Well, i dont know where to start........ after a lovely flight with Qatar airlines we arrived at The Club Palm Bay..... was both very tired, so didnt pay to much attention to the journey to hotel..... was a bit taken aback when we got to reception, found it quite depressing and dark, but had a lovely greeting and much appreciated refreshing cocktail. Checked in and were taken to our rooms.....lovely big room, walk in shower, plenty of storage, tea& coffee making facilities, fridge, safe, tv etc etc.
After a shower, and I unpacked, we expolored the hotel grounds....... lovely!! set in beautiful, well maintained groundswith surrounding lagoon, i was very impressed : )
Food was lovely.....plenty of variety.... beautiful desserts... especially the steamed puddings lol.
Staff were lovely.... couldnt do enough for you, and were always very friendly, always a hello from the gardeners up to the reception staff
Trips... we did a couple of local trips in the tuk tuks which are situated outside hotel with a great guy called Sumith, he was very helpful and was a great guide.
For our trip to Kandy, and the elephant orphanage we used 'Big' Fernando...... what a fantastic day out with him.... had a laugh with him, asked him lots of questions about different things which he was only too pleased to answer, he speaks of his beautiful country with so much pride, and was only to happy to show us different things. He is situated just outside hotel gates..... he hasnt got an office, but we were recommended him, and i wouldnt hesitate to recommend him to others. (He is fully insured we saw all of his paperwork, and did check it out...I know certain comments have been made about tour guides and insurance, but he has it all) He made our trip out with him very special, and on the day before we left, he invited us to his house to meet his family which was lovely : )
The elephant orphanage is a must do..... Also the elephant ride... which is in not far from the orphanage : )
I could go on and on about this hotel, country, people etc etc, but would take up loads of pages lol!
Would like to say Hi to David & Jane if they read this...... wish we had been there for longer with you, as we really enjoyed our night in the bar ( Hope Jane is feeling better)
All in all was a great holidy.... will be going back next year...... have got lots of things we want to do and see.. so will be contacting Fernando to arrange things for us to do, and also contacting my lovely chefs in the restaurant to tell them that the lady who loved their steamed puddings will be back!! haha
Well done Club Palm Bay for making our holiday most enjoyable : )
Oh.... just remembered... the dogs outside hotel are friendly..... 3 belong to F.
ernando ( they wear some sort of collars) the fourth one ( maybe a stray) who hangs around them is friendly too.... he came for a walk with us along beach everyday..... Ive adopted him lol...... have just gone out and bought new collars for all 4 dogs to send to Fernando, as he has promised me he will look after the stray...
So for any of you going, please consider Fernando for your trips, you wont be dissapointed.... and say hello to him from me ... Mel ( or say red banana lady..... private joke )

This was our first visit to Sri Lanka and must say we thoroughly enjoyed our four week experience and will certainly be returning in the not too distant future.

The Club Palm Bay Resort is surrounded by a large lagoon, which attracted all different kinds of birds and other interesting wild life including water

My husband and I have been to Sri Lanka twice, each time we stayed in this hotel. We can only say that is one of the best hotels we have ever been in. All the staff treat you as a new friend and will do almost anything to make your stay a happy one.

The rooms are large with views across the lagoon, food is always good with something for everyone. The bar is fine for some night time fun!

We went "out & about" with Samantha's Tours a few times. He and Edward are really good and know their stuff! Their prices for trips are way better then the Reps. He will sort out trips to suit your needs and takes both couples and groups in his our van or car. Samantha can be found in his gift shop, out the hotel gates turn right up the road a little approx 100 yards. Do yourselves a favour folks and look him up. Say hello from Wendy and Graham.