FRIENDLY LITTLE HOTEL WITH A GOOD BEACH LOCATION

only one hour's drive south of Colombo. The striking hibiscus theme runs through the hotel, from bowls of floating red flowers in the lobby to the décor of the rooms, to the beautiful hibiscus gardens extending from the pool to the beach.

The pace of life here is gentle and relaxing. There are just 50 rooms, all of them with balcony of terraces overlooking the pool and garden. All the rooms are standard with twin double beds, some with air conditioning, mini-bar and TV. The majority of guests are British and there is a good mix of both younger and older people.

The restaurant and lounge bar area are open and breezy with a view of the garden and sea beyond. Meals are a combination of buffet and set menu with breakfast and dinner usually buffet, and lunch set. The beach bar, open between 10.00am - 6.00pm, also serves snacks and a lunch menu. The food is good and well-presented and the staff are friendly and helpful. Every evening there is some form of entertainment; either a live band, cultural show or ballet performance. Days are quiet and relaxed and can be spent by the pool in the shade of the hibiscus garden or on the long stretch of almost deserted beach. For a bit of gentle activity there is table tennis and a variety of indoor games.

The appeal of the Hibiscus Beach Hotel lies in its small-scale, intimate, relaxed atmosphere. Many of the guests having once discovered the enchanting little hide-away come back time and again.