Amaara Forest Hotel Sigiriya in Sigiriya

Dear Readers, 1. I and my wife stayed in this resort for one night (Check In 10 Dec 2024 & Check Out 11 Dec 2024). 2. I had booked this hotel through Ms CEYLO TRAVELS,COLOMBO as one destination out of our 14 nights itinerary to Sri Lanka. 3. It was quite a disappointing experience since this hotel was offered to us a 4-Star hotel by Ms CEYLO TRAVELS. 4. It is very highly overrated as is seen from the previous reviews in contrast to the standard of ambience ,hospitality, amenities and choice/quality of meals. 5. Good Points, a. The hotel is situated in a jungle like serene environment. The sounds of birds can be heard in the morning/evening. b. The hotel has a nice swimming pool which is located next to the restaurant. 6. Bad Points. a. The rooms have a dampness in the air and are not aired regularly and properly. b. The standard of toiletaries in the washroom was very substandard. c. The room and the washroom does not adequate lighting arrangement. d. The hotel does not have laundry services which is a normal amenity expected in a 4 Star hotel/resort. e. The hotel provides only two 500 ml mineral water bottles for one night stay. The extra water bottles asked for by us were levied at DOUBLE the MRP listed on the water bottle which is violative of legal provisions. 7. Standard of Food. a. The standard of food in terms of quality and choice was extremely limited and very minimalistic for vegetarians like us. b. We had to be contended with items like Dal,Curd and plain rice. c. The standard of bakery items was highly substandard. d. The standard of service was also not upto the mark. e. The variety/quality has NO comparison with the one we came across at Hotels like Trinco Blu beach resort at Tricomalee merely one day ago on 09 Dec 2024 and at Mandara Resort, Mirissa later on 15 Dec 2024. 8. Summary. A. This jungle resort is a 3-star standard and is highly overrated in the reviews. I assume the visitors don't have patience and inclination to write a thorough, comprehensive and realistic review. B. I would also admit that I had made a huge mistake by booking my 14 nights tour to Sri Lanka through Ms CEYLO TRAVELS,COLOMBO. This company is into excessive profiteering and is making a fool of the Foreigner Customers like us after taking 10% advance before reaching Sri Lanka and collecting balance 90% in CASH (USD or INR) immediately on arrival at Colombo. C. I would therefore suggest that the Foreigners especially Indians MUST not use the services of this company which is looting its customers in a systematic and organised manner, knowing fully well that it will be very difficult and highly un- economical for a foreigner to sue them on the Sri Lankan soil. ANIL KUMAR JOSHI Indian Citizen