Heritance Ahungalla

It was a wonderful stay, the experience was amazing thanks to the staff , special thanks to Jayaru and all team members for extra care, I came as a leader with the group, all our group loved the hotel and experience there

This hotel was the last of eight on our fabulous tour of Sri Lanka. Having stayed in some excellent hotels we were hoping it would provide a final quality experience but unfortunately it fell short. Positives: Our room 362 was a Luxury Suite and it was very comfortable accommodation. The mass catering buffet meals offered good choice and quality however the scramble and noise in the room were draining. Negatives: broken sunbeds, worn out towels and bedding. The bar wasn't very inviting and were primarily focused on providing the all you can drink guests with cocktails. Service for paying customers was slow. To keep it simple the word that best describes it is 'tired'. Practically everything needs a make over and it is obvious that investment hasn't been made. In summary It really isn't a top quality hotels (maybe in the past) but now it's more all inclusive resort that is failing to cater for more discerning tastes.

We had a lovely luxury room, the staff were excellent and so friendly especially Saman, who cleaned our room everyday and was so kind to us. The hotel does look quite tired and definitely could do with some maintenance. In the restaurant I did not like to sit near the window as you looked out on to green sludgy water, which I felt needed attention . Also water dripped on to me one day when I was eating my breakfast from the overhead vents

I had the pleasure of visiting Heritance Ahungalla, formerly known as Triton, in the years 2001, 2002, and 2003 with my wife. After a significant interval, we chose to revisit the hotel and reserved one of the spacious corner suites, which featured two bathrooms, a vast living room, and an inviting balcony. While the room itself was remarkably beautiful, that was regrettably the extent of our positive experience. During our previous visits in 2001-2003, the hotel was maintained in outstanding condition, with regular upkeep and restoration evident throughout. In 2016 and 2017, we returned in hopes of reliving the memories of our honeymoon in 2002, when we enjoyed a splendid stay at the hotel. At that time, the establishment was exceptional, showcasing Geoffrey Bawa's exquisite architectural design, which included a long driveway, a shallow basin, and an open layout that harmoniously integrated nature into the structure. The reception area provided breathtaking views of the ocean, promoting a seamless connection with air and water as central themes. Although we could still appreciate Bawa's remarkable design during our visits in 2016 and 2017, it was disheartening to witness the decline of what was once a magnificent building. It became evident that the hotel had transformed into a markedly different experience. In the early 2000s, it catered to discerning clientele seeking luxury; however, it now appears to target a different demographic, primarily those seeking budget all-inclusive options, often prioritizing volume over quality. The hotel, once a paragon of pristine hospitality, has unfortunately succumbed to the allure of mass tourism, reflecting a trend prevalent among establishments that were once revered for their high standards. The elegant ambiance that characterized the hotel—once adorned with thick white tablecloths in the dining areas and couples dressed elegantly dancing to a live band—has largely disappeared, replaced by a more generic tourist experience featuring large buffets and standardized offerings. Currently, the hotel exists only as a shadow of its former glory. However, with appropriate management and diligent effort, this remarkable resort could potentially be restored to its previous excellence. By implementing a judicious pricing strategy and ensuring a steady cash flow, the hotel might once again ascend to a genuine luxury resort, appealing to the refined visitor’s expectations.

We really enjoyed our stay here. In fact we would say it is the best hotel we have ever stayed at! The things that stood out are: 1. The staff at the hotel are so lovely - always smiling and friendly and always very quick to do anything we asked and go the extra mile. 2. We loved the food, especially my husband who was in curry heaven for 2 weeks and the hot sweet puddings and fresh fruit. There was such a lot of variety. 3. The location is beautiful by the beach and the staff work hard keeping the grounds neat and the pools clean. 4. Our room was kept spotless and we had various towel animals waiting for us when we arrived back to our room. 5. We used the hotel taxi drivers and met Dhamika who became our driver and guide for our holiday. His taxi was spotlessly clean and his English was excellent and he took us to many places such as Yala. We had the best time because he could recommend the best places and took good care of us by making sure we didn’t get taken advantage of as tourists and even by taking us to cafes and restaurants with clean washroom facilities. He also knew excellent other guides such as at Yala our driver for our safari was excellent at reading the behaviour of other animals in order to find the leopards which we were privileged to see. Dhamika’s number is 094 716832973. No hesitation in recommending him. Thank you Sarah and Ryan Davies