Shangri La Hambantoota Sri Lanka

We flew to Colombo and continued with a scenic shuttle bus ride to Shangri La Hambantota, booked as a package through Emirates Holidays. Despite the overnight travel, the welcoming open reception and stunning sea views immediately charmed us. Exhausted yet captivated, we loved the resort's layout, inviting pools, and breathtaking ocean vistas. The friendly, attentive staff swiftly addressed our needs, enhancing our experience from the start.

The luxurious resort offers spacious, cozy rooms with beautiful sea views and large bathrooms featuring both a bathtub and an extra shower. A thoughtful touch was the good-sized mugs for morning coffee, enhancing our comfort. The beach stretches for kilometers, ideal for walks and stunning sunsets, although the high waves make swimming unsafe. The resort's pools are a safer alternative.

A water play area, kids pool with slides, giant trampoline, ropes course, cycling, hiking, and an artisan village showcasing traditional crafts. The swings doubling as lounge beds were a unique touch. The kids club offers a soft play area and various activities, including animal spotting walks and educational programs. For rainy days, the playroom features a pool table, table tennis, and board games. Multiple pools, including an adult-only pool, are scattered throughout the resort.

Sri Lanka's weather is dramatic, with sudden shifts from clear skies to thunderstorms. November still had monsoon-like rain showers. Despite the sun not feeling as intense as in Dubai, it can cause sunburns quickly, making sunblock essential.

The buffet restaurant offers a variety of local and international dishes. Identifying non-spicy options took a few days, as local staff considered most dishes mild. Two a la carte restaurants and a pool bar are available, with the clubhouse offering a relaxing atmosphere and space for kids.

We enjoyed a half-day trip to an elephant sanctuary and a safari in Udawalawe National Park. The sanctuary cares for orphaned elephants until they are old enough for release. The safari, featuring sightings of elephants, crocodiles, eagles, jackals, and a rare wild cat, was a highlight. Ensure you bring cash, ideally rupees, as card payments were not accepted.

Mosquito repellent is crucial, as mosquitoes can be bothersome. The resort provides mosquito repellent burning sticks for evening outdoor activities.

Our National Day weekend at Shangri La Hambantota was wonderful. Despite weather concerns, we enjoyed plenty of sunshine with occasional rain showers, adding to the experience. Our 4-year-old's favorite moment was running in the rain. Overall, we had a fantastic stay and would happily return.