I have just returned from a four week stay at the Emerald Bay Hotel and I must say that in the main I thoroughly enjoyed my first stay.
Heaven on earth it ain't, the noise from the close by A2 main Columbo to Galle road is intrusive and the dogs from the establishment next door can also be a nuisance, so simple, take some ear plugs for the first few nights. A new highway is due to open 2012 and this will have a positive effect on the noise level.
The hotel has got rather tired looking but the hotel is closing down in April for a big refurbishment so there will be a much needed improvement in the general condition of the hotel facilities.
What more than makes up for the downsides is the lovely attitude of all the staff, from the bar staff, room service reception staff and even the guys who clean the beach area every day. This is a three star hotel that gives much better value and service tha many three star hotels I have stayed in in Europe and compares favourably with any other three star hotel I have stayed in in other exotic locations.
I will definitely return to the Emereld Bay hotel for the excellent value it offers combined with lovely staff and a good base from which to explore Sri Lanka, so go and enjoy yourselves, gauranteed.

I'm so glad I wasn't put off by some of the negative reviews. This is a great place for a relaxing holiday. The hotel is small, the beach is wide and there's plenty of room for sunbathing. There are no umbrellas but they're not needed as there are trees to give shade. The staff are fantastic, always smiling and very friendly. The food was usually piping hot, much hotter than any of the other hotels I've stayed in in Sri Lanka.The jumbo prawns were to die for! (1500 rupees but well worth it!) The large room had a balcony, Tv, tea/coffee making facilities, fridge and clean sheets and towels every day. The bathroom was fine and the water was always hot. The hotel does need refurbishment but that's being done in April/May. It is noisy as it's so close to the Colombo - Galle road and the railway but I think the rooms on the ground floor are a bit quieter than those on the first floor. After a couple of nights, I got used to the noise and slept very well.
It's a 10 minute walk to the station where there are trains to Colombo and Galle. Local buses stop outside the hotel and it's also easy to get a tuk tuk from one of several drivers who hang about across the road.
It's about an hour's walk along the beach to Bentota and there are a few places to stop for a beer or a snack..
There's a good jewellers shop in the hotel where prices are very reasonable and you can look without being pressurised into buying. The ayurvedic centre is also worth a try.
I loved my relaxing holiday at the Emerald Bay and will definitely go back.

I have read about on here (trip advisor) I was pleasantly surprised! My room was big and clean. Yes, the bathroom mirror had a bit of minor corrosion , but you could see perfectly well in it, and it’s certainly not enough to complain about! This is, after all, only a 3 star hotel…My bedding was changed daily, as were the towels, and the bath/room were cleaned thoroughly every day, even with of all the sand I managed to bring back with me! There was a television in the room, minibar, and tea/coffee making facilities. The room was a bit noisy from traffic from the main road, but this is going to be a problem anywhere you stayed as the hotels are all situated close to the main road.
There was a nice variety on the all-inclusive buffet meals, all of which tasted good. After 2 weeks All inclusive it does get a bit repetitive but that’s to be expected.
The staff were fabulous, so cheerful and friendly, always smiling and giggling and always willing to help and make your holiday what you want. Nothing was too much of a problem for them.
There was nightly entertainment, it wasn’t brilliant, but it’s not Vegas! It was nice to have had something!
There are a handful of hotels/restaurants/health spa type places within walking distance from the hotel, but this is a sleepy part of Sri Lanka, but the other towns were no more than a tuk tuk ride away. Tuk Tuk drivers hang around outside the hotel and are really helpful. Too much so sometimes.
All in all it was a very lovely trip, and I would be more than happy to use the Emerald Bay again.

We have just returned from a 2 wk stay at the Emerald Bay. No complaints about hotel really although it is being closed for refurbishment in April 2011 which is does need as bathrooms although nice and clean are a bit grim. I thought the food was excellent with a good choice. Staff all very friendly and helpful and our room boy kept our room very clean with fresh towels and sheets every day. My only gripe is the location as it is pretty isolated, nowhere really in walking distance and you need a tuktuk to get anywhere which are good fun to use and very cheap. We met a tuktuk driver on our second day and arranged all our trips with him, shorter ones by tuktuk and longer ones to Kandy etc with him in a mini bus. His prices so much cheaper than holiday reps plus as just the two of us we could ask to stop when we wanted too. He took us on a village tour which was great and also a 2 night trip to Kandy, he also took us very early morning to see the fishermen coming in with their catch which included hammerhead sharks and yellow fin tuna and we were able to watch the fish being weighed and auctioned off, a great trip out. Back to hotel still in time for breakfast. At the end of our holiday we were invited to his house for lunch and to meet his family, a lovely afternoon. His name was Dhammika and I can strongly recommend him. Considering the price we paid for this holiday and being all inclusive (although wine is not included and is quite pricey) it was extremely reasonable but again it was isolated. We have not been on all inclusive holidays before for this reason but holiday brochure gave the impression this was not so isolated. We did really have to depend on our tuktuk driver to get us anywhere. I enjoyed holiday immensely and loved Sri Lanka but I would find out a lot more about hotel situation before ever booking all inclusive again. Entertainment here was pretty dire.