MAHAWELI REACH HAS AN ENVIABLE REPUTATION AS A

hotel with a loyal following among repeat clients. If you looked for a reason for this, you might find it in the hotel's origins as a family-run, four-room, guesthouse. It has grown into a 115 room deluxe hotel and yet, under the direction of the very same family, that original warmth in the welcome and personal touch in the service is still there. Further proof of this can be seen at the weekends, when Sri Lankans in couples and jovial groups drop by to reacquaint themselves with the hotel’s finer points.

The building itself reflects the five star status given to the hotel. It is an intriguing mix of colonial style and aristocratic Kandyan style. It is formal, sometimes dramatic, but never intimidating. The arcades, terraces and balconies open out to the wonderful swimming pool. The architect could not bear to cut a single tree down, so he cut the swimming pool around the existing trees and created several delightful 'mini-pool spaces'.

For those seeking a variety in sporting facilities, Mahaweli Reach boasts of a tennis court, squash court, table tennis and billiards room. With organised river cruises and fishing on the Mahaweli River that runs alongside the property there are many reasons not to go roaming. But one good reason to do so would be to have a round or two at the nearby Victoria Golf Club. This new course in the hills is proving tremendously popular. There is a variety of other things to do and see and the staff are always more than happy to sort trips out. Every guest gets a full information pack with details of all the highlights, local and regional.

Evening entertainment is generally soft, live music as everybody relaxes after a hard day's holiday but, if there is any request for something different, it will probably be done, as the staff live up to their motto: "Our world revolves around yours".