Citrus Hikkaduwa

From the street, Citrus Hikkaduwa's large building feels slightly imposing, but once inside, the mid-range vibe is casual and chill (with hints of hipness). There's no one particular type of guest lounging around in the lobby or by the pool, or sunning on the beach-facing loungers. It's easy to spot families, couples, groups of friends, and Sri Lankans and Westerners alike. While many guests note a good level of service, the hotel feels hands-off and relaxed, leaving most guests to do as they please. However, while there are tons of smiling and sunbathing guests sprinkled around the property, there isn't much interaction between guests -- though you get the feeling all people may need is a little nudge. While not very remarkable from the outside (apart from the large size), the decor inside this hotel is contemporary in a lower, mid-range, IKEA-like level kind of way, with bright colors, budget materials, and slightly plain walls and floors. As a mid-range hotel denotes, it's perfectly average here (by Western standards) so guests who are looking for a simple, but convenient place to stay while lounging along the coast of Sri Lanka's first tourist area should fit right in. 

Located off the main highway road in Hikkaduwa Beach, with a slim stretch of beach beyond the property line, Citrus Hikkaduwa has a super-convenient location that gives guests direct access to the Indian Ocean and plenty of local shops, restaurants, and bars within easy walking distance (though be careful as most of these spots are right off the busy, shoulder-less road). In fact, there is a western-style market and liquor store directly across the street where guests can pick up anything from toiletries, to imported snacks, to souvenirs, and inexpensive (compared to what you can buy at the hotels) booze. The main town is just a 10 minutes' drive away, while other popular tourist cities like Galle and Unawatuna are about 30 minutes driving from the hotel. Reaching Bandaranaike International Airport requires a two-hour car journey, depending on traffic. 

It's no secret that the best rooms in the house here are on higher floors and thus afforded some spectacular views of the Indian Ocean from the balconies out back and over the village's thick treetops from the outdoor hallways out front. All 90 rooms are fairly basic with white walls and standard tile or wooden floors, though a flash of style is present in the contemporary dark brown IKEA-grade furniture and pops of color in fabric accents. The main differentiating factor between categories is room size, bed type, and whether there is a clear sea view from the balcony. Some guests have complained of dirty rooms, particularly in the lower category, while others find their rooms spotless. All rooms comes with tea and coffee facilities; mini-bar with drinks, snacks, and beer; at least a basic range of toiletries; free bottled water; plug-in mosquito repellent; flat-screen TVs with satellite channels; air-conditioning; outdoor balconies; and keycard-powered electricity. 

During the day, on the patchiest section of the large and wide backyard, just beyond the pool, most guests can be found facing the waves, lying on wooden loungers (some topped with sticky vinyl cushions). A large tree stretches its branches out over about half of the sun loungers, throwing some nice shade over those who want to stay out of the harsh UV rays. To dip toes in the Indian Ocean, guests need only walk down a few steps to the crashing waves. During high tide, a quickly disappearing beach makes for short walks as the already thin belt of sand starts to sharply taper off against the raised sea wall. 

Citrus Hikkaduwa's lobby lounge area opens directly out on the large pool deck, home to the hotel's medium-sized pool, a few tree branch-shaded loungers, and distant ocean views. The pool's deepest sections, sinking over eight feet in depth, are marked along the edges as "For Swimmers." To the left side of the pool is a large grassy area used for events, and to the right lies the hotel's open-air buffet restaurant and bar space. While most of the hotel is large and breeze, the drinking and dining area can feel a bit cramped. Lemon Fish, open for three meals a day, is a buffet restaurant with local and international dishes and a few menus devoted to highlighting the ultra-local flavors of Hikkaduwa. Guests particularly like the breakfast while, during the evenings, tables and chairs are set up out on the grassy section of the backyard, and often, a movie or sporting event is projected on the tall white wall of the property line. Summer Salt is the hotel's bar that serves up cocktails, draft beer, and a super casual vibe. You can have a drink at one of the few stools at the bar, grab a table seat, or walk across the lawn and sip at the breezy beach-facing bar set up along the sea wall. Below the lobby, guests will find a basement spa, Citron Senses Wellness Spa, with two treatment rooms, no real atmosphere, and a book of treatments ranging from manicures to Balinese-style massages. Excursions and water activities like diving can also be arranged through the hotel. The Citrus Aqua desk in the lobby can set you up with PADI-certified dive courses as well. Other available features include a self-service laundry facility, public chess/checkers board, free Wi-Fi, free parking, and room service (with a menu that has some creative contemporary dishes). There are also conference rooms, meeting rooms, and banquet facilities for events.