Highlights
- Contemporary beachfront property
- 10 rooms, friendly atmosphere
- Mask museum, turtle hatcheries, boat trips
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EnquireKumu Beach is a contemporary, high-end beachfront hotel which is just outside the town of Balapitiya in southwestern Sri Lanka. The property is on the smaller side than many other hotels in the immediate area and as such it offers a pleasant, friendly atmosphere combined with a fresh, modern feel.
All 10 bedrooms have lovely views of the Indian Ocean, the 23 metre-long infinity pool and the beautifully manicured gardens. All rooms are of a superb standard and are split into three categories: the two Kumu Bedrooms both house two twin beds, while the four Oceanview Bedrooms come with king size four-poster beds. The Oceanview Suites also have four-poster beds, along with significantly more space, and all of the Oceanview options come with either a patio or a balcony. The Sri Lankan decor includes bespoke pieces of furniture, local artwork and wood panelling. All rooms are air conditioned and come with amenities including complimentary toiletries, tea and coffee making facilities, a minibar, a TV with cable channels and bathrobes. Rooms are accessed from the front and while privacy could be marginally better, the hotel has a warm, welcoming feel and will make for a lovely stay.
There is direct access to the beach with boulders of varying sizes scattered along the lengthy stretch of sand - it's very pretty and great for a leisurely stroll, but note that it's not possible to swim since the water here is rough. There are, however, scenic views of the coastline from the large swimming pool and the extensive gardens are lovely. There's a Z Spa offering a good range of treatments and the cuisine includes light tapas meals, sumptuous buffet breakfasts, al fresco evening meals and seafood barbecues out on the beach.
Close by is Ambalangoda, a town famed for its rich cultural heritage, lively arts scene and colourful mask museum. The turtle nesting beach and hatcheries at Kosgoda are also worth a visit and adventurous wildlife-spotting boating trips along the Madu Ganga River are a popular choice. The city of Galle, known for its cobbled streets and plethora of centuries-old buildings, is a UNESCO world heritage site and is just over an hour away.
Families are welcome and the staff go out of their way to engage with children. In the absence of interconnecting bedrooms, families are advised to book an Oceanview Bedroom with a king-size bed along with a Kumu Bedroom with twin beds – these rooms are in very close proximity to each other. An extra bed can also be brought in to the larger Oceanview Suites. Given the unguarded pool and beachside location, parents are reminded to keep their children under adult supervision at all times.
We had an extraordinary time. It was magical and we couldn't hav asked or hoped for more. Thank you both so much for all of your time and assistance.
Emma M reviewing Best of Botswana for Families on 18 November 2024
We had an amazing experience - absolutely loved it.
Mohamed and Said were great and very patient especially with me going downhill - was quite nervous about the scree slopes and paths.Will be a trip we remember forever
Maritta B reviewing Atlas Valleys & Villages Trek - Value on 11 November 2024
I would like to say a massive thank you for organising our Vietnam trip. The itinerary and execution were superb, as was the attention to detail. I would also like to thank the agent who was on the end of my whats app chat (I have no idea who they were!) – always available, always quick to respond, and kept me updated regarding times etc. Also, the guides Dan (north) and Tien (mid) were just excellent, and we really enjoyed their company. The lady (whose name I have forgotten) who was our additional guide for the DMZ day was exceedingly good and made that day very special.
fiona g reviewing Complete Vietnam For Families on 15 April 2024