"Tipping and Talking key to enjoyable stay"
xxMisterJohnxx
St Leonards on Sea, England
Apr 23, 2008
We stayed at the Neptune mid-April, including the Buddhist New Year on an AI package. We had no problems with dishonesty and the Hotel safe deposit box system is very secure. The Hotel has been pretty accurately depicted already, so I won't go over old ground.
My advice to get the best out of the place is to tip (50 and 100 rupees) regularly and take the time to talk (and joke) with the staff. If you begrudge doing that then you won't receive 5 star service. I personally think spending about £2.50 (5 US dollars) a day for attentive service is not excessive. How much would you tip in a restaurant? Remember, the barmen, waiters and other staff are at your beck and call most of the day and night and really appreciate a small tip for good service.
Speaking of gem shops, the best we found for quality and value (no commission to local drivers) was actually Fine Gems at the Hotel itself. Don't be afraid to haggle!
This goes for just about everywhere apart from Cargills. If the price asked is too high - walk away. You may likely find it will come down nearer to the price you asked for.
If you drink alcohol remember to stock up at a Wine Shop before a Poya day or other religious festival or political election.
We went to Yala without any problems (take some ID).
Sri Lanka is one of our favourite destinations. The unpretentious Neptune with its excellent food, service, pool and beach is a perfect base for exploring the south-west of the island.
This TripAdvisor Member:
Liked — The staff, food, drink, pool and beach
Disliked — Mosquitoes - take DEET and buy insecticide. Nets are available. (The mozzies are no worse than elsewhere).
xxMisterJohnxx's Summary
Date of Stay: April, 2008
Traveled with: Family (extended)
Visit was for: Quality time with family
Age group: 50-64
Member since: April 19, 2006
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Would I recommend this hotel to my best friend?
absolutely!
I recommend this hotel for:
An amazing honeymoon, A romantic getaway, Girlfriend getaway, Older travelers, Great pool scene, Families with young children, Families with teenagers, Tourists
I do not recommend this hotel for:
Young singles, People with disabilities, Pet owners
I selected this hotel as a top choice for:
Beach / Sun, Museums / Cultural / Historical sites, Outdoor / Adventure, Great food / Wine, Shopping
“Absolutely Wonderful”
Neptune Hotel
JoyBarnet
Barnet
Apr 9, 2008
We've just got back a few days ago from a trip to Sri Lanka and Dubai, having stayed at the Neptune in Sri Lanka. We received a warm and friendly welcome. I asked for more hangers and these were provided immediately. The shower itself was a bit temperamental but once we got the hang of it, it wasn't a problem. We didn't have a TV or a fridge and I understand some of the better rooms have these. However we did have tea and coffee making facilities. Having settled in and had a wander round, I felt much better and within a few days, the holiday was fast becoming one of the best we've had. Our room boy kept our room beautifully clean, we had different flowers on the bed every day and he even brought us a beautiful flower arrangement on our second day.
The beach is lovely and the sellers are not too pushy if you say no they leave you alone. The sea, for us, was great, quite big waves that could knock you over but there is a strong under current so perhaps not good for children or weak swimmers. The pool looks beautiful although I have to say we never went in it. The food in the hotel was very nice and there was always something we found that we liked. The desserts were wonderful. The staff are wonderful too, always willing to help and always with a smile. Yes we did tip waiters, room boy, towel/lounger man but certainly not every day and not vast amounts.
The chipmunks (asian squirrels) are lovely. I knew they were there at the hotel from other trip advisor reviews so I took a large bag of monkey nuts with me. They got to know this and would willingly come and take the nuts from my hand, we got some great videos.
Everywhere we go, we go on trips with the beach lads and have always had a great time and this was no exception. We went to Kandy and the whole trip went without a hitch, I even got to wash the elephants as promised I would. We stayed in a lovely hotel in Kandy and our guide took us to the large temple there, we also saw the Sri Lankan Dancers, a tea factory, spice gardens, botanical gardens and tea and pineapple plantations and all for a lot less than the rep was charging. One word of advice if you go to the Elephant Orphanage you will be besieged outside the gates by men selling bags of bananas (for the elephants). DON'T BUY ANY when you get inside the Orphanage the guards take the bananas away as you are not allowed to take them in.
For anyone who is interested, if you walk out onto the beach from the hotel and turn left and walk as far as you can you will come to a beach bar plus a few little shops. There is a guy there with a shop selling sarongs etc., I enquired of him and he made me the most beautiful linen outfit, trousers and a fully lined coat in two days at a price of £75. He also made 2 pairs of wrap around trousers at £10 each. I can provide his name if anyone wants. Also opposite the beach bar there is a small island and you can take a boat across for about £1. On the island is a Buddhist temple and three monks live there. Even if you are not religious it is worth going to visit and it is a very "spiritual" place. You must remember to cover your shoulders and knees though.
My husband went fishing with a local lad whilst we were there and caught a large parrot fish which the hotel cooked for us for dinner in the evening.
All in all an absolutely wonderful holiday and I would 100% consider going back to the Neptune again.
Joy
This TripAdvisor Member:
Liked —Staff and the beach /pool setting.
Disliked —The shower and the fact that wine is not included in the "All Inclusive" package.
JoyBarnet's Summary
Date of Stay: March, 2008
Traveled with: Spouse / significant other
Visit was for: Romantic getaway
Age group: 50-64
Member since: January 21, 2003
| My ratings for this hotel are: | |
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Value |
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Rooms |
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Location |
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Cleanliness |
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Check in / front desk |
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Service |
Would I recommend this hotel to my best friend?
absolutely!
I recommend this hotel for:
An amazing honeymoon, A romantic getaway, Older travelers, Great pool scene, Families with young children, Families with teenagers, Tourists
I do not recommend this hotel for:
People with disabilities
I selected this hotel as a top choice for:
Beach / Sun, Museums / Cultural / Historical sites, Outdoor / Adventure
"Superb location, friendly people, you will love it here"
kraftterrier
oxfordshire
Mar 23, 2008
My husband and I have just had a fabulous stay at the Neptune Hotel, the staff are amazing, nothing is too much trouble and the food is excellent, with a really wide range at every mealtime, well presented and kept hot. The rooms are spacious and kept very clean by the lovely smiling room-boys, who come in twice a day, once to clean and make the beds then later to turn down the sheet and put the mosquito repelling machine on. Okay, its not the Ritz, the furniture is outdated and the decor is a bit tired, but the friendliness and service more than make up for this, the staff are wonderful. We were told that the hotel will be undergoing a refurbishment this year.
The animation team are great, they encourage those who want to participate but don't persist if you don't want to join in. There is a live band on Saturday nights and a disco on Friday nights in the Pearl night club and other entertainment, musicians or shows on other evenings.
The vendors on the beach can be a little tiresome, you are always being approached to buy things, but they are polite and friendly and after all it is their livelihood, we bought a few bits and after a few days we were mostly left alone.
We had superb weather while we were there, Sri Lanka is a wonderful place to visit, and the Neptune is a fabulous place to stay. In fact we will be going there again next January, and that in itself is testament to how much we loved it, as we very rarely go to the same place twice!! Go there, you will love it!
This TripAdvisor Member:
Liked — The warmth and friendliness of the staff
Disliked — Nothing
kraftterrier's Summary
Date of Stay: January, 2008
Traveled with: Spouse / significant other
Visit was for: Romantic getaway
Age group: 50-64
Member since: October 25, 2007
| My ratings for this hotel are: | |
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Value |
|
Rooms |
|
Location |
|
Cleanliness |
|
Check in / front desk |
|
Service |
|
Business service |
Would I recommend this hotel to my best friend?
absolutely!
I recommend this hotel for:
Young singles, An amazing honeymoon, A romantic getaway, Girlfriend getaway, Older travelers, Tourists
I do not recommend this hotel for:
People with disabilities
I selected this hotel as a top choice for:
Beach / Sun, Museums / Cultural / Historical sites