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Maalu Maalu

Passikudah, Sri Lanka
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Maalu Maalu Resort & Spa lies on a stretch of pristine beach looking out on the turquoise waters of Pasikudah Bay on Sri Lanka’s east coast.

Named after the local fishermen’s call meaning ‘fish fish’ the hotel is designed to reflect the charm of a traditional wadiya fishing village. The eco-friendly timber chalets with thatched roofs are arranged in a semi-circle, offering uninterrupted views of the Indian Ocean from every angle. The beach here is one of the best in Sri Lanka with its prime season being in the summer months between May and September.

The beachside infinity pool, framed by a wide timber deck, serves as the resort’s focal point. With its relaxed ambiance, it is the perfect destination for those seeking a peaceful and unhurried beach escape. The resort offers a total of 40 chalets, including 32 deluxe and 8 spacious suites. Architecturally reflective of local homes, the chalets feature timber-clad walls and roofs of woven coconut palm mats, known as Cadjan. Each has a high sloping ceiling that enhances the bright and airy feel of the rooms. The chalets are furnished with either double or twin beds, and the maalu theme is thoughtfully integrated into the décor.

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Luxury hotel gallery image
Luxury hotel gallery image
Luxury hotel gallery image
Luxury hotel gallery image

What we love

    • The beach here is stunning with gently sloping sands, making it a more accessible coastline than that of the south coast
    • We love the laidback barefoot atmosphere that runs through the hotel
    • The spa offers comprehensive Ayurvedic treatments right on the beach
    • The resort serves authentic Sri Lankan cuisine, with fresh seafood being a standout highlight

The beach can get busier in the height of summer holidays but at other times it’s quiet and very peaceful. Quieter Kalkudah Beach is only 1.6km from the hotel, should you be seeking solitude during the peak season

There aren’t many places to eat out nearby, but the hotel food is very good and, if you’re after variety, you could try the neighbouring hotels

Family-friendly with a dedicated children’s area of the swimming pool and beach activities suitable for all ages. The hotel offers a children’s menu across all its dining options.

Previous winners of the ‘Sustainability Rising Star’ award at the ACES (Asia’s Corporate Excellence and Sustainability Awards), Theme Resorts are deeply committed to sustainability across various initiatives. Maalu Maalu was the first private sector investment on the east coast following the civil war, playing a pivotal role in transforming the area into the tourism destination it is today.

The resort continues to support the local community by ensuring that at least 60% of their staff are from the local area. Additionally, Maalu Maalu contributes to the development of the region by offering free computer and English language classes to the youth, helping to provide valuable skills for future employment.

Maalu Maalu Resort & Spa lies just outside of the small fishing village of Pasikuda, it is around a one-hour drive from the domestic airport at Batticaloa.

What our travellers say

We went to Sri Lanka as a three-generation family of three. The superb trip was organised by Samanthie and the team and it's difficult to see how it could have been bettered.
Roy Wood (February 2026) Read the whole review here Google
Red Dot organised the most wonderful 3-week holiday for us. Samanthie built a trip around the amazing sights we had requested visiting, together with her own suggestions and a wide mix of hotels, which gave us the flavours of both traditional Sri Lanka and the sleek, stylish contemporary version of the country. Our Driver made the whole experience incredibly special for us.
Alie C (February 2026) Read the whole review here Trip Advisor
I can’t thank Cherylle and the Red Dot team enough for their meticulous planning of our family holiday to India travelling through Rajasthan over Christmas. As a family of all adults, every suggestion from daily activities to hotel choices was simply perfect. We travelled through Delhi, Ranthambore (an unforgettable tiger safari!), Jaipur and Agra and I truly feel we experienced the very best of each destination while moving at a relaxed, well thought out pace
Daisy Stanton (February 2026) Read the whole review here Google
My partner arranged a holiday trip at fairly short notice to Sri Lanka with Red Dot on a recommendation, Samanthie was so patient & helpful with her suggested itinerary which we followed with some minor amendments. On arrival at Colombo we met Manjula our chauffeur/guide who was absolutely brilliant!
Andrew S (February 2026) Read the whole review here Trip Advisor
Dulmini and the Red Dot Team arranged a fantastic trip for us around Assam and North East India. Faultless service. I cannot recommend them more highly.
Martin Thomas (February 2026) Read the whole review here Google
Wonderful company. Our holiday in Sri Lanka was perfect. Local knowledge made all the difference
Sandra Nicholson  (February 2026) Read the whole review here Google
We looked up, and communicated with umpteen tour operators. Though Red Dot seemed to have offices in Sri Lanka and the UK, they seemed to have the best reviews. We were fortunate enough to correspond with Cherylle, who not only assured us of the safety of our friend, but created a personalised, and flexible, itinerary which we could not have done ourselves.
Jayant Banerji (February 2026) Read the whole review here Google
A 14-day tour with Red Dot Tours was the perfect antidote to the bleak UK winter. After a glowing recommendation from a friend, we contacted Red Dot Tours and were not disappointed. Our consultant, Lahiru, curated a seamless itinerary. Throughout the planning phase, Lahiru was incredibly responsive; the final itinerary—delivered via a user-friendly 'Guest Portal'—was impressively detailed, covering every hotel stay and excursion.
Phil Blair ( February 2026) Read the whole review here Google
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