The kids club is great and the egg hoppers at breakfast were unparalleled. The pool area is also excellent for families.

A lot of the grounds are poorly maintained. I got the feeling that standards may have slipped over time, possibly as a result of the pandemic, economic challenges and the fact that this is a huge property. It often felt as though there weren’t enough staff to fulfil guests’ demands. The staff also weren’t as organised or as service orientated as many of the other properties we stayed in during our trip.

Staying at Shangri-La Hotel & Resort ♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️is an unforgettable experience—like stepping into a slice of paradise. Perfectly nestled along the shores of the Indian Ocean, the resort is surrounded by breathtaking natural beauty: lush green trees, the soothing sound of waves, and views that leave you in awe. It truly feels like heaven on Earth. The serenity and elegance of the resort offer the perfect escape from the world, where every detail is designed for comfort, relaxation, and luxury.

What makes the experience even more remarkable is the outstanding service, especially under the guidance of Supervisor Samadhi. 👩🏻‍🔧🌹♥️Her professionalism, kindness, and genuine care shine through in everything she does. With her warm smile and attention to every detail, she makes every guest feel special and at home. Samadhi is not only a supervisor—she is the soul of the resort, and her presence elevates Shangri-La to a world-class level. This place is more than a destination—it’s a feeling, a memory, and a dream you’ll never want to wake up from.

Huge, beautiful report Friendly staff

Food: break we ok, we took half board as there isn’t much options in the area The dinner buffet, I would say is the only thing that we didn’t like, meat quality is bad - very chewy even hard to cut with knife Too much black pepper in most of the food items

Rooms were nice and the sports bar was good. Staff were friendly.

The grounds were poorly maintained. Mud everywhere. Need more ground workers as it made the hotel seem unkept. Lift wasn’t working correctly. It’s a lot of money to stay there, if there are faults they should be fixed.

We had a really lovely stay here and wanted to share some highlights: The good stuff: It's a great hotel for families! There are lots of fun activities for kids, and the place feels super safe and welcoming for them. The whole resort is impressively clean — way cleaner than you'd expect for a place this big. Staff are super friendly and always ready to help with a smile. The pools are awesome — two big ones for everyone, and a gorgeous adult-only pool with a stunning view. The food was tasty, and it was nice to see the head chef walking around during meals, checking in on things and chatting with guests. And a lovely surprise — they left a birthday cake in our room for me! Such a sweet touch that really made my day. A few downsides: Not much variety when it comes to international or mildly-spiced food. The kids’ menu could use a bit more variety on some days. The restaurant seems a bit understaffed — service can be slow when it gets busy. It’s a bit odd that soft drinks like Coke aren’t included in the half-board — only water is. Room service sometimes took quite a while to show up. Housekeeping sometimes forgot to restock things like towels or coffee, and we had to call a few times. Also surprising: some items like ice or disposable cups came with extra charges. Overall, we had a really good time — just a few little things that could make the experience even better.

The staff was very helpful and responsive. They were in touch all the time before arrival, providing all kind of useful information and allowed us to check in, although we arrived around 10AM. We stayed in a double room with two beds, that were big enough for 3 of us. Even though the sea was rough and we could not use the beach much, the swimming pools were a good option and there were always available beds at each one of them. We tried all the restaurants and bars and the food / snacks were good at every place. We loved the fact that there were plenty of wild animals in the resort - monkeys, peacocks, roosters, lizards, etc. There are plenty of sites to visit, but be prepaired for at least one hour drive in each direction. Couple of things that might be improved - the table tenis and the pool accessories were in bad shape and could be renewed more often. The pillows on the big beach beds could be fitted with velcro tape to keep them stuck on the bed and avoid the continuous move and falling.

The staff and facilities were fantastic, in particular Tharindi from the front desk really went above and beyond always checking in on us and asking if we needed anything. We had a small issue with the food in room service and Indika from F&B came to us the next morning to check everything was sorted out and went out of his way to make things right. Service was a little slow on the pool bar but that was the only negative I can think of! 3 lovely pools and a splash pad which the kids loved, fab little kids club and they did fish (and peacock!) feeding most afternoons. Gorgeous beach, very big and waves though so we only managed a little paddle. Would definitely recommend and would love to go back and stay longer! Thanks Shanghai-La for a lovely stay :)

Our recent three-day stay at Shangri-La Hotel Hambantota in Sri Lanka was simply extraordinary. Despite the 3-hour journey from the airport, arriving at this remarkable hotel made every minute worth it. From the moment we stepped into this expansive paradise, we were met with exceptional service and a genuinely welcoming atmosphere. The variety of activities and leisure options available were impressive—whether relaxing by the adults-only pool, enjoying the state-of-the-art gym, or simply exploring the expansive grounds, there was never a dull moment. Walking through the beautifully maintained golf course was an absolute delight, as we encountered numerous stunning animals in their natural habitat, adding an enchanting touch to our stay. On our last day, we discovered the Ulpatha Clubhouse, which provided an amazing experience and a fantastic atmosphere to relax and enjoy sports at their finest. Dining at Bojunhala restaurant was a highlight of our experience. Without exaggeration, it offered the best food we had in Sri Lanka—fresh, flavorful, and beautifully presented. Special thanks to the outstanding staff who consistently went above and beyond. The manager, Tharindi, was exceptionally attentive, ensuring our stay was perfect in every detail. Our housekeeper, Rohana, provided impeccable service—always efficient, attentive, and friendly. Moreover, the pool bar staff made our relaxing afternoons truly enjoyable. The vastness of the property offers something special for everyone, making it an ideal destination for both adults and families with children. The sense of space and tranquility is unmatched, ensuring comfort and privacy throughout. We highly recommend Shangri-La Hambantota for an unforgettable Sri Lankan experience. Thank you to all the wonderful staff who made our visit exceptional—we can’t wait to return!

Nil

Excellent buffet breakfast, staff very attentive poolside, hotel was very busy. Room was great. Overall very happy.

Thought poolside sunbeds and used plates / dining ware and cans could be cleared quicker. Some beds no longer in use but areas not cleared and towels etc still there. Thought more a la carte evening dining options would be good. Buffet seemed to be default only option. Some guest had view of big factory

food was amazing, pool and facilities so good.

The hotel is the only nice place in the area. The closets thing to do or see is 1:30 mins away by car which wasn't very convenient for a short stay.