We arrived mid-afternoon, tired from 5 hours of driving and not excited by the last 500 metres of "track" in a jeep to reach the hotel. Then the enchantment started - the dark gray of the boulders, the trickling wet floor to traverse to reach reception, the climbing of large stone steps, unsure but intrigued - the feeling that this was going to be an experience to remember. Our room on 3 levels with all windows opening to the noises & smells of the rainforest - swimming in the clean cooling water of the hotel pool - sipping tea and pretending to read but really listening to the forest - sitting at the writer's table imagining endless time to write & think - dining (7 courses with excellent wines) under the boulder (French cuisine - the best Western food in Sri Lanka) - listening to the enthusiastic stories of the staff - lying on the bed, covered by just a sheet, letting the night and early morning sounds penetrate your imagination - sitting on the steps drinking tea before the rainforest excursion - returning exhausted (and leech affected) to the hotel after the rainforest trip to be served fresh juice and fruit, soft omelettes, fresh bread and coffee - sadness as we looked back on leaving knowing we had no time for the caves, the walks, another swim, another meal. Sure, this hotel may be too challenging to many but to us it was enchanting

In Sri Lanka they sell a floor tile that is non-slip, but wall tiles are cheaper. Unfortunately in this hotel they have used the cheaper wall tiles on the floor. I was walking from the upper level to the steps down to the shower, slipped, landed sideways on my ribs on the corner of the step, and bounced 180 degrees and landed on my other side gasping and trying to breath.

I was fortunate, I caught my ribs and not my head.

The accident was reported to the staff, who seemed powerless to do anything and could not it seems even call the owner, we were told that the manager was hiding.

I spent five hours in agony driving from the location (no ambulance was offered) in my car to Colombo to the hospital. I was taken in and kept overnight due to extreme pain and possibility of complications.

Two weeks later I wrote an email to this hotel to tell them in writing again what had happened/ They did not even have the courtesy or professionalism to even acknowledge or reply to my email.

Boulder Garden, as its name suggests is built into the rocks. There only a small number of rooms and they are all different. We had a suite which was very comfortable but make sure you close the shutters when tou leave the room or you might return to find a monkey or mongoose sitting on the bed. The service was charming and helpful.
The food was slightly tricky as there are no other restaurants for miles. You are offered a menu of western food, not our choice. There is an alc, again mainly of western food and the curry has to be ordered in advance. As we were there for two nights, we had one curry and one nasi goreng, both good. Breakfast on the terrace is great fun with an excellent tropical fruit plate.

For sure, this place has the potential to be wonderful! However, there is absolutely nothing, that I can in truth, recommend. Our room, which came in around $340 per night (inc. $63 deluxe supplement), was dirty and poorly appointed. The well vaunted jacuzzi was out of order and the toilet pan is in the combined bathroom come bedroom. The restaurant toilets were filthy. The food can only be described as "cheap supermarket chain" food. The evening menu boasted a seven course meal. That may be correct if you count the Coffee-1 course, Fruit juice- 2 courses, Cheese- 3 courses, Palate cleanser- 4 courses, and so on. The entrance road is so poor that our driver refused to bring his vehicle back for us and we had to take a tri-shaw to meet him! Finally, a boulder garden walk was recommended to us which we undertook. As interesting as this was, I can only warn people that this is NOT a garden walk! It is a hike through caves and up a wild mountainous area and for some may well be dangerous!

5 Star Prices for 1 Star Delivery