BUILT IN THE MID-1980S,

Peacock Beach Hotel is ideally located on the sea front of this orderly town, which boasts vast stretches of unspoiled beaches and bays. As you drive to the hotel down the shady avenue lined with willows, you will notice a swimming pool, baby pool, changing rooms and a pool bar secluded by Frangipani and Kohomba trees on your left. You will reach the reception by stepping over a bridge under which there is a large, landscaped pond surrounded by lots of interesting flora.

The hotel has 111 standard rooms fitted with air conditioning, phones, mini bars, hot and cold water, piped music and very comfortable twin beds. The rooms are quite large and the décor understated, perhaps encouraging you to spend more time on the pristine beach. There is plenty to keep you and the kids occupied since the hotel regularly features Magic Shows, Barbecues on the beach, Calypso bands, One-Man Shows and Cultural Evenings. There are plenty of indoor games such as billiards, badminton, carom and chess and also a TV in the Falcon Pub, which also serves as a Conference Hall whenever the occasion arises.

There is an awesome view from either the spacious and well-stocked Lihiniya Bar or the Monara Restaurant, both of which overlook the Hambantota bay. The Monara, decorated in dark blues and greens, seats 175 diners and serves both eastern and western cuisine. There is also a separate Sea Food restaurant to tempt your taste buds.

Many of the guests who stay here are usually on their way to the Ruhunu wild life sanctuary in Yala, but there is plenty to see close by as well. The Bundala bird sanctuary is fifteen minutes away and half an hour's drive will bring you to the famous hot springs at Madungala. The sacred “Kirivehera” buddhist shrine and the “devale” to the god Kataragama are also a mere 30 minutes away. Uda Walawe, home to a huge herd of elephants and an elephant nursery is just under an hour away.