What are the three essential ingredients for a family holiday?
- The company of your loved ones
- Pristine surroundings
- Modern comforts
Let us discuss the best places in Paradise Island (in no particular order), which offers a combination of the latter two, in making your family trip to Sri Lanka a successful one.
1. Weligama Bay Marriott Resort and Spa
Tucked away from Colombo’s bustling city life, Weligama is Sri Lanka’s popular fishing village where the popular Marriott chain of hotels has opened its most recent branch. World class amenities and a family-first approach is what you can expect here.
The hotel has ideal beachfront access where you can sit with your children for some sandcastle building, beach volleyball or even a swim. Visit the resort’s concierge service for some delightful experiences such as surfing lessons, whale watching in the neighboring town of Mirissa or some turtle watching in Koggala while you stay at Weligama Bay Marriott Resort and Spa.
The expansive Kid’s Club is something your kids are going to be visiting often and you could accompany them for some video games, story time or craft activities. The restaurant also offers a kids menu to make sure their cravings are satisfied – pizzas, burgers, ice creams, doughnuts, smoothies and a whole lot more!
This resort boasts not one or two but three swimming pools – one for kids with a small water slide, one for doing your daily laps, and one for lounging on sunbeds. If the pool workout is not enough for you, the hotel is equipped with a world-class gym which is open 24 hours, and the resort’s signature Quan Spa for an unwinding massage after that.
2. Hotel Riu – Ahungalla
This Spanish hotel brand is the first of its kind in Sri Lanka and with 500 rooms for guests, you are almost never to be disappointed with a full house. Located in Ahungalla – a beautiful west coast beach, Riu is ideal for families with its round-the-clock food and drinks service policy and daily live entertainment shows.
To cater to the crowd, the resort has three massive swimming pools, multiple restaurants and bars. What is exciting about the atmosphere at Riu is the layout of the pools – elevated above the beach, bordered with rows of white plastic sun beds, giving the impression of going on a cruise ship. For more water fun, there is a lovely enclosed water play area which can occupy children
for hours together. The pretty coastline falling on the other side of the hotelproperty is also a popular activity amongst families. Take your children to the neighboring Kosgoda beach where there is a turtle hatchery as well as a tour of the Madu River by boat.
The all-inclusive family holiday package that Riu Ahungalla offers includes 24/7 food, soft drinks, tea, and coffee so parents need not worry about children’s hunger needs. For adults to relax and unwind, visit the Renova Spa for a variety of treatments, beauty salon, massages, and a complementary hydrotherapy area! The fitness gym is also on the house for guests along with the steam bath
and whirlpool bath facilities.
3. Shangri La’s Hambantota Golf Resort & Spa
Known as Sri Lanka’s biggest holiday resort, Shangri La’s Hambantota property comprises of 300 rooms, 21 suites, an 18-hole golf course, an artisanal village, and several other recreational facilities. Service is the key aspect at Shangri-La, the warm manners, always crisp uniform, and genuine friendliness will make you feel warmly welcomed and will always aim to create a memorable
holiday for you and your loved ones.
Because the resort is located in an isolated area of the Hambantota district, there is not much activity outside of the hotel and hence it is advisable for guests to stay on a full board basis. However, family excursions to explore Sri Lanka’s wildlife in Bundala and Yala is quite convenient from here.
The Bojun Hala restaurant is one of the best highlights at Shangri La – adults and children can go head over heels with the massive buffet spread which includes a range of cuisines, courses, and live stations. The extensive range of dessert options are also to die for, particularly for those who are not very diet conscious!
One free-form pool is ideal for larger crowds and families while the serene sunset pool is ideally meant for sipping on cocktails and hanging out with your partner. Children will always be occupied with the massive recreation area including wet slides, jungle gyms, fountains and a whole lot more. Apart from that, there is a trapeze center, a huge trampoline and a recreation center with games suitable for all ages.
Exploring the 18-hole golf course itself is an activity that takes up a few hours. The gorgeous drive across the course offers views of a man-made pond, plantations, and the beautiful course. The Chi Spa offers treatments in open chalets as well as indoor rooms with a variety of herbal treatments, Balinese and Swedish massages to choose from.
So there we have it, some of the best remedies for a great family holiday in Sri Lanka. You could base yourself at one of these resorts and opt for Sri Lanka day tours to explore other parts of the country. That way, not only do you get a chance to see all of Sri Lanka but also come back to a relaxing, ultra-luxury bedroom to unwind and let your children lose!