Cinnamon Bey Beruwala

At first glance, the gray concrete, government-style building may not look impressive, but there are modernist touches throughout that create an understated elegance, and the property's ponds and landscaping balance the austere first impression. Note that guests arriving by tuk-tuk may get dropped at the gate, making for an awkward hike up the driveway with luggage, while taxis are more lively to drive up to the entrance. Sri Lankan hotel chain Cinnamon took over in 2012, adding large contemporary art pieces and textiles to the lobby that give the space some color. A large circular skylight hangs over a seated reception area with wicker and contemporary furniture, a tiered garden, and a wide stairway leading to the lower level where the bar, ice cream station, main buffet, and infinity pool. 

Guests -- including Europeans and Russian tourists and locals either on holiday or attending a conference -- tend to snag the best spots around the pool after breakfast, though those who sleep in can find more lounge chairs facing the narrow public beach separated from the property by a fence. Vendors selling boat trips to nearby islands occasionally try to lure the attention of guests, but the hotel provides security to keep them on the other side of the fence. After sunset, the resort becomes quite magical, with a contemporary and atmospheric lighting throughout and the lobby bar is a good place to have a pre-dinner drink and listen to some local music before visiting one of the several restaurants throughout. Groups also frequent this resort and wedding parties as well as corporate events are common. 

We found service to be uneven, and during check-out we were forced to wait for a staff member to see if any items were taken from the minibar that were not declared. 

The resort is located in the Kalutara district along southwest Sri Lanka, an area that was badly damaged in the 2004 Indian Ocean Tsunami. This was once the base for the island’s spice trade and there are colonial-era plantations (open for tours) and famous temples nearby, like Kande Viharaya, a 10-minute drive from the hotel. The Kosgoda Turtle Hatchery, which releases sea turtles into the wild, is a 20-minute drive from the hotel, and there are traditional villages in the area as well. The adjacent beach here is narrow and good for walks but not ideal for swimming (it often has red flags up) -- guests can walk to larger Moragalla Beach in 25 minutes or reach beautiful Bentota beach in 15 minutes by car. Colombo is an hour and 40 minutes away by car or taxi and Bandaranaike International Airport is about 10 minutes further. Additionally, the two-hour train ride from Colombo stops at Hettimulla, a five-minute drive from the hotel.

Modern guest rooms combine the minimalist elements of the hotel's common spaces with warm Turkish design, including blue or red Chevron-esque tiles and accent walls in Superior and Deluxe Rooms, and Persian rugs in Suites. With gray tiled floors, chic contemporary hardwood furniture, and gorgeous wood lattice work throughout, guest rooms are simple but stylish. All rooms have air-conditioning, desks, flat-screen satellite TVs, electric kettles with tea and instant coffee, bottled drinking water, minibars, and ocean-facing terraces with great sunset views.

Superior Rooms (420 square feet, or 39 square meters) have two large twin beds with turquoise silk bed runners and matching decorative pillows, while Deluxe Rooms and Suites have queen beds, extra contemporary seating, and are larger (starting at 520 square feet, or 48 square meters). Deluxe Rooms are in the right wing of the hotel and have a few more extras, such as bathrobes, a few more minibar items (such as cookies and nuts), and exclusive access to an uncrowded pool. Bathrooms throughout are attractive and separated from the main rooms by wood latticework, with large vanities and contemporary raised sinks, as well as walk-in showers with rainfall showerheads (in Superior Rooms) or walk-in showers and bathtubs with handheld showerheads in higher category rooms. We did notice some dirty grout bathrooms when we visited. The two one-bedroom suites on the hotel's top floor are nicely decorated, with contemporary chandeliers, and striking abstract art. In addition to a large living and dining areas, they also have private plunge pools on the balcony, but the decks show signs of wear and tear.

The hotel's infinity pool is surrounded by a terrace with boat-shaped lounge chairs and a well-manicured lawn, though there is also a smaller pool or toddlers and kids. Deluxe Room and Suite guests have access to an exclusive pool that stays quieter than the other two, a great perk for couples looking for more privacy. The public beach adjacent to the hotel isn't always the cleanest depending on the time of year or recent rains, and not many guests use the beach other than for walks or to check out the sunset. There is no hotel service on the beach and towels are not allowed off hotel grounds, and vendors may also try to sell boat trips, yoga classes, or clothing items to guests here. 

The hotel's peaceful Azmaara Spa is set in several low-slung buildings arranged around a large courtyard apart from the main hotel. There are simple, contemporary treatment rooms in soothing tones for singles and couples and the spa offers a range of massages, body and beauty treatments, as well as a sauna and steam room. A small, air-conditioned fitness center with floor-to-ceiling windows, modern cardio equipment, weight machines, and a stretching area with yoga mats is a short walk from the spa.

The hotel's banquet hall attracts corporate groups and weddings and can accommodate up to 300 people. Wi-Fi is also free throughout the hotel.

Büfe, the hotel's main buffet, is one of the most popular dining options here. It's a cheerful, contemporary restaurant with expansive international breakfast, lunch, and dinner spreads as well as live-cooking stations, excellent curries, and separate air-conditioned and outdoor dining areas. Fire, with blue-and-yellow mosaic floors, is also open for all three meals and serves wood-fired pizzas, steaks, burgers, and seafood from an open kitchen in a modern blue-and-yellow mosaic dining room or an outdoor lounge area, which is romantic at night. 800°, the hotel's casual Italian restaurant, also offers a range of pizzas and sandwiches throughout the day.

Mezz2 is located on the hotel's rooftop and has a sophisticated Middle Eastern vibe with charcoal-cooked grilled dishes and small bites prepared in an open kitchen. The restaurant is completely open-air, with cabana-style tents, shisha pipes, and drinks that draw a younger crowd. The Grain Bar & Lounge features a Vodka Wall with a huge selection of vodkas from around the world and an extensive wine list, and guests can order sushi and sashimi from Raw here as well. The lobby features a homemade ice cream station as well as a cocktail bar and lounge for pre- and post-dinner drinks, and the spa offers a day-time menu with juices, smoothies, and vegetarian entrees.

Meal plans are available, as is room service, and guests should keep in mind that opening hours for restaurants in the hotel may change due to occupancy levels and certain restaurants close for private events.