The Bellwood Manor

一般，全屋飄散油煙味

We booked a luxury room and arrived anticipating a wonderful holiday. having read favourable reviews. Reality hit us on the first day. After the initial check-in formalities, we met the chef who told us that local Sri Lankan dishes were available only at breakfast, not for lunch or dinner. We had to place our order by informing staff the evening before and state the time we would wish to have breakfast. We protested saying we were on holiday and couldn’t really give a specific time. We settled to have a western breakfast and place the order when we came for breakfast. We then went to the bar for a drink and were shocked to be told that the Bar did not have a liquor license! Hence our request for an alcoholic beverage was turned down. We were advised that beer was available only from the bottle. We asked for one of Sri Lanka's favourite bar snacks - devilled cashew nuts. After some delay we were provided cashew nuts that appeared to have been cooked in tomato sauce! It was not what we were expecting. And we were charged for this. That evening there was a foul odour in the room toilet. The next morning after breakfast we went for a walk. It was drizzling and the same stench of the sewers was in the air. The grounds were pretty but the stench was too much so we decided to leave the grounds. Fortunately, we had a car so we went sight-seeing and elsewhere for our meals. When we came back that evening our bathroom still had the smell. We decided to call the hotel staff and had difficulty contacting them. We were informed that we had to WhatsApp the staff who would then respond! Because the toilet stench persisted and could not be ignored, the front desk said that they would change our room the next day, and they did. While the new room was better we decided that the stay was ruining our holidays and decided to leave, even though we had paid for the next night , a sum that was not refundable. It was then that we realised that with just eight rooms the establishment had tried to stint on / optimise their situation. No liquor license as it does not make money sense with so few guests – this was attested to by one of the staff. Sewerage maintenance was compromised. Very limited assistance was available at night. Although staff were friendly and willing to assist they could do only that much. We found that Bellwood Manor is nothing more than just a Bed and Breakfast, stinting on their operations and pretending to be a luxury hotel.

This is a magnificent hotel where everything is perfect: the design, the service, the spa, the beautiful british style garden and the restaurant. We had a great time and enjoyed our three days at this beautiful manor. Also I want to mention the friendly staff, who made our stay as luxurious, peaceful, and enjoyable as possible. I will definitely return to this hotel in the future!