Dec 8, 2018, 11:32 am
Last edit by: SkiAdcock
For transportation to and from I suggest downloading the PickMe taxi app which is like Uber only cheaper and with better coverage all across Sri Lanka whereas Uber only works in Colombo. The rate I paid using the app was about $50USD each way vs. the hotel rate of $125USD! Rate varies based on the size of car required. Travel time was 2.5 hrs each way.
We used TaxiGo for airport pickup and dropoff - cheap, clean, convenient and professional
Plat amenities are complimentary breakfast, two items for complimentary pressing per day, 20 percent off dining [excluding alcohol] and 20 percent off spa. Gone are the happy hours mentioned in posts above.
We used TaxiGo for airport pickup and dropoff - cheap, clean, convenient and professional
Plat amenities are complimentary breakfast, two items for complimentary pressing per day, 20 percent off dining [excluding alcohol] and 20 percent off spa. Gone are the happy hours mentioned in posts above.
Weligama Bay Marriott Resort & Spa - Sri Lanka [Master Thread]
Jan 4, 2018, 4:06 am
#16
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: Thailand
Programs: Marriott LT Titanium; IHG Diamond Ambassador
Posts: 1,150
Jan 25, 2018, 9:45 pm
#17
Join Date: Jul 2001
Location: New York
Programs: Bonvoy LifetimeTitanium, UA Plat 2MM, LHW LeadersClub, IHGPlat, HiltonDiamnd, ASMVPG100K, WyndDiamnd
Posts: 1,227
...
Summary: For 15k points an excellent deal. Good Gold benefits. Nice bay area and I am sure the service will improve and none of the issues were a bigger deal. Just comparing it to the other hotels we stayed in Sri Lanka and compared to those it is obvious the hotel is still relative new. We did like the location.
Summary: For 15k points an excellent deal. Good Gold benefits. Nice bay area and I am sure the service will improve and none of the issues were a bigger deal. Just comparing it to the other hotels we stayed in Sri Lanka and compared to those it is obvious the hotel is still relative new. We did like the location.
Apr 19, 2018, 8:16 am
#19
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: Toronto (YYZ)
Posts: 6,279
Just completed a 5 night stay here.
For transportation to and from I suggest downloading the PickMe taxi app which is like Uber only cheaper and with better coverage all across Sri Lanka whereas Uber only works in Colombo.
The rate I paid using the app was about $50USD each way vs. the hotel rate of $125USD! Rate varies based on the size of car required.
Travel time was 2.5 hrs each way.
Apr 20, 2018, 12:43 am
#22
Join Date: Feb 2012
Posts: 4,477
Also during most evenings the chef tries to come up with a small but very inventive dish. He brings is personally to selected tables. Since that space is rarely crowded, usually everyone present gets to try.
Nov 16, 2018, 12:26 am
#23
Join Date: Jan 2015
Location: Kuwait (KW)
Programs: Qatar Airways, Hyatt, Hilton, Marriott, IHG
Posts: 2,711
Have a four-night stay here coming up on November 20th and looking forward to checking it out. Any recent stays/feedback? Will also do my own reporting once on the ground.
khabah
khabah
Nov 25, 2018, 11:04 pm
#24
Ambassador: Alaska Airlines
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: BWI
Posts: 7,390
Just got to the resort and I am liking what I am seeing so far. While it was a minor pain to get here from CMB (I did the train route) I am enjoying the relatively quaint atmosphere here.
Nov 25, 2018, 11:42 pm
#25
Join Date: Jan 2015
Location: Kuwait (KW)
Programs: Qatar Airways, Hyatt, Hilton, Marriott, IHG
Posts: 2,711
- Stayed with my friend who booked as a PPE. Used SNAs which cleared for a one-bedroom suite.
- We used TaxiGo for airport pickup and dropoff - cheap, clean, convenient and professional. Beats the 175 dollars the hotel offered.
- The hotel totally sticks out - it's an 11-story concrete block obscenely poking up and out in a landscape where no other building is taller than three stories.
- Upon arrival at 10 AM, our suite wasn't ready as the hotel was fully booked the night before for a massive wedding, so we were given a standard room to freshen up and relax. Told suite would be ready within the hour; after much to-and-froing over the next few hours, we were finally given our suite at 5 PM.
- Suite - and room, for that matter - are incredibly spacious and all rooms have stunning views/furnished balconies over Weligama Bay and the Indian Ocean. Decor is fresh and contemporary with lots of dark wood and old-school fans to localize the theme. Suite had a dining table for four, large couch, half bathroom and a separate bedroom with bathroom with shower, tub, vanity and toilet. Toiletries are provided by a Sri Lankan brand called Oxygen Collection and I thought they were excellent - much better than the standard Acca Kappa stuff Marriott stocks.
- Plat amenities are complimentary breakfast, two items for complimentary pressing per day, 20 percent off dining [excluding alcohol] and 20 percent off spa. Gone are the happy hours mentioned in posts above.
- Food is EXCELLENT - breakfast is extensive and there are lovely buffet spreads for lunch and dinner with tons of Sri Lankan options, international choices and desserts. Big Fish, the seafood restaurant, is also stunning - go feast your eyes on the lagoon prawns.
- Spa is also excellent; I got the Weligama Bay Signature treatment twice which includes a Swedish massage and rubdown with heated poultices of ginger and sand. The therapists are Indonesian and phenomenal. Facilities are lovely.
- Three pools of decent size. Deck chairs fill up. Not allowed to take towels to the beach.
- Staff are lovely - warm, genuine and determined to make things special. They're obviously very proud of working at this property and it reflects in how they perform.
- Major complaint has to do with elevators: there are three but they're not well programmed so you'll be up on your floor and all three elevators will be dawdling about between the ground and mezzanine floors, so wait times can be very long.
khabah
Dec 7, 2018, 11:42 pm
#26
Join Date: Jul 2001
Location: New York
Programs: Bonvoy LifetimeTitanium, UA Plat 2MM, LHW LeadersClub, IHGPlat, HiltonDiamnd, ASMVPG100K, WyndDiamnd
Posts: 1,227
Does this mean there are no snacks/soft drinks available to Golds/Platinums afternoons/evenings?
Subsequent to my posting, I found out that this appears to be the case and that it seems the hotel is "blaming" the Marriott program for not letting them do it. Somehow that does not seem to be accurate. Is it not the case that the real issue is that Marriott does not require it, but that a hotel can offer it if they want to, but this property has now chosen not to offer what I understand was a very nice benefit.
Subsequent to my posting, I found out that this appears to be the case and that it seems the hotel is "blaming" the Marriott program for not letting them do it. Somehow that does not seem to be accurate. Is it not the case that the real issue is that Marriott does not require it, but that a hotel can offer it if they want to, but this property has now chosen not to offer what I understand was a very nice benefit.
Last edited by Nevsky; Dec 8, 2018 at 12:07 am Reason: Adding question
Dec 8, 2018, 12:46 am
#27
Join Date: Feb 2012
Posts: 4,477
Does this mean there are no snacks/soft drinks available to Golds/Platinums afternoons/evenings?
Subsequent to my posting, I found out that this appears to be the case and that it seems the hotel is "blaming" the Marriott program for not letting them do it. Somehow that does not seem to be accurate...
Subsequent to my posting, I found out that this appears to be the case and that it seems the hotel is "blaming" the Marriott program for not letting them do it. Somehow that does not seem to be accurate...
Jan 6, 2019, 2:57 am
#29
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: All over
Programs: AA-LTP, HH-DIA, Marriott-LT+AMB, Hyatt-Globalist, Hertz-PC, UA-GS
Posts: 6,828