The Sri Lankan Experience - 7 Days

Customer Reviews

• PP

  Pamela

  · December 17th, 2024
  The tour was informative and fun - we saw lots of Sri Lanka and it was great to have a local tour guide show us around. There was a lot of driving involved to get to each destination which is included in the itinerary but took up most of every second day with hours of driving. Overall a good tour with a lovely guide and Sri Lanka was worth the visit!
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  Stelaran Holidays (Pvt) Ltd commented on this review

  Hi Pamlea princes Thank you so much for taking the time to share your experience with us! We’re delighted to hear that you found the tour informative and fun, and that you enjoyed exploring the beauty of Sri Lanka with the guidance of our local expert.... Show more
  Trip date: November 2024
• JB

  Jennifer

  · March 28th, 2024
  Concise review: Good value for money, well-organized, excellent pre-tour communication, fantastic way to wind down and get in relaxed headspace. Great way to become more familiar with an unknown country. But most importantly, fantastic treatments by caring professionals. Detailed review: I found this ayurvedic vacation easy, it was without problem largely due to the fact many of the staff at both hotels speak understandable English and are only too happy to assist in anyway. The Ayurvedic Treatment Specialists at both hotels spoke excellent English, as do many reception and restaurant staff. I loved the Karunakarala Ayurveda Resort! It was superb! ROOMS: Large, impeccably clean, airconditioned room, thoughtfully providing the extras normally found in high-end resorts such as woven palm leaf tote bags to use to carry my belongings to treatment sessions (very handy and helpful), lungi (wrap skirt) so that my clothes did not absorb the oils after massage, umbrella, slippers, bathrobe, filtered water, and an extended range of toiletries - dental and shaver packs, showercap. Room was enhanced by balcony, very deep bath and original art work. In fact the hotel had original art work everywhere. Each floor of the hotel had large filtered water coolers from which I could replenish my room supply. Solar energy was used for the hot water... it was hot and never ran out even when filling the exlarge bath. GENERAL HOTEL FACILITIES: Food was the best I had in Sri Lanka (nothing like Indian), labelled (I like knowing what it is I am eating), and each day offered something different. The palm honey over buffalo curd was wonderful! Pool was perfectly clean and I noticed someone cleaning and attending to it each day. The restaurant, pool area, and outdoor lounge areas had a lovely, restful vista over the river and wall of jungle opposite. Hotel offered something of interest to do each day - free of charge. Reception also offered outside activities beyond the hotel that you could book at a fee. Hotel is set in local, residential area where dogs can be a worry, however there is a sign at Reception that offers to have a staff member walk with guests should they like to go on a local walk. Yoga on the rooftop run just after dawn...just Ok. Botanical gardens are interesting, growing fruit and veg I have never heard of before... and then I would find them at the buffet for dinner! The Ayurveda Specialists do conduct tours of the gardens. However, my favourite thing at this resort are the treatment rooms and the wonderful staff that work there. The doctors spoke with me daily and were open to my wants and needs. The rooms are open to the river and jungle and are serene..... dreamy. The women who work in the treatment rooms were happy, jovial, genuinely welcoming, warm people who were obviously well trained. Madu and Ayesha each provided me with three hours of bliss.... I can see why they call them treatment rooms. During my time in Sri Lanka I was repeatedly provided with more than I expected. This holds true for the treatments received. Madu and Ayesha were both excellent hosts, more than competent and generous in their treatments. A head massage by Madu was marvellous. Ayesha's delicate fingers were able to convey a tenderness and intimacy, while giving me a facial, that was certainly out of the ordinary... I felt cherished.... I may never have another as fine. Yes, it was that good! I particularly love the way the treatment beds are decorated with flowers. Ayesha had constructed quite an elaborate display, not sure if I should lay down on the flowers or remove them, I sought her instruction. She said I should lie down on the flowers and feel like a princess! Finally, at the end of the 3 hours of treatment, Ayesha gave me a boutique of frangipani. Oh my God... this has ruined me for life.... How can other spa experiences compete with this! I was grateful for the disposable cloth underwear that they provide as the oils do stain clothes! The Maho Paradise Hotel is also very good. They greet you with a lei, fresh coconut, ginger biscuits, platter of fruit....very generous but a little overwhelming as I could not hold or carry them all. Large grounds, two large pools to choose from, numerous wall murals and extensive use of art. Treatment centre is perfect for deep rest - dark and silent. Achini was masterful and kind and supervised several new experiences .... it turned further treatments into an adventure. Again many staff speak English. Hotel is very close to the Yapahuwa Rock Fortress from medieval times, and is very worth visiting. The views from the top are marvellous. Room is large, air conditioned, has mosquito net and a real sense of privacy. My guide met me at the airport with a shell lei. I had thought I would be picked up from the airport, dropped to the first resort and then only see the guide on the day I was transferred to the next resort. No. The guide is there staying at the same resorts (different blocks) as you are. This was unexpected. My guide was keen to please and flexible to devise days, and then change them, to suit me. The driving was exotic..... rice and corn being dried on the road, mongoose spotted on the side of the road, eating corn being cooked on the side of the road, drinking from coconuts. My guide was good enough to stop when I showed an interest in something. He showed me a ran dothalu flower... only now do I understand why he said it was "Special" ..... thank you. On my final day he assisted me in gaining a window seat on a train that ran from Maho to Galle, so that during the trip I was on the ocean side....thank you. It is a great journey that I thoroughly enjoyed and which Sonali of Stelaran organized for me at no charge. Thank you, Sonali. However, I found I understood only about a third of what my guide said. While I think he would say that he understood me, I could tell from his answers that he often did not. This lead to some misunderstandings and consequent frustrations with each other. Perhaps writing plans down may assist in forming shared understandings. I don't feel that I needed a guide the whole time. It added a pressure that was unexpected and unwanted. However, having your own personal guide 24/7 does open up opportunities should you want to do more than rest and relax, and it would provide you with someone to assist you should you need it.
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  Stelaran Holidays (Pvt) Ltd commented on this review

  Hi Jenifer Thank you so much for taking the time to share your experience with us! We’re delighted to hear that you found the tour informative and fun, and that you enjoyed exploring the beauty of Sri Lanka with the guidance of our local expert. Thanks... Show more
  
  Trip date: February 2024
• IB

  Ivette

  · March 3rd, 2024
  Very knowledgeable guide. Nice hotels and shopping experiences.
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  Stelaran Holidays (Pvt) Ltd commented on this review

  Hi Ivette Thank you very much for leaving such a beautiful review on our page today ! Thanks Sonali Bender
  
  Trip date: February 2024
• 

  louiza

  · October 20th, 2023
  Am from Greece, As a solo traveler, I highly recommend Stelaranholidays Tours and traveling with Ranjith. He took great care of me, ensuring that I had a safe and enjoyable experience. His expertise and attention to detail are unmatched. Overall, I highly recommend Stelaranholidays Tours to anyone considering a trip to Sri Lanka. They exceeded all of my expectations, and I cannot thank Ranjith enough for providing me with an unforgettable vacation!"
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  Stelaran Holidays (Pvt) Ltd commented on this review

  Hi Dear Loiza hank you very much for leaving such a beautiful review on our page today Thanks Shani De Mel Tour Coordinator Selaranholidays(pvt)Ltd
  
  Trip date: May 2023