The Palms Hotel

The Palms Hotel first opened in the mid 1990s and didn't undergo a significant renovation until over a decade later in 2004. However, timing was poor and the renovations were met by the devastating 2004 tsunami so the hotel had to start all over. However, even more recent renovations and updates have brought the property up a few notches, giving rooms a classier overall look, as well as sprucing up some of the public areas. While the large property itself is beautiful with its gated entrance, grassy garden areas full of sun and palms, and quite large buildings, unfortunately, the interior design of the hotel still feels a bit dated and lacking. Large open spaces with dark woods, high ceilings, and (sometimes sparse scatterings of) colonial-style furniture, obvious wear and tear, and a few just plain forgotten spaces lend to a slightly abandoned look and feel in many of the public spaces. However, guests -- ranging from Sri Lankans to Australians to Europeans -- tend to stick to the adjustable black wooden loungers in the hotel's grassy backyard, either reading books, looking out toward the beach, or taking occasional dips in the pool. There are also some nice views from the small elevator off the cashier desk; it's got a glass window that gives views out across the lawn and to the sea. The Palms Hotel is best suited to large groups as there's not much sociability built-in, nor is it particularly private for couples. 

The Palms Hotel is located about 13 minutes north of Bentota in the small village of Beruwala. There's not much within walking distance, leaving guests to rely on expensive taxis or cheaper tuk-tuks in order to experience anything outside of the hotel (though there is no in-house service available). Just beyond the hotel's wire fence, guests have direct access to a huge stretch of unequipped beach and a beach volleyball court. Hikkaduwa Beach, Unawatuna Beach, and the famous Dutch Fort in Galle are about an hour south, while the capital city of Colombo and the Bandaranaike International Airport are about an hour and 45 minutes north. 

All 106 of The Palms Hotel's rooms have ocean views, though top-floor rooms have better view points. Each room also comes with a mini-fridge, private outdoor space with a table and chairs, free tea and coffee facilities, tabletop flat-screen TVs, and a sitting area. There's also a noticeable lack of wall power sockets, so be sure plan ahead. Contemporary colonial-style decor includes dark wood and rattan furniture, warm hues, splashes of contemporary and modern art on the walls, and glass showers with a good selection of vanity kits and toiletries, like shaving kits and dental kits. Most bathrooms have peek-a-boo windows into the bedrooms, while upgrading to the third floor Suites will get you almost twice the space, dedicated living areas, huge flat-screen TVs, stereo systems, dry bar areas, large furnished terraces, hardwood floors, whirlpool tubs, and much more contemporary decor. Unfortunately, the rooms do not have Wi-Fi, though it's possible to pick up signal if you are in a room close to the lobby -- but the trade-off is the unavoidable, loud lobby music in the evenings. 

Guests can reach the large, sandy beach (with wild waves) through a wire fence lining the perimeter of the hotel's backyard. Unlike several beach spots on the west coast, this wide stretch of beach remains pretty thick, even through the high tides of monsoon season. However, please be aware that the water can be exceptionally rough -- there were two major incidences during our visit that required medical attention. Though the beach itself is unequipped, there is a beach volleyball area where guests can grab a ball and hit the net. Otherwise, the only things you're likely to see on the beach are stray dogs, the occasional lifeguard, and perhaps even cars driving on the sands. 

While the beach itself is unequipped, The Palms Hotel has plenty of grassy backyard space dedicated to soaking up the sun. Padded cushioned loungers are scattered by the pool, under palm trees, and in direct paths of the sun's rays, giving guests several different choices and locations. Loungers on the far end of the grass will be quieter, while those placed on the pool deck may be subjected to rowdy kids or groups (but they've also got convenient access to the pool). The Palms' pool is a large, lagoon-style pool that has a partially covered stretch running along the lobby. This area is also roped off with a line of plastic balls, though when the pool gets full and/or rowdy no one seems to pay attention. There's also a separate, rather big kids' pool off to the side, though most kids splash around in the main pool. There are three restaurants here -- two a la carte spots and one large main buffet. The main restaurant serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner in a casual, open-air, palapa-style dining room. Buffet items reflect international cuisine with a heavy Asian-influence. In the evenings there is a fresh seafood station with live cooking, which is an additional cost to the buffet. However, if you like seafood, it's worth checking out the Fisherman's Wharf restaurant down by the beach. Open for dinner, this spot has its own bar, sand floors with picnic table seating, a seafood-focused menu, and breezy beach vibes. There's also the indoor, upscale restaurant The Coffee Shop with a Mediterranean vibe; reservations are required for dining here. If you're interested in imbibing, you can grab a drink with your meals or check out the Pavilion Bar by the lobby. The actual bar and stool seating is on a raised platform and there's a set of tables and chairs marooned on a koi fish-surrounded island. The bar specializes in cocktails, wine, and beer -- and has huge Carlsberg dispensers for extra thirsty guests. Activities on-site include an assortment of shops by the entrance, a large and dated gym, an even more dated and dim game room with ping-pong and pool tables, a large but slightly empty-feeling spa with traditional treatments, a beauty salon, and a small library. For anyone looking to throw events or schedule a meeting there is a second-floor event space and 100-person, theater-style conference room. The lobby has free Wi-Fi.