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Cheaper
Average
Higher
About
4.5
#1 of 2 hotels in Kammala
Location
4.3
Rooms
4.3
Value
4.4
Cleanliness
4.5
Service
4.5
Sleep Quality
4.4
Tripadvisor gives a Travelers’ Choice award to accommodations, attractions and restaurants that consistently earn great reviews from travelers and are ranked within the top 10% of properties on Tripadvisor.
Here on Sri Lanka's golden west coast, we believe that every moment of your time spent with us is precious. . Precisely why we offer a host of facilities for your comfort and opportunities for you and your loved ones to enjoy an unforgettable stay with us in Sri Lanka. Whether you want to PLAY or PAUSE you can have the best of both worlds at Club Hotel Dolphin Waikkal. Our hotel is known to be the ultimate family beach holiday destination in the region.. PAUSE... Find a place under the swaying coconut palms, and re-discover that inner peace that you've been missing for so long. Take a long walk on the golden beach. Enjoy the sensation of curling your toes in the pure sands and revel in the warmth of the sun on your skin. Lie back and listen to the soothing roar of the waves as you slip into a deep state of relaxation at the spa. PLAY... Dive into Sri Lanka's longest swimming pool and score the winning point at water polo! Hit the gym, or take a water aerobics class. Say yes to adventure! Learn to paddle a kayak and explore the mangroves, or feel the wind whistle past, as you see the world from horseback trekking along the beach. Enjoy top notch entertainment and live shows, indulge in beach-side BBQ s and delicious buffets, take time for a romantic meal for two under the moon and stars... Whether you want to PLAY or PAUSE at Club Dolphin you can enjoy the very best of both worlds...
Star ratings are intended to indicate the general level of features, amenities, and services to expect. This property is classified according to Giata.
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Club Hotel Dolphin garners praise for its dedicated staff, who are often described as friendly and attentive to guests' needs. The rooms are generally lauded for their cleanliness and spaciousness, though there are occasional mentions of wear and dated decor. While opinions on value vary, with some finding the hotel reasonably priced and others deeming it expensive, the cleanliness across the hotel is consistently applauded.
The pools, lush gardens, and dining options add to the hotel's appeal, though some guests suggest small enhancements could be made. A welcoming and vibrant atmosphere is complemented by the hotel's beachfront location, which is a major draw for its scenic beach access and views.
Location
Beachfront
Atmosphere
Lively
Rooms
Comfortable
Value
Reasonable
Cleanliness
Immaculate
Service
Attentive
Amenities
Well-appointed
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This was our first visit to Sri Lanka & it was for a celebration and we can honestly say that this resort was fantastic ‘ we did not know which resort to choose but this place exceeded all our expectations . I don’t really know where to begin but let me first say thank you to all the great people in this resort who looked after us ‘ Chandana , the front office manager and his team made sure we settled into our rooms which were always kept clean, so thank you to Ranil : this resort is right on the beach and location is perfect like a picture postcard , the animation team is wonderful & ensure you never get bored : there is music every evening . We stayed on an all inclusive basis and loved the choice of food from breakfast to all day dining ; food was brilliant both Asian and European food , also the food is varied everyday , all the staff could not do enough for us. The resort is safe and protected with security . It has two pools of one which is a quiet one if you want to get away from noise .Also the resort is kept really clean , I would thoroughly recommend this to anyone thinking of booking it . I would like to say a big thank you to all at the al a carte team for making my daughter Reena’s birthday such a memorable one , we are already missing the place and will definitely revisit , thank you to everyone at club dolphin for looking after us I can’t remember all the names but everyone made our stay amazing. review by Sabita
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Date of stay: January 2020
Value
Location
Service
Room Tip:We were on the second floor and had a garden view
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from TonyPerera, Manager at Club Hotel Dolphin
Responded Jan 23, 2020
Dear Sabitakumari, Thank you for choosing us for your holiday! We are so pleased to read such wonderful praise and very happy that you had a fantastic holiday with memories! The " emotional Memories " is what counts most which never goes away from you. Our team does everything to make sure that the guests are well looked after, not just in service departments but from the Garden to Reception. We are so happy to hear that you would like to return and when that happens we would d be delighted to receive you! Ayubowan
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Our 4th visit to the hotel and still find the place just as relaxing and friendly as the first time. Nothing seems to have changed and the staff go out of their way to make sure you are enjoying yourself and also encourage you to give feedback on anything you want to discuss. Great food in the Buffet and Waves and also had a great night at the BBQ on the beach. The staff on site are always doing something like cleaning and just generally keeping on top of the place. The only thing we found different was that the dogs and cats that usually frequented the grounds of the hotel were no longer encouraged from doing so due to complaints from certain guests. Personally we have never had an issue with any animal that came near us but good to hear there are plans in place to find a place close by were they will still be looked after. Big thanks to Chandana who ensured we managed to stay in the room we normally try to get in when visiting and also for his hospitality whilst there. Also thanks to Chaminda who was always checking how things were, Vishmi on reception, Yamuna at the quiet pool who is so friendly, Chathuranga at Waves who looked after us really well whilst eating there and not forgetting Upal who looked after the rooms on our floor. Whilst at the BBQ, which was fantastic by the way there was a guest who was clearly not happy with something, we just wanted to comment how Marasinghe dealt with the situation. It is so obvious he cares that customers are enjoying themselves and thought he dealt with the situation brilliantly. For trips, as always we use See Lanka and you usually find Nipun on the beach at some part of the day or call to the Canal Garden Restaurant that’s owned by his family. Roll on June when we return!!
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Date of stay: January 2020Trip type: Traveled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from TonyPerera, Manager at Club Hotel Dolphin
Responded Jan 22, 2020
Dear Towny72, Thank you for staying with us and .... what a great review! We are so stoked that your holiday was so fantastic and thoroughly enjoyed! The staff is what makes the hotel, that is our biggest and most precious asset! will share this with em all and surely they will be happy to read such a nice review! We shall be here, in June to welcome you back! Ayubowan
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This was an extremely welcoming hotel. Upon arrival a glass of juice and a cold flannel was given. The bungalow had a view of the sea. It was well furnished, ideally situated and kept impeccably clean. Meal times were a pleasure, always met by a member of the team and showed to a table, water glasses immediately filled. The waiters could not do enough to help, always with a smile, yet not interfering. The food was plentiful, hot and adequately labelled, there was always something for everyone. Tables were cleared promptly. The staff in the bars again were so very helpful. Again, no messy tables. When going early on trips, breakfast boxes were waiting in reception. These were excellent, plentiful food and drink. There was 2 days when alcohol was not permitted to be served, both these days bottles of beer were left in the room. Not being a drinker, water would have been preferable, the option wasn’t offered. Upon going home again a breakfast box was waiting in reception. As we were going straight to the airport it was a surprise to find 5 bottles of water in the breakfast bag. After unsuccessfully trying to give them away, sadly they were put in the bin as you cannot take liquids through airports. This seemed a waste seeing as additional bottles that had been left in the room was charged. The 5 unwanted bottles could have been left and deducted from the charged bottles in the room. Overall, a wonderful holiday in a well run, comfortable and friendly hotel. Would definitely book again.
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Date of stay: February 2020Trip type: Traveled with friends
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from TonyPerera, Manager at Club Hotel Dolphin
Responded Feb 18, 2020
Dera lindaccu, What a perfect review and recommendation! Thank you for staying with us, feedback. We are in the process of changing the plastic bottles to glass bottles which will help the environment. We are so pleased to learn the holiday that you had was perfect. We will be delighted to welcome you again! Ayubowan
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Recently returned from a 10 night stay here at the CHD.
In our view the hotel is getting a little tired and is in desperate need of some refurbishment work, especially in the villa type rooms. We stayed in a Garden Villa which definitely showed signs of aging and had a great view of the next villa in front. That said it was clean and functional.
The housekeeping guys arrived on mass every afternoon and did their thing in 10 minutes flat each day. I have to stress although tired it was very clean with towels and bedding changed daily. Water at 2x500ml bottles per day can be a little tight, however the boys left us 4 each day after I asked.
The food is your typical all inclusive affair and the restaurant can be a little canteen like, although the drinks flow easily and with a small tip for your waiter making them flow without having to ask.
The main bar area on an evening has nightly entertainment, nothing amazing but certainly enough to keep you quietly tapping your foot.
The drinks at the bar are certainly strong and work their magic, so the staff are not shy on pouring a strong drink.
We used the quite pool daily and although it states reserving beds is not allowed, it happens every day, but we managed to get one each day no problem and the pool staff were pleasant and helpful.
With a bit of negotiating at reception we managed to get ourselves a late check out at no extra cost and the all inclusive package was made available until we left, which was a nice touch.
So in summary, a tired but clean hotel. The staff are really nice and friendly from the gardeners, to the waiters, to the reception.
Food is average and drinks are strong.
Would recommend for a cheap and cheerful bit of sun or a good base to explore Sri Lanka from.
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Date of stay: January 2020
Rooms
Location
Service
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Response from TonyPerera, Manager at Club Hotel Dolphin
Responded Jan 27, 2020
Dear MadManYorkshire, Thank you for staying with us and reviewing us with some great points. We will surely take all into account and see how fast we can improve. We are also glad the stay was nice and enjoyable. Thank you Ayubowan
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Our two weeks at Club Hotel Dolphin in late January/early February 2020 proved to be a wonderful escape from the storms battering the UK at that time. We found it to be a well managed hotel whose outstanding asset was the many members of staff in all departments who were welcoming, courteous and unfailingly helpful and pleasant at all times. We were particularly impressed by the Housekeeping team who attended to our very comfortable air-conditioned room on a daily basis and left all manner of creative 'towel art' which we shared on social media. We found Ajith, Samantha, Indunil and Charith to be hard working guys who gave excellent service throughout our stay. We enjoyed very good dining facilities with a varied menu to suit the many nationalities who are catered for and I thought the bakery products and some of the dessert puddings were first class and a step up from many European hotels! All in all we got the holiday that we hoped for and, given the opportunity, we will do what so many others do and return to this hotel again. Ayubowan.
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Date of stay: January 2020
Value
Service
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Response from TonyPerera, Manager at Club Hotel Dolphin
Responded Feb 23, 2020
Dear Eyeteeman, It is absolute pleasure reading such a nice review! Thank you for choosing us for your holiday and for recommending us. We are so happy to hear that you want to follow the others by returning and we can't wait to have you again! So glad that you found the food options, dining areas, service quality exceptionally good. Thank you again, Ayubowan
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Stayed 14 days in quarantine at Club Dolphin. Was fortunate to get a beach villa with great view of the ocean but due to the restrictions was not permitted on the beach. The hotel had organised the quarantine stay very well and guests were provided with all three meals based on a weekly menu. The menu was well structured and quite wholesome to the extent I stopped having breakfast so that I don't gain too much weight and also as breakfast is served quite early around 7 am. An ala carte room service menu is also available in case you get peckish during the day. All meals were served at scheduled times and rooms were provided with cutlery and plates, bottled water, coffee and tea sachets etc. Linen changes were done once in 5 days and guests are responsible to change the linen and clean the room themselves. Common WiFi connectivity is provided free and if required, for an additional fee a seperate broadband connection can be provided by hotel. Tea/ coffee and water replenishment is done daily. A mini bar was also available. Meals are hygienically packed and brought upto room door by hotel staff in full PPE gear. Overall a comfortable room, with good F&B offering and customer oriented staff ready to assist.
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Date of stay: January 2021Trip type: Traveled solo
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Tony Perera, Other at Club Hotel Dolphin
Responded Jan 23, 2021
Dear Aganthuka, Thank you for staying with us during your quarantine period and making the time to review us with some insights into the operation. We are glad that we have not disappointed you even though a confined stay in a room could be unimaginable before this Pandemic. Thank you for the rating and recommendations which help others to understand what we provide. We hope this stay will not be the last and hope to welcome you in a different environment with much freedom to enjoy the hotel, facilities, and services. Thank you once again and Stay Safe Ayubowan
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Well it's certainly changed a lot since we were last here 25 years ago for our honeymoon but pleased to say it's just as lovely as we remember it! It's grown considerably since then but still has a friendly feel about it. We had a Sea View villa which was in a perfect position close to the beach with a fantastic outlook (perfect for watching the sunset each evening). The villa was well equipped and kept spotlessly clean and the little touches the staff added (like the towel swans on the bed) were much appreciated. Sadly we were only there for 3 nights this time but the food we had in that time was absolutely great, considering how many people they are catering for. There was always plenty of choice at any meal time (evenings especially) and my veggie wife always found plenty of choice too. Some of the food could have been a little warmer on occasions but that is to be expected in a buffet style restaurant. We didn't have time to try out the A La Carte restaurant but spoke to others who said the food was superb there too. The restaurant staff were always very polite and attentive (good at topping up water & drinks when needed). We only used the 'quiet pool' which was ideally located close to our villa and this was perfect for us, away from the (understandable) noise of children playing and the entertainment that the staff put on regularly. Overall we thoroughly enjoyed our (short) stay and would highly recommend Club Hotel Dolphin for couples or a family holiday. Hopefully it won't be another 25 years before we come back!
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Date of stay: March 2020
Room Tip:If travelling as a couple, go for a Sea View Villa, which have the perfect outlook and are...
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from TonyPerera, Manager at Club Hotel Dolphin
Responded Mar 27, 2020
Dear Wander695395, How wonderful that you were hear! Thank you for staying with us and taking the time to review us. We are glad that your short stay was full of joy and fun. Yes, our team is superb, that is the main reason we do have guests coming back. We do hope you will be back and enjoy a longer holiday. Stay safe and be strong in these difficult times! Ayubowan
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Mum & Dad stayed here 20 years ago & when we lost Dad I promised I would take Mum back to Sri Lanka. We booked with TUI, as they went to The Club Hotel Dolphin, and they advised a main building room as Mum had a knee replacement. Next time it will be a villa as better for Mum. On arrival, mid afternoon, we were given a lovely welcome, a warm wipe & drink to freshen up. Room was lovely & large with all you need, tea & coffee, water replaced daily, hairdryer, toiletries in a large bathroom. Pool towels provided daily. Pool bars & staff all very good. Food was brilliant, the fussiest eater would find something at each meal, waiters very helpful & drinks kept topped up. I had a problem with the WiFi on my mobile & the reception staff were helpful each time it happened. Gardens & hotel kept clean & tidy. Staff incredibly friendly & helpful. I am already making plans to go back next year. Thank you for the most amazing holiday! 🙏🏻 🙏🏻 🙏🏻
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Date of stay: March 2020Trip type: Traveled with family
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from TonyPerera, Manager at Club Hotel Dolphin
Responded Mar 28, 2020
Dear JuliaM697 Thank you for staying with us and taking the time to review us & recommendations. It brings us a lot of pride and joy to hear that you're an avid fan of our hotel. We appreciate your business, your loyalty and your trust. The praises all-round shall be shared with the team here and please be assured we would love to welcome you again as our guests. Stay safe Ayubowan
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Marvellous hotel with genuinely pleasant and eager to please staff. Of special note is the “Dolphin Kids Club” where it would have been simply impossible for the staff to have down any more with our 7 and 8 year old children. Rooms are well equipped and (thankfully) air conditioned as it was 35 deg c (but the BBC weather app quoted is “feels like 43”!!). Plenty of amenities to satisfy any family and then there is the wonderful Asda Tours nearby who will organise pretty much any trip to whatever attraction you can think of throughout the whole island of Sri Lanka. We had a couple of add on items to our all inclusive package, but of special note was the Valentines dinner which included dancing and fireworks. One extremely minor detraction (can’t give it 4.9 stars) was the food in the main restaurant Sands, which can’t always be as fresh as it could be when catering for a hotel of this size, but other than this (very, very minor criticism) really highly recommended.
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Date of stay: February 2020Trip type: Traveled with family
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from TonyPerera, Manager at Club Hotel Dolphin
Responded Feb 18, 2020
Dear I5495CKsimonb, Thank you for choosing us for your holiday and reviewing! We are also thankful for the feedback provided, We will look at it and see if can do something to change that. Really pleased to read that the holiday you spend with was superb and enjoyable. Reading such reviews makes us strive more towards perfection! Ayubowan
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We have just returned home from our first trip to Sri Lanka, staying at Dolphin, and we can’t wait to go back. We went for a week- not long enough. Food in the buffet is covered, no bugs, flies or birds on it, and constant, if there is something running low or you want then you only have to ask. Snack bar does chips, if you really need them. We ate there once. The entire animation team were fantastic and done well for entertaining my enthusiast husband. Ruwan cleaned our room and did an outstanding job. Due to the hard work and attitudes of all the staff we will be booking again around Xmas time to return with our family. I only take pictures if things are not good so this is all I have to offer as I was too busy enjoying myself Thank you
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Date of stay: February 2020Trip type: Traveled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from TonyPerera, Manager at Club Hotel Dolphin
Responded Feb 21, 2020
Dear AlannahLilley, Wow-what a review! Thank you so much for spending your well earned holiday with us and recommending us too! We are so happy that you already want to book your next holiday with us and all that was made possible by our friendly staff and services. Looking forward to welcoming you again! Ayubowan
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We have just returned and it was a real mixture and we just ignored the weather forecasts which were invariably wrong - it said rain all week we had lots of sunshine. I know there are very different weather systems on either side of the island and when it rains it is torrential, we had one night where so much rain fell the restaurant flooded . I'd definitely pack a rain mac just in case, although it dries out really quickly.
Cumbria, United Kingdom21 contributions2 helpful votes
Yes, Wedding Packages are available at the Hotel. You would need to contact Chandana via e-mail - chandanas (@) brownshotels (.) com take out the brackets and the spaces
Cumbria, United Kingdom124 contributions79 helpful votes
Sorry late. Yes there are 2 sit down snack bars.
1 by the main pool area and another up by the quiet pool.
Open 11-5 and serve Salads, Burgers, Club sandwiches, and Fries etc. Both part of the all-inclusive service.
If on Facebook - search "The Club Hotel Dolphin pod forum" for all things hotel related (Joint admin).
There are more places to choose from in the Kammala area.
PRICE RANGE
$103 - $193 (Based on Average Rates for a Standard Room)
ALSO KNOWN AS
dolphin hotel waikkal, club hotel dolphin sri lanka, dolphin hotel sri lanka
LOCATION
Sri LankaNorth Western ProvinceKammala
NUMBER OF ROOMS
154
Prices are the average nightly price provided by our partners and may not include all taxes and fees. Taxes and fees that are shown are estimates only. Please see our partners for more details.
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