What do you want out of a holiday? If it’s a friendly quality service, the sun and a stone’s throw from an international port, then you can’t go wrong if you choose Negombo in Sri Lanka.
Some 20 minutes by taxi from Colombo International Airport, you will find the jewel in the crown of Negombo, an eight room exclusively gay boutique hotel called Dickman Resort http://www.dickmanresort.com/
It’s an exclusive hotel with swimming pool, pool table and bar, but what differentiates this hotel from others are the levels of service and attention to detail.
The guest rooms, named after colours such as aqua, green and blue, look out onto the pool, so as you open your doors in the morning you look out onto a tranquil pool with deck chairs waiting to entrance you out into the sun. Two patio doors at water level flank a mirror at the centre of the pool giving an optical illusion that the swimming pool extends through the patio doors. Very clever.
The bathrooms have papaya scented soap and scented shampoo sets from Ayur, whilst the rooms have candles and flowers too. The beds have split tennis balls on the corners to prevent you from hurting yourself on the edges. It’s this type of attention to detail that other hotels trying to imitate the standards simply do not reach.
There’s nature around too. Four tortoises and a friendly squirrel come out to play occasionally. Whilst shorts are de rigor during the day, you are better off wearing trousers in the evening as there may be a few midges.
Whilst much has been done to clean up the Negombo beach area, you will be approached. from supposedly teachers of deaf children to poor fishermen. They have one aim in mind and that is to get extract some money from you to support their meagre income.
Negombo was first populated by the Moors in the seventh and eight centuries as they dominated the spice trade, then the Portuguese and then the Dutch in 1644. There is a Dutch fort which was constructed in Negombo in 1672, which is now utilised as a prison. The Dutch were also responsible for the canal from Colombo to Puttalam in the North, passing through Negombo and still present today. With the decline of the cinnamon trade, the British took over in 1815 and their influence spread throughout Sri Lanka until independence in 1948.
For restaurants it is hard to beat Lord’s Restaurant http://www.lordsrestaurant.net/. A starter will cost around 750 rupees (3.50 GB Pounds), and main dishes double that. With an international selection of dishes from Sri Lankan cuisine to salads, curries, seafood platters, vegetarian and meats, it is hard to go wrong. Under the management of the philanthropist Martin Fullerton, you can get to read his life story too. Walk further into the Lord’s complex and you can have a free fish foot spa, as well as see an art gallery hosting local artists.
For nightlife there are several gay friendly bars in the area such as Tastees Banana, and especially Serendib on Fridays and Saturdays after 11 pm.. The local beer is called Lion, and look out for the witty posters advertising the No. 1 Sri Lankan beer. I was not however impressed by Rodeo Bar when the barman tried to short change me. Having said that Negombo is full of people wishing you a good day, and is you are single, somebody will come up and chat with you. It is that friendly.
You need not travel alone in Sri Lanka as Negombo is one of the destinations offered by Holiday House Boys www.holidayhouseboys.com. Advertised as “getting the most from your holidays”, a Holiday House Boy is like your personal travel guide who looks after your safety and welfare. Note though you must provide a separate room and bathroom for him, but at least you get to choose who you want.
Temperature wise, the average annual minimum temperature is 24 C with average maximum annual temperature of 30 C. The high season is November to March, with the low season being the monsoon season from May to August.
All in all if you are looking for a relaxing holiday with attentive service and excellent restaurants in the area, but do not mind missing out on the clubbing, then Negombo could be that dream holiday that you always wish you had but never yet taken. I would also recommend it for singles just as much as I would for couples. Try it and you will see.
GETTING THERE
British Airways http://www.britishairways.com/ flies three times a week from London Gatwick Airport for 575 GB Pounds return. Also check out the local airlines Srilankan Airlines http://www.srilankan.com/.
PRICES AT DICKMAN RESORT
At Dickman Resort, the prices for single occupancy range from 85 to 115 euros (72 to 97 GB Pounds) per night, whilst doubles range from 95 to 125 euros (80 to 106 GB Pounds) per night, all depending on the type of room you book and time of year. There is an extra surcharge of 25 euros (21 GB Pounds) per room per night for the top peak season from 24th December to 2nd January. Prices include that huge breakfast. Prices quoted do not include the 5% service charge . Note if you have an overnight guest, you are only charged for the extra breakfast.
For more information CLICK HERE: