Words: Kirsten Durward Photos: Monica Tindall
Only 20 minutes from the international airport, The Beach – All Suite Hotel makes a good stopping off point after a long international flight, or to end your stay before an early morning take off. Each 1 or 2 bedroom suite has a private balcony overlooking the Indian Ocean. Welcomed with a fresh king coconut in the lobby followed by a tropical fruit platter in our suite, we are certainly well refreshed from our trip.
Suites are simply furnished with a modern feel. Slatted screens shade the rooms from the afternoon sun, and both air conditioning and ceiling fans keep the air fully fresh. The bathroom is spacious and modern, echoing the simple design of the property, and the shower pressure is the strongest we’ve come across on this trip. A flat screen television is provided for those who do not want to lounge by the pleasant pool or take a walk along the beach. Residents may also work out in the small gym on the ground floor.
The Beach has a stunningly located rooftop restaurant, TheVu, with kitchens managed by an internationally experienced chef. TheVu serves tasty European, Thai influenced and Sri Lankan dishes from 5pm until late with splendid ocean views. All day dining is available downstairs from the restaurant with options to dine indoors or by the poolside. Sri Lankan and international dishes are also available through room service. We dined on the roof and were quite taken by the flavours of some of the dishes. Guests wishing to self cater will be pleased with the simple kitchen, including stove, microwave, and larger than usual hotel fridge.
Negombo is a small market town with colourful fish markets early in the day. The highlight of Saturday night is the local bazaar. A few independent eateries grace the sleepy street close to The Beach, but the main attractions are the evening sunset over the Indian Ocean on our last night in Sri Lanka, and the short hop to the airport in the morning.
Reasons to visit: close proximity to airport; stunning ocean and sunset views; spacious suites.
The Beach – All Suite Hotel
249/15 Lewis Place (Beach Road)
Negombo, 11500
Sri Lanka
[email protected]
+94 (0)772 667 667
www.thebeachhotel.com