Winner of, not one, but two categories in this year’s TripAdvisor Travelers’ Choice Awards, the Asian Jewel Boutique Hotel in Hikkaduwa is obviously bears mentioning. This small boutique hotel has time and again pleased its guests with exceptional service, which is actually one of the categories that it placed in.
The unparalleled service that each guest receives at the Asian Jewel Boutique Hotel is credited by everyone to its owners, Dale and Tanya, whose love for their small establishment has seemingly rubbed off on their staff resulting in hardworking pleasant workers that seem genuinely happy to cater to the needs of their guests.
Each of the 5 guest rooms in the hotel are also pretty well appointed and kept really clean, with all of them having a private balcony that offers unique yet equally beautiful views of the scenery. However, only one of the rooms has a bathtub, so make sure you ask for the Luxury suite (Jasmine) if you want to relax in a tub. But since they provide really beautiful baby cots (which is always a plus for me), then I guess the lack of the bathtub in the Family suite is something that I’m more than willing to overlook.
This photo of the baby cot at the Asian Jewel Boutique Hotel is courtesy of TripAdvisor
This boutique hotel also works just like a bed and breakfast, although there’s no buffet breakfast with everything you eat cooked to order. This means that the inclusive breakfast is always fresh, which is more than you can say for most bed and breakfasts, whose “free” breakfasts usually involve cold greasy meals.
This photo of a breakfast table at the Asian Jewel Boutique Hotel is courtesy of TripAdvisor
What’s even more impressive about the Asia Jewel Boutique Hotel is perhaps the price, with its Deluxe rooms priced at only $110 for twin sharing, and its Family suite (2-bedroom suite) priced at only $170 for a family of four. With such reasonable prices in such a beautiful place, it is no wonder that the other category in which this hotel scored really big time (#3 in Asia) is the Top 10 Bargian Hotels category.
This photo of the Luxury suite at Asian Jewel Boutique Hotel is courtesy of TripAdvisor
Written by Hannah on November 30th, 2011 | Comments Off
Filed under Boutique Hotels
One of the best things about the Dutch House, is that it is more like a graceful colonial home than it is a hotel. A short walk (or drive, in a charming vintage car no less) up the high Dickson Road, The Dutch House is perched on a tranquil space overlooking Galle Fort, in close proximity, yet set apart from it’s more lively sister hotel, The Sun House.
At first sight, though, one could come to the conclusion that the simple architecture and “no-frills” look of faded yellow ochre (again, unlike it’s flirty sister in white, The Sun House) could be less than welcoming. But once you enter your suite, you are thankfully proven wrong. Far from being austere, the huge four-poster beds are invitingly draped with mosquito netting, with the antique wooden doors opening up to the landscaped gardens or croquet lawn, definitely adding a feeling of warmth and relaxation. More »
Written by Antonella on August 12th, 2011 | Comments Off
Filed under Boutique Hotels, Galle Fort, History, Hotels, Luxury
Fort Printers is an unassumingly stylish hotel. Unpretentious and quietly chic, it is for people wanting to feel like they are staying at a town villa and yet still be spoiled with a hotel’s services. If you stroll down Galle Fort‘s popular Pedlar street (great shopping), you’ll find the Fort Printers at the corner of Church street- you would immediately think the elegantly restored building was the home of some lucky expatriate and not a small luxury hotel!
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Written by Antonella on July 8th, 2011 | Comments Off
Filed under Beach Holidays, Boutique Hotels, Galle Fort, Hotels, Luxury Travel, Restaurants, Villas
Upon arrival through Kahanda Kanda’s unassuming gates, you have to admit that you have indeed entered a very beautiful place. The tea bushes are everywhere and the buildings are all done tastefully, seamlessly blending into it’s natural surroundings. The bright orange wall and tower were a great touch, giving a sophisticated yet ethnic feel to what would otherwise be like so many other places in the Galle area.
Kahanda Kanda rather beautifully translates into yellow moon mountain, and is a chic boutique hotel in a working tea plantation. Once the home of Englishman and interior designer George Cooper, this hilltop retreat has been receiving quite a lot of praise as being one of the top small hotels in the area.
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Written by Antonella on May 5th, 2011 | Comments Off
Filed under Boutique Hotels, Colombo, Galle Fort, Luxury Travel, Restaurants, Sri Lanka, Tea
After a long day shopping and soaking in the fascinating sights of Colombo, Havelock Place Bungalow is the perfect place to come back to. Its existence has always been a cherished secret to those ‘in the know’. Described by many guests as an oasis in a busy city, this elegant retreat tucked away down a quiet leafy cul-de-sac in the heart of the capital was in fact Colombo’s first boutique hotel and prides itself on its high standard of personalized service in a homely and comfortable setting. Built in the 1940s, the hotel consists of two bungalows, which have been cleverly combined and entwined within a landscaped tropical garden, that provide all modern conveniences within a charming colonial setting. More »
Written by Antonella on April 14th, 2011 | Comments Off
Filed under Boutique Hotels, Colombo, Cuisine, Hotels, Luxury Travel, Tips, Travel
Spending a luxurious holiday in Ceylon is not at all that hard to do, and of course, your “home base” for your holidays will be at the center of it all. There are a lot of places where you can stay in Ceylon, and one very highly recommended hotel is the Galle Fort Hotel.
Situated on Church Street in Galle Fort, this boutique hotel has already received a lot of attention from foreign visitors as well as the press. It is no wonder, really, as the hotel is perfect in so many ways! Take a look at this list to see what reputable entities have to say about the hotel:
• Conde Nast Hot List 2005
• Chosen by Conde Naste as one of the best new hotels in the world under $200
• Most desirable hotel bed linen in the world Wallpaper magazine
• Winner of the 2007 UNESCO Award of Distinction for cultural heritage conservation
• Selected by The Australian Travel Magazine as “ one of our top five places in the world to chill and relax”
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Written by Georgie on March 24th, 2011 | 4 Comments »
Filed under Boutique Hotels, Ceylon, Galle Fort
The gardens at Lunuganga are a rare tropical Eden created by Geoffrey Bawa, Sri Lanka’s most influential architect. And what started out as an abandoned rubber estate, is now one of the most unique places to stay in the country. Over a span of 50 years, Bawa lovingly made this enchanting house and it’s gardens his spiritual home, which is known today as his most personal life’s work. The intriguing estate in the coastal town of Bentota has interesting history of evolution:
Bawa never kept a systematic record of the evolution of the garden and its chronology is now hard to unravel. One fascinating diary of events is provided by a large leather-bound visitors’ book containing a plethora of photographs and sketches as well as signatures and greetings: in 1965 Ulrik Plesner reflects on the problems of the Hilton project; in 1966 Ismeth Raheem records having seen over forty species of bird during one afternoon; in 1973 Donald Friend leaves a doodle of his museum on Bali; in 1997 President Kumaratunga approves the designs of her new Official Residence; and in 1998 Prince Charles drops in for tea.
Perhaps the most memorable visit of all, however, was on 3 January 1988 when a friend called Ray Wijewardene flew down from Colombo in a microlight and, misjudging his landing, crashed into the main roof of the bungalow.
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Written by Antonella on August 4th, 2010 | 1 Comment »
Filed under Architecture, Arts, Boutique Hotels, Galle Fort, History, Hotels, Luxury, Luxury Travel, Sri Lanka, Tours, Travel
