Search Palaces in Hikkaduwa

"Rooms are small, half the size of other 5 star hotels. Bathroom is tiny, hardly any space. Hot water tends to run out after 10 minutes. Very unusual for a hotel of this reputation. Expedia also promised a $50 voucher for VIP access when I purchased the room. The hotel said this was not communicated to them, and Expedia said they cannot honour after I arrived at the hotel. Won’t be booking with them again. The only good thing was the beach was close to the hotel and easy access. Staff were excellent and very friendly too "

"We went for this hotel based on the trust in the Riu brand, location, all inclusive basis and general good reviews. Overall the hotel was very good. We’d stop short of rating it as excellent based on some of the amenities looking / feeling slightly tired - probably on the basis of having been worked hard. Some key thoughts; We visited during the Middle East war / crisis and consequently the hotel was much quieter than normal. Therefore everything felt more spacious, less crowded and easier to access. We wondered how our very good experience might of been if the hotel had been close to full as we were told is the normally the case. The food was outstanding - particularly for an all inclusive. The choices were broad and quality excellent. The themed restaurants were also superb and easy to book. The Pan Asian and Sauté restaurants were particularly good. The staff were brilliant, so polite, helpful and curtious - a real credit to the hotel and Riu. There were 3 big pools but only one with an easy bar access which was also strictly (and enforced) adults only. That suited us but with parties including under 18s may be an inconvenience and something to consider. The rooms were big, clean with functional facilities and simple decor designs. The hotel is right on a stunning public beach. You can swim but need to take care due to big waves and strong currents. Overall, we’ve done lots of all inclusives and this one is defiibately up there as one of the better we’ve experienced! "

"A beautiful boutique hotel that makes for a wonderful haven from the chaos on the streets. Beautiful rooms, restaurants, pool and facilities. Food at both restaurants great and the rooftop Japanese restaurant was magnificent. Would definitely return to this hotel and recommend it to others."

"If your absolute priority is a place with direct beach access, then this might be ok. But for the money I paid $22 for an ac room, you can get much, much better a short Tuk Tuk ride away. The place is very old, rooms feel dirty, although I expect they have been swept and mopped, but it just feels very dingy dirty. Everything is extremely old and decrepit. This place really needs a bit of tender loving care. A few thousand rupees per room spent on panting the walls and changing the toilet seats and bedding etc would go a very long way to improving this property. I am not a backpacker, so perhaps am being harsh, but I decided not to stay in the room and left, spending less money on a spotlessly clean and modern ensuite room 10 mins down the road (not in the main Hikkaduwa strip, so if location is everything, you might be ok with this place. "

"Fantastic location, amazing room, delicious breakfast and super helpful and friendly staff. Thank you."

"Lovely clean rooms and staff who couldn’t do enough for you. Good breakfast and the meal we had in the restaurant one evening was very good too. The most friendly greeting from the lovely Manafer"

"Bery friendly"

"The rooms are not as advertised. I booked a sea and pool view room but could not see either as there was a huge tree outside the balcony blocking the view. It is advertised as having free wifi but there is no wifi anywhere apart from in reception. They said they were upgraded it but there was none to upgrade.They were in the process of installing it. They also advertise a 40" tv with cable channels. The tv was about 28" and only had one local channel. My husband was recuperating after an operation so wanted wifi and tv. The hotel eventually moved us after a complaint to Expedia and gave us a router. Still we had no tv despite being promised every day that we would have it. The staff had no interest in the comfort of guests. There are glass panels between the rooms and the hall, so light emitted into the room all night. The pool was lovely and the pool.guy was very helpful. I would definitely not recommend this hotel. You do not get what you pay for."

"Staff were nice. A bit rundown... as expected for price and location. "