Casa Smeralda

We stayed at Casa Smeralda recently, and while the room and amenities were decent, we had a few concerns that we feel need attention — especially around transparency and quality. Being locals, we were unexpectedly charged the foreigner rate, with no prior notice or communication. We believe this should have been clearly informed at the time of booking. Only two 500ml water bottles were provided for two guests from 3 PM to 12 PM the next day. When we requested more, we were charged LKR 640 per bottle, which felt unreasonable. We also ordered hoppers, which were sourced from outside, but billed under the hotel’s name at a very high price. The food was not tasty, and no official bill or details were provided. For just string hoppers, kiri hodi, and pol sambol, we were charged LKR 2,800 — a price that does not reflect the quality or quantity received. Even a single cup of tea was charged at LKR 640. We also noticed the pool was not clean, which was disappointing. While the room was clean and comfortable, a full-length mirror was missing, which would be helpful for guests. To be clear: price is not the issue for us — but quality and transparency always matter. This review is shared in good faith, not to harm the hotel’s image, but to offer honest feedback so improvements can be made. Thank you for the service provided.

Charming Spot, But Missing the Heart. This little place definitely has a charming vibe on arrival, you can tell it has potential and a lot of character. Upon check-in, we were asked to settle the charges upfront. As a hotelier myself, I didn’t question it, though I later understood why. The room we were given was quite small, but had all the essentials for a comfortable stay, except for the bed, which was a bit too compact and unstable; I nearly fell off twice! On the plus side, the water pressure was excellent, and the air conditioning worked like a dream. The next morning, however, we woke up to no running water. We were informed it wouldn’t be available until 8:30 am, and when it finally did come back, it was not enough to shower or even brush our teeth. The food was overpriced for what it was. The pizza was undercooked, the sandwich didn’t quite qualify as a sandwich, and the staffing at the restaurant tried very hard. Breakfast was very average. All in all, it’s a cute little spot with great potential, but what’s missing is that sense of genuine care and hospitality. A bit of love goes a long way, and that’s what truly makes a place memorable.

Lovely hotel very good value for money Such a lovely hotel located right on the beach, I would definitely recommend it to anyone who wants to be slightly outside of Hiriketiya. Due to its location it is very quiet and peaceful. There are sun loungers on the beach as well as by the pool. It is super easy to get into the main town by tuktuk or a 30 minute walk. The staff are lovely and so attentive if you need a bite to eat I would recommend their pizza which are delicious. We loved our stay here and would 100% come back!

We spent a few nights at Casa Smeralda and had an unforgettable experience. From the warm welcome to the impeccably clean, comfortable rooms with a terrace so close to the ocean that you could almost dip your feet in, everything was simply perfect. The breakfast, authentic pizzas, and other dishes were absolutely delicious, and the staff went above and beyond to ensure a wonderful stay. The swimming pool was well-maintained and of a comfortable size, while the free, secure parking was a great convenience. Nestled in the serene bay of Dickwella, the location is stunning—peaceful and uncrowded—yet just five minutes from the vibrant Hiriketiya Beach. A special thank you to Mr. Chaminda (Manager) and his exceptional team for their hospitality. Having stayed in several places in the area, we can confidently say that our experience at Casa Smeralda was one of the best. We’ll definitely be back soon!