Well here we go...After reading many a bad review and getting more and more dissapointed as the arrival of our holiday came closer and closer, as you can imagine me and my partner were very anxious about travelling to the Kani Lanka Hotel. Arriving in Sri Lanka we were immediatley met with what we expected, a porter requesting to locate our bags and take them to our transfer. We agreed and paid over the odds as a tip, but we didn't make the same mistake again. The journey to the hotel is quite a unpleasant one as you have to travel through the hustle and bustle of Columbo facing crazy Tuk-Tuk drivers and speeding lorries. Finally arriving at the hotel we felt we could start to relax and enjoy the holiday. We were greeted with flowers and a drink and then shown to our rooms. The rooms were very clean and tidy and we had a great view of the lagoon. We had no issue of the rooms being smelly as other reviews suggested. We did have an issue with the floor becoming wet which we soon realised was due to turning off the air-con. We overcame this by turning on the fan when the air-con was off. The first night we had dinner the food was great with alot to choose from and all being fresh. After an early night we started to really look forward to our stay at the Kani Lanka. Day 2, we met a few of the beach boys who offered there services for a few different tours and we ended up chatting with a chap called Lawrence. He was very friendly and showed us what he had to offer. Travelling with First Choice we were given the welcome meeting where our Rep Ananda gave his speech, this was the worst experience we have ever had to encounter. He referred to the trips as being products like it was one big sell for him. This completely put us off using First Choice, not to mention the costs of the trip were not cheap, bringing us back to
the beach boys. After meeting another couple, Claire & Tim who also mentioned they were looking to arrange a short trip we arranged a trip with Lawrence and Desmond the beach boys for the following Thursday. We then decided to book a trip for the approaching weekend but for three days, keeping the trip for the following week still booked. The next day or so was spent relaxing and enjoying the most of the hotel. The watersports centre offers kayak's and windsurfing included at no extra charge for All Inclusive. Well worth taking a Kayak out on the lagoon, quite an eye opener, and a great chance to take photos. The 3 day trip consisted of travelling up country to Sigiriya Rock then to Kandy and back through lush hillsides and waterfalls of Nuwara Eliya. This was easily the best experience of our lifetime. The beachboys were very helpful always stopping for photos and ensuring the Hotels were up to standards. I have to admit, yes you will be pestered and yes you will be expected to leave tips, but you have to remember if you can afford to travel half way across the world then you can afford to leave a few pounds tip. The guys had us scrambling across rivers to get to the bottom of waterfalls located in the middle of a jungle loaded with Cobra's, immense. So as the trip came to an end we decided to change our next weeks trip to a 1 night and two day trip instead of just the 1 day as we had such an experience on the 1st trip. Again this was a truly amazing experience. We travelled to Yala National Park which is not being offered through any of the travel agent's excursions, but if you're like us and realise that you have to make the most of these opportunites then it is well worth it. The Safari is out of this world. It takes around 5 hours to drive around and you are faced with all varieties of animals. We encountered Crocs, Vipers, Elephants, Monkeys, and loads more. The second day involved 3 boat trips and again beautiful views of what Sri Lanka has to offer. The Hotel itself was spectacular, the food was varied, the staff were very helpful and during the day, entertainment was readily available. Silva the entertainer is quite possibly one of the greatest guys I have ever met. And no he is not in it for the money. I think alot of the bad reviews have been made by guests that have simply used Sri Lanka and the Kani Lanka as a get away and a chance to relax by the pool. This is simply not the case. You will need to take advantage of the trips and see the sights otherwise you will feel bored. The reason we had such a fantastic time is we split up the 2 weeks with travelling then relaxing and not just spending all the time lounging by the pool. The weather was great, we had 1 night of rain on the first night then odd showers but we were very fortunate. All in all the holiday and the hotel was everything we had hoped for. Chances are we will never return to Sri Lanka as we feel we will never be able to top this experience. We hope this review helps at least one person as we really don't want people being put off. If you are an adventurous couple and want to explore then this is the place for you. Happy travelling, Lucy and Karl. P.s if you happen to meet another couple as pleasant as the couple we met and travelled with, it is well worth challenging them to a Tuk-Tuk race, we still think we won the race back to the Kandy Hotel, haha.

We stayed at the Kani Lanka for 2 weeks with friends and family.We were there to get married what a mistake! We imagined a beautifull beach wedding and a relaxing care free holiday not what we received.
Firstly they tried to put us with 2 children in a normal small room when we had paid for a tripple room, we had to argue to get the room we paid for not a good start! Then we were given half dead flowers, a bottle of wine and no cork screw and no fruit basket (bear in mind u pay for this in your wedding package!). Prior to this my husbands phone was pinched on the short walk between the coach and the lobby on arrival.
The staff are very rude i was insulted by a member of bar staff he basically called me fat (actually i aint really that big a 14), they tried to charge us for things in the mini bar we hadn't even had in it let alone consumed and forged my signature for them! They even tried charging for 2 extra people who didn't exist for our wedding night meal. They constantly pester u for tips and beggers stand on the beach round a white rope only a couple of meters from the pool and sun loungers begging all day!
The rooms do smell especially 449 (our room) it smelled of raw sewerage! You have to pay for ice cream for the kids and we were all inclusive!! There is very little entertainment at night and i agree with previous reviews you are treated second class to sri lankans they get priority over u! When they visit the food is better, the entertainment and they are allowed to wear t shirts in the pool we are not! As a result the kids got sun stroke despite sun cream!!
The important part- do not get married at the kani lanka, it is poorly organised my dad didn't give me away because of them! We had a mouthfull of wedding cake which we never saw again they charge for things u have already paid for and treat u like dirt. We had half dead flowers and not a clue what was going on at the ceremony. The photographs are poor!! And we had to pay £20 per head extra for everyone to eat with us on the night and was shoved in a pitch black corner no music like previous weddings no fairy lights like previous and freezing cold food and poor service!! STAY WELL AWAY!! There was 17 of us all together what a disapointment and it ruined my big day!!

Having read practically every review before leaving on our Honeymoon to the Kani Lanka I felt prepared for a relaxing tropical hideaway. 'Relaxing' is not the word I would use. We were pestered by Room Boys, Waiters, Mosquito Room Sprayers, Porters (at the Airport), Restaraunt Staff, Chefs, Beach Boys, Tuk Tuk Drivers, Old men with no teeth in Kalutara, 24 HOURS A DAY!!!! The hotel may be in a remote location, but it is filled with people wanting tips and to take you on trips. It seemed to us that the 'beach boys' were anything BUT genuine. Making up stories that we found to be untrue just so you would give them additional money. Supposed Tsunami victims with Rolex watches and round figures and wadges of cash in their wallets.

If you do decide to go on a trip or even just down the road to see another beach, be prepared to be taken to every Gem Store along the way, where you will be forced in and shown their entire collection of jewellery. Admittedly they are reasonably priced and look well made, plus they will make up anything you can imagine to fit. If like us you refuse to be pulled in and made to feel guilty, beware of the secret 'Textiles Room' where you are next taken to by a guard and told you need to buy suits for the Gents and perhaps a Sari to wear round Tesco when you get home for the Ladies. A firm 'no thank you' and a turn on your heel to find the nearest exit is all it takes. Don't get swept into any conversation or they will have your inside leg measurement and postcode within the blink of an eye!!! However nice these people seemed to be we felt there was always an ulterior motive, mainly to relieve you of your hard earned cash.

The waiters were our main problem. If they weren't trying to sell you a so called 'special offer' Sri Lankan wine that was still £15 a bottle, they were trying to make you spend an extra £20 on a Seafood Buffet!! We were asked 6 times over two meals. Unbelievable!!The minute you've finished you food there's a waiter to take your plate away,fill your glass or just generally talk to you to tell you he's got two days off and finishes soon with a look to say 'give me money'. Personally, I just wanted to scream and say 'Leave us alone!! We just want to eat in peace!!!'

On previous reviews people have said how clammy and smelly the rooms are. Couldn't agree more. We moved rooms once,as the shower drain flooded the room. Sea view is much the best view to have.

Junior Suites are ten times better and don't have the lingering stench. They are like mini apartments. No 450 is the best room in the hotel!! Two balconies, Champagne glasses, should you decide to splash out. Bath and a shower in a room that's the size of a Superior Room!!

Don't go Half Board like we did as the drinks and food are a rip off to buy separately. You can go All Inclusive whenever you want for £20 each a day. Then you can have as many 'paint stripper' tasting cocktails as you want!. Whilst you go through the cocktail list and work out which is better, an 'Arrack' Cocktail or maybe a 'Brandy Daisy' both as toxic as eachother, you can enjoy the 'wrist slitting' entertainment. Very dull. Even the entertainers look suicidal.On a Wednesday night the Sri Lankan dancing is worth a look and the 'Bob Marley' of Sri Lanka is a light relief.

I could go on about the filthy, petroleum smelling life jackets they have when you go in the poo-smelling lagoon via their Water Sports Centre OR the fact that another holiday maker found a wriggling maggot in her food OR the hospital trip I made to get a blocked ear sorted out - More money for a girl to look in my ear with a dirty torch and more to go into the Operating Theatre with my shoes off!

But everyone's experience is different. I would like to give a shout out to Silva the water volleyball,cricket, football etc guy who is full of spirit and most importantly not after you money!!.

The best people in the whole hotel that made our stay manageable are Nick and Lins, who without them we wouldn't have been able to laugh through the disappointing experience. Life long friends!! You guys are the best!!.

My wife & I stayed at the Kani Lanka in the middle of august 08.To explain the hotel it is easier to breakdown in sections

The flights we booked our holiday for 12 nights thru Cosmos and they used Sri Lankian Airlines to get there. Be warned it is an 11 hour flight. Fortunatly the flight out was only 3/4 full on the way back it was full. The flights themselves were good as they could be but i must admit the food was above average. Why do I always get stuck behind the plonkers who recline there sits all the way back.

The Sri Lankan roads It is an 2 1/2 hour journey to the hotel from the airport and the drivers make itailians look tame.

The hotel itself is great with good staff who bend over backwards to help with a smile on their face. It is also very clean.

The room is large clean with the bed made every day and someone comes every night to spray mosquito killer. We had a sea view and it looked like a postcard picture.

The food is of a good quality for all inclusive and fairly varied. We also paid aa little extra one night for a seafood buffet and it is well worth it. All you can eat linquistines, lobster tails and tuna steaks. They also do nice burger & chips at lunchtimes

The drinks are okay and do the job but you have to pay extra for wine, a little pricy but is a good quality

The setting is at the tip of land between the sea and a river again picture postcard

Excursions we only went on one and that was to the elephant orphanage. Just do it, it is memorable

The pool is quite large and clean and if you tip the attendants at the start of your holiday they will reserve your favorite sunbeds for your holiday. Every day there is water areobics and water volleyball

The evening enterainment ranged from one night they had hired a new singer with dreadlocks who was very good down to the it is so bad it was funny.

The sea is to rough when we went there to swim far in, but you could walk in up to your chest and wave jump but be careful.

Wedding parties use the hotel alot and is worth it as it is a good setting and can hire an elephant as an added extra

The plugs and currency is the same as the uk so you don't need adapters

We spent nearly all our holiday by the pool and it was relaxing.
If you want a holiday to chill relax and do nothing but read & sunbathe this is the place for you. I read four books!!
It is not ideal for kids/teenagers as there is nothing for them to do apart from one pool and a snooker table/dartss board and ping pong table

Would I go back definatly yes but not for a couple of years other places to go.

If have any old mobile phones with a camera and charger take them with you and give to a waiter called regi and tip the staff as a little as a £1 is a lot for them.