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Review submitted by Gary from Greenford (Submitted: 23 Feb 2012)
I have just returned from Sri Lanka staying at Cinnamon Lodge cabana in Gonapinawala 3 miles from the restaurants shops and beautiful beaches of Hikkaduwa. Gonapinawala is a small village 10 mins walk from the cabana and has quite a few shops including a supermarket.The cabana is situated in the tropical gardens of the owners of Cinnamon Lodge Wes and Jenny (and their 2 dogs Sybil & Hutch) and is very spacious having everything you could possibly need (and plenty of hanging space). Although there are no cooking facility’s apart from a kettle and toaster (and a fridge for milk and beers) to be honest you do not need them as the restaurants are a short tuk tuk ride away( with Chutti Wes & Jenny’s recommended driver) in Hikkaduwa. Having said that I would recommend not going into Hikkaduwa but staying at Cinnamon Lodge, Why? Because Jenny is a wonderful cook far better than any restaurant, she can cook you anything you want or can make suggestions for Srilankan meals or anything else for that matter and explains what each dish is and a lot of the ingredients are grow in the garden so nice and fresh. I really enjoyed our chats in the evening with Wes & Jenny on their patio after I had eaten.
The cabana has a large bed a seating area wet room type bathroom with toilet, hand basin and shower and hot & cold water. Outside you have your own patio with seats a sun bed area and an amazing swimming pool feet from the cabana.
The garden is truly a tropical paradise with exotic plants and birds, dipping in and out the pool all day.I was only at the cabana for 9 nights (not nearly long enough) but managed to fit in a 2 day tour organised by Wes who has a huge knowledge of Sri Lanka with Udara one of Wes & Jenny’s recommended tour guide/drivers who was not only a good driver and spoke good English but had an incredible knowledge of his beautiful island and a very friendly guy.
As I mentioned I was only there for 9 nights but will be going back next year for a longer visit, cant wait!!Kimber
Review submitted by Igor from Moscow (Submitted: 25 Jan 2012)
Had a rest from December, 20th till January, 19th. We remained are very happy! First: the house is located in a quiet place directly in jungle where there is no tourist vanity. Secondly: the house very cozy and spacious, and presence of pool and a magnificent garden only prove our choice. Thirdly: proprietors of the house (Jenny and Wes) have appeared very hospitable and open people, with good sense of humour. We not unitary addressed to them for the help and they always in all helped us. For it it huge gratitude. For the first days of stay in this house we have seen so much various kinds of beautiful birds, animals and insects that has been simply amazed. Various fruit grows in a garden, beautiful trees, palm trees and bushes with colors many. At times we wouldnt like to leave the house at all as we could sit hours at pool and observe of life of the wild nature as though on the TV screen, only it is much better. Still we very much liked two dogs who protected us, she is Sibul (girl) and Hatch (boy). They very friendly and kind. By the way, house cost includes cleaning of the house three times a week and change of bed-clothes of times in a week. Still there is a menu and you can always order meal at Jenny, it is very tasty prepares especially desserts. ?????? we how many havent regretted that have stopped at Jenny and Wes. They invited us to a party where we have got acquainted with their friends, with them we marked new year. It was very pleasant that people sincerely try to make ours ?????????? in the house as much as possible comfortable and unforgettable. Still separate thanks this site and directly Oleg, for the huge help with rent of this house. All top-level. We can tell with confidence that reserving habitation through this site, to you will render the qualified help from 100 % a quality assurance and reliability, Without what or a deceit. P.S. It was the most unforgettable travel. Thanks.
Review submitted by Igor from Moscow (Submitted: 25 Jan 2012)
Had a rest from December, 20th till January, 19th. We remained are very happy! First: the house is located in a quiet place directly in jungle where there is no tourist vanity. Secondly: the house very cozy and spacious, and presence of pool and a magnificent garden only prove our choice. Thirdly: proprietors of the house (Jenny and Wes) have appeared very hospitable and open people, with good sense of humour. We not unitary addressed to them for the help and they always in all helped us. For it it huge gratitude. For the first days of stay in this house we have seen so much various kinds of beautiful birds, animals and insects that has been simply amazed. Various fruit grows in a garden, beautiful trees, palm trees and bushes with colors many. At times we wouldnt like to leave the house at all as we could sit hours at pool and observe of life of the wild nature as though on the TV screen, only it is much better. Still we very much liked two dogs who protected us, she is Sibul (girl) and Hatch (boy). They very friendly and kind. By the way, house cost includes cleaning of the house three times a week and change of bed-clothes of times in a week. Still there is a menu and you can always order meal at Jenny, it is very tasty prepares especially desserts. ?????? we how many havent regretted that have stopped at Jenny and Wes. They invited us to a party where we have got acquainted with their friends, with them we marked new year. It was very pleasant that people sincerely try to make ours ?????????? in the house as much as possible comfortable and unforgettable. Still separate thanks this site and directly Oleg, for the huge help with rent of this house. All top-level. We can tell with confidence that reserving habitation through this site, to you will render the qualified help from 100 % a quality assurance and reliability, Without what or a deceit. P.S. It was the most unforgettable travel. Thanks.
Review submitted by ????? from ?????? (Submitted: 13 Dec 2011)
Had a rest with the husband on a country house from November, 27th till December, 9th. On Shri Lanke were for the first time. All very much was pleasant! Hospitable and good-natured owners, very cozy small house with pool open-air. Beautiful territory with exotic fruit. Around tropical vegetation, beautiful singing birdies, chipmunks. The country house is in a small village, 6 km from coast, but we went every day on foot there-back, because around the fine nature. In district there are all shops. A small house very pure and cozy, with all conveniences. It was fine time of rest. Thanks big to owners of a country house – to Dzhenni and Weight which have concerned us, as to old friends. Have organized to us fine excursions in interesting places on Shri Lanke, met and saw off very hospitably, carefully and it is sympathizing concerned our requests and questions. We will necessarily return once again to this paradise place!
Review submitted by Peter from Croydon (Submitted: 4 Jul 2011)
We’ve just returned form 4 weeks in Sri Lanka and more than half of that time was spent with Jenny and Wes at “Cinnamon Lodge”. The balance of the time was spent visiting sites in the cultural triangle.
We arrived fairly late in the evening after a long flight and long journey from the airport but the sight of the garden, the pool and the Cabana really lifted our spirits. We knew then that we had chosen wisely! The next morning we woke to the sound of the jungle coming to life and stepped out into the fabulous garden.
We never tired of the garden with its flora and fauna. There were all manner of flowers and flowering trees and Jenny was always happy to tell us what things were and how they could be cooked! The pool attracted birds who would swoop down and take insects from its surface. There were two particularly memorable birds, the wonderfully coloured Kingfisher and an Asian Paradise Flycatcher which visited regularly each day. Outside the confines of the garden was the Jungle! In the trees we saw monkeys, bats, snakes and more exotic birds. We felt we were leaving Paradise when we left for home.
Although Hikkaduwa has many restaurants, Jenny’s home cooking takes some beating - she is a really good cook. She always asked us what we would like to eat but we usually left it up to her and we were always very pleased. Of the restaurants we tried, Spaghetti and Co was probably the best. Basil, another Italian restaurant, had great Pizza but the pumpkin and potato ravioli is not recommended. Ranjits bar was the best place to sit with a cold beer watching the sun go down and the surfers catch the waves.
Gonapinawala is surprisingly large. It has lots of shops, a post office two temples, a very helpful newsagent (who also sells english language newspapers) and a regular bus service to Hikkaduwa and Galle. Traveling between Gonapinawala and Hikkaduwa was not a problem - we used the bus and the local Tuk-tuk driver recommended by Wes and Jenny.
Finally, Wes has a vast knowledge of Sri Lanka and the local area and we valued his help and advice.
Review submitted by Ingrid from Islington (Submitted: 10 Feb 2011)
"Peace & tranquility"
The cabana was exceptionally clean and comfortable. The pool and garden was beautiful and tranquil. One of our favourite pastimes was watching out for the different birds. It was a little bit further than we thought to the beach and is a bit remote but that too is part of the beauty of this location. We had an utterly chilled relaxing time. It would have been good to have a welcome cup of tea and a bottle of chilled water rather than an empty fridge! As a Sri Lankan ex-pat it wasnt very typically Sri Lankan and would have liked to be offered more Sri Lankan food. But a quick trishaw journey with Chuti the driver and fantastic authentic Sri Lankan food was only 20mins away. Be warned that there are two dogs...allbeit friendly and should have been forewarned.
Review submitted by Bob and Tracey from Doha (Submitted: 5 Jan 2011)
Once you get past the smell of the moth balls and get outside into the most tranquil garden, full of widelife, which you can while away the hours watching, you suddenley realise that you have made a really good decision, on choosing Cinnamon lodge as your guest house. The Garden and pool are great, this coupled with Wes and Jens hospitality and helpfulness makes all out for a great holiday. Thank you for a lovely time!
p.s. Chuti the tuk tuk driver is invaluable and punctual.
Review submitted by simara from bristol (Submitted: 10 Nov 2010)
we were greeted warmly by wes and jenny who were the most gracious hosts,often helping us out,but also giving us our privacy.the cabana itself was spotless and very big with a beautiful shower room with hot water.the swimming pool is nestled amongst a little jungle where you can watch an abundance of wildlife whilst swimming with nobody around.the shop was close which we used to buy things for breakfast and tea etc.Its worth tasting some of Jennys cooking...we could not fault it,and she even made us a roast dinner! All in all we had a fantastic time with beautiful weather and lovely people.We would highly recommend cinnamon lodge.
Review submitted by John & Lindsey from Luton (Submitted: 9 May 2010)
We have just enjoyed a wonderful 2 week holiday at Jenny and Wess lovely little cabana just outside Hikkaduwa. It was great to chill out by the large private pool, looking at the beautiful garden and watching the birds swooping to drink. We were not fortunate enough to see the Asian Paradise Flycatcher, but Kingfishers, Golden Orioles and a host of others more than made up for it. We even had regular visits from Purple Faced Leaf Monkeys swinging through the gardens Jackfruit trees.
Wes and Jenny proved to be the perfect hosts, attentive but not intrusive, always ready with advice and suggestions. Jenny also provided meals that were easily the equal of anything we ate in the restaurants on the island and Wes bamboozled us with his fiendish sports quizzes. Indeed, the 3 day tour of the island they organised for us was the high point of the holiday. We saw the elephants at the Pinnewala orphanage and many more wild ones on a safari drive through Ude Walawe National Park. Whale watching off Marissa was a great success and we spotted about a dozen Sperm Whales resting on the surface before diving straight down to continue their squid hunts.
Return trips to Hikkaduwa in Chutis tuk-tuk to eat or just watch the sun setting over the Indian Ocean cost 600 rupees, took less than 10 minutes each way and were always prompt and on time.
Our only regret was that we had to spend our extra weeks holiday, caused by the volcanic ash problems, worrying about return flights in a hotel in Negombo, in order to be near the airport, not at Cinnamon Lodge relaxing by the pool and making the most of its wonderful situation.
Review submitted by Daniel from Bristol (Submitted: 10 Apr 2010)
I stayed with my girlfriend at Cinnamon Lodge for two weeks in mid January 2010.
The setting for the accommodation is deep within the jungle and offers total privacy and seclusion. The gardens and swimming pool are glorious and were worthy of any five star resort, if not better. Although secluded and in the jungle, you are just a ten minute tuk-tuk journey from the town of Hikkaduwa where all the restaurants are. The tuk-tuk driver that Wes and Jenny recommended was punctual, courteous and in short - a great bloke.
The accommodation itself was great. It was extremely comfortable, spacious and was the perfect base from which to explore the beautiful South Western coast of Sri Lanka.
Wes and Jenny were fantastic hosts. They took the time to give us lots of helpful advice, which wouldnt be found in a guide book and proved invaluable in helping to make our stay a memorable one. I also greatly appreciated the fact that Wes and Jenny made considerable effort to ensure sure that my girlfriend and I had our own space around the pool and gardens. They were also happy to prepare meals for us at short notice. The food Wes and Jenny made was excellent and gave the nearby restaurants a run for their money.
My favourite memory from my stay at Cinnamon Lodge was swimming in the pool at 4pm, when the pool was at its warmest the sense of peace and tranquillity was awesome.
In short, I can fully recommend Cinnamon Lodge. It exceeded my expectations and resulted in me having a truly wonderful holiday in Sri Lanka.
Thanks Wes and Jenny!
Review submitted by Robert from Warwick (Submitted: 15 Mar 2010)
Previous reviews gave us confidence to book the cabana at Cinnamon Lodge for a month for a much needed break.
The cabana was comfortable and spacious the setting was beautiful and the swimming pool an amazing extra (watch for the Asian Paradise Flycatcher at 4.15p.m. each day - the most attractive bird you have ever seen!). Superb value.
The nearest village was in easy walking distance for provisions - i.e. beer and bread, and good to experience typical Sri Lankan life.
The distance to Hikkaduwa necessitated a nightly tuk-tuk ride which was totally reliable.
Jenny and Wes were splendid hosts and we couldnt fault their kindness, help,friendship and communication (we even had the football results we wanted!).
Excellent Holiday
Review submitted by sophie and james from newbury (Submitted: 11 Jul 2009)
we had an amazing time staying at this cabana, was really lovely having the pool straight outside to cool down in
The owners were very helpful lovely couple, arranging all excurtions, transport, food and advice and we had a fab night out with them too!
Would deffo reccomend and would love to go back and visit in the near future
Sri Lanka is a beautiful Country and notspoilt by tourists.
Thanks to Wes and Jen x
Review submitted by Mark from Pontefract UK (Submitted: 18 Jan 2009)
Every Xmas we travel to a different part of the world to Scuba dive, we are a family of 3. My wife and I are in our early 40’s with a 14-year-old son.
Jen and Wes were great hosts and were very friendly and made us feel welcome with plenty of tips on the area. The Cabana is spacious and cleaned by the housekeeper 3 times a week including linen and towels being changed. The cabana is basic with a small kitchen area which has a kettle, toaster, fridge and small sink, the bathroom/wet room has hot water. We could also have access to a kitchen in the main house to do our own cooking. However we chose not to use this as we felt that we were intruding on Jen and Wesley’s personal space, so we chose to have Jen to cook for us when we had a day in, and the food was very good. The location of the cabana was ideal as it is located only 10 minutes by tuk-tuk from Hikkadua in a jungle village. Cinnamon lodge was relaxing and I enjoyed being surrounded by all the nature and could sit on the veranda in the morning watching the Chipmunks playing in the trees, King fisher taking a dip in the pool and in the evening sitting with a beer and admiring the fire flies. We could walk into the village to buy produce and alcohol without any hassle, the locals were very friendly and always said hello. We were buying bananas for 1pence and pineapples for 40p and avocado pears were only 20 pence.
We had a great time in this area of Sri Lanka and Hikkadua was a great area for us as an active family. We could snorkel in the morning by the reef in calm waters or go surfing on the southern and livelier beach area. Snorkelling was five star and the fish we saw on the reef were Trigger, Angel, Butterfly, Unicorn and Puffer I also saw 2 Moray eels a giant and a honeycomb. There are also plenty of turtles especially around the surfing area near Mambo’s bar. We used to watch them swimming around the surfers and in the surf. 1 hours surfing lesson cost £10 and 1 full days board hire cost £5.
We used Poseidon for our Scuba diving and found them to be very professional and we did 30 relaxing dives at a total cost of £550.
We also travelled by train to Kandy and can only say it was an eye opener as we had to push and shove to get a seat. The whole journey took 6 hours on 2 trains, the first we had to stand for 2 and a half hours but the total cost was only £8 and we can recommend visiting Sigiriya rock and the tea plantations in Nuwara Eliya.
Regards
Mark, Julie & Wynston
Review submitted by SHEILA from BRADFORD (Submitted: 8 Feb 2008)
Just returned from a month's visit to Sri Lanka staying for one relaxing week at Cinnamon Lodge. Wes and Jen were always on hand to offer friendly advice, drinks and even newpapers and meals if requested. The Cabana is very spacious with good European style facilities. The Pool is a welcome inclusion and the gardens are splendid, tended lovingly by their gardener. The resident housekeeper cleaned the cabana 3 times a week and kept the exterior tidy by daily sweeping etc. Hope to re-visit this lovely place and can highly recommend for a peaceful relaxing holiday.
Review submitted by toby & tezia from london (Submitted: 6 Feb 2008)
This was our first time to Sri Lanka and we couldn't have found ourselves with better hosts.
The driver they arranged to pick us up from the airport was prompt and friendly and Wes & Jen immediately made us feel at home. The Cabana itself is spacious and comfortable, a good mix of Sri Lankan style with European comforts and having the use of the pool is a real bonus. We also found Wes & Jen's local knowledge really helpful; from finding us quality tuk-tuk drivers to recommending restaurants and day trips out. All in all we had a great stay at the Cinnamon Lodge and I would definately recommend it for all those wanting to visit this part of Sri Lanka.
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