Dolphin Beach Resort, Kalpitiya

Dolphin Beach Resort in Kalpitiya is an excellent hotel with a laid back style. Situated on the Kalpitiya Peninsula, on the west coast of Sri Lanka, it has that elusive ‘barefoot, beach hut’ vibe that we all remember from our travelling days, but which rarely translates into a grown-up resort.

A 2-hour drive from the international airport, the Kalpitiya Peninsula remains off-the-beaten-track. There are a couple of other hotels close by, but otherwise, there is little in the way of local restaurants or facilities. The main idea here is relaxation, though the dolphin spotting trips during the season (December to April) are superb and kite surfing devotees come here during the windy season (May to October).

The rooms are part solid /part permanent, air-conditioned tents with very comfortable furnishings and a good deck area. The tenth aspect provides a lovely, rustic touch but does not detract from a comfortable stay and it provides a fresh, light finish to the rooms in keeping with the tasteful style.

The main tents are spacious, with excellent bathrooms and the family tents are superb value as children can be accommodated in a separate room (though the bathroom is shared). That element of privacy for the parents, whilst still remaining close to the children, makes Dolphin Beach an excellent family choice.

The public areas of the resort are spacious, pleasant and superb for chilling out. Whilst the resort is great for families, this scale means that couples can relax peacefully too. There are a good pool and a traditional ‘ambalama’ (a brilliant spot for catching up on the holiday reading) and there is a cooler covered area which is perfect for evening drinks. The food is great, though simple, with an emphasis on local fresh seafood which is abundant.

Visitors should be aware that there is a wind turbine next door and a power station about 2 kilometres down the coast. The power station is only visible from the sea and the turbine creates only a gentle swishing sound.