We loved this family run hotel so much we started and finished our holiday here.
Clean, comfortable rooms with fridge, kettle and cups, air con and ceiling fan. This is a hotel that actually lives up to its good reviews.
Set back from the long coast road a few kilometres from Colombo airport and the town of Negombo, with a garden in front, this hotel can be difficult to spot, but once you find it you won’t be disappointed. The rear garden is so pretty and visited often by beautiful birds and chipmunks (squirrels to the locals), and the pool is so welcome on a hot day. Access to the beach, where we saw beautiful sunsets every evening, and listened to the pounding sea, is through a gate at the top of the garden.
The garden is well laid out with plenty of sun loungers, trees and plants and, of course, the pool which is clean and well-maintained.
Our rooms were large and airy with a good sized balcony, perfect for sitting out in the evening sun, watching the sun go down. The clear star-filled skies are an added bonus.
The food is wonderful, made by Hector and Thomas and served by Thissa, all of whom never failed to smile. Breakfast – splendid, and so much of it from the Sri Lankan omelette to the sweet bread. Dinner – try Hector’s amazing Sri Lanka curry. I’m not a fan of highly spiced food, but this is the best curry I’ve ever eaten – so much variety, delicately flavoured and very generous amounts.
We went to Negombo during our first stay but I can’t honestly say there was much of interest, so we didn’t go back. A couple of days just chilling by the pool or walking along the beach was perfect for us. Hans told us the beach was virtually destroyed during the tsunami of 2004, what remains is hard sand and black rock, but we found it interesting as there are dozens of rock pools. He also told us the government is remving vast quantities of sand from many of Sri Lanka’s southern beaches in order to build out from Colombo’s coast.
But the best thing about Zieglers is the staff:
Thank you to Hugo for collecting us from the airport.
Thank you to Hans for your local knowledge and always being there to help.
Thank you to Hector for your wonderful food – a Sri Lanka curry to beat all others.
Thank you to Thissa for serving all our meals
Thank you to Thomas for being there to help Hector.
Thank you to the ladies who ventured into our rooms each day and tolerated our untidiness.
Your warm smiles and friendliness will stay with us for a long, long time. Nothing was ever too much trouble for these guys, and if we ever come back to Sri Lanka, this is where we will stay.
