Too much like a road motel.
Moonhill, Goyambokka: A good place to stay.
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February 14, 2011 :
Sumanrathana was a very good driver, always willing to help and always smiling. Nothing was too much trouble for him. Would like somebody like him on all my holidays.
Ulagalla Resort, Anaradhapura: Lighting in the rooms could be improved.
Hill Club, Nuwara eliya: Very poor rooms. No TV. Even TV in common rooms did not work.
Galle Face Regency, Colombo: Excellent venue. Really enjoyed the experience. Would definitely like to revisit.
--- AP – Birmingham
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February 12, 2011 :
Ayanthi was very quick to respond to all queries and was also flexible.
Abdul was always very professional, well presented and had a wealth of knowledge. His prediction of travel times was always accurate which was greatly appreciated. He is obviously very proud of his country and we enjoyed him sharing that with us.
Dutch House, Bandarawela: Loved the Dutch House. Probably would only recommend for one night passing through, however, as there is not much to see in the area. Service and quality of accommodation absolutely excellent.
Helga’s Folly, Kandy: Chosen by us on recommendation. Helga’s Folly is very interesting and serves great lunch and dinner. However, the hotel on the whole is very tired and not particularly clean. Would only recommend for a meal, not to stay.
The Fortress, Koggala: We loved The Fortress as a honeymoon destination. We were very well looked after and had some of the best meals we have ever had in Sri Lanka. The only note is that the hotel is isolated from other shops and restaurants if that is a concern.
Leopard Safaris: Noel provided excellent customer service. The set-up was fantastic and very comfortable.
--- BD - Australia
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February 10, 2011 :
Villa Araliya, Negombo: Very noisy due to two wedding parties. Beach is not good near here and not much to do and food poor.
Amaya Lake, Dambulla: Hotel nice but food not very good. Full board required as no restaurants nearby.
Back of Beyond: Dehigahaela: Bed wet, mosquito nets did not close, no hot water, filthy rooms, leaking roof, awful food. This might be OK for locals or back-packing kids but not for paying seniors. Someone should take the owner to South Africa or Kenya and show him the standards expected. This is one of the worst hotels I have experienced (including Libya in the 70s). The jungle walk was a joke. Twenty minutes on a track, river prevents travelling further. This is a joke! Language problem with guide.
Heritence Kandalama: A lovely hotel with good food and excellent service. Good staff. Full board required as no restaurants close by.
Sigiriya: None of us capable of reaching the top so we never went there. Waste of time and money for pensioners.
--- PC - Henley
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February 05, 2011 :
On our last day with Kingsley [our driver] we had a problem with our accommodation [booked ourselves]. Kingsley refused to leave us until we had a suitable alternative. We were impressed.
--- MP – Surrey
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February 05, 2011 :
Overall we were impressed with Red Dot and will recommend them to others.
Jayaweera [driver] had an impressive knowledge of birds and wildlife. He was always helpful, friendly and patient and struck the right balance between enthusiasm and obsession.
The Wallawwa, Kotugoda: Very impressive. Sorry not to stay longer, even though we were only using it as an airport hotel.
Vil Uyana, Sigiriya: Lovely place. Only flaw was very slow service on a la carte menu (but not set menu).
Hunas Falls, Elkaduwa: Good service in dining room though staff confused attentiveness with fussiness. Couldn't get access to a hairdryer.
Warwick Gardens, Ambewela: Lack of experienced management. Had to ask for everything.
Rafters Retreat, Kitulgala: We knew it would be simple, but didn't expect the lack of facilities. Was very shabby, with lumpy pillows. Didn't have hot water.
Galle Fort Printers, Galle Fort: Fun last stop, though disappointed with limited expensive menu.
Yala Village, Yala: Better than expected, very well managed. Coped well with large parties and couples like us were very well looked after.
--- SC, Buckinghamshire
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February 03, 2011 :
Sunil [driver] was very friendly, helpful, informative, sensitive, humorous and polite. He looked after us very well. Couldn't have asked more from a guide and driver.
Mas Villa, Kotmale: Staff weren't fluent in English. Service was friendly but slow. Swimming pool overly chlorinated. Beautiful setting .
Landa Eco Lodge, Belihuloya: Room seemed very musty. Bed very hard with lumpy pillows. Basic lighting and lots of 'creepy crawlies'. Sweet lady cooked us delicious home cooked meal - best food on our trip. Delivers very basic accommodation and though we appreciate this is an eco lodge, standards could be higher.
The Wallawwa, Kotugoda: Very nice.
Chaaya Village, Habarana: Walls were very thin. Room lacked natural light. In need of update.
Galle Face, Colombo: Excellent facilities, with good staff. A very comfortable hotel.
Paradise Beach: Stunning location. A good hotel with friendly staff, but the food was average.
--- FJ, London
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January 30, 2011 :
Ayanthi[consultant] was a fantastic consultant who helped put together an itinerary that best suited my needs.
Suma [driver] was excellent - he listened to our requests and made informed recommendations. He went out of his way to assist us when possible, his car was comfortable and well-maintained.
Slightly Chilled Yellowhouse, Dalhousie: Very simple room was satisfactory but shower was inadequate. Great staff and brilliant Adam's Peak location. Excellent breakfast.
St Andrews Hotel, Nuwara Eliya: Excellent staff, apart from during a wedding reception when they somewhat disinterested in non-wedding guests. Room was a little cold, heater didn't work. Restaurant and service excellent.
Amaya Lake, Dambulla: The roads to the hotel were often impassable due to rain and general damage. Room was fantastic but front-desk staff were slow to respond to requests e.g. having safe fixed.
Randholee Resorts, Kandy: Excellent hotel with very friendly staff. Very happy with experience there.
Ambiente, Ella: Clean and comfortable room with maginificent views, friendly staff, dinner was excellent.
Mama's Galle Fort, Galle Fort: Stunning room, great value for money. Excellent location. Rooftop restaurant spectacular but food a little disappointing.
--- SL, Sydney
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January 29, 2011 :
Sumanrathana [driver] was very good - always willing to help and smiling. Would like somebody like him on all my holidays.
The Beach, Negombo: Very good hotel with good location
Chaaya Citadel, Kandy: Rooms could be improved.
Galle Face Regency, Colombo: Excellent venue. Really enjoyed the experience.
--- AP, Birmingham
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January 28, 2011 :
Christian [driver] was an excellent driver and a very nice gentleman.
Wallawwa, Kotugoda: Very good hotel. Excellent place to recover from the long flight.
Lavender House, Pussellawa: Wonderful place to stay. Breathtaking location. Excellent and friendly staff. Only criticism is lack of ceiling fan and hairdryer in rooms.
--- JE, Colchester
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January 20, 2011 :
We had some ideas of where we wanted to go from travel articles but Jonah’s suggestions were better and we appreciated the improved holiday as a result.
Jude [our driver] was terrific. From the moment he picked us up from the airport with a welcoming smile (and name sign) we knew we were on holiday. He was an excellent driver and we always felt he would make the destination safely.
Galle Face Hotel, Colombo: The hotel was in a magnificent spot and I would visit again. The breakfast buffet was scrumptious. The rooms are needing some work in the old section.
Lavender House, Pussawella: We had a lovely stay here despite drizzly weather. A stately old home where we could enjoy dinner in the ornately furnished dining room.
Galle Fort, Galle: A great place to stay. The hotel’s restoration was wonderful. We stayed in the Porcelain Room, which was wonderful.
The Wallawwa: A great place to unwind before the flight.
Moonhill, Tangalle: We really enjoyed Tangalle. It was so relaxing and the beach was beautiful.
--- VJ - Australia
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January 19, 2011 :
Charath was a wonderful guide: warm, friendly and full of information. He took care of all our needs and very knowledgeable. We would highly recommend.
Ceylon Tea Trails, Castlereagh: A truly majestic setting. The bungalow was beautiful and Milroy (our butler) catered to our every request. The guide on the tea factory tour was captivating and our hike through the trails never ceased to amaze.
Yala Village, Yala: A good place to stay in the middle of the jungle. Had to change rooms in the middle of our stay due to flooding. The buffet was not to our liking and the staff a little pushy. Enjoyed pool when the good weather came around. The safari was enjoyable but a little bumpy and the tracker didn’t explain much apart from naming the animals. Animals were amazing, but the tracker didn’t deserve the tip he requested.
--- RH - Canada
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January 16, 2011 :
We have been so impressed with Red Dot due to their care and efficiency. The choice and flexibility of the itinerary was brilliant.
Seelan [driver] was a brilliant guide and driver, displaying unparalleled professionalism throughout. He was a courteous, knowledgeable and delightful as a travelling companion. Highly recommended.
Kelburne Cottages, Haputale: Gorgeous, astonishing location. Perfect service.
Passtissade, Rakuwa: The beds were awful. The beach was okay with lovely but slow service, nothing special.
Temple Tree, Bentota: Closer to Colombo than Passtissade, beautiful and lovely. Brilliant.
Mud House, Anamaduwa: We loved everything about it, including the service and the location. The rustic open rooms, lack of electricity and cold outdoor showers were fabulous.
Villa Rosa, Asgiriya: Elegant, comfortable, relaxing. Well recommended by Seelan.
Back of Beyond, Tangalle: A beautiful place, brilliant design and fabulous location. We loved it - the beach was brilliant. Very hard-working service.
Villa Tangalama, Tangalama: A brilliant establishment run by lovely, caring and polite people. A wonderful end to a brilliant holiday - very convenient for the airport for a late night departure.
--- CB, New South Wales
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January 09, 2011 :
Your website is excellent and your customer service is superb. I was very happy with your organization. The only bad thing: some hotels suggested were unfortunately disappointing amnd should not have been suggested to families.
[Red Dot discussed this feedback with the consultant]
Ranjith was very reliable, punctual and a safe driver, although a bit inflexible sometimes with handling our wishes with where to stop on the way.
Ice Bear, Negombo: Dark rooms and unhelpful staff, a place for backpackers not families
Cinnamon Lodge, Habarana: A good hotel. Excellent service.
Thilanka Hotel, Kandy: Horrible room. Moist, damp, full of mould in bathroom.
Ambiente, Ella: The only good thing about this place is the view. Rooms are dirty and run down.
Priyankara, Tissa: Very nice clean rooms, good service.
Paradise Beach Club, Mirissa: Great location.
--- EE – Australia
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January 08, 2011 :
Overall we were satisfied with Mr Wijekoon [driver]. He was always polite, punctual, courteous and welcome. Once or twice we felt he was not sensitive to our desire to be on our own.
Galle Face Hotel, Colombo: Charming hotel but very busy. Breakfast great. Room [in old wing] large, comfortable but shabby. Hotel overrun by weddings.
Cinnamon Lodge, Habarana: Good setting, very good room, friendly staff. Lots of animals and birds. Dining room not attractive unless one sits at the edge.
Chaaya Citadel, Kandy: Nice bar area. Service not great. Corridors felt like municipal building.
Kelburne Mountain View Cottages, Haputale: I don’t think your description does justice to this place. Staff friendly, charming and professional. Our bungalow was charming. It would be good if there were wardrobes to put clothes away. We had a very relaxing time.
Landa, Belihul Oya: It does not make the best of the environment with rubbish near the entrance. Manager very forthcoming about his political views. Room basic. Food just OK.
Mangrove Garden, nr Tangalle: Good simple place, nidce beach, quiet and peaceful, food not that great.
Paradise Beach Club, Mirissa: Run-of-the-mill package place. Mirissa very busy. Thanlks for the complimentary New year’s Eve dinner. Enjoyed the little shack café on the rocks.
Thambapanni Resort, Unawatuna: Very good room but the management needs to decide if it is a resort or a retreat. Big screen TV in the dining room did not go down well with us. The manager, though, was very keen to hear our feedback and we would strongly recommend this place.
Galle Face Regency, Colombo: Still a classic hotel. Excellent breakfast, room a bit small, common areas smell a bit of mildew.
--- PL - London
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January 07, 2011 :
Castlereagh Bungalow, Ceylon Tea Trails: Amazing. Exceeded expectations.
Galle Fort Hotel: We should have been infirmed that we needed to book a table for New Year’s Eve. The hotel did give us a table but not by the majority of the guests by the pool. Did have a great night but was initially spoiled a little by this small oversight.
--- D – West Yorkshire
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January 07, 2011 :
Ananda was a fantastic driver. We were very lucky to have him.
--- CS - London
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January 04, 2011 :
I received exceptional service and support from Jonah [consultant]. She was very efficient and prompt and offered great recommendations which felt very personalized. I’ve rarely received such great service from companies in Asia.
Ranjith [driver] made a huge difference to our holiday. We really felt safe driving with him. He is also a fantastic guide and offered great advice for us along the way. He gives a great invite into the warm and hospitable culture of the people here. We asked specifically not to go to any factories, shops and ranjith respedcted this fully which was much appreciated by us.
Earls Regency, Kandy: A great hotel overall. We were checked into this as a replacement for Castle Hill and I really must commend Red Dot for their excellent support and their fast action to solve the bad experience we had from that hotel.
Governors Chalets, Nuwara Eliya: The service and food at this hotel was exceptional and are the two greatest strengths of the place. The rooms were nice and clean (but cold).
Galle Face Hotel, Galle: Beautiful colonial hotel but with rooms in old section in need of work.
Castle Hill Guest House, Kandy: I would recommend that you take this hotel off your website. It is a very bad reflection on the company. The setting was amazing, overlooking the lake, but it was the only positive. The rooms were filthy, with really disgusting bathrooms (stains left everywhere, taps not working properly) and sheets seemed as if they had not been washed properly. There was no hot water and we were blamed for the electricity not working.
--- CM - Singapore
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January 03, 2011 :
I cannot stress highly enough what a fantastic driver/guide Kevin was. On every occasion he went the extra mile to make our trip more memorable. He was always cheerful and informative.
Kandy House, Kandy: Minor issues with housekeeping and overall towel quality was not that great. However a request to change was attended to efficiently.
Vil Uyana, Sigiriya: New Year’s Eve was an absolute triumph, but on a regular basis the fine dining menu in Apsara was a little too fussy. Sri Lankan ingredients are of such quality that perhaps less complicated treatment would be better. Many of the towels looked overused.
--- SS – Victoria, Australia
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January 03, 2011 :
SriLankan Airlines was OK but in-flight equipment didn’t work very well and staff were slow and not very efficient.
Rathna [driver] All very good.
Vil Uyana, Sigiriya: Very good. Booked at last minute because of Helga’s Folly disaster.
Heritence Kandalama: Beautiful location but service and food disappointing. Food was hugely overpriced and service was obsequious but they didn’t actually deliver what they said they would. If you look at TripAdviser you will see there are a jumber of posts about this. I’s suggest you look again at what you say about this hotel.
Thambili House, Galle: Supurb. We loved thgis. The lounge and the pool were beautiful and the staff charming and very helpful.
Helga’s Folly: Disastrous – the hotel was… dirty, smelt strongly, the electricals in the room were unsafe, the pool was overrun by monkeys. We left after one night and had to completely change our holiday as a result. Red Dot were helpful in arranging alternative accommodation but I don’t think they should have advised us to go there in the first place.
[Red Dot discussed this feedback with the customer and the owner and ensured a satisfactory conclusion for all. Red Dot remains committed to Helga’s, which is a highly individualistic property that enchants some and dismays others. We believe our profile gives an accurate reflection of its mood and all customers are encouraged to chose wisely by studying the information available].
Ceylon Tea Trails, Dickoya: Faultless, the high point of our holiday.
Boulder Gardens, Sinharaja: Great location, lovely staff, food fantastic.
--- GC - London
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January 03, 2011 :
Supun[driver] was a fantastic help to us for the entire trip. Always helpful, well-informed and friendly. Vehicle was always clean, but getting a little old.
Mount Lodge, Mount Lavinia: Great place and wonderful service. Food was amazing. Significantly further from the airport than we realised.
Weir House, Ulapane: Staff were amazingly helpful and engaging. The building is stunning and the location is peaceful and fantastic.
Craig Bank: Very good location. Building has serious problems - leaks in all bedrooms and the odd rat. With a little work it could be amazing.
Kulu's Hideout: Perfect for safari.
--- TN, Hong Kong
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January 02, 2011 :
Dushan [driver] was excellent: courteous and helpful.
--- AS - London
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December 30, 2010 :
Sunil [driver] was very helpful and knowledgeable. We all learned a lot!
Ranweli Village, Waikkal: Location was excellent. Food good but overpriced – lunchtime buffet Rs 1800 per person. Nowhere else to eat other than hotel. Any real eco-traveller would be disappointed. Although moble efforts were made there was still air-conditioning in the rooms.
Cinnamon Lodge, Habarana: Excellent. Could easily have spent our two-week holiday here.
Chaaya Citadel, Kandy: Nice being by river but not much else within walking distance.
Heritence Tea Factory: Good location would have made up for the lack of entertainment if it hadn’t been raining or cloudy. We spent a day watching tv as there was nothing to do. Food was delivered in themses – eg Mexican – we would have preferred Sri Lankan.
Mandara Rosen, Kataragama: Not 4-star standard. Room smelled of sewerage from bathroom, air-conditioning noisy. Balcony covered in bird droppings. Showrer cold and low pressure. Anti-mosquito device broken. Tv broken. Food in restaurant cold.
--- GC - Bath
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December 29, 2010 :
Ranjith [driver] was our guide for the last five days. His vehicle was comfortable and impeccable and his driving skills were excellent. Ranjith is a very knowledgeable, kind and enthusiastic person who accommodated all our requests. I would recommend his services highly.
Elephant Reach, Yala: The hotel pictures are somewhat misleading but the place is comfortable, clean and very close to Yala park. Yala safari was a great activity.
--- AD – Hong Kong
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December 24, 2010 :
Special thanks to Dilani at customer service for her support and readiness to resolve a big problem when my credit/debit cards would not work.
Ananda [driver] was exceptional in every regard. He completely enhanced my experience of Sri Lanka. Red Dot are lucky to have him.
Mountain Heavens, Ella: Best view in Ella, welcoming, lovely staff, but rooms need attention and (tasteful) decorating .
Sri Lak, Haputale: A very simple guesthouse, very simple, but magnificent view, comfortable beds, and excellent service.
Mandara, Kataragama: Room spacious, bed comfortable but generally shabby public areas. Food terrible.
--- SM – Vancouver
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December 24, 2010 :
Very good choice of hotels. Unrealistic itinerary - we had to drop stuffdue to lack of time. George [driver] ensured our trip was hassle free. Many thanks.
George was experienced and very courteous.
Thilanka Hotel, Kandy: Excellent service. Would definitely recommend.
Kandy Cottage, Kandy: Very nice ambience. The manager was very friendly and prompt.
Waterfall Homestay, Ella: Breathtaking view from the room.
Rafter's Retreat, Kitulgala: Poor service. Lack of variety in food. Not well maintained. Rafting experience was excellent.
-- AG, Chennai
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December 22, 2010 :
Sri Lanka is a beautiful place. It is very good that Red Dot has such a comprehensive list of hotels and very competent driver /guides who can offer insights into the culture and places. We were impressed when one of the Red Dot staff called to check if our tour was going well. It made us feel welcomed and protected. Great job.
Herman [driver] demonstrates efficient and safe driving skills; is very accommodating with a great personality and humour; and very knowledgeable. He should be the no 1 driver in Red Dot Tours. Make it happen!
Slightly Chilled Guest House: An excellent place for recuperating after climbing Adam’s Peak.
Thilanka Hotel, Kandy: Condition of room can be improved. At one point no hot water. The attitude of the duty manager was unfriendly.
--- JS – Bangkok
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December 20, 2010 :
Response times were quite slow but this was largely due to the floods in Colombo.
Suma [driver] was punctual, courteous, thoughtful and informative during our trip. He always looked after our safety and interests and was very knowledgeable.
The Wallawwa, Kotagoda: The best hotel of our trip.
Wild Grass, Sigiriya: Whilst the staff were friendly and helpful, the hotel was not as expected. It basically consists of five stand-alone one-bedroom apartments and a separate reception building with no bar or socialising area. For nature enthusiasts only.
Tamarind Lodge, Kandy: We thought this would be a hotel from the description given but it is essentially a house with live-in staff. Having said that, the place is lovely and the staff extremely lovely. We would recommend it highly for all.
--- TR - Australia
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December 20, 2010 :
Christian [driver] was excellent. Changed itinerary to optimize time at destinations and this helped a lot at the start of the holiday when we had a lot of rain. Very professional and quality of vehicle excellent.
Vil Uyana, Sigiriya: Amazing hotel design and rooms very spacious. Some slip-ups in service. Our DVD player didn’t work and the promised replacement never arrived.
Kalanduwa Retreat, Dambulla: Really beautiful, and lovely staff, which made it a friendly and intimate experience. Highly recommend it.
Blue Water, Wadduwa: OK place to spend the first day in the country. Pretty characterless but on beach.
Mud House, Anamaduwa: Very interesting experience.
Ellerton, Gampola: Lovely, friendly staff could not do enough for you. Nice touches like cake in the afternoon. Great attention to detail.
Tientsen, Ceylon Tea Trails: Excellent service, as is its reputation.
--- SW - London
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December 15, 2010 :
Chrishan’s vehicle was kept extremely clean. A few more seats in the vehicle would be great.
Heritence Kandalama: Fabulous location, but atmosphere in restaurant a bit “canteen” like. Service rather rushed. Otherwise staff extremely friendly and helpful. Food and drink expensive and given remote location a half-board deal would be better value.
Clingandeal: Meets tea trails standards for food, rooms, ambience and service, Stunning hotel in beautiful location but a little remote from Kandy. Would like to have stayedlonger. Croquet on the lawn memorable.
Kulu Safaris: Really good service from very knowledgeable and enthusiastic staff. Rained heavily one afternoon and camp was a bit dark and damp. Food amazing quality given the limitation of catering facilities. Swimming in the river great fun. We had 4 x 3 hour safaris over two days. Expensive but worth it.
Weligama Beach Hotel: One-night stop for a whale-watching trip nearby. Excellent room but food mediocre.
Ritigala excursion: Fascinating outing to a very untouristy location.
Whale watching: We saw two blue whales and about 60 dolphins. Amazing.
--- KM - Oxford
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December 07, 2010 :
Ananda was well dressed and his car was kept immaculately clean at all times. He was knowledgeable about flora, fauna, history, geography and politics of Sri Lanka which contributed greatly to our enjoyment of the holiday. Louder warnings about such tourist traps as the spice gardens would be helpful. Generally, Ananda’s advice on such matters was very helpful. He was a guide, not simply a driver.
The Wallawwa, Kotugoda: Good welcome, good service, good food, lovely setting. One night not really enough.
Back of Beyond, Sigiriya: Simple accommodation but perfect for the location. The four village boys who run the place were charming, friendly and helpful. We loved the idea of being so close to nature.
Helga’s Folly, Kandy: Described as unusual – and it was unusual. The place is unique and probably worth seeing, but you would be careful about who you recommended stayed there.
Kelburne Mountain View Cottages, Haputale: A charming place; a slice of history. The cottage was clean and comfortable; the garden was manicured; the location was stunning. The best accommodation on the tour, the best location and the best value.
--- TC - Glasgow
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November 26, 2010 :
Roshan [driver] was added value to us. A very safe, professional, self-controlled driver and a very proper, friendly person with a great sensitivity for our interests and needs – a real ambassador to your country and company.
The Mudhouse, Puttalam: A back-to-nature feeling in a semi-luxury way. The owners, Tom and Kumar, really take care for a very good service and organoize trips to the highest level possible for this style of resort. The resort has an excellent locally-trained staff.
Heritage Hotel, Anaradhapura: Totally focused on groups and not individual travellers. The restaurant staff is impolite and has no manners. They ignore you totally when you ask for a la carte and force you to join the buffet. The breakfast was really awful, opened early for departing groups, totally plundered and not refilled.
Kassapa Lion’s Rock: Nice chalets and good restaurant with a very friendly staff. No hot water during our stay.
Thilanka Hotel, Kandy: Old fashioned but clean. Photos of the hotel give a better impression than the reality. At dinner time a live Latino music group played at each individual table which felt forced and unpleasant.
Elephant Reach, Yala: Extremely friendly staff with a very warm character who made our stay really excellent.
Mandara Resort, Mirissa: First impression was not relaxed – the male reception staff were extremely formal and check-in felt like a forced interrogation. They tried to play a role as if their hotel was for High Society. After a comment by Roshan, they changed to normal people and we had a comfortable stay.
--- MM, the Netherland
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November 20, 2010 :
K was a contract driver and not Red Dot staff. This we found disappointing. We have travelled to Sri Lanka and have a reat deal of experience with the driving. That said, K’s is the worst and most dangerous to date.
[Red Dot regarded this feedback about safety as uncommon and unwanted and investigated it at senior level].
Sigiriya Village: Great hotel, excellent location.
Thilanka Hotel, Kandy: Hotel is generally very tired. Room didn’t appear very clean and the line was exceptionally old.
Hill Club: Wonderful hotel, loads of atmosphere, can’t wait to revisit.
Yala Village: Our most favourite hotel, wonderful location, service etc.
Cinnamon Grand: Very comfortable for the last three nights. Lovely central location.
--- AS – London
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October 28, 2010 :
Jonah was very helpful in planning an itinerary that would not exhaust us but would let us get to see as much of Sri lanka as possible. Thanbk-you very much for organizing my birthday. I felt very pampered!
Milroy [driver] was very helpful and eager to answer all sorts of questions. He has a strong sense of national pride and wanted to share that.
Heritence Kandalama: An interesting hotel. Good t see some of Bawa’s architecture in such a fantastic setting.
Chaaya Village: Nice enough, but too touristy for our tastes.
Helga’s Folly, Kandy: A very eccentric hotel and we are pleased to have seen it and enjoyed the wonderful decoration and fantasy-filled rooms. It was nice to meet Helga and we felt like we had stepped back in time. Not sure whether we would go back.
Kelburne Mountain View Cottages: The setting was exceptional. The booking should always be for more than one night to allow peace and tranquillity.
--- SJ – Sussex
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October 25, 2010 :
The Beach, Negombo: Good service, excellent food quality and choice.
Deer Park Hotel, Giritale: Good service but let down by poor quality of food. Choice and variability limited.
Ceylon Tea Trails, Dickoya: Exceptional service and standard in every aspect.
Casa Colombo, Colombo: Rooms were noisy, furnishing old and food below average. However the good service made the stay pleasant.
--- NI, Dubai
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October 20, 2010 :
Red Dot didn't inform us of the mileage limit at the time of booking.
[Note: Sales staff have reminded of the need for clarity re mileage charges].
Sunil [driver] provided an excellent and professional service. Very informative and knowledgeable.
Heritance, Kandalama: The room was lovely, however we had two twins pushed together instead of a double.
--- RB, London
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October 16, 2010 :
Derrill [driver] was always helpful and knowledgeable.
Dutch House, Galle: Amazing
The Fortress, Koggala: Amazing
Cinnamon Lodge, Habarana: Amazing
Elephant Reach, Yala: Room was a little dirty
--- HJ, Brighton
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October 14, 2010 :
Ghan [driver] was polite and attentive, but didn't know the road very well. Otherwise a great guide.
Sisil [2nd driver] was a very good driver and also gave lots of information on nice tourist sites.
Vil Uyana: Outstanding, great location, great place, great food, great idea.
Galle Fort Hotel, Galle Fort: Excellent hotel, very nice decor, room, service and food.
Ceylon Tea Trails, Norwood: Hotel is excellent and location is outstanding. Food caters too much for British people.
--- MM, Spain
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October 06, 2010 :
Aditya, Rathgama: Beautiful hotel.
Galle Fort Hotel: Really good boutique hotel for younger people.
--- DN, Netherlands
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October 06, 2010 :
Ranjith [driver] was kind, patient and helpful.
Kadju House, Tangalle: Great place!
Yala Village, Kirinda: A real fun hotel.
--- KB, Singapore
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October 04, 2010 :
We greatly appreciated the assistance from Red Dot and felt we were in good hands.
Aruna [driver] was friendly and helpful. He provided guidance and made suggestions which were appreciated. The car was always clean and comfortable.
Browns Beach Hotel, Negombo: Too much noise at the pool - people being allowed to play water polo disturbed relaxing atmosphere. Looks better on the Red Dot profile than it is.
Thilanka Hotel, Kandy: In need of updating. Lovely staff and nice view.
Ambiente, Ella: Great location, very friendly staff, great food and wonderful views. Satisfactory basic room.
Flower Garden, Unawatuna: Great hotel! Staff were friendly and helpful. Great location, especially for the beach. Well maintained rooms, gardens and pool.
Elephant Reach, Yala: Great location for national park. Nice clean and modern rooms and great pool.
--- JS, London
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October 03, 2010 :
Very efficient and prompt service [by Red Dot].
Kassapa Lion Rock, Sigiriya: Good location, peaceful. Staff were always attentive.
Kandy Cottage, Kandy: Very friendly, hospitable owner. Lovely home-made food. Room spacious and comfortable. A little bit out of town but perfect for a peaceful getaway.
--- CB, Durham
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October 03, 2010 :
Ayanthi [sales consultant] was very supportive, professional and helpful
Jude [driver] was an absolute star. He provided detailed description of the areas we visited. He was helpful, supportive and safe. His vehicle was always immaculate.
Theva, Kandy: Fabulous gem of a hotel on the hills. Staff couldn't have done more. Truly memorable.
Galle Face Regency, Colombo: Ideal location, has old colonial charm.
Amya Lake, Dambulla: Good hotel, great room and welcome.
St Andrews Hotel, Nuwara Eliya: Needs updating, towels dirty. We weren't made aware of the a la carte menu in the evening.
The Fortress, Koggala: True paradise, food outstanding, incredibly helpful staff.
--- NS, Burton
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October 03, 2010 :
Jaya [driver] had an exceptional amount of knowledge from history to nature and all things between. He was punctual, smartly dressed and friendly.
Ranweli Holiday Village, Negombo: A good starting off place close to the airport.
Cinnamon Lodge, Habarana: Excellent, room amazing.
Kelburne Mountain View Cottages, Haputale: Amazing place - the website profile underrates it.
--- CK, Surrey
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October 02, 2010 :
Could not fault the website or assistance given when planning our holiday.
Senarath [driver] was a cautious driver, unfailingly polite and helpful. Moreover he was attentive and well-informed.
Dickwella Resort, Dickwella: Spa prices more expensive than expected.
Yala Village, Kirinda: We enjoyed our stay here.
St Andrews, Nuwara Eliya: A little faded.
--- GE, Australia
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September 27, 2010 :
Hotel Randholee, Kandy: Very nice hotel, but dark and unusually unsmiling. The room and view were nice but it could have been warmer.
Very friendly guide who made our trip highly enjoyable. Smiley, happy and knowledgeable.
--- JV - London
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September 26, 2010 :
Villa Talangama, Talangama: Beautiful location, extremely friendly and warm welcome. Great facilities and food.
Hotel Randholee, Kandy: Great view of Kandy.
The Dutch House, Bandarawela: Friendly and hospitable hosts. Beautiful accommodation and an excellent evening meal and refreshing pool.
Yala Village, Yala: Good accommodation, very good swimming pool.
Flower Garden Hotel, Unawatuna: Staff were very friendly and welcoming.
--- WB, Kent
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September 25, 2010 :
Shane [driver] was courteous and extremely helpful. He showed us the 'real' Sri Lanka and patiently explained and answered all of our questions. He looked after us extremely well and made sure we received a great service wherever we went. Fantastic!
Vil Uyana, Sigiriya: Absolutely amazing. Service and hospitality were awesome. It was very tranquil and peaceful.
Chaaya Citadel, Kandy: Fine for an overnight stay.
Dutch House, Bandarawela: A warm and welcoming stay. The service and hospitality were fantastic. The food was fabulous.
Yala Village, Kirinda: Great experience. Breakages in the room quickly resolved. Amazing location and fantastic preservation of nature.
--- KH, England
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September 25, 2010 :
Shiral [driver] was an amusing and insightful guide.
Galle Face Regency, Colombo: We would have chosen no other establishment in Colombo.
Tamarind Lodge, Kandy: Delightful property with a delightful setting. Top notch boutique accommodation with superb service from caring hosts. Utterly professional but with a natural charm and instinctive sense of hospitality. Cooking brilliant for both Western and Sri Lankan cuisines.
Craig Bank: A quirky property but needs serious investment if it is to be brought up to the standard that it is marketed at e.g. bedside tables, lights in shower cubicles. The staff are charming and willing, but lack professional guidance and training.
Era Beach, Thalpe: A very fine property with exquisite food. Delightful rooms and highly trained staff.
--- JK, Richmond
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September 25, 2010 :
Newton [driver] was a very safe driver, very polite and informative.
Vil Uyana, Sigiriya: Menu limited although the standard of food was good. The room was outstanding, especially the pool and bathroom area.
Ceylon Tea Trails Tientsin, Dickoya: Great location for food, service and scenic views.
Leopard Safari, Yala: A perfect personal safari experience.
Mount Lavinia, Colombo: Great location, good food. Will be even better when refurbishment is complete.
--- SK, London
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September 25, 2010 :
Sales consultant did not answer all of the requests in our e-mail, often just agreeing with our comments to make things easier.
Wijeykoon [driver] was always on time and provided good advice, respected our space and didn't pressure us into doing anything extra. We always felt safe.
Ceylon Tea Trails, Summerville, Dickoya: Exceptional, once in a lifetime experience. Could not fault room, food or service.
Lighthouse Hotel, Galle: Room had a lovely view over the sea but was starting to show signs of age. Food was good although choice was limited. Service was pleasant but quite slow. Setting stunning and pool lovely.
Heritance, Kandalama: Exceptional location, very unique. Buffet dinner of average quality, although desserts were good.
Chaaya Citadel, Kandy: Room and pool not completely clean; dirty lampshades and bedspread etc. Air Con was broken but not fixed until day 2. Although the food was very good, waiters pushed selling wine too much.
--- HF, Bristol
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September 18, 2010 :
Delighted by the holiday, especially given the last minute booking (initial contact made only a week before the planned departure date).
Nalin [driver] added in a few interesting additions, and proved to be a goldmine of information about the birds of Sri Lanka. A very good ambassador both for Red Dot and Sri Lanka.
Wallawwa, Kotugoda: Staff were very friendly and dinner and breakfast were both good.
Palm Garden Village, Anarudhapura: Enjoyed walking up to the 'tank' to see the wildlife. Bathrooms could do with updating.
Sigiriya Village, Sigiriya: Rooms quite basic but the setting is lovely. Breakfast was extremely good.
Ellerton, Kandy: A real hide-away. Staff were very professional and room exquisitely furnished. Food was very good.
--- RS, Wokingham
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September 18, 2010 :
Driver] was very pleasant and informative. He was always punctual. A very good Red Dot representative who took very good care of us.
The Beach, Negombo: Good hotel for an overnight stay.
Thilanka Hotel, Kandy: Dirty, air conditioning didn't work, dreadful.
Yala Village, Kirinda: Very good accommodation, food and surroundings.
St Andrews, Nuwara Eliya: Very good hotel. No issues.
The Lighthouse, Galle: Very good hotel. Rooms good.
--- CM, Ireland
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September 18, 2010 :
Chandra[driver] was an excellent driver and guide.
Hotel Suisse, Kandy: Requested 2nd/3rd floor room but allocated 4th floor room. Shabby and poorly furnished hideous carpet which made room smell. However there were positives, such as the service and the balcony.
Sigiriya Village, Sigiriya: Room and location good and well furnished but not thoroughly cleaned. Service slow, dining area cramped. Staff made good first impression.
Paradise Farm, Kitugale: Excellent in every way possible.
Turtle Bay, Tangalle: Beach and view is beautiful, but the hotel is miles from Tangalle. Pool too highly chlorinated and sea not safe to swim in. Staff were good, but over-attentive. Dark and gloomy with no pleasant lounge area for the evenings.
Galle Fort Printers, Galle: Fort, Loved it. Food fantastic, style and decor beautiful.
The Beach, Negombo: Wonderful restaurant, all excellent.
Nilaveli Beach Resort, Nilaveli: Very good especially staff and room, food not so good.
Slightly Chilled Yellow House, Adam’s Peak: Really great, basic but really liked this. Great food, lovely people, wonderful views. Bed really hard.
--- RA, Hampshire
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September 17, 2010 :
Aravinda [driver] was a very good driver. Friendly, helpful, flexible and safe.
--- BW, London
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September 16, 2010 :
Padmasiri [driver] was always on time, very flexible and helpful to our needs and concerns. He always added insight and information, with little suggestions of things for us to do.
Nilaveli Beach Resort, Nilaveli: We think in 2 more years this hotel will be much better.
Ceylon Tea Trails Norwood, Dickoya: We loved it - amazing and very memorable. The staff and food were great as well.
Fortress, Koggala: Staff great, food good.
--- CD, USA
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September 12, 2010 :
Estimates of driving times were wrong by 50%. While our driver gave us the correct driving times, knowing this would have caused us to change our itinerary.
[Note: Red Dot has re-examined availability and accuracy of driving times given to all sales staff to ensure information is appropriate].
Krisha [driver] provided outstanding service.
Back of Beyond, Dehi Gaha Ela: Rooms nice, but no cleaning service.
Fort Printers, Galle Fort: Outstanding food.
--- GS, Singapore
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September 09, 2010 :
Red Dot were very helpful in making sure we could do everything we wanted.
Mr Samarasekhra [driver] did as much as he possibly could to assist us. Entertaining and fun, yet professional too. He exceeded our highest expectations.
Amaya Lake, Dambulla: A really lovely place.
Slightly Chilled Yellow House, Dalhousie: Perfect location for Adam's Peak. Homely and relaxed.
Martin's Lodge, Sinharaja: Perfect location, far better than first appeared.
Elephant Reach, Yala: Good for Yala National Park. Very pleasant stay overall
--- ED, Hayling
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August 30, 2010 :
Nalin [driver] has been polite and professional throughout and regularly offered advice and information. His knowledge of Sri Lankan history and wildlife is excellent. The vehicle was in exceptional condition and was very comfortable.
Theva Residences, Kandy: One of the nicest places either of us has ever stayed in. Some of the best food and friendliest staff in Sri Lanka.
--- TR, Surrey
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August 28, 2010 :
Ishan [sales consultant] offered a wonderful balance of trips and relaxation.
Sumani [driver] was very helpful, friendly and safe. He advised us of and brought to our attention local shops and trips, whilst not dictating where we went. He was like one of the family by the end.
The Beach, Negombo: Relaxing, good for chilling out. Friendly and well run.
Cinnamon Lodge, Habarana: The best hotel in the world. Clean, comfortable, friendly, well organised and well run. Great passion and attention to detail from the staff.
Palm Garden Village, Anuradhapura: In need of updating, the bathrooms and pool especially. However staff kept it very clean. Grounds were beautiful.
--- PT, Sheffield
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August 14, 2010 :
Chandra [driver] has been an excellent ambassador for both Sri Lanka and Red Dot Tours. He was flexible and considerate. He has done his utmost to give a positive insight into the life, culture, religion and history of Sri Lanka. He has an extensive knowledge of wildlife, history and local delicacies. An outstanding guide.
Ranweli Holiday Village, Negombo: Convenient location. Good eco approach and range of activities.
Chaaya Village Hotel, Habarana: A quality hotel in a beautiful setting.
Kelburne Mountain View Cottages, Haputale: An idyllic location. Like time was standing still.
Mahoora Safari Camp, Uda Walawe: Excellent service, a beautiful setting for a meal, excellent safari team. Tent may not be considered 'luxurious' by some travellers.
--- RM, Lancashire
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August 13, 2010 :
Kingsley [driver] frequently used his mobile phone and whilst we recognise overtaking styles are different in Sri Lanka, Kingsley often forced other drivers to slow down.
Tea Factory, Kandapola: Fantastic, unusual hotel. One of our favourites
Plantation Hotel, Kitulgala: Lots of shabby, broken fittings. Food was basic. Location was okay.
Yala Village Hotel, Yala: Lovely. Room superbly presented. Lovely location – good food – very pleased.
--- DS, Norwich
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August 10, 2010 :
A little more confirming correspondence from Red Dot would be helpful.
Bandr/Lasantha [driver] was very helpful and we were well looked after, although we were expecting a higher level of English spoken by the driver.
Cinnamon Lodge, Habarana: Beautiful room, excellent service at the hotel, really friendly staff, fantastic first location for wildlife. Delicious food and excellent choices at the buffet.
Chaaya Citadel, Kandy: Stunning rooms, excellent service, restaurant busy and overcrowded, good location for visits and shopping.
Kelbourne Mountain View Cottages, Haputale: 1st Class service and awesome location. Beautiful.
Yala Village Hotel, Yala: Great wildlife, very relaxing, although there was some litter around the chalets.
---JW, East Sussex
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August 03, 2010 :
We were delighted with Vijay [driver]. He was knowledgeable, attentive and professional. He has been excellent company throughout the tour. A really excellent fellow
Elephant Reach : Staff and service are below par, despite a decent location.
We were superbly looked after at The Kandy House, Stardust and the Wallawwa.
--- CA, London
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July 31, 2010 :
Red Dot were smooth, helpful and prompt. However the travel times on the itinerary were wrong quite consistently. Guyan [driver] did an excellent job and was a keen and enthusiastic guide.
Mudhouse, Anamaduwa: Great place - takes longer to get there from the airport than advertised.
Kassapa Lion's Rock, nr Habarana: Happy, good food.
Ellerton, Kandy: Excellent all round, great food, service and accommodation. Top marks.
Royal River Retreat, Kitulgala: Very nice. A bit noisy and a bit damp. Staff were friendly, quirky and fun.
Ambiente, Ella: Rooms a bit gloomy and small. Food average. Great view.
Elephant Reach, Yala: Food inedible, slow service and unfriendly atmosphere. Room and pool decent.
Mount Lavinia Hotel, Colombo: Good hotel, poor location (too far from town centre).
--- RT, Dubai
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July 30, 2010 :
We had great trust in Red Dot's accuracy and support Ananda [driver] was an excellent driver/guide. He was well informed, took our wishes into account, and was always friendly and courteous.
Palm Garden Village, Anuradhapura: The food was expensive, and the staff were overly obsequious.
Royal Lotus, Giritale: Very friendly atmosphere.
Kandy Cottage, Kandy: Manager went out of his way to make our stay successful. Friendly, with excellent food.
Bandarawela Hotel, Bandarawela: Very friendly and helpful
Priyankara Hotel, Tissa: A la carte food excellent
--- KR, Sussex
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July 30, 2010 :
Priyantha [driver] was a great driver and guide. He was always courteous and made each journey interesting, however was at times a little too enthusiastic to detour to interesting places.
The Wallawwa, Kotugoda: This little gem is a haven, a fantastic boutique hotel.
Sigiriya Village: Everywhere spotlessly clean, the wildlife was great, unbeatable proximity to Sigiriya Rock. Good basic large hotel with good food.
Amaya Hills, Kandy: We were disappointed by this large impersonal hotel. The reception staff were unhelpful and rude at time, with a feeling that the hotel was run for the staff rather than the guests.
Galle Face Regency, Colombo: This is our favourite hotel in Colombo, excellent rooms staff and facilities, but still retaining its old world charm. The nicest international hotel we have stayed in the world and we've stayed in many. The accommodation is great and staff excellent.
Victoria Villa, Thalpe: The best villa we have ever stayed in, we travel extensively and the overall accommodation and service offered to us here cannot be beaten. Wonderful and relaxing, and the staff were first class.
--- KM, Chester
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July 30, 2010 :
Ishan [consultant] was extremely helpful - a great personalised itinerary. Nimesh [driver] was excellent. We felt safe and he was friendly, smiling and helpful. Senarath [guide] was wonderful. Both men made our holiday special.
The Beach, Negombo: Lovely hotel - convenient for airport.
Cinnamon Lodge, Habarana: Loved the wildlife in the grounds. Very nice pool. Restaurant service a little bit intrusive.
Chaaya Citadel, Kandy: Lovely setting away from bustle of Kandy. Staff helpful and friendly.
Kelburne Mountain View Cottages, Haputale: Stunning location and views. Wonderful staff. Would have liked 2 bedside lamps in the bedroom.
Yala Village, Kirinda: Lovely rooms, interconnecting and very spacious. Efficient hotel.
--- CW, Guildford
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July 26, 2010 :
Erwin[driver] was perfect in every respect.
Chaaya Village, Habarana: Had a problem with the shower, which was unsatisfactory. Entertainment was overly loud until 11.30pm.
Ellerton, Kandy: Perfect in every respect.
Tientsin Bungalow, Dickoya: Perfect in every respect.
Turtle Bay Hotel, Kalametiya: I loved this place and its location... great rooms.
Galle Fort Hotel, Galle Fort: Almost perfect in every respect (breakfast not so good.)
Galle Face Regency, Colombo: Great Colombo hotel with a great location.
--- VU, Australia
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July 15, 2010 :
Dirk was an excellent consultant and it’s all been brilliant. Our only disappointment was Red Dot’s estimate for what meals would cost during the day [it was too low].
Barie [driver] was wonderful. He was friendly, thoughtful, knowledgeable, patient, calm and full of smiles.
Galle Face Regency, Colombo: An amazing first night. Amazing food at the sea spray restaurant. Perfection!
Reef Villa, Wadduwa: The perfect boutique hotel in every respect. Incredible attention to detail, beautifully furnished, wonderful staff and service, great food, incredible facilities.
Heritance Kandalama, Dambulla: Fantastic setting, infinity pool is mind-blowing. However, the food prices are too high for the standard and choice available and we found the service slow and a bit sloppy.
Lavander House, Gampola: Incredibly accommodating and friendly staff.
Apa Villas, Thalpe: Amazing chef. However the service and facilities were not up to the standard we had expected for what we paid. No safe or tea/coffee facilities, place not always clean.
---CW, London
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July 14, 2010 :
Sumith [driver] was great help with our two young children.
Elephant safari: The mahout was too aggressive to our young daughters.
--- JC - Chicago
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July 13, 2010 :
Muthu [driver] was very good.
Casa Colombo: Very good helpful staff
Lavender House, Gampola: Staff excellent, fantastic location. However the rooms need some updating; accessories in bathroom are old-fashioned. The food was served well.
---JT, Scotland
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July 12, 2010 :
A very helpful website. The interactive planner is really amazing.
The train journey to Nuwara Eliya was longer than expected and it would be nice if the exact journey time was mentioned.
Padmasiri [driver] was extremely helpful during our journey. He has great knowledge of the past and present of Sri Lanka. Hid driving skills are awesome and he made us feel safe by driving very carefully.
Chaaya Citadel, Kandy: Awesome location and setting
Taj Exotica, Bentota: Made us wait for more than an hour before giving us a different room. Accommodation cleanliness was not up to the mark. Dirty dishes remained outside our room overnight right until we checked out. It took about 45 minutes to bring luggage from our rooms (about two bags). Would suggest that Red Dot does not recommend this hotel to its customers.
--- SJ - Bangalore
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July 10, 2010 :
Ayanthi [sales consultant] was outstanding during the whole process. Sisil [driver] was amazing from start to finish – helpful, interesting, informative, punctual and unfailiongly polite. A lovely chap.
The Fortress, Koggala: We loved it and will go back, although we felt the Ocean Loft room was inferior to the ordinary room despite being more expensive. Indoor plunge pool pointless and bathroom not as good.
--- TGS – Hong Kong
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July 10, 2010 :
Gune [driver] helped make our holiday great. His insight into the country and its people was excellent.
Amaya Hills, Kandy: Great stay, although the mattresses were hard.
St Andrews Hotel, Nuwara Eliya: Towels and bathroom were tired. However, it had great staff who were very friendly and real characters.
Elephant Reach, Yala: Although the food and service lets it down, it could be a great place with a great pool etc. It has great potential.
Lighthouse Hotel, Galle: Staff were great, hotel is beautifully designed, with great detail and a great location
The Wallawwa, Kotugoda: Beautiful.
---/--
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July 08, 2010 :
Trevine [sales consultant] was very prompt responding to my queries.
Janaka [driver] was friendly, infirmed amnd sensible.
St Andrew’s, Nuwara Eliya: We upgraded to a superior room and we loved the hotel.
--- AM – Dubai
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July 06, 2010 :
Boriface [driver] was neatly attired, punctual, polite and a safe driver. However, he seemed to lack interest in his job or what we were doing.
The Beach, Negombo: A very good hotel and location especially in relation to the airport. The rooms are stylish and well appointed.
Palm Garden Village, Anuradhapura: The lake contributes greatly to its overall general appeal - we appreciated that the hotel has restored the tank, gardens and trees. Although the property was a little dated, the grounds were lovely.
Chaaya Village, Habarana: The food here - both Sri Lankan and Western dishes - was exceptional. The location was also wonderful, with an abundance of wildlife amidst the buildings and gardens.
Amaya Hills, Kandy: The room had a wonderful view.
Kelburne Mountain View Cottage, Haputale: The whole package was a wonderful experience - a fabulous place to stay. The service was impeccable and the food irresistibly delicious. Only suggestion: some of the outdoor and bedroom furniture could be upgraded.
Mandara Rosen, Kataragama: The hotel seemed dated and tired. However, it was spacious and the staff were kind, considerate and helpful. The food was fresh, nicely presented and delicious.
Yala Village, Yala: Accommodation and communal buildings look like they need some expenditure.
Galle Fort Hotel, Galle: A beautiful hotel with beautifully appointed rooms. Great location. Although we received a warm welcome, the staff service was slow and let down what would have been a great experience.
JC, Victoria, Australia.
---JC, Victoria, Australia
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June 29, 2010 :
A wonderful holiday in a beautiful country. A jewel in the world not yet really discovered. I certainly will return, thank you for great memories. Have been very impressed with Red Dot
Ishan [sales] was extremely good and organised everything.
Ervin [driver] knew the roads and the traffic, and we felt safe at all times.
Ranweli Holiday Village, Waikkal: A beautiful way to start the holiday. I really liked it.
Kassapa Lion Rock, Cultural Triangle: Very nice place, although lighting was poor in the room
Chaaya Citadel, Kandy: A great hotel, very friendly with good service. All amenities excellent.
Mountain Heavens, Ella: A magnificent view and although the showers and towels were dirty at times it has to the potential to be a fabulous place.
Yala Village Hotel: Wonderful, relaxing and clean with all good amenities. It was a great experience
Mangrove Garden, tangalle: Beautiful setting, place to get away from it all, although could get boring unless you are young. Older people may have problems with a heavy door and a climb down to the bathroom.
7 Pedlar Street, Galle: Wonderful and well situated, although permanent residents were noisy.
Galle Face Hotel, Colombo: Beautiful old hotel, however very noisy wedding below the room.
The Wallawwa, Kotugoda: Excellent in every way. Would have loved to have stayed longer. Beautiful.
--- JF, Singapore
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June 26, 2010 :
As this was a late booking, we took the recommendations of Ayanthi regarding hotels/excursions. We were very pleased with everything. The three hotels were very different in character and we enjoyed this. The booking process was excellent. We received a call from Shane to check everything was OK, which it was.
Mr Wijeekoon [driver] was excellent in all respects: prompt, punctual, courteous. He was turned out smart in the Red Dot uniform at all times. Car and driving standards were good. He was safe at all times, informative, well prepared. The journeys through Sri Lanka were as pleasant as the arrivals. Mr Wijekoon stayed with us until we checked into the hotels and checked we were happy with our rooms.
Amaya Lake, Dambulla: We would not have chosen this ourselves but we were glad you picked it for us. Very good location, something different. Given room at 7.30am after very early arrival – very pleased. Staff all excellent – very keen to please.
Hunas Falls Hotel, Elkaduwa: Wonderful location. We were there only one night but well worth the journey. Very relaxing.
Blue Water, Wadduwa: Very pleasant welcome after a long journey. Fantastic setting and character. Reception very helpful.
--- NM - Renfrewshire
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June 26, 2010 :
Galle Face Hotel: Please offer the Regency wing to your guests. Our room [in the old wing] was old and noisy with wooden floors. We could hear people walking all night.
Galle Fort Hotel: We will come back again. Great Service.
Craigbank, Nuwara Eliya: Full of English[style] charm. Thought I was back in a UK cottage.
Bamboo, Victoria Golf & Country Resort: Master bedroom a/c not working. Kind enough to offer another villa but we did not want to change as we had unpacked. Beautifully decorated villa with great views.
Temple of the Tooth: Eye opener. Beautiful, but crowded.
Sigiriya Rock: A must, with spectacular views. Just pace yourself and take it easy.
Please let your guests know to wear socks for temple visits. Our feet are not used to walking barefgoot on stony, uneven surfaces.
--- CL - Singapore
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June 14, 2010 :
The Beach, Negombo: Good hotel to relax after a long flight.
Vil Uyana, Sigiriya: just perfect.
Kandy House, Kandy: I think that the food was too expensive. They offered a fixed 3-course dinner at a relatively high price.
Ceylon Tea Trails, Castlereagh: Although difficult to reach, the location is just perfect.
Priyankara Hotel, Tissa: The only positive thing about this hotel is that it is close to Yala NP. They were doing some renovations and there was a lot of noise. The food was awful.
Pinnewela Elephant Orphanage: Poor, totally useless activity. Definitely should not be recommended.
Evening safari in Minneriya: Just useless. Yala NP is much better.
Sigiriya rock fortress: Excellent.
Rafting: very good.
Generally we are very pleased with the services provided and we’ll definitely recommend Red Dot to our friends. I found the fee for booking through credit card unreasonable.
[Note: Red Dot charges 0.8 per cent for credit card transactions, and our charges are comparable to many in the industry. This charge equates to about 40 per cent of our credit card charges and even with this charge our prices are highly competitive. There is no charge for debit cards or bank transfers. The alternative would be to build this cost into everybody’s holidays, however they pay].
--- AL - Greece
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June 13, 2010 :
Thank-you guys for all the planning of my Sri Lanka. There is nothing to point to in a bad way. Maybe I changed some days in some way but it was well planned, perfect. I was surprised by the professionalism of Red Dot Tours. I will strongly recommend you guys to my friends. Roshan [driver] did a great job and was very patient.
The Mudhouse, Puttalam: What an experience! Great food, great spot, such nice people.
Ellerton, Gampola: Very, very nice place.
Yala Village, Yala: The room was not Ok at all. The a/c remote didn’t work and the internal lighting was awful.
---AM - Brazil
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June 13, 2010 :
The consultant [Dirk De Silva] was very helpful and responsive to my emails. There was good reliability when we changed our flights.
George was an excellent driver and tour guide. He had a great deal of knowledge on the country and wildlife which he shared with us and could answer any of our questions expertly. He was very friendly and professional and flexible with the timings of the day.
Vil Uyana, Sigiriya: Excellent hotel. Dwellings were very unusual and very luxurious within a lovely setting. Staff were attentive, friendly and made our stay very enjoyable. Well recommended.
The Hill Club, Nuwara Eliya: We were unaware of the dress code for dinner and although we were offered a jacket and tie Owen did not have trousers with him. Therefore we had to walk to another hotel for dinner and the gates were locked on our return. However it was a hotel with charm and the experience we had of the staff was good.
Yala Village, Yala: We very much enjoyed our stay. The location was amazing and we especially liked the observation deck. It was a great experience to stay so close to nature with wild boar and monkeys on our doorstep. The staff were wonderful – very friendly and helpful. Enjoyed the safari greatly.
--- ROS - Kent
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May 21, 2010 :
I must say that whatever we chose from Lahiru’s recommendations we have enjoyed all the activities and places to stay, even though we booked in a short time. Red Dot have made exciting memories for us. We definitely recommend family and friends to book through the efficient and warm service of Red Dot.
Rangith [driver] gave us a true feel of the spice island with a great knowledge and accuracy of dates and his command of English. He added an extra element and genuinely made us feel comfortable. We will cherish the moments.
Heritence, Kandalama: We had a splendid stay overall. But the reception staff did not know how to ask a [polite] question regarding the use of the minibar. From the receptionist: "Madam, you have to pay for the minibar." I said that we had not consumed anything and if we had we would tell you and pay. So they got someone to check the minibar and the answer came back: "OK madam, the staff had confused us with somebody else." This approach was not up to the standard of the hotel.
Ellerton, Gampola: The boys at Ellerton really made our stay at Ellerton a very homely and remarkable one. Ben the dog became very fond, too. We miss them already.
St Andrew’s, Nuwara Eliya: In general, good. Food excellent. But the reception staff were unfriendly. The bathroom was smelling damp with no ventilation. For the picnic breakfast there was bno bottle of water for the driver. I felt ashamed.
Kelburne Mountain View Cottages, Haputale: Ravi made our stay a splendid and remarkable one. The views were tremendous. We recommend this place to anyone. However, a fan was required in the bedroom as in the night it got very hot.
Lighthouse Hotel, Galle: Pleasant stay.
The Beach, Nergombo: We were looking to stay at The Wallawwa but because of a heavy storm you booked us in efficiently at The Beach. My husband and I appreciate your quick concern. Rangioth drove smoothly through some flooded roads. It turned into quite a dry day.
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May 20, 2010 :
Jonah [sales consultant] was great. Our driver, George, was great – really polite, knowledgeable and punctual. Our trip went amazingly smoothly. I would use Red Dot again.
Galle Fort Hotel, Galle: Fantastic
---KS - California
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May 15, 2010 :
Ervin [driver] gave great service. He added to our trip by sharing lost of information about Sri Lanka. He was really accommodating and flexible. His driving was very safe and we had a great trip with him.
The Wallawwa, Kotagoda: Perfect start and end to our trip. Staff very good and food great.
Tea Trails, Norwood: One of the best places we’ve stayed in the world. Service could not be matched. Highly recommended.
Apa Villa, Thalpe: We were disappointed that we arrived to find the room we were booked in (Saffron) was not available and we were given a room of lower standard. We arfe a bit disappointed with Apa Villa. Great spot though, and the food was great - only the room let us down.
[Note: Red Dot took this up with Apa Villa to ensure there would be no recurrence, and refunded the difference].
---CL - Doha
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May 09, 2010 :
Sisil [driver] was friendly and knowledgeable and a conscientious driver. He gave helpful information, was very flexible to our needs and made sure we had a great time.
Amaya Hills, Kandy: Bathroom smelt damp but otherwise good views, staff very friendly and attentive, especially when guide told them it was our honeymoon.
---HN – Bath
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April 25, 2010 :
Ishan [sales consultant] was very good. He provided excellent information that enabled us to book a trip with two young children that was just right. He was very knowledgeable and helpful.
We could not have hoped for a better driver than Wasantha. He is extremely knowledgeable about all things Sri Lankan. He also speaks excellent English. He was excellent with the children and was always pointing out interesting buildings, plants , birds and animals. He was always very courteous and patient and making sure that we enjoyed our trip, which we certainly did.
---ER – Kent
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April 17, 2010 :
On behalf of everyone associated with the school can I thank you and your staff for an outstandingly professional job in ensuring the resounding success of our visit to Sri Lanka and the your support and efforts in ensuring our safe return to the UK in the most difficult of circumstances [volcano eruption].
---SD - Yorkshire
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April 07, 2010 :
Sunil [driver] was brilliant. He looked after us very well and made our holiday in Sri Lanka very special.
The Wallawwa, Kotagoda: The best hotel of our trip! Exceedingy peaceful; attentive staff. Perfect place to stay after a long flight.
Villa Rosa, Kandy: Very nice place to stay. Hotel has superb views. Rooms are just a bit tired looking.
Kelburne Mountain View Cottages, Haputale: What a great experience. Not to be missed for a back-in-time experience. Amazing views and tremendous staff.
---DN - Kendal
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April 06, 2010 :
Upali's vehicle was unsuitable for the places chosen on our itinerary. Air-con broke on the second day. Although Upali tried to get it fixed, the repair was not successful. This made our journey in the car extremely uncomfortable. We missed out several interesting sites as it was far too hot with no ventilation in the car. A driver of more knowledge of wildlife as chosen on our itinerary would have been more suitable.
Villa Talangama, Colombo: Excellent, a superb place to start. The hosts, staff and chef were such lovely people. Food was outstanding. We would have liked to have stayed a few days to take in these beautiful surroundings.
Boulder Gardens, Sinharaja: Room and location very different and interesting. Staff very friendly. The driveway to the hotel is not suitable for a standard car.
Centuaria Hotel: OK for a couple of nights, clean, food was OK.
Elephant Reach, nr Yala: Good location for Yala. Nice place, nice clean room. Dibning room was noisy with lots of families.
Back of Beyond, Kahandamodara: Fantastic place, nice people run ing it, again superb chef and wonderful food.
Mandara Resort, Weligama / Mirissa: We had a nice room with the best view in a good location. Verty friendly staff. Buffet food is expensive and poor choice of main meals. We asked for Sri Lankan food on other nights which the chef cooked for us. This was really good. Nice dining area and breakfasts were excellent.
Taj Airport Garden, Katunayake: Awful packed breakfast. Room was old and musty with a dreadful view. Needs a facelift.
Uda Walawe: Beautiful park, mainly elephants and birds. Jeep driver was excellent.
Yala: Lovely park, plenty of wildlife, but jeep driver drove too fast. Any wildlife just disappeared out of the way.
Mirissa whale watching: Excellent trips out to see whales. The guys on the boat were really friendly and worked hard to keep everyone comfortable.
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April 05, 2010 :
Red Dot’s interactive tour planner was very good to use on your website.
Ashoka [driver] was very good. He had to deal with a change in plan and managed it so well and co-ordinated it effectively in spite of a public holiday. We were impressed with his prompt service, kindness and suggestions.
Kassapa Lion’s Rock, Sigiriya: Very nice hotel.
St Andrew’s Hotel, Nuwara Eliya: Colonial-style hotel, gave a good guide to the [old] English style in Sri Lanka.
---/--
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April 04, 2010 :
Our luck was in when we got Seelan [driver]. He was thoughtful and considerate, professional and charming. His knowledge is extensive and he gave another dimension to the entire holiday. I mentioned at the beginning of the tour that I wanted to take some pine cones back to Singapore as a decoration and about a week later he pulled up by the side of the road as he had spotted a pine forest. He’s the best!
Heritence Kandalama, Dambulla: Amazing architecture and eco friendly. More for families and corporates than single travellers.
Kandy House, Kandy: Absolutely divine. A return here is on the cards.
Dutch House, Bandarawela: Eric and Rodney are gracious hosts. Dinish (the house boy) was charming and efficient. The attention to detail was evident everywhere. Loved this place. The personalized menu is very special as is Rodney’s lime drizzle cake.
Galle Fort Hotel, Galle: Amazing restoration job. This place is snazzy and hip with a great location. The bathroom in the library suite was enormous.
Casa Colombo, Colombo: Arrun the Casa Domo was amazing in looking after me. The rooms are funky and chic. This is a very special hotel. NB: Thety need to get their liquor licence – a bar with no alcohol is a very sad place, but you can BYO and they hustled a bottle of wine to go with dinner.
Hot Air Balloon, Kandalama: Worth it – absolutely thrilling.
---FG - Singapore
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April 03, 2010 :
Ashoko [driver] was very helpful, polite and friendly. He demonstrated a kindness to our children. We both felt safe and comfortable with him both while driving and on tours. Thank-you.
Kaluu’s Hideaway, Uda Walawe: Beautiful and serene. Terrific service and good food. The staff were very kind to our children. We wish we could have stayed longer but the rooms were booked. The safari was an excellent adventure. Very safe for the kids and a lovely environment.
---CW - Qatar
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April 03, 2010 :
Seelan has been an excellent driver/guide. He has been extremely welcoming, warm and friendly. He has an encyclopaedic knowledge of history, culture and natural history, but is never intrusive.He has been sensitive to our own interests. Without his eagle eyes we would not have seen the leopard in Yala.
The Wallawwa, Kotagoda: An excellent place to relax after a long flight. Close to the airport but quiet and comfortable.
Rainforest Edge, Sinharaja: We came for the birds but will come back for the food. Fantastic, fresh Sri Lankan meals cooked to order. Wish we had stayed longer. Pool much better than expected.
Yala Village, Yala: We had the best chalet in the hotel. Good range of food. Personal wake-up call by local monkeys. All makes London seem very far away which is what you want on holiday.
Sinharaja rain Forest: A glorious guided walk with a sighting of the blue magpie and a foot-long millipede.
Yala safari: We went twice it was so good.
---JB – London
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March 27, 2010 :
Dirk is a money-maker for Red Dot! We chose red Dot over other companies because of his [service].
Ananda [driver] was a concerned caretaker of our journey. He was greatly valued. More cushions on the van seats could have added to the comfort of the journey. But all in all we are happy.
Cinnamon Lodge, Habarana: best food on trip by a long shot. Rooms are good, bathrooms need upgrading.
Governor’s Chalets, Nuwara Eliya: No bar, not much to do.
---EC - Singapore
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March 16, 2010 :
The whole transport service was excellent and I would not hesitate to recommend Upali to friends and family. Our holiday has been excellent in every way. Travelling around a new country has been fascinating and we feel lucky that Upali was our guide.
Yala Village Hotel, Yala: At breakfast late arrivals from safari had very little hot food choice.
---LM – Northampton
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March 08, 2010 :
Disappointingly Red Dot deemed arranging a triangle of flights Colombo / Male via Singapore to be too difficult for them to bother quoting.
[Note: Red Dot is happy to carry this remark online, although our interpretation is different. The consultant checked rates and, in the interest of finding best value, felt obliged to advise that in this particular case the triangle of flights were cheaper online. Had we been asked to arrange flights irrespective of this we would have done so].
From the moment we set foot in Sisil’s car we felt comfortable and safe. His enthusiasm and stories added another layer to our trip. His laughter was infectious and will stay with us. We recommend his services highly.
Vil Uyana, Sigiriya: A fantastic concept and a unique experience. At times the food was brilliant and on a few occasions disappointed. The room was stunning. The staff was pleasant.
Ellerton, Gampola: An interesting location better suited to a longer stay than an overnight stay in my opinion. We were the only inhabitants which made it more accommodating. Roms were simple but functional, service was very friendly.
Tea Trails, Castlereagh: A fantastic location and definite highlight of the trip. Rooms were accommodating, staff were professional and polished. Amenities and walks were brilliant. Food was outstanding.
---MG - London
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March 08, 2010 :
Arrangements were very straightforward and efficient. Ranjith [driver] drove carefully and we felt very safe. He has made our trip wonderful, taking time to point out birds and sights and explain things and helping us to learn about his wonderful country. He has introduced us to “short eats” and given us relaxation time. Her is a great credit to Red Dot and Sri Lanka.
The Wallawwa, Kotogoda: The wallawwa is perfect for chilling out after a flight. It is a shame that many people only stay for a night. It is so good that we are going back for a few nights.
Heritence Kandalama, Dambulla: Selection of food great but expensive to eat and drink, especially snacks. Fantastic views and pools. Majority of staff attentive.
Villa Rosa, Kandy: Beautiful place and the staff were brilliant. Fantastic views, lovely rooms although lack of a/c in our room would be problem on humid nights.
---MR – Swindon
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March 02, 2010 :
We were disappointed that we couldn’t travel by train, in observation car, as arranged.
[Note: Red Dot makes clear that we cannot pre-book train tickets until 10 days in advance so nothing can be guaranteed before then. Flexibility (such as a willingness to do part of a journey, or a different section, by train) maximises chances. We commit seriously to obtaining train tickets and refund where this is not possible].
Rathna [driver] was very helpful and knowledgeable about places of interest, flora and fauna. Very smart and polite and cleaned van every day.
Cinnamon Lakeside, Colombo: Perfect for our needs. Checkout staff generally unsmiling and rude. All other staff courteous.
Victoria Golf Chalets, Victoria: All staff fantastic, helpful and welcoming. Peaceful, trabnquil with wonderful views. Golf and hotel staff excellent. Highly recommended.
Cinnamon Lodge, Habarana: Ideal place to stay when visiting Sigiriya and Polonnuruwa. Checkout disorganized – they didn’t check our luggage.
Fortress Hotel, Koggala: Perfect in almost every way. Stunning location and pool. Went snorkelling on Jungle Island which was fantastic.
The Wallawwa, Kotagoda: Very welcoming. Hotter than other venues and a few more mosquitos but a/c in rooms and nets. Perfect distance from airport. Ideal on departure.
---CL - Surrey
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February 27, 2010 :
Nicki was really excellent answering emails and giving advice. Overall Red Dot have been excellent throughout and I will recommend them to friends.
Asoka was an excellent driver and guide. He kept us safe and gave us good advice when needed and showed us different aspects of life on this beautiful island. We were stopped on our elephant safari in Habarana and asked for 500 SLR for the two elephant mahouts. When Asoka heard this he made the men apologize and return the money, even though we didn’t expect him to, as he said this was wrong.
Cinnamon Lodge, Habarana: Excellent. Plenty of wildlife at hotel which was what we wanted.
Tea Factory: Excellent, unique in building and setting.
Yala Village, Yala: Fantastic setting, plenty to watch and again full of nature.
---MS - Bristol
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February 27, 2010 :
We were very grateful for all your input to accommodate a guest in a wheelchair on our trip. Everything your provided was perfect and everyone involved on our tour was so helpful at all times. Thank-you also for changing our itinerary at our request at the last minute. Our itinerary was fantastic.
Ananda was punctual and courteous. His knowledge was inexhaustible. He helped us to be in the correct places at the correct times of day. He filled our days with extra interesting visits – silk factories, gem factories etc. His knowledge of wildlife and flora was astonishing.We could not have asked for a better driver/ guide.
Serene Pavilions, Wadduwa: This hotel was most impressive, even a little over the top! We hope it succeeds.
South Point Villa, Galle: Really this place deserves more [than maximum] marks. It was enchanting. We were madder so welcome. A very relaxed atmosphere with really good Sri lankan cooking.
Lavender House, Gampola: So special. We felt so relaxed.
Chaaya Village, Habarana: Despite the number of tourists this hotel was coping with, everything was wonderful and we were treated royally.
---SD – Somerset
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February 23, 2010 :
Excellent website. Senerath [driver] was very knowledgeable and adapted to our interests. We were taken to outlets that were highly priced.
Rangala House, Knuckles: Quality of food was superb. Owner made us feel very welcome.
Ambiente, Ella: Room was gloomy and drab. Staff could have made us more welcome.
Yala Village, Yala: Outstanding staff.
---/--
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February 20, 2010 :
[Nicola] recommended some excellent hotels and put together a first-class itinerary. We will defefinitely recommend Red Dot to friends and family.
Fernando Kumar was a very friendly and helpful driver.
Theva, Kandy: Very friendly staff and excellent food. Room a little impractical (for example no wardrobe hanging space).
Vil Uyana, Sigiriya: Excellent value and fantastic hotel.
---SM – Hants
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February 20, 2010 :
Serene Pavilions, Wadduwa: So upmarket that it was difficult to know one was in Sri Lanka, but a unique establishment nonetheless.
South Point Villa, Galle: A wonderful place with delightful staff.
Lavender House, Gampola: An exceptional location with wonderful staff. Bathroom facilities need upgrading. Curries were good but other food lacked true quality.
---AM - Somerset
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February 14, 2010 :
Hasantha [driver] was extremely friendly and knowledgeable. We thought we were just getting a driver to get us from A to B but in fact we got a personal tour guide who fulfilled our every need. Our 15-month-old daughter thought he was fantastic too.
Mandara Resort, Mirissa / Weligama: Extremely friendly hotel and great for babies as in the evening we put her to sleep in the room and took the monitor to dinner. Grerat location and very peaceful
Chaaya Citadel, Kandy: Fantastic location away from the hustle and bustle of Kandy but full of big tour groups.
Vil Uyana, Sigiriya: Amazing hotel, although lots of mosquitos. On the first net they didn’t offer us a mosquito net for the baby and her face was eaten alive. Apart from that it was incredible – a perfect haven. Spa beautiful as well. Offered babysitting, although babysitter didn’t speak any English.
The Wallawwa, Kotagoda: Perfexct end to our Sri Lanka trip and good to be so near the airport. Very accommodating staff and beautiful hotel.
---JB – Abu Dhabi
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February 14, 2010 :
The Beach, Negombo: The Beach was a good place to relax after the flight. We liked the beach and the hotel but the strip was a bit disappointing.
Sigiriya Village: Fantastic location. Loved the location. Felt slightly more like a package hotel and less friendly as a result but this is a minor gripe.
Villa Rosa, Kandy: Really lovely. We loved the fact that you could when and where you wanted. It was such an amazing location overlooking the river and we would have loved to stay longer. Nice 20-minute walk into Kandy.
Landa Eco Resort, Belihuloya: We were a bit unsure about his place at first. It was in lovely grounds but the low lighting in the rooms made us a bit nervous. But the owners were very nice and the food the best we had.
---MF - Harrogate
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February 12, 2010 :
[Sales consultant] didn’t quite seem to underdtand our requirements (travelling with a child and on a budget) which meant a bit of going back and forth, but in the end we were happy with a good holiday and an excellent driver.
Anura [our driver] exceeded our expectations. He was very knowledgeable and able to respond to a wide variety of questions.
Thilanka, Kandy: The hotel did not quite appear as nicely presented as on the website, in particular the bathroom. The spa had a great location and provided a good service.
Sigiriya Village, Sigiriya: Rooms and grounds were very nice and staff were very friendly and accommodating. Meal times were unsuitable for an infant.
Hunas Falls, Elkaduwa: Amazing location, hotel a bit outdated.
---MG – London
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February 09, 2010 :
Sunil was a first-class driver/guide. Safe driver, smart and personable.
Horathapola Estate: Outstanding service, excellent food and as good a welcome as anyone could ever have when visiting a country for the first time.
Cinnamon Lodge, Habarana: Hotel really only suitable for coach tours and large groups – of which there were many. Not appropriate for couples [travelling independently]
Kandy House, Kandy: Quite outstanding, but worth making sure that Ultra rooms are booked as one or two Super DeLuxe rooms are dark.
Lavender House, gampola: Lovely grounds and rooms. Pleasant but disorganised service. Food quality very international, limited choice, and served tinned soup in such a rich, fresh vegetables area – such good accommodation deserved better.
Tea Trails, Castlereagh: Outstanding. This bungalow of the four in particular is excellent and well managed.
Amanwella, Tangalle: Beautiful location and architecturally stunning. Excellent pool. Room was spacious and is well equipped for light sleepers. Recommended.
Ambalama, Galle: Inspired choice. Only drawback is the noise at night from main road, otherwise a great experience. Perhaps a few extras – eg bathroom toiletries , bath robes, shower caps – would add value.
The Wallawwa, Kotagoda: Ideal for the start or finish to a Sri Lanka holiday. Tastefully renovated, beautiful grounds and excellent room fittings and furnishings.
---TR – Northants
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February 08, 2010 :
Very good. We changed the itinerary en route at no extra cost.
Dharma has been the driving force in making our trip so enjoyable. was a very safe and efficient driver., extremely courteous and polite, very interesting and knowledgeable about his country, patient, calm with a good sense of humour. Highly intelligent with excellent English. Went the extra mile for his clients.
Off Rocks, Unawatuna: Nice situation. Service friendly but untrained.
---MP – Stamford
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February 06, 2010 :
We were very pleased with the tour itinerary as it reflected our expressed interests and budget. Queries and requests were dealt with very efficiently and promptly, enabling us to finalise the itinerary without hassle. Howerver, we did not realize that the journey from Nuwara Eliya to Koggala was almost seven hours, and clients might appreciate advance warning. This is not a complaint – we’ve had an enjoyable first visit to Sri Lanka and would be happy to recommend Red Dot.
[note: Average journey times can be found on the website or discussed with your consultant]
Ervin [driver] had excellent English, manner, knowledge and commitment to ensuring that the tour met our requirements and expectations.
Chaaya Village, Habarana: Clean, comfortable and efficiently-run hotel.
The Mudhouse, Puttalam: Can’t be compared to conventional hotels but offered a different and thoroughly enjoyable experience in a wonderful setting.
---NS - Beds
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February 06, 2010 :
George Labrooy was outstanding and in addition to performing his expected duties in an exemplary fashion was always willing ti impart his excellent local knowledge when asked. He provided excellent service throughout especially when our passports were stolen and itinerary needed to be altered.
Lavender House, Gampola: Beautiful house and setting let down by poor service and food/drink.
Leopard Safaris, Yala: Everything was amazing. Far exceeded our expectations.
Serendib Hotel, Bentota: Tired appearance.
---AN - Surrey
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February 02, 2010 :
Jehan [driver] was a very helpful, friendly and knowledgeable individual. He was a good driver and was able to answer all our questions about Sri Lanka. Excellent ambassador for Red Dot. We would recommend him.
Cinnamon Lodge, Habarana: A/c too noisy to keep running overnight. Poolsode table every night and morning was perfect. Excellent for tours in the area [cultural triangle].
Yala Village, Yala: Loved the location.
Kelburne Cottages (Rose Cottage), Habarana: Travelling to Kandy from Kelburne was long and arduous. Location of cottages on hillside was excellent, although low cloud meant that we couldn;t see the view.
Mandara Resort, Mirissa/Weligama: Nice hotel with pleasant, friendly staff. No other restaurant nearby in Weligama so we would have been better on HB rather than BB.
---JE - Bucks
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January 30, 2010 :
Overall we had a lovely holiday and found the Sri Lankan people delightful. Credit also goes to Red Dot for their expertise and efficiency. Boniface was an excellent driver, polite and helpful at all times, punctual and knowledgeable.
The Wallawwa, Kotugoda: This was a very delightful place. Very attractive. We enjoyed our stay here enormously.
Theva, Kandy: Lovely bedroom and view
Tea Trails, Castlereagh: Castlereagh was really wonderful in every way. The only part I was upset about was that my daughter had paid in advance for spa treatment on my behalf and I hadn’t realized.
Moonhill, Tangalle: The location was wonderful, so beautiful but Moonhill was inferior to the other accommodation we stayed in. The bathroom was awful and rooms were not refreshed daily without having to ask.
---HR – East Lothian
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January 28, 2010 :
Ambiente, Ella: Really needs to improve. It’s such a shame. Excellent setting but poor management. So much more could be done with this guest house. It looks grubby – grubby pepper/salt pots and moths in light fittings. If Red Dot want to keep such a good reputation you should do some serious thinking about keeping Ambiente on your books.
[Note: Red Dot has raised this with Ambiente and been assured that high standards of cleanliness will be maintained. We have had some excellent feedback here and will continue to monitor].
---TZ – Lancashire
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January 22, 2010 :
Ramajith was a good, friendly, helpful and polite driver.
Theva, Kandy: Very good location. Superb rooms. Food quality and quantity poor and waiters need more training.
Tea Trails, Norwood: Best for accommodation, food and service.
---NS - Falkirk
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January 21, 2010 :
Anura was a very knowledgeable driver/guide. He made us feel very safe on the Sri Lankan roads and was lovely with our two girls. We would recommend him to friends and family.
Priyankara Hotel, Tissa: We arrived at this hotel having booked a Deluxe Room and requesting two cost. The room given to us was nice but only had one cot and no room for another. We were told that our two-year-old should share our bed with us. We said no so they put us in a different room which had more space but the facilities were worse than many hostels we stayed in when we were backpacking when we were 18. Throughout the manager was unhelpful and his staff were miserable and off-hand. Everywhere else we have been in Sri Lanka the Sri Lankan hospitality has been excellent. We think you should reconsider recommending Priyankara Hotel.
---SW - Radlett
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January 09, 2010 :
Herman [our driver] was always professional and courteous, the nicest person we met in Sri Lanka. He was very punctual and helped with everything that we asked assistance with.
---SW - Surrey
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December 31, 2009 :
Nicola was a very informative and helpful consultant.
---JA – Melbourne, Australia
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December 28, 2009 :
My best experience yet with Red Dot. Herman is very knowledgeable about his country, and the perfect ambassador. He drives well, and doesn’t take undue risks. He is always around when you need him. Nothing is too much trouble for him. He is a great asset to your company.
Seashells - Although the A La Carte dishes are of a good standard, the buffet is abysmal – mashed potatoes for breakfast!! Items available are wrongly labelled. When they run out of food they are only replaced only when you inform the waiters. Instead of being idle they should check.
Upper Glencairn - Perfect location, but not well maintained by the operating wing. However, considering the overnight charge, this is acceptable. Service is poor and the residence manager need to take a more hands on approach to his duties. The one redeeming feature is the food, which is very good and well presented
Hibiscus Garden - This hotel has very good rooms in a nice location, but it would have been better sited near the main tank although it does lie within the bird sanctuary. The food is not that good and for half board offers only western dishes. When we asked for rice we were told they need three hours advance notice.
--- PB – Phillipines
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December 28, 2009 :
We have been very impressed with the tour that has been put together for us. A very good interpretation of our request. Ranjith drove very well but driving in Sri Lanka could be hair raising at time due to buses racing and other drivers road sense. All part of the experience. We very much enjoyed Ranjith’s company. The vehicle was always very clean every day. We are sad to say goodbye.
Amaya Lake - Beautiful location. Nice touches like flowers on your bed spelling “Good Night” and “Goodbye”. Very relaxing, exceeded expectations. Restaurant very large and public.
Hunas Falls - Immaculate. Great retro style, needs some updating to reach its potential (bathroom etc). We had cold water one night and one morning. We found the restaurants lacking in atmosphere though the food was very good and the surrounding stylish piano music was out of tune and not always relaxing. Fourteen honeymoon couples were there on our stay and they all seemed rather quiet which perhaps contributed to the atmosphere. We were charged for a phone call we did not make which when we disputed it took half an hour to sort out.
Rafters Retreat - Accommodation as described. Couple of things could be better like the lighting didn’t work on the balcony, sheets were clean but stained. Staff were nice and food was good. We were the only guests. We had conflicting views about the place, I found it a bit scary being open in the jungle. My partner liked it. Couldn’t do it more than one night. Good experience overall.
Kalus Hideaway - Luxury accommodation, slightly unexpected in the location. On our second day we were the only guests. Rooms, Dinning area and terrace all were very comfortable. Service was great. The staff couldn’t do enough for us and on our first day we met Kalu, the owner who made us feel very welcome and spent quite a bit of time with us. Nice pool, relaxing and intimate. Exceeded expectations. We were sad to learn that the drivers accommodation was not very good, unclean and no electric light.
--- GL – Herts
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December 28, 2009 :
Good presentation for itinerary, and an extremely helpful consultant, Ayanthi, tailored the whole trip to our tastes. Ananda should be you no 1 driver. He is absolutely fantastic. He has excellent knowledge and he was a great ambassador both for Red dot and Sri Lanka. He gave us great tips and advice, answered all our questions, has a brilliant sense of humour and has made our holiday the best experience. Because of the star service we received we would recommend Red Dot to any of our friends. Recommendations for tea factory and turtle hatchery were terrific. Professional, polite, friendly and brilliant at all times.
Hotel Sigiriya - Staff at reception were lovely. Staff in restaurant were much less friendly and very slow. Incredible location, very well designed hotel. Rooms very comfortable.
Glendower hotel - One of the evening meals was very poor. Would have liked tea/coffee facilities in room. Bathroom not well maintained and it was hard to get hot water from the shower. Staff were friendly. Location was good as it was close to market and town.
Yala Village - Best hotel we stayed at. Would definitely recommend. Staff friendly though very slow at getting drinks to tables in the evenings. Good pool and got to see many wild animals. Lovely chalets.
Ice Bear - Toilet not working when we arrived and no hot water. Other areas of accommodation were very good. Lovely bedroom. Staff as elusive as leopards in Yala. However very friendly when we did manage to locate someone. Good location and nice to walk to the shops
Hotel Suisse - Bathroom could have been better maintained. Air conditioning quite temperamental and hard to get temperature right during night.
--- TG – Birmingham
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December 28, 2009 :
The advice offered by Dirk was invaluable in helping us to plan a great holiday. Dirk was very patient as we looked to refine what we wanted. Herman [our driver] was excellent. Very helpful and thoughtful. He was always on time and was flexible to our needs. He was very knowledgeable. He added a great deal to our holiday.
The Wallawwa - We arrived late at night and the staff were very welcoming. The room was nice. When we got up the following morning it was a lovely setting for our first morning and the start of our holiday. We only stayed for breakfast but felt we would have liked to stay longer.
Heritance Kandalama - Everything about this hotel was fantastic. The setting was beautiful. The staff could not have been nicer and any more helpful. The food was very nice with a very wide choice. We would definitely stay here again.
Ellerton - A lovely small hotel with a fantastic view from the verandah. The pool was small but nice because we were the only ones in it. The set meals were nice and plentiful. Service was fantastic and the staff were wonderful. The dogs were nice too.
Galle Fort - The hotel was very stylish and nice. The staff were very helpful. We had to change rooms after the second night because of very noisy plumbing but the hotel made for it by giving us a free upgrade. We were glad of this as the garden room was a disappointment after the other rooms we have had and it was more expensive.
--- HB – Wigston
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November 27, 2009 :
Ervin [driver] has been an absolute star. Very informative, polite and efficient, we are sorty to say goodbye. We appreciated Ervin’s unpushy suggestions of what we could do – eg safari at Uda Walawe.
Heritence Kandalama: Location on lake really beautiful. Food a real letdown.
Kandy House, Kandy: Lovely spot and loved the decor.
Tea Trails: Beautiful location and lovely feel to the place. Felt really spoilt there and appreciate my cup of tea now..
Amanwella, Tangalle: Beautiful beach and Tangalle is a lovely contrast to Galle. Rooms definitely have wow factor although the plunge pools don’t get much light and are on the wrong side.
Kadju House, Tangalle: Has a lot of potential but a few things about it aren’t quite there yet. Loved the rooftop pool and sitting area with beautiful views. Garden and outdoor areas could do with tidying but sweet staff and beautiful views.
The Fortress, Koggala: Very cool spot with lovely views and directly on the beach. Great for families and people wanting something contemporary with all mod-cons.
Frangipani Tree, Thalpe: Amazing food and very chilled, nice atmosphere. Rooms huge but felt a bit bare without much in terms of furniture. Recommended.
Uda Walawe: A big surprise – beautiful national park and lots of elephants in the wild.
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November 26, 2009 :
Great website. Service and flexibility to adapt trip was excellent. Also great advice given. Wijekoon [our driver] was a star! Provided great service and was flexible, adapting the tour to make the best use of time and so we also had time to rest. His knowledge of the sites was fantastic and his company and guidance was one of the highlights of the trip.Wish when we'd booked that the journey from Tea Trails to Galle was so long as it was a difficult and tiring journey for us.
The Wallawwa - Fantastic, can;t fault it. Staff were brilliant and the hotel provided the perfect place to relax from the flight. Disappointed no-one was available for massage when we were there. In particular we loved the food and the pool.
Deer Park - Good hotel. Scenery is gorgeous and rtoom comfortable. Service was great, the food was OK and the set menu was good value. Mosquitos were bad in the restaurant though and no candles / coils were available to repel. Again, mossies in bathroom were bad. I got bitten so much I had to see doctor.
Chayya Citadel - Beautiful setting and views from hotel stunning. Food (buffet) was Ok but it was a free for all as so busy. Was further outside Kandy than expected.
Tea Trails (Castlereagh) - Amazing! Wish we'd stayed longer. Words cannot describe how good it was. Food was fantastic and the tea factory tour with Andrew was very interesting. Well worth the money!
Galle Fort Hotel - Hotel and rooms were very beautiful and the location, inside the Fort, was great. However the hotel and service lacked sopme of the real Sri lankan warmth we saw and experienced in Walawwa, Tea Trails and Aditya.
Aditya - Near perfection! Hotel is small with real personal service. Food was first class and menu so extensive we never needed to eat elsewhere. Room was stunning, best I've ever stayed in. Service puts many top London hotels to shame. Will definitely be back.
Dambulla cave temple - Loved this, climb was hard in humidity but worth it.
Anuradhapura - Brilliant. With Wije's input and tour it was very interesting.
Sigiriya Rock - Great, although hassle from `helpers' annoying.
Temple of Tooth - Rushed as our schedule was tight but still worth it.
Train to Hatton - Favourite bit of trip!
--- RH - Herts
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November 14, 2009 :
It would be useful to send all customers info on currency exchange, internal mobile phones etc.
[Note: Currency exchange is included on our FAQs. Red Dot can pre-arrange mobile phone SIM card hire on request, most easily in Colombo. A modest service charge would be levied for this].
Ervin [driver] has superb local knowledge. Very flexible, efficient, friendly, happy to adjust to changes. Would want him next time.
The Wallawwa, Kotugoda: Totally impressed. I don’t usually give maximum scores for anything because everyone should strive for more but I like this place immensely and would definitely come back.
St Andrew’s, Nuwara Eliya: For Nuwara Eliya and golf, THE place to stay.
---RS – Kent
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November 10, 2009 :
We take great pleasure to advise you that Mr Barie [driver] is a total asset to your company. He is extremely polite and caring, his driving skills are excellent and we felt safe at all times. You should be complemented on selecting such a fine driver and individual.
Palm Garden Village, Anuradhapura: We thoroughly enjoyed the atmosphere and location of this hotel. Food was excellent.
Cinnamon Lodge, Habarana: A great location with splendid service to match.
Chaaya Citadel, Kandy: This hotel is dated and in need of some renovation.
Yala Village, Yala: Standatd chalets were a real disappointment. We upgraded to a beach bungalow which we regarded as acceptable. Service and food were good.
Tea Trails, Castlereagh: A real gem Superlatives all round. We will certainly want to return to Castlereagh and sample more of the Tea Trails experience. Unbeatable.
The Fortress, Koggala: What a way to conclude our holiday! A lovely hotel. Great rooms. Great service. Superb location. Wonderful food.
---TT - Dubai
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November 09, 2009 :
Thusitha [sales consultant] was extremely patient and quick to respond.
Ananda [driver] is a credit to your team. Totally flexible and always found a place at the last minute to feed us. Suggested a couple of activities we hadn’t considered: white water rafting and elephant safari. He is a fantastic ambassador for your country, attentive and discreet, very knowledgeable about all aspects of Sri Lanka and very good fun to travel with. He is one ofd the reasons why this trip was so special.
Tea Trails, Castlereagh: Very special place. Staff were fabulous.
The Wallawwa: Perfect for first and last day of the trip. However, we would have loved to stay longer.
Amangalla, Galle: Wasn’t intending to stay in Galle Fort but Thusitha recommended we did and thank-you! Perfect.
Galle Face Hotel, Colombo: Steeped in history and lovely to absorb city life in Colombo.
---CG – Hong Kong
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November 05, 2009 :
Mr Gunawardene [driver] was very helpful, courteous and polite.
---JT – Dorset
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November 05, 2009 :
Ervin [driver] was helpful and a very pleasant driver. We couldn’t ask for better.
Tintagel, Colombo: Superb with good food.
Galle Fort Hotel, Galle: A wonderful hotel with good food.
--- PD – Brisbane
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October 29, 2009 :
We have been very impressed by the tour that has been put together for us [by Ayanthi]. A good interpretation of our requests.
Ranjith drove very well but driving in Sri Lanka can be hair-raising at times due to buses racing and other drivers’ road sense. All part of the experience! We very much enjoyed Ranjith’s company. The vehicle was always very clean every day.
Amaya Lake, Dambulla: Beautiful location, very relaxing, exceeded expectations. Restaurant very large and public.
Hunas Falls, Elkaduwa: Immaculate. Great retro style. Needs some updating to reach its potential. We found the restaurant lacking in atmosphere, although the food and surroundings were very good. Piano music was out of tune and not always relaxing! Fourteen honeymoon couples were there on our stay – they all seemed rather quiet which may have contributed to the atmosphere!
Rafters Retreat, Kitulgala: We were the only guests. Accommodation as described. A couple of things could have been better: lights didn’t work on balcony, sheets were clean but marked. Staff was nice and food was good. We had conflicting views about this place. I found it quite scary being in the [light] jungle. My partner quite lacked it.
Kaluu’s Hideaway, Udu Walawe: Luxury accommodation, slightly unexpected in this location. Rooms / dining area / terrace all very comfortable. The staff couldn’t do enough for us. We met the owner, Kalu, who spent quite a bit of time with us. Nice pool, exceeded expectations. We were very said to learn that the drivers’ accommodation was not very good.
We enjoyed the safari at uda Walawe. The driver worked hard, but our guide spoke little English. It was good to have Ranjith along to explain. We still had a great time.
---GL - Herts
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October 26, 2009 :
Ayanthi was a very helpful consultant who tailored the whole trip to our needs. We had a brilliant mix of activities during our stay. Really enjoyed our time in an absolutely amazing country. Thank-you Red Dot!
Ananda Dissanayake should be your no 1 driver. He has excellent knowledge and was a great ambassador both for Red Dot and for Sri Lanka. He was professional, polite, friendly and brilliant at all times. He gave us great tips and advice, answered all our questions, has a brilliant sense of humour and has made our holiday the best experience. Because of the star service we received we would recommend Red Dot to any of our friends.
Hotel Sigiriya, Sigiriya: Staff at reception were lovely. Staff in restaurant were much less friendly and slow. Incredible location, very well-designed hotel, rooms very comfortable.
Glendower Hotel, Nuwara Eliya: Bathroom not well maintained and shower hard to get water. Friendly staff and good location. One of the evening meals was very poor.
Yala Village, Yala: Would definitely recommend. Friendly staff, good pool, lovely chalets and got to see many wild animals.
Ice Bear, Negombo: Staff as elusive as leopards in Yala – however, very friendly once we managed to locate someone.
Hotel Suisse, Kandy: bathroom could have been better maintained and a/c quite temperamental. Hotel exceptionally clean and staff very good and polite.
Safari in Yala: Brilliant!
Train Kandy – Nanu Oya: Wonderful views.
---TC - Birmingham
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October 22, 2009 :
We thank George for a wonderful and informative tour.
Kandy temple - Really enjoyed the cultural show and the tour of the temple.
Pinnewala Elephants - Nice opportunity to see elephants.
--- AM – Aranda
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October 22, 2009 :
very impressive response to enquiries enabled the trip to be booked at a very short notice (one day). Jayasuriya was a delightful gentleman who did all he was asked, Gave advice when requested. Showed patience and got involved when invited to do so. We would happily have him again. Jayasuriya helped us find a very good bank shop in which he clearly had no interest.
Yala village - The hotel satisfies its purpose as a base for safaris and whilst we were happy some guests complained about how little wildlife they had managed to see. The pool was an enjoyable distraction between safaris. There was a smell of drains which waffed up in to the restaurant.
Wallawwa - A very good location in proximity to the airport to start and end a tour. Superb welcome and acknowledgment of anniversary on first visit. Seemed a little stretched on second visit when there was higher occupancy. Tea making facilities in room would be appreciated.
The Lighthouse, Galle - A dependable hotel with very helpful staff and good facilities. The A la carte meal in the Cinnamon Restaurant was excellent as was the table d’hote menu in the main restaurant. The buffet in the evenings were a disappointment, especially the western evenings but breakfast were great. The bathroom area of the room was starting to look a bit tired.
Landa - A beautiful setting with a delightful, genuine staff who could not do enough to help us celebrate our anniversary. The accommodation was good when we were the only guests but a lack of soundproofing between the two rooms in a chalet was intrusive when the other room was occupied. The bed was a little hard and the lighting a little dim for our liking and it took a little to get used to sharing the wet room with ants. Overall we had a wonderful time
--- NH – Dorset
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October 22, 2009 :
A special thank you to Nicola and Punchee who together made our holiday to Sri Lanka one that we will never forget. Outstanding service from both at all times. Punchee was absolutely brilliant and I would recommend him to anyone. Nothing was too much trouble and he clearly went out of his way to ensure we enjoyed our stay in Sri Lanka. He was friendly and funny and the extra tours he provided for us were greatly appreciated. The car was always clean and comfortable and he made us very welcome. Having travelled around quite a bit we can both say that Punchee is the best guide we have had and we will miss him.
Yala village - Exactly what we had hoped for. Great staff, great surroundings. Really felt very happy here. Plus the added bonus of seeing Leopards and a Sloth bear.
Wallawwa - Staff greeted us well, the room was lovely and we had supper and breakfast delivered to our room.
Grand Hotel - Awful place, we checked out before we had completed booking. We were not made welcome. The whole place is very old fashioned and the room felt more like a prison cell. They have made no allowance for the fact the weather can be bad so you are likely to be in your room a lot. Very pleased with the assistance from Punchee and red Dot who arranged an early check out straight away. I would not recommend sending people to this hotel.
Amanwella - Absolutely beautiful. Room was lovely, staff were lovely and the settings was amazing. A little disappointed that we were not able to dive or even snorkel due to the sea conditions.
Elephant jungle trek - Absolutely brilliant. Also went to wash the elephant which was amazing.
Sigiriya rock / Polonnaruwa - Could not complete the climb due to the height. Both good experience though.
Elephant Orphanage/ Temple of Tooth - Elephants were amazing & we are fed the babies. Temple was very interesting.
Yala National park - Did 3 safaris here instead of one and loved them all.
Buduruwagala - Not to be missed.
--- TF – Leics
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October 22, 2009 :
Very good guide and driver. Very calm and reassuring. Excellent local knowledge.
--- MP – Dubai
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October 22, 2009 :
Our last minute booking was handled very efficiently. Kamal was an excellent drive and guide. There was a very flexibility in changing things to meet our needs. He looked us very well during our visit. It was an unexpected surprise to have the benefit of his knowledge on the history and also the wildlife of Sri Lanka. It was a big help to have Kamal’s assistance in finding shops for the things we wanted. It would have been much more difficult on our own.
--- MF – Doha
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October 22, 2009 :
Keerthi was a very knowledgeable, courteous, thoughtful and polite
---DK – Bangalore
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October 22, 2009 :
Excellent communication. Good information and speedy response. Bubsy drove at a good speed and made adequate comfort stops. The transport was comfortable and kept clean. We were not really interested in shopping, but Bubsy offered us opportunities and was happy to give advice. Sigiriya rock - Spectacular views and interesting history. Local guide did a good job explaining the history.
Elephant safari - Excellent activity organized by Bubsy. Was a magical experience riding around the lake and well hosted.
Temple of the tooth - Interesting historically and Bubsy was a good informative. guide.
Yala Park - Saw lots of wildlife including a leopard .
---CS – Yorks
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October 22, 2009 :
Ayanthi is a gem. I asked many questions and was slow to make decisions. She has guided me with extreme patience and knowledge so that I was able to get this wonderful holiday organized. This is our second visit with red Dot and I cannot thank you enough. The issue with the hotel in Kitulgala was sorted quickly and very professionally. Ayanthi’s help has been invaluable both on the end of the phone and on email. Boniface, our driver, has been superb, giving us an insight into Sri Lankan and stopping for me to take so many photos to record our visit. He has made our holiday such a good experience. Red Dot did it again. Excellent.
Heritance Kandalama - Stunning beautiful hotel, where the join between exterior and interior spaces is seamless.
Plantation Kitulgala - This hotel was very poor. Ayanthi had told us in advance it was nowhere near the standards of the others, however it was worse than expected so we chose not to stay. The room was behind reception, the door didn’t lock, The curtain at the bathroom window was tied up and didn’t fit properly. It was for only for one night but we were not prepared to stay there.
Temple Tree - Beautiful modern hotel, exceedingly friendly and helpful staff who prepared our table by the pool with candles and free flowers and provided us with excellent dinner
Galle Fort - Really beautiful oasis of calm with exceeding helpful and friendly staff. Great room and food
Kandalama jungle trek - Very knowledgeable naturalist. Thoroughly enjoyed the experience .
Minneriya safari - Superb, even if only a small group of elephants. They had a one-week old baby.
River boat trip from Galle Fort - Excellent trip saw lots of birds, monitors.
---LC – Derbysire
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October 22, 2009 :
Very straightforward and prompt responses to email queries. Dushan [our driver] was a nice guy. Lots of good info. Never pushed when we said no to a suggestion.
Heritance Kandalama - Dining room too small and noisy bit like a school canteen. Drinks overpriced. Fantastic location and experience.
Temple Tree - Amazing staff, very peaceful. The perfect place to end a great holiday Citidel Kandy Service was generally good. Management service was not as good. Had to be moved due to the noise from the bar.
Club Bentota - Awful place. Dirty rooms. Management was rude. Place need some updating. Dirty ashtray in bedroom. We couldn’t stay.
---DM – Cardiff
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October 22, 2009 :
Wijeykoon was friendly and very reliable. He gave us an excellent tour of his beloved country. Helpful and accommodating at all times. He really made our holiday. We will recommend to others coming to Sri Lanka. Thank you for organizing us a fantastic and unforgettable honeymoon. We will be recommending red Dot to friends and family.
The Lavender House - The staff at Lavender were wonderful. Very relaxing. A beautiful house in a stunning location. Great food too.
The Dutch House - Another beautiful hotel with great staff in a stunning location. Had a relaxing time. Lovely pool. On reflection five nights is probably too long to stay here.
--- MS – UAE
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October 22, 2009 :
Despite the initial email response being slow, all other correspondence was quick, helpful and informative. Nalin was exceptionally polite, good command of English and a good sense of humor. He kept the vehicle clean and drove at a sensible speed with due care and attention.
Havelock Hotel - Hygiene of the swimming pool appeared insufficient. Quality and price of food were fantastic. Staff were very helpful and service was great. The general ambience was wonderful
Amaya Hills - Wide range of well priced food with discreet background entertainment. Staff were polite and helpful. Fantastic views. Good swimming pool however the sides were slippery. Overall a wonderful experience.
--- SS – Bristol
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October 22, 2009 :
A different driver met us at the airport due to accident to the original vehicle. He dealt with all our needs excellently. Seashells The only issue with we had was with the location of the room relative to a loud speaker system in the street that was blasting out music and messages.
Chaaya Village - Excellent location with friendly helpful staff. The buffet dinner and breakfast were the best we have come across over many years with food freshly prepared.
St Andrew’s Hotel - A hotel and location of real character allowing you to step back in time and experience a lost part of history. Excellent for exploring the hill country. Could do with some new pillows though.
Fort Printers - Staff showed great kindness and professionalism. The location was excellent and the room had the most comfortable pillows we experienced on the whole holiday.
--- DW – Farnham
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October 22, 2009 :
This is our second tour with Vijay. He is completely helpful and professional. He does his absolute best to iron out any little problems. He is wonderfully protective and we always felt completely safe with him. He is also a very knowledgeable guide and a thoroughly nice man.
Yala village - The problem was the remote location. The road to Tissa is being rebuilt and is currently dreadful. Swimming pool wasn’t clean and smelt of rotten eggs. This hotel need a new manager to iron out all the little problems which make inconvenience to guests.
Barberyn Beach Resort - The attention to details and guest comfort is outstanding. Everything works exactly as it should. The only negative is that the deluxe room was not so deluxe but fairly basic. However the room was spacious with large balconies. Superb views.
Galle Face Regency - A superb hotel in a wonderful location. We loved the colonial atmosphere combined with modern comfort. Excellent value for money.
--- JB – Southampton
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October 22, 2009 :
Villa Talangama - A wonderful surprise, beautiful location. Very well maintained, excellent food. Attentive host.
Kalu’s Hideaway - A big disappointment. The location is fabulous, we saw so many different birds from the garden. Unfortunately we felt that management was not that great. The rooms were large but no bedside tables or lamps. The hot water system is one of the most strongest we have ever seen and most possible the most dangerous. One room had no hot water, and it was possible to have boiling hot water or very cold water but nothing in between. Service was generally slow. The place was not clean.
Olanda beach villa - Beautiful house and location. Problems were taken care of promptly. Staff were very nice. Our only criticism is that cleaning should have been of a higher standard.
--- SH – Israel
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October 22, 2009 :
The Beach - Negombo A great place to recover from a long journey to Sri Lanka Sigiriya Village The staff were outstanding. Very friendly and eager to please.
Chaaya Citadel - We did not like being taken to the royal garden. It felt like a place where all the tourists were taken by their drivers. It was below standards.
The Grand Hotel - The communal areas were smart and well presented. Our room was shabby and the bathroom had a dirty feel. It smelt of urine and body odour. The food at the Indian Grand was poor.
Amanwella - A beautifully situated and well designed hotel. Service was good. Well worth the 7-hour car journey from Lavender house.
--- JC – London
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October 22, 2009 :
Barberyn Beach Resort - The attention to details and guest comfort is outstanding. Everything works exactly as it should. The only negative is that the deluxe room was not so deluxe but fairly basic. However the room was spacious with large balconies. Superb views.
Galle Face Regency - A superb hotel in a wonderful location. We loved the colonial atmosphere combined with modern comfort. Excellent value for money.
--- JB – Southampton
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October 20, 2009 :
The advice offered by your representative [Dirk De Silva] was invaluable in helping us to plan a great holiday. [Dirk] was very patient as we looked to refine what we wanted.
Herman [driver] was excellent. Very helpful and thoughtful. He was always on time and flexible to our needs. He was knowledgeable and added a great deal to our holiday.
The Wallawwa, Kotugoda: We arrived late at night and the staff were very welcoming. The room was nice. When we got up the following morning it was a lovely setting for the start of our holiday. We only stayed for breakfast but would have liked to stay longer.
Heritence, Kandalama: Everything about this hotel was fantastic. The setting was beautiful. The staff could not have been more helpful. The food was very nice with a very wide choice. We would definitely stay here again.
Ellerton, Gampola: A lovely small hotel with a fantastic view from the verandah. The pool was small but nice because we were the only ones in it. The set meals were nice and plentiful. Service was fantastic and the staff were wonderful. The dogs were nice too.
---HB – Leicestershire
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October 18, 2009 :
We would like to thank Seelan [driver] for making our holiday so enjoyable. He was 100 per cent forcused on ensuring that we were looked after in all aspects of our holiday. Seelan provided us with a wealth of information on the history, key sights, places of interest, good restaurants etc and took us to some places that we would never have seen if we had been on our own. Seelan was always on time and his car was always clean. He was respectful of our wishes for “quiet time.” We would wholeheartedly recommend him.
---EB – Essex
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October 10, 2009 :
Gune [driver] was a very helpful and friendly guide. He took time to inform us about the culture and the way of life in Sri Lanka.
Chaaya Village, Habarana: Very lovely room with high ceilings. The staff were very helpful and thorough. You can;t hear any hassle from the streets at all. Very serene.
Tea Factory, Kandapola: This hotel is a converted tea factory. From the outside it still resembles a tea factory in structure with gorgeous views. Inside, your attention turns to the cleanliness and beautiful decor. The rooms are fairly spacious – we had a corner room with spectacular views of the hillside and valleys. The road to the Tea Factory seems a little scary as it is not as we know how roads should be!
---PS – Birmingham
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October 08, 2009 :
Kulu Safaris: Can’t recommend this experience enough.
Amangalla: Loved it. A treat for us as it is expensive but worth it for its slickness and quality.
---EF - London
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October 06, 2009 :
Thank-you George [driver] for a wonderful and informative tour.
---AM, Australia
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September 25, 2009 :
Jayasuriya was a supremely competent and experienced driver, full of quaint anecdotes about Sri Lanka’s history, culture and people.
The Wallawwa, Kotugoda: A stunning place. Loved the immense bathrooms and relaxed ambience.
Cinnamon Lodge, Habarana: A nice hotel, though it leans too heavily towards the mass tourism dynamic. The food is acceptable. The pool is the real highlight, and the setting amidst trees and reservoir.
Kandy House, Kandy: The most amazing place ever. Great service, great building, great room, exquisite food with a changing daily menu. The pool area is like nothing else. An oasis of calm and relaxation permeates every fibre of the building.
Galle Fort Hotel, Galle: A fabulous place by any standards set in a prime location within the Fort. The real highlight is Karl the owner, who is engaging, informative and relaxed. The suites are a treat also and the service just right. We will come again.
---KL – Dubai
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September 24, 2009 :
Dirk responded very quickly to send quotes and make changes.
Seelan [driver] is a fine gem of Sri Lanka. At all times we felt safe and cared for in every way. Seelan went out of his way to make suggestions, and show us special things we would not have noticed ourselves. He spoke to each hotel to make sure our stay was special, telling them we were here to celebrate our anniversary. We were treated like royalty. Seelan is an encyclopaedia, his knowledge ranging from history, current events and nature. We believe Seelan to be one of life’s gentlemen.
The Wallawwa, Kotugoda: Can’t wait to come back. Perfect. Staff fantastic. Chef is a genius.
Galle Fort Hotel, Galle: Perfect in every way.
The Kandy House, Kandy: A beautiful home in an amazing location. Room was a bit stuffy as no a/c.
Vil Uyana, Sigiriya: A magnificent eco-tourism resort. Buggy service at times extremely bad. More transport needed.
---AH – Australia
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September 22, 2009 :
George was a very good guide and driver. Very calm and reassuring.
---MP – Italy
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September 22, 2009 :
Dushan [driver] was fantastic. I would recommend him to everyone coming to Sri Lanka. He was very polite, informative and helpful.
---LL – Qatar
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September 17, 2009 :
Thank-you so much for an awesome holiday. It feels like we can only scratch the surface of what we you do here. When can we come back to Sri Lanka? Booking process was really good except for a 24-hour silence at a critical point in the booking which made us quite nervous.
There is no way to adequately describe how professional, experienced and yet personable and easy-going Jayaa [our driver] was. An excellent ambassador for Sri Lanka.
Chaaya Citadel, Kandy: Amazing location – raptors at breakfast. We should have taken Kosala’s advice and stayed nearer Colombo after the flight.
St Andrew’s, Nuwara Eliya: Lovely colonial-style hotel with great service only let down by very draughty, ageing rooms.
Yala Village, Yala: This hotel has to be "one of the places to stay before you die." Unrivalled location and integration with nature. Awesome.
Taj Exotica, Bentota: In the west this hotel’s service would be a 6 [ie a maximum mark] but when up against some of the other magnificent service we have experienced it only seems good in comparison. Quite expensive, verging on western prices. Unfortunately, an inflexible reaction to a misunderstanding about internet pricing let down the stay.
---MR – Rickmansworth
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September 14, 2009 :
Taj Exotica, Bentota: Very good hotel, but very westernised. Toilet broke twice.
The Beach, Negombo: Excellent hotel, wonderful service, perfect end to holiday.
Heritence Kandalama: Beautiful views. Lovely hotel – highly recommended.
---MN – London
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September 02, 2009 :
Booking process was very efficient and friendly. Prem was an excellent driver. Very friendly and keen to inform us about Sri Lanka in general and about the sites. Very informative guide, made very sensible changes to itinerary to allow for very busy periods in Kandy. We cannot recommend him enough
Browns Beach Hotel - Just right for an overnight stop. Interesting town
Victoria Golf Chalet - Nice to escape Kandy at busy times. Refurbished, brand new & unusual room.
Norwood Bungalow - Wow! Luxurious but relaxed feel. Perfect
--- RH – Derby
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September 02, 2009 :
The driver was absolutely excellent! Extremely enjoyable, helpful, courteous and very accommodating in terms of alternatives to our trip (Horton plains was avoided at our request). A real asset to your company and some one I would recommend in the future.
--- SW – London
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September 02, 2009 :
Chrishan was an excellent driver and host who was always punctual and attentive. We would be delighted to have him as our driver again in the future. Hasanka joined us for the final leg of the trip. He was also very good. I was surprised when we were charged extra when one of our trips exceeded 100 km as a number of other trips were less than 100km and I assumed it would be balanced out over the whole trip plus an average used. This aspect should have been specified in the booking instructions.
Ranweli holiday village - A good friendly hotel which suited us well. Good eco place. Mosquito nets should be fitted as standard. We brought some with us and hung it ourselves.
Kandy House - A superb boutique hotel with extremely high standards of service.
Mahoora - A great camp with great service and perfect location. Mosquito nets should have been set over the beds. Mosquitoes were not a big problem but nets would have been re assuring. The guide and the eco team were very knowledgeable and friendly.
The Fortress - A world class 5 star hotel.
The Beach Hotel - A great beach hotel close to the airport with a business feel. I was pleased that we pitched the Ranweli for our initial stay as this had more of a holiday feel to it.
--- JH – Merseyside
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September 02, 2009 :
We cannot begin to put into words what an amazing time we have just had in Sri Lanka. Our most sincere thanks to all the team who went to so much trouble to ensure our 25th Anniversary was so special.
Our special thanks to Jayasuriya, our driver who went out of his way to make things go smoothly - including his considerate driving! He followed the instructions I gave in my email, exactly.
Thank you to you, too, Nicola for your prompt service which allowed us to jet away so quickly. We had cancelled a previously arranged tour with another company because of financial restraints and the increased army activity leading up to May.
Thank you once again to all at Red Dot...a very impressive team.
--- JH – London
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September 02, 2009 :
George unfortunately got stuck in the traffic jam on our day of arrival. Luckily we had to wait for about 15-20 min. Otherwise, very professional and knowledgeable. It would have been nice to have at least 1 bottle of water per person for each trip available in the car.
Heritance Kandalama - Location of hotel is great for the view from lobby and swimming pool. Rooms were clean and ok. Food choice was too limited. Worst part of this hotel was the service. Especially when ordering some food and drinks.
Kandy House - Nice place. We had a great room, but other rooms seemed to be quite dark. Nice garden and pool, but location of hotel was bit too far outside of Kandy. No problem for 1 or 2 nights, but not if you want to stay longer Leopard Safaris Noel is a fantastic guy and he has a great team. Superb service and good food, especially considering that you are in a camp.
Dutch House - Great hotel and fantastic room. Food choice is however too limited. It was especially great as we were the only guests in the house.
Tintagel - We booked this hotel ourselves. Quite a disaster. Hotel looks nice and some rooms are quite big. But otherwise everything was bad: worst was the service. Big lack of any hospitality training. they made huge mistakes with payment (tried to overcharge, then charged me 10x the bill on my credit card, promising to rectify this, but not having done so). No apology or any other gesture. Breakfast menu was almost non existent. And orange juice was out of stock. Didn't go for lunch or dinner because restaurant was always completely empty (except for the general manager eating there). They also did not have a liquor license. Room was smelling a bit and outside patio was smelling due to smoke from the neighboring house
--- AH – Singapore
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September 02, 2009 :
Ceelan could have done with a four wheel vehicle on some of the tougher roads. Ceelan was friendly, helpful and polite at all times and is extremely knowledgeable about all aspects of his country.
Browns Beach Hotel - Just right for an overnight stop. Interesting town.
Victoria Golf Chalet - Nice to escape Kandy at busy times. Refurbished, brand new & unusual room.
Norwood Bungalow - Wow! Luxurious but relaxed feel. Perfect
--- RM – Somerset
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September 02, 2009 :
Wallawwa - We were impressed by the Wallawwa.We have no hesitation in giving an unreserved recommendation for the Wallawwa.
Landa - The Landa was a good choice for us as the staff and indeed, the whole surrounding village made us feel so welcome.
--- NH – Dorset
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August 29, 2009 :
George Labrooy [driver] was one of the highlights of our trip. He was courteous, informative and unintrusive throughout. His knowledge of the country, wildlife and sites was outstanding and his English excellent. He quickly gauged what we liked to make things enjoyable for us. The car was immaculate every day. An utterly charming gentleman.
Theva, Kandy – Noise in our room, situated above dining room at top of stairs was potentially an issue.
Stardust, Arugam Bay – Stardust was fine – more a nice backpackers’ hostel. Impression was that it was expensive for what it was. From a surfing point of view, it is the furthest from the point.
Mudhouse, Anamaduwa* – It was not clear from the information provided that it was so rustic – no electricity, hot water, housekeeping and so remote. This was not a problem but itb should be made clearer.
[* note: Red Dot profile was reassessed because of this feedback].
Thilanka, Dambulla: Lovely room and staff but location not really breathtaking. Dining area a little spartan. Food very good on first night but menu almost identical on second night.
Landa Eco Resort, Belihul Oya: Red Dot information very accurate. Bedroom excellent with great balcony; bathroom letdown wikth many ants all over toilet in bathroom. Lovely location if happy to eat local meals.
The Walawwa: Beautiful finish and styling. It ios excellent that hot water is solar but no more than warm, expected hot water in hotel this calibre (especially if you have just stepped off flight).
--- KE – West Sussex
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August 21, 2009 :
Ashoka was an excellent driver, very helpful and knowledgeable. We would ask for him again on a future visit.
Tea Trails (Castlereagh): A wonderful bungalow. Very helpful staff and excellent service. Weather not the best but not unexpected. Tea factory tour was interesting but needs to be an hour shorter (hot and dusty).
---NB - Sheffield
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August 21, 2009 :
The quality of the [Red Dot] website must be commended. Very easy to use and very informative. Overall we thought that Red Dot were one of the best operators we have come across. Expectations were surpassed and we would definitely use Red Dot again. We would definitely use Red Dot again.
Seelan [driver] was very helpful and very knowledgeable. He was always willing to go out of his way to ensure we had a goods holiday. A credit to Red Dot!
Heritence Kandalama: Superb! Insist other Red Dot holidaymakers stay here.
Earls Regency, Kandy: Only complaint was that we found an old children’s nappy in the bathroom but they were quick to apologize. Otherwise, would definitely use again.
Suda Araliya, Polonnuruwa: The waiter kept changing the price of the evening buffet after we had started which we felt was a little unfair. Otherwise, an average hotel in a good location.
St Andrew’s Hotel, Nuwara Eliya: Considering this is meant to be a high-end hotel we left feeling very underwhelmed. The service, though friendly, was slow and the food possibly the worst we had in any hotel.
Taj Exotica, Bentota: Excellent hotel with beautiful views from every room.
---TW – London
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August 12, 2009 :
Qatar Airways: The stop in Qatar makes it a longer flight but we saved a lot of money.
[Prem] was an excellent driver. Very friendly and keen to inform us about Sri Lanka. A very informative guide who made very sensible changes to the itinerary to allow for very busy periods in Kandy. We cannot recommend him enough.
---RH – Derby
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August 10, 2009 :
Ayanthi was charming and extremely helpful, giving excellent advice. It was her help that made me book with Red Dot.Ranjith was a delight and made our Trip a pleasure. I would highly recommend him.
--- SC – Cornwall
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August 10, 2009 :
Emails were answered very quickly with any changes made to the itinerary that we had requested.
Taj Exotica - Beautiful location and hotel. We felt the buffet dinner was a letdown. However the excellent local restaurant shack, barely signposted, was a hidden gem
The Beach - Fantastic Hotel, shame we only had one day here. Restaurant was excellent.
Hunas Falls Hotel - Such a gorgeous location but feel this hotel need some updating. Unfortunately it was very quiet when we stayed, much of the food and wine on the a la carte menu was unavailable and the buffet dinner / breakfast was poor we felt.
Vill Uyana - An amazing place, Thank you for suggesting it. A real once in a lifetime experience.
--- SB – London
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August 10, 2009 :
Punchi was an excellent driver and guide. He made us feel very well looked after. He suggested some very interesting places to go and gave helpful advice on our travel plans. He took us everywhere we mentioned we might be interested in even if it was way out of the way. He did not take us to places which we would feel under pressure to buy things as I have experienced previously so that was great. He was punctual always available to help and was extremely courteous. He gave us honest opinions about things and was interesting to talk to. It was like having a friend guide us. Punchi was discreet at all times – a gentlemen.
--- SP – King's Lynn
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August 10, 2009 :
Ellerton - Brilliant – we were only guests! Well looked after, great service, good value, beautifully appointed
Kandalama - We love this Hotel! Lovely spa bath in room, fabulous wildlife. Only quibble – restaurant is a bit soulless. Beverage and drinks are very expensive.
Yala Village - Great location, peaceful and relaxing. Service variable – food pretty basic, not very fresh.
--- DB – London-
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August 08, 2009 :
Chrishan was an excellent driver and host who was always very punctual and attentive. Hasantha joined us for the final leg of our tour. He was also very good. I was surprised when we were charged extra when one of our [rest day] trips exceeded 100kms as some of our days were under 100kms. We would have thought that this should be balanced out and should be specified.*
* Red Dot comment: Since this feedback, Red Dot has taken direct responsibility for transport. We are committed to ensuring that mileage advisories always appear on Travel Vouchers and has advised all sales consultants to this effect. If a customer does not fully use a 100km/day maximum on a non-transfer day, this is now carried forward to subsequent days. Red Dot remains committed to providing Sri Lanka’s best group of high-quality driver/guides at fair renumeration and providing excellent value for our customers.
Ranweli: A good eco-friendly and friendly hotel which suited us well.
Kandalama: A very good hotel. Insects were a problem and there were no “safe” areas to sit in after dinner.
Kandy House: A superb boutique hotel with extremely high standards of service.
Fortress, Koggala: A world-class 5-star hotel.
You need to start sourcing a range of accommodation options in the Trinco area. The Brits will flock to this area in July and August as it is dryer and warmer than the West coast *
* We are sourcing. They are not flocking yet, just dribbling. But we believe in your assessment.
---JH, Caldy
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August 08, 2009 :
Temple Trees, Induruwa: The location is wonderful but the strong onshore winds made it impossible to swim in the sea so the pool was a godsend. Massage facilities good. You need to be specific about the food as it is quite spicy but once the chef got back it improved. Very efficiently run operation.
Chayya Village, Habarana: Excellent location with friendly, helpful staff. The buffet dinner and breakfast were the best we have come across over many years with food freshly prepared.
St Andrew’s, Nuwara Eliya: A hotel and location of great character, allowing you to step back in time and experience a lost part of history. Excellent for exploring the high country. Could do with some new pillows though.
Fort Printers, Galle Fort: Mr W was ill on arrival but the staff showed great professionalism and kindness. The location is excellent and the room had the most comfortable pillows we experienced on the whole holiday.
---DW - Bucks
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August 08, 2009 :
Gune [driver] was totally fantastic. He went out of his way to be friendly and helpful and was always very professional. He is considerate and funny too. A great credit to Red Dot and great ambassadoer for his country too. He took us to some fantastic places.
Tea Trails, Dickoya: Totally fantastic place. Incredible place, lovely rooms, great staff. Top notch!
Mahaweli Reach, Kandy: Good accommodation. Standard rooms average but suites very nice. Good food.
Cinnamon Lodge, Habarana: Lovely accommodation in fantastic settingFood Ok, but had to pay for water. Not good.
---DL - Hants
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August 07, 2009 :
Very impressive response to enquiries enabled the trip to be booked at very short notice (one day).
Jayasuriya [our driver] was a delightful, gentle man who did all he was asked. Great advice when asked, showed patience and got involved when we asked him to do so.
Yala Village, Yala: Served its purpose as a base for safaris and although we were happy some guests complained about how little wildlife they had seen. The pool was an enjoyable distraction between safaris.
Landa, Belihul Oya: A beautiful setting with delightful, genuine staff who could not do enough to help us celebrate our anniversary. The accommodation was good when we were the only guests but a lack of soundproofing between the two chalets was intrusive when the other room was occupied. The lighting was a little dim for our liking but overall we had a wonderful time.
The Wallawwa, Kotugoda: A very good location in proximity to the airport. Superb welcome and acknowledgment of anniversary on first visit. Tea-making facilities in room would be appreciated.
The Lighthouse, Galle: A dependable hotel with likeable staff and good facilities. The a la carte menu in the Cinnamon restaurant was excellent as was the table d’hote in the main restaurant. The buffet evenings were a disappointment but the breakfasts were great. The bathroom areas are beginning to look a bit tired.
---NH – Dorset
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August 07, 2009 :
More detailed responses to my questions asked by email would have been useful*
[*Note: All email exchanges re this holiday were examined and discussed with the sales consultant]
This is our second tour with Vijay [driver]. He is consistently helpful and professional. He does his absolute best to iron out any little problem. He is wonderfully protective and we always felt completely safe with him. He is a knowledgeable guide and thoroughly nice man.
Barberyn Beach Ayurvedic Resort: The attention to detail and commitment to guests’ comfort is outstanding. Everything works exactly as it should. The only negative is that the so-called “deluxe” room is not really deluxe but fairly basic. However, the room was very spacious with large balcony and superb views. Our room was not air-conditioned and we found the heat and humidity overwhelming. Would never again do non-a/c in Sri Lanka.
Galle Face Regency, Colombo: A superb hotel in a wonderful location. We loved the colonial atmosphere combined with modern comfort and efficiency. Excellent value. We were delighted to have a couple of days in Colombo which is a fascinating city.
Yala Village Hotel, Yala: The problem is the remote location and the road to Tissa is currently being rebuilt and is dreadful. This made for long journeys for our excursions to Bundula and Kataragama. The swimming pool had no pool umbrellas. The hotel needs a new manager to sort out all the little problems.
Hotel Suisse, Kandy: Great hotel and great architecture but the hotel was shabby and chaotic. Each day brought new problems. The window didn’t close properly, the sheets were threadbare, there was no shampoo. The phone didn’t work properly. There was no safe box available when we arrived. There seemed to be loads of staff and they tried their best but seemed to be unmanaged and untrained. This could be a wonderful hotel but currently resembles Fawlty Towers.
---JB - Southampton
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July 31, 2009 :
Herman [driver] really added to our trip. He was informative, helpful and flexible to make sure we got the best of the holiday. Much better than a guidebook. We would definitely recommend him and hope he is available next time we visit.
Corbett’s View, Knuckles: A wonderful place to explore the knuckles from. The accommodation is simple but that suits the area and the food was delicious.
Theva, Kandy: A beautiful hotel. A little out of town but good views and lovely rooms. The Kandyan steak was amazing. The staff were very accommodating when we came in late for dinner after the Perehera and then needed an early breakfast.
The Walawwa: Lovely peaceful hotel with attentive service. Spa treatments were excellent and we really enjoyed a personal yoga class with Marjory.
Amaya Lake: Good location but we preferred simpler, smaller places. This felt a bit touristy.
---BP – Twickenham
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July 28, 2009 :
The vehicle was very comfortable but we noticed that the gearbox needs some attention.We would be only too delighted to recommend Red Dot to other visitors to Sri Lanka, and we thank Red Dot very much for making this Holiday unforgettable and Enjoyable.
Kelbourne Cottage - Wonderful views, very relaxing and attentive service.
Yala Village - Well worth a visit. It was unfortunate that they were repairing the view point at the time of our visit. Views fantastic.
Ranweli Village - Lovely Location & Lovely Hotel
Chaaya Village - Laundry service was excellent. Some of the waiters were over enthusiastic about special promotions. Good view of the sunset from the tree house by River.
Hunnas Falls Hotel - Fantastic Location. Excellent room service
The Lighthouse - Outstanding Hotel.
Galle Fort Hotel - Beautiful Hotel. Lovely Ambience
Dickwella Village - Pool was out of order due to construction. Tv did not work. No Hot water
Martins Lodge - Welcoming environment. Close to the Rainforest. Good Birds
--- RM – Edinburgh
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July 28, 2009 :
Ervine was a lovely driver, considerate, informative, pleasant company – the best
The Beach - Fantastic room & location, expensive for food & drinks.
Palm Garden Village - The Italian & Sri Lankan food was great but the English food they served was not good at all. We also had to ask to move room as although the hotel was empty they moved people in to the next room at 4am and kept us awake the whole night.
--- JB – East Sussex,
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July 28, 2009 :
Excellent service, always polite and enthusiactic. Boniface made every effort to accommodate our request. He organized a trip to horton plains on very late notice.All transfers and accommodation arrangements went completely smoothly and much of the credit for this goes to Boniface(and Ayanthi of course)
Chaaya Citidel: Superb Hotel. Lovely location with very enjoyable pool side sheltered area we had a fantastic BBQ under one night. Staff are very attentive and at Boniface’s request they produced a lovely birthday cake for Liz. The layout and furnishing of the room were nice, although given the hotel appeared to be fairly quiet, it seemed odd that our room was next to a (at times) noisy staff room.
Cinnamon Lodge: We would recommend the ala carte menu rather than the buffet as it had a good selection and we was better value for money. Room was nice but the bathroom was a bit dated and could have benefited from the air conditioning being piped through. Great pool
St Andrews Hotel: This Hotel was below the standard of the other hotels we have stayed in Sri Lanka. On arrival the hotel seemed empty to guests and Boniface had to find the lights for us in the Lounge. The restaurant was also in complete darkness and the daily set menu was also from 3days ago. We ordered some room service and asked for a bottle of white wine. After 4 attempts of which the waiter bought up a bottle of red and white wine we had ordered, it was established that none of the wines we had ordered was available in which time we had finished our dinner. Though clean, the bathroom was of much lower standards we would come to expect from the Jetwing Chain. The staff were not adequately trained. The receptionist wasn’t helpful when we asked about tours to Hortoin plains.
--- RR – London
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July 27, 2009 :
Despite the initial response being slow, all other responses were quick, informative and helpful.
Nalin [our driver] possessed a good knowledge of flora and fauna which he shared with us. He would happily stop to point out any interesting wildlife. He was exceptionally polite with a good command of English and a good sense of humour. The van was kept immaculately clean and he drove with good care and attention.
Havelock Bungalow, Colombo: Quantity, quality and price of food was fantastic. Hygiene of swimming pool appeared insufficient. Great character with comfy beds although a/c noisy and cockroach noted. Standard of service and proximity of wildlife was excellent.
Amaya Hills, Kandy: Wide range of well-priced food with discreet background entertainment. Well-furnished, light and airy rooms, although single beds were a little narrow. Staff were helpful. Fantastic views and good-sized swimming pools (although sides were slippsy). All in all, a wonderfully quiet and scenic location.
Ancient sites
Polonnaruwa and Sigiriya: Fascinating, but entry prices for foreigners were extortionate. The equivalent in the UK would have been half the price.
Minneriya: Slightly overpriced but a wonderful experience.
Pinnewela: Well priced. The spectacle of the bathing was fantastic. The orphanage had a sad atmosphere.
Kandy botanical gardens: Reasonably priced. Beautifully laid out. For people with horticultural interest requires 2-3 hours.
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