Blue Water Hotel Sri Lanka

My Sri Lankan holiday was supposed to break into two, ten nights in a beach side hotel, The Blue Water in Wadduwa followed by a week's safari. The idea was that I would have a relaxing time and read a few books, do the odd excursion and meet folk around the large hotel.

"With understated elegance, a wide beachfront setting and streams flowing through topical gardens, these beautiful grounds create the perfect ambience for a serene holiday" said the brochure.  "Designed for relaxation" "Simple clean lines are accentuated by contemporary furnishings to create a haven of serenity." Sounds great doesn't it? A catch? Yes there is often a catch. Or two.

Yes all the clean lines are there. This is the 1960s version of cool modernism. I would give it the understated elegance. Very nice room with a balcony at the end and then a few steps down to the grounds and my own sun lounger.

And yes the pools are very nice. Look good don't they? And felt it too, refreshing without the chill factor.

Look carefully - a well  camouflaged sand crab

But serene? Well it looks it. But the grounds are infested with crows. Nightingales may offer beautiful birdsong. Crows do not. And furthermore, the hotel is the local wedding venue. Literally every day is a wedding day. And they are big affairs. A team of 5 photographers setting up every few yards throughout the hotel  to pose the very bored well dressed couple was not unusual. And on your first night, jet lagged, desiring an early night, a the tranquil strains of a drum troupe are not what you want to hear.

Yes a wide beachfront setting, but its a public beach and hawkers and beggars lay siege to the gate out. So having to run the gauntlet of that puts one off going to the beach or indeed looking at it from a distance.
And I didn't notice another English speaking guest, or at least one for whom English was a first language. Obviously one heard Russians trying to tell the Sri Lankan staff in pidgin English what they wanted in their omelettes, but that was about it.

And as for excursions, well Wadduwa has nothing, and indeed anywhere to visit is a long long way away. Only two real options and I chose both. And due to the lack of guests, it was a case of me on my own with guide/driver. And a very early start.