Calamander Unawatuna Beach

Calamander Unawatuna Beach descritpion

Established in 1982, Calamander Unawatuna Beach (formerly known as Unawatuna Beach Resort) is centrally located in the bay of Unawatuna. The property features Sri Lanka's first and Asia Pacific's longest glass fronted lap swimming pool, located in the private beach garden and offering a beautiful view of the Indian Ocean.
Featuring free Wi-Fi, all the non-smoking guestrooms are fitted with air conditioning, a flat-screen satellite TV and a minibar. Free bottled water is included. En suite bathrooms are equipped with a shower.
Calamander Unawatuna Beach is a 5-minute drive from the Southern Expressway and about 3.7 miles from Galle. It is an hour's drive from Colombo. On-site parking is free.
Beach volleyball courts and yoga classes are available. Guests can play a game of table tennis or work out at the gym. The resort has a tour desk, while activities such as kayaking and paddle-boarding can be enjoyed at the private beach area. Massage services are also available.
Specialising in seafood, the on-site restaurant serves both local and international dishes. Guests can enjoy the drinks at the 680 Blu Bar and Brix Bar. Alternatively, 24-hour room service is also available.

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Facilities of Calamander Unawatuna Beach

Outdoors ：Outdoor Pool | Grounds | Terrace

Pets ：Pets are not allowed.

Food & Drink ：Bar | Restaurant with Dining Menu | Buffet-Style Restaurant | Special Diet Meals (upon request)

Internet ：Free!WiFi is available in all areas and is free of charge.

Parking ：Free!Free public parking is available on site (reservation is not needed).

General ：Newspapers | Safe | Shops (on site) | Non-smoking Rooms | Facilities for Disabled Guests

Languages Spoken ：Russian | Dutch | English | German | Arabic

Reviews for Calamander Unawatuna Beach

Review 1：The hotel was very run down, the 'garden view' deluxe room looked out over a shanty town, the bed did not feel clean, and the hotel was overrun with kids and families. Definitely not 4 star. As I was waiting at reception, I also saw the list of booking.com customers in the hotel, and most were paying $225 to my $300 per night. Very annoying.

Review 2：Furniture and equipment on the beach are pretty shabby, umbrellas are broken.

Review 3：This is the best bay in Unawatuna! Location of the hotel is great. Very friendly and nice stuff.

Review 4：The room smelt a little strange, so we asked this to be sprayed, which they did. Some food / drinks orders throughout the day were extremely slow at times. Don't get a taxi direct from the hotel as you would be charged double, the ones off the street or at the airport will offer a great price to pick up after your holiday, so make sure you get a card.

Review 5：The hotel was lovely, warm and friendly and it was located directly on the beach. The beach was amazing, so beautiful, well kept and not to many hawkers selling stuff which was great. The hotel had 2 pools, one small for laps and another larger one. There were day beds dotted around the beach and shisha area too. The beds were comfy and right on the beach. The place was really clean and the interior was really nice. The rooms were also nice and clean. The whole exterior was beautiful. All the staff were really friendly. You need to be a little specific with what you want at times when ordering, but they delivery well once they understand. The food was excellent and well priced. The happy house went on from 10 am until 7pm which was amazing! We would love to come again.

Review 6：Building work for the renovated pool going on. The buffet food was absolutely awful. They should just stick to doing Sri Lankan food and do it well, because their attempts at the nightly themed buffets was inedible across the board.

Review 7：View from the room was great. The man at the breakfast egg station (appeared to be the only competent chef in the place)

Review 8：Room we booked came with 2 twin beds, and those were falling apart. We ordered a double room deluxe. Bathroom didn't have any shower curtains, so the entire floor got wet after a shower.

Review 9：Friendly staff, location, good breakfast. Beautiful view of the ocean and very romantic environment.

Review 10：They gave us a very dirty room at the beginning. Smelly, strong humidity, dirty toilet. dirty curtains, bedding. We had to talk with the manager and finally got a decent room. Is not the cheapest one in the area, so they should take care specially of the cleanness.

Review 11：Located in front of the beach.

Review 12：Pool wasn't open first couple days of my stay & pool wasn't that nice anyway. Rooms aren't that nice.

Review 13：Ocean side location. Helpful friendly staff. Nice food variety at restaurant. Lively place.

Review 14：No mosquito net, a lot of hassle from locals on the beach, constantly asking if we wanted to buy "cigarettes"

Review 15：Friendly staff, nice view and balcony. Great happy hour cocktails.

Review 16：Deluxe rooms are very small n bathrooms are badly designed, small and permanently wet. We had 2 single beds are bed springs are worn out - very uncomfortable.

Review 17：Location

Review 18：It takes quite a long time to get the bill each time you buy food or drink because it's in another area.

Review 19：This hotel was fantastic and gives the impression of striving to develop all the time. The staff are lovely and not too pushy, just right. The beach staff especially made us feel safe and secure.

Review 20：Bottled water was ridiculously high priced and should be free. It's 3 times as much as water from a shop down the road and that's without the tax also added on. Other basic commodities like free tea and coffee should be included in the high cost of the room. Service charge added to every beverage and snack is also ridiculous - this should be included for the customers staying at the hotel. For example, you'd innocently order a pizza at lunchtime. Bill comes and tax and service charge have almost doubled the price and nowhere does it warn you of this. Overall our stay was fairly comfortable but not worth the price at all - I was expecting a lot more for what I paid.

Review 21：The food was excellent - one of the best places to eat on Unawatuna beach. Pay to have dinner there but it's not worth getting a room and watch out for the hidden added costs!

Review 22：Charge my credit card for 6 days I booked , before I arrived at the hotel. Roof. Was leaking when it was raining.

Review 23：Peaceful place, nice beach. To walk.

Review 24：The staff in the restaurant are fabulous at this hotel. Friendly, helpful and polite. It's in a great spot with lovely sunbeds and settees to sunbathe on. The beach bar is fab will a great happy hour. The availability of beach and bars games is a great idea, so too is the free hire of paddle boards and kayakes. The management were very friendly and interested in honest feedback. Would definitely go back.

Review 25：A garden view means a parking and roofs view. Swimming pool is just for children. A lock of a room didn't work. Breakfast begins at 7:30, but at 7:40 it was not ready in full. During a rain on a ceiling of our room appeared some water and ran down. At least we were offered to change the room. The most thrilling thing was a huge group of tourists that was brought just for a lunch at hotel's restaurant. Such things leave you a very little of privacy. Beach is ok, but it's not enough to recommend this hotel.

Review 26：Bed is ok. That's all.

Review 27：Too expensive compared to other places in Sri Lanka Constructions on the beach Too many mechants on the beach trying to sell you stuff

Review 28：Friendly staff - good food

Review 29：Overall clean, but hair in the shower isn't very nice to arrive to... Too bad there's a lot of people trying to sell you things when you're using the hotels sunbeds on the beach.

Review 30：Funny pool, great with sunbeds and showers between the beach and pool since the sand gets reeeally hot! Very nice and service minded staff.

Review 31：stayed in the older part, first floor, as we requested rooms which could be connected. rooms fine, but on balcony (gentle) smell of kitchen

Review 32：10 seconds 2 beach :) staff very friendly + attentive, excellent breackfast + lunch,

Review 33：The hotel was spotless and newly refurbished. Beautiful setting, fantastic attentive staff, right on the beach, plenty of sun beds, great selection of food.

Review 34：Staff were not great, had a couple of instances where staff were actually rude! This was not true of all staff but a significant number.

Review 35：Location was good. Near galle and on the beach.

Review 36：Nothing at all. Ended up being better than our expectations.

Review 37：The location right in front of the beach was perfect. The staff was really helpful and friendly. The room and bathroom were very clean. The food didnt disappoint us, and we specially loved the sri lankan dishes. All in all, great choice if you are looking for a comfortable and affordable hotel in unawatuna.

Review 38：Room services came about twenty past nine in the morning. If check out is 12, room service shouldn't come till after that. Spa is very over priced for what it is.

Review 39：Wifireally slow. Since I had a late evening plane in Colombo I did the check outin the morning. In the afternoon I asked if it was possible to have a shower, before leaving toward the airport.. They did not gave a room to change my clothes and refresh, they took me in a cupboard, with a tiny public toilet and one used towel.

Review 40：The position is fantastic, seafront.

Review 41：You have to walk along a short but difficult stretch of rocks in order to get to the beach. This is too bad because they could easily build a bit of a walkway to solve the problem.

Review 42：Rating this hotel against others available on that strip of beach would have resulted in a higher score - as an absolute value, however, it was a bit lower. There were several different locations to relax (by the pool, by the bar, in the open air restaurant, in lounges scattered around the property). That variety was good. Meals were fine. Property and rooms were clean (which is saying something given the area).

Review 43：We were a bit unlucky that the sand had flushed away from the beach. It was a giant project to redo the beach and pumping in new sand. But actually we only had to walk a few 100 meters to reach the nice part of the beach so not a big deal.

Review 44：The staff was vey nice attendant and helpful in all areas. Clean and modern room.

Review 45：No beach and the only access to swim in the sea dismantled half way through my stay. Pool not great. Food average.

Review 46：Great room, helpful staff. Got the room on a last minute deal and was happy with value for money. Wouldn't pay full price.

Review 47：Beach has completed eroded in front of the hotel so only rocks . Apparently this is due to a politician building a barrier to improve his property further up the coast , it looks like a long term issue ! Pool is closed for renovation, just small temporary pool

Review 48：on the seafront, very nice views and good breakfast.

Review 49：We expected that this hotel will have a beach.But entire beach is eaten away only sea is located near the hotel .One can have sea view.But for a beach you have to go elsewhere.

Review 50：The service of staff,courtesies are good.

Review 51：The food could've been a lot better! We didn't eat here at all.

Review 52：The rooms were fantastic. Very helpful staff and the beach was a short walk from the resort!

Review 53：The pool was not finished. The beach was small and rocky which did not allow swimming direct in the sea. A la carte menu was very expensive for what you received and compared to the buffet.

Review 54：The staff were very attentive and cooperative, even if their numbers suggest by managing this the hotel prices could be lower.

Review 55：small pool, over priced food and not very tasty. Ended eating lunch and dinners at other places. Room looked out on a tar roof.

Review 56：the bed was comfortable and the pillows nice. the Sri Lankan breakfast was good

Review 57：The challenge of getting to the local beach now but that isn't the fault of the hotel!

Review 58：We enjoyed our stay and accessed the restaurant each evening for either buffet or a la carte. The resort is lacking a beach having been washed away after the building of a breakwater and the strong currents from the monsoon. However, good site and good for getting to places e.g. Mirissa for whale watching.

Review 59：We love this Hotel, the it was our best so far while traveling around Sri Lanka. The staff were so friendly in all the areas from the restaurant, managers, bars, room maintenance, and reception. We enjoyed the dinning area overlooking the sea, with a lovely selection of food for breakfast and evening meals. There was nothing bad to say our stay here, looking forward to returning.

Review 60：No shower enclosure was in the bath room. A shower cubicle or a shower curtain would have prevented the other area in the bath room getting wet

Review 61：Generally every thing was above average

Review 62：This is a difficult hotel to review since what they say is there is not, but clearly was once a far better venue. There is no beach at all despite boasting of the best beach in Sri Lanka. The Hotel feels like a package holiday hotel. The staff were appalling on reception. I had to ask for three room changes before I got anything like what I had booked and even then was looking at the car park..! The food in the restaurant was very mediocre. After my friend observed them cooking bacon from frozen, they gave up on eating there. Even the orange juice was concentrate. This is a pretty simple thing to amend and at £175 a night it should be far better than this. The front of house staff are in short useless. I genuinely have nothing great to say about the place. Its a real shame as the place has great potential, but is let down by a very low rent service and a website that needs to be more honest of the actuals of the hotel

Review 63：Very little.. the view is nice from the man made beach. The staff in the bars were very friendly. That is it really

Review 64：Very disappointed with the beach, which was non existent beside the hotel. The phots showed chairs and table on the beach, but the beach had been washed away by the tsunami. There was beach nearby, but the area is very unkept with makeshift restaurants nearby and hawkers selling their wares constantly

Review 65：The property was clean and close to the sea and the sea was lovely to swim in.

Review 66：close to the beach, but rocks instead of sands. small swimming pool.

Review 67：food is excellent, property facilities very much comfortable, nice staffs, kindly help for taxi service.

Review 68：Didn't like the atmosphere. Huge noisy hotel, constructions around the pool every day (the whole day). There is no beach, just rocks and a lot of rubbish. You cannot access the water because of the sharp - full of trash - rocks, which you see basically from everywhere around the hotel. Would not book this hotel again.

Review 69：The majority of the sun loungers are shaded by palm tree's not ideal for sunbathing. Although there was a large selection for breakfast the quality available was not what you expect for the price of the hotel, especially if you are looking for a healthy option.

Review 70：Hotel itself was very clean and done to a very high standard. Location was superb and pool bar ideally situated for drinks, snacks and watching the sunset.

Review 71：breakfast could have been better. They could have offered limited choice within its continental and local food selection. I think they were lost in their breakfast choice trying to please everyone. the walk to the beach could be more secure with stable pavement with some lights in the dark.

Review 72：all facilities along with its location.

Review 73：We only stayed here 1 night so can't really comment to much but it was a great hotel in a fab location and excellent value for money. Would def return.

Review 74：1.The reception didn't arrange the rooms with windows for us,but the answer of our request on booking is "Yes". 2.Strange smell in the room.

Review 75：Beautiful beach and tasty breakfast ,and the staffs in the dining room are very kind: )

Review 76：Nothing...

Review 77：everything... Staff were polite and really helpful. The breakfast had different choices and loved the food..Can enjoy the sea view..beach is nearby..pleasant environment.....

Review 78：100m boulders stretch leading to he town. A local government attempt to save the beach after the tsunami, only the hotel have made no attempt to make a safe path back to the town, this really is only option to get to town. I saw several young couples carrying push chairs as they tried to navigate the rough and sharp boulders. A conctrte paths is all that is required.

Review 79：A/C water leaking,no HSKP attendants doing turndown services

Review 80：the facilites and location is the best when you visited unawatuna beach resort,and the breakfast is the best meal when we taking journey in Sri Lanka,it is the best experience we had in Sri lanka and we are invited for their cocktail party which really impressed me

Review 81：WiFi in the room was hit and miss but my partner and I both agreed, that was the only issue. Besides, the WiFi in the lobby was more than sufficient. We will definitely be returning to the Calamander!

Review 82：Stunning views, extremely polite and helpful staff, gorgeous food... Absolute paradise!

Review 83：Wifi is poor (going up and down) Staff is sometimes not attentive Gym machines are outdated Took a day to find my pair of socks at the laundry

Review 84：Located on the shore but the beach is cover by massive stones as it erodes Food is excellent, nice breakfast Beds are comfy Pool is great Free parking

Review 85：I only had one night to relax at the hotel. It was my week end and I had a hard week of work in Colombo. There was a horrible loud kind of night club music as there was a private party in the public area. Did not expect this in a 4 star hotel and wished it had been mentioned somewhere. My only evening with my friends was just spoilt and no one seem to get it.

Review 86：Being by the sea.

Review 87：You need to know that you can't swim in the beach at all. There is no beach & it's very dangerous to go their. You only can enjoy the view. They didn't gave me a free accommodation for the driver because driver place is full. But they told me by the telephone if you book the room by the hotel which cost 133 $ (& by booking it costing 66.50$ ) . They will proved my stay with the free driver accommodation which I feel very bad. & I book for my driver a nearby hotel.

Review 88：Staff are so kind & good. Hotel & room design & style is perfect for beach side. Great Location. I like everything in this hotel. Variety of food choices for breakfast. I love the juice that's been given on arrival time. Sitting area on the hotel loopy is magnificent with sound of the sea waves. There is no bugs at all in the room. Bathroom & shower area are so pleasant.

Review 89：The hotel is not really on the beach. They do have sand but there are a lot of rocks in between the sand and water. Instead of swimming in front of the hotel you have to 'walk' 5 min through the rocks to get to the actually beach.

Review 90：Beautiful hotel with great service and food. The staff was really helpful and we got an early check-in with out paying any extra for that. They have a lot of activities; yoga, badminton, games etc. Their breakfast buffet is very deliceous and the whole setting of the hotel is very nice.

Review 91：The bed was nice but had some sleeping-holes in it (....?)(I mean holes or dents that heavyweight people make by just laying in the bed with their weight) (at least that would be my explanation for the 2 dents in our bed)(feel free to work your imagination on this)(...)

Review 92：The staff was friendly and accommodating. The lady of the spa (I took a foot massage) also. Upon arrival you get a nice drink and a small, cold towel to freshen up a bit. The rooms have a nice decoration and are quite big. The shower was great. Wifi was just ok (as in: not very fast but it did exist) Swimming pool is very nice. We got a late check out at no extra cost. The beach is close by. When sitting at the breakfast table you of course see the beach, but it's too wild and too rocky here. Just ten minutes (max.) away there's a nice beach to relax and to surf. Galle fort is some 7 km's away, within easy reach of a tuk tuk for 300- 350r. Galle has a nice atmosphere and great lunch- or dining options. It looks better preserved than most places in Sri Lanka so you pay for this in ways of (more)expensive food and souvenirs. But hey, the food was great there, so no complaints here! If you leave Galle for say Colombo or Negombo, be smart and do take a (local)bus or taxi that takes the faster highway/shortcut. This can save you a lot of time. I m writing this since we did not do this obviously ;-)

Review 93：Swimming Pool still under constructions.

Review 94：It was a nice experience with the excellent staff. Nice restaurant and variety of food during breakfast (include the tradisional food).

Review 95：Through no fault of theirs, Unawatuna beach has washed away, leaving an ugly mass of rocks on the west side of the bay.

Review 96：The Food, comfort and staff make up for the disappointment that one can't step out anymore onto the beach that used to be. Still, beautifull views, tastefully decorated, extremely helpful staff, fabulous food and creative bartender. Hope very much the rates won't skyrocket and turn the place into a socalled "Boutique Hotel" once the pool is restored.

Review 97：No beach outside the hotel, so have to walk on either bad and stoney path, or on a road with lots of Sri-Lankan traffic. Pool was closed. Service was bad. E.g. one day one of our beach towels was stolen at noon, and we had to pay for a new one (that is ok), but could not get a new one before 7 pm in the evening. Cleaning personel entered the room up to three times a day, also without knocking first.

Review 98：The bed was comfortable TV with many channels Nice shower Beach towels Breakfast The owner tried to clear up some of the bad experiences when we left

Review 99：It does not have private beach, we had to walk along a long way on rough rocks. Why don't they make a comfortable lane for guests?!

Review 100：This is a nice hotel with good sight view, and the buffet was quite delicious. My son said it's the best buffet he had ever had in Sri Lanka. The sea is always so beautiful!The staffs were very nice and efficiently.

Review 101：Pool still under construction with associated building works around the new sleeping block. We are 95% sure we picked up food poisoning from either our dinner or the water which then wrecked the rest of our holiday plans and our 4 day holiday itself

Review 102：Great appearance, layout and location right on the beach. Room was amazing with awesome facilities. Nice atmosphere in the hotel and restaurant

Review 103：Received two wrong meals and no effort to replace and the second one he some wire in the food. Wasn't happy.

Review 104：Genral happiness of the staff and the rooms were excellent. Restaurant was very good apart from a couple of wrong meals served .

Review 105：Pool was under renovation. Staff were supposed to help to hold our luggages, after waiting 20min, we went downstairs and learnt That staff wanted to finish their breakfast before helping us. ( at least let us Know so That we don't wait for nothing)

Review 106：I stayed 2 nights at UBR hotel. The view is great, rooms are clean. Buffet is very good ( a bit expensive). Wifi is availaible everywhere which is quite convenient.

Review 107：The pool was under construction and was not well communicated before the booking. However the good beach part is at a 15 min walk. The matras was not good quality but is not that big a deal.

Review 108：The f&b staff made our stay rememberable! We felt very welcome and they made sure we had the best service and did everything to make us comfortable. And they were very social and friendly, especially Sumudu, Thilina, Kusumsiri and Thareem. Good people with the right service level. The resort itself is nice to stay, the food is excellent and the rooms are good to stay in for multiple days.

Review 109：Rooms are too small Food is average No signboards to reach the hotel

Review 110：Location- the restaurant location is too good, you can hear wave lashes while having dinner

Review 111：Pool was under construction. This was the only thing missing in the hotel. I guess in about 6 months pool should be renovated.

Review 112：Very clean, nice hotel near Unawatuna Beach. Restaurant was very nice with direct view at the sea. Buffet was super delicious. Very friendly staff, nice big rooms.

Review 113：even though this hotel was accepting AMEX payments at that time this was not accepted which was a little inconvenient and would have caused embarassment to me if I did not have any cash.

Review 114：overall good

Review 115：Restaurant menu was a bit limited with not enough sr Lankan options

Review 116：Good level of service for Sri lanka, good facilities and great location

Review 117：Breakfast : not too much for choice

Review 118：Big room , nice view Great for holiday Staff are nice and helpful

Review 119：Very slow and inexperienced restaurant staff

Review 120：Beautiful setting, clean rooms

Review 121：Great location, perfect for a short or medium length stay. Friendly staff and excellent value.

Review 122：There is a very good pool and will be another one. This hotel is the best in the area. The owner is a big expert in Russian literature.

Review 123：most of the rooms does not have the sea view.

Review 124：Loved the pool with one side glass wall. Location right on the beach. Friendly staff

Review 125：All

Review 126：- Wifi was very bad. -

Review 127：The view.

Review 128：Food, service and facilities

Review 129：Location, and the beach

Review 130：No parking space

Review 131：Food

Review 132：The wifi was a little slow sometimes.

Review 133：This was an excellent hotel with great staff and wonderful location right on a beautiful beach

Review 134：Great location on the beach

Review 135：friendly staff

Review 136：THE VIEW FROM THE ROOM VERY AVERAGE NO LIFT STAFF A LITTLE TOO COLD

Review 137：THE RESTAURANT IS LOVELY AND LIVELY :_)

The Fine Print

Compulsory Supplements:-24/12/2015 - USD 80/- per person (Adult) / Child between 5-12 years USD 40/- per child-31/12/2015 - USD 90/- per Person (Adult) / Child between 5-12 years USD 45 /- per childThe above is not Included in the room rate.