Blue Turtle Hotel

What an amazing find! If this hotel was on the coast it would be fantastic value at even USD$125/night. Clean, spacious rooms set in a 2-up, 2-down configuration amidst spacious well-tended grounds with an huge, clean swimming pool incorporating a toddlers section. Rooms have individual air conditioners and also, mosquito nets large enough to cover the beds. Staff are extremely attentive, the attitude is focused on service and a willingness to help. Packed breakfast is provided for the 5 a.m. start for the Yala national park safari. It is a pity that most people stay just a single night before the safari experience (we stayed 2 nights, one either side of the safari) because the Blue Turtle is a value-priced, quiet haven. The owner has lived in Europe and has brought a high standard of finish to the design and the materials used in construction - note the quality of ceiling/roof timbers once you arrive! If there is any disadvantage it is that there are seemingly few additional attractions/activities in the general area to sustain an 'active' traveller (we were travelling as 2 parents and a teenage daughter - but if you are looking for a place to 'chill' between active adventures in southern Sri Lanka, then the Blue Turtle hotel is time and money well-spent.

Its a new hotel. The restaurant is still under construction. We were the only family to be there. Stayed there for a night to catch the Afternoon Safari at Yala which is around 20 kms away. The big negative is the dismal pest control. You have to keep the lights inside room and balcony switched off at all times to avoid insects, pests and lizards invade your room. Use mosquito net provided at all rooms everytime. Clean the bed sheet before you sleep on it. It had insects inside. The owner is a nice man who tries to make you comfortable but with very few staff, thats impossible. You ahve to wait long for your food and service