Mermaid Hotel and Club, Kalutara

Mermaid Hotel and Club sits directly on the golden sands of Mahawaskaduwa, a fishing village within the beach resort city of Kalutara, 36 km south of Colombo and 73 km from Bandaranayake International Airport. The hotel faces the surf of the Indian Ocean while coconut groves behind it provide natural shelter from the tropical sun and wind — a setting that gives the property a calm, unhurried character rare for a beachfront address.

Kalutara itself is the gateway to Sri Lanka's south-western and southern coastal belts, reachable by rail or by the main Galle Road after crossing the Kalutara Bridge. Just across that bridge, on the southern bank of the River Kalu Ganga, a towering white dome of a great modern stupa stands at the very entrance to the city — an arresting landmark that greets every arriving visitor.

Accommodation

The hotel offers 72 centrally air-conditioned rooms, each affording a partial sea view from a private balcony or terrace. Rooms are furnished with tropical hardwood teak, whose natural grain and warm tone are brought out through traditional wood craftsmanship. A mildly toned local wood polish preserves the natural colour, which in turn blends harmoniously with hand-woven cotton soft furnishings. The overall effect is one of an uncluttered, tranquil ambience. Every room is equipped with a flat-screen television, CD player, mini bar, in-room safe, international direct dialling, and a hair dryer.

Sports and Recreation

Mermaid Club — the hotel's dedicated sports club — is housed in a separate block of land next to the main building. This deliberate separation ensures that the activity and energy of the club do not disturb guests who prefer a serene stay on the beach. The club has its own swimming pool and offers a broad range of pursuits, including:

• Table tennis, tennis, squash, badminton and volleyball
• Aerobics, aqua aerobics and yoga
• A gymnasium and water polo
• Boccia, croquet, darts, board games and other games of fun

The thoughtful layout of Mermaid Hotel and Club — serene rooms on one side, an active recreational hub on the other — makes it well suited to travellers who want the best of both a restful beach holiday and an energetic sporting retreat.