SOME SIXTY KILOMETRES SOUTH OF COLOMBO,

you find this hotel right on the main road, by the sea and close to a fishing village. You can easily explore the surroundings and feel the tempo of rural life. The old temple of “Khanda Vihare” is only four kms away. About two kms away is a turtle hatchery. Within an hour's drive are the Galle Fort and Ambalangoda with its mask and batik factories.

The place is German-friendly, Russians are coming these days and Sri Lankans have a marked preference for it. The staff members are eager to help and friendly, the atmosphere easy going.

Just across the air-conditioned lobby you find two octagonal Jacuzzis and the swimming pools (one for kiddies). Cross the pool deck and you are on the clean, uncluttered golden beach. The seashore here has a wide and gentle slope Around full moon, sea turtles come to the beach. During daytime, snakecharmers, monkeymen, and elephantmen make the beach a hub of activity. At one corner, a clump of rocks rising from the sea creates a natural fountain with foamy waves relentlessly crashing upon it. A perfect spot to sit with a fishing rod if you have the taste for it.

The meals are usually buffets, always so for the all-inclusive guests, offering a variety of cuisines that may include Mongolian dishes cooked at an action corner. The sea-view ground floor restaurant is suitable for entertaining a big crowd of wedding guests. Terraces fronting the road are available for parties. Another smaller sea-view restaurant on the fourth floor serves as a conference hall as well. The hotel provides a co-ordinator too.

The usual round of entertainment and activities include traditional Sri Lankan games, beach volleyball, waterpolo and kiddies games. While keeping an eye on making the day and the evening lively, the management is equally responsive to the guests' requirement of quiet leisure.