1. Turtle beach (just on the backyard of your cabana) is one of the most beautiful and safe beaches all around the south coast of Sri Lanka. Big coral reef covers the coastline making huge natural swimming pool without waves or undercurrents which is just ideal for kids. This place is turtle’s favorite so you can see huge turtles swimming just in front of you. 2. Beachfront cabana is very clean, air conditioned, with brilliant white linens which was one of the main signs for me we’ve chosen the right place to stay. We were falling asleep and waking up with ocean sounds which was amazing. I will miss our cozy turtle cabana so much 3. Atmosphere is so peaceful. All these wooden loungers and hammocks just in the yard under the huge curved palm trees with the ocean view. I mean… True paradise. 4. Delicious meals, always fresh seafood. One of my all-time favourites is Chargrilled Tiger Prawns with Creamy Herbs Sauce. Truly a masterpiece. 5. The staff are extremely helpful and friendly. I will never forget a cup of coffee kindly welcoming me at 6am during the check in. Priceless. Definitely worth to stay here at least once in a lifetime ✨

Everything was truly amazing

The location of this hotel cannot be beaten. We had a great two nights staying at this hotel, finding it incredible relaxing and the perfect place to end our holiday. Rooms were large with all the amenities you require, there is a restaurant that serves delicious meals, and turtles swimming in the sea which you can see from the hotel. We particularly enjoyed watching the turtles as the sun was setting with a sun downer!

Nothing. Only niggle was the taxi to the airport which we booked through the hotel was slightly expensive and then on the way to the airport driving through a toll, the taxi driver got pulled over by the police for over half an hour. Slightly stressful when you've got a flight to get to, and no explanation was given - guessing the driver didn't have the right papers ?! But this is more a review of the service we booked through the hotel. On a positive, the hotel gave us breakfast to go as we had an early flight.

Situated fronting onto a picturesque beach and close to Galle. Friendly and helpful staff

Something that seems common to almost every Sri Lankan hotel and restaurant - the constantly insistent Muzak and techno music drone numbing your brain

Everything was wonderful. The staff, the food, the location, the room.

One of the hotel staff arranged for a tuk tuk to take me to an atm and completely overcharged me.

Very good location Cleanliness Good service level

Restaurant value for money could be better. Food ok bit not fantastic

We stayed in a stunning spacious cabana just metres from the beach. We had breakfast every morning on the patio of our cabana and the waiter Jerome took great care of us Hotel is situated on a lovely beach with naturally occurring pool in the sea from a ring of coral where you can snorkel with dozens of enormous turtles every day

Just to note that the tuk tuk drivers who wait outside the hotel charge five times as much for thee same trip as the tuk tuk drivers found in the centre of Unawatuna.

We had a really memorable holiday at Rockside Cabanas. My first impression was, ‘Wow, what a lovely room!’ On the first floor (some would say second), it was large, with attractive decorations and a view of the sea from the spacious balcony. Breakfast was very good: a whole coconut to drink from each morning, a generous serving of tropical fruit and a delicious Sri Lankan omelette. Coffee was good, too. The oval infinity pool was great for cooling off and having a swim. Though the sea was beautiful to look at, I thought it was a bit rough for swimming, so it was good to have an alternative. The highlight of the holiday was Sinhala and Tamil New Year’s Day (in April). I’d been afraid it would be a quiet day for tourists, with businesses closed for the holiday, but the lovely staff at Rockside put a wonderful effort into making the day special – I was only sorry that they had to work that day, instead of being with their families. The first treat was a buffet breakfast of Sri Lankan foods; our favourites were tuna in a delicious coating (a local dish), caramelised onions, firecracker sauce and a sweet sort of dumpling made with rice flour. Afterwards, we played games in the garden: ‘egg’ (lime) and spoon race round the pool, ‘pin the tail on the donkey’ (draw the eye on the elephant), tug of war and musical chairs, all of which I remembered from childhood. We also had a go at bashing earthenware pots hanging from a line while blindfolded, which was very satisfying. Water poured out of most pots, but the winning one contained the gold (flowers). It was such a laugh and a good excuse to chat to other guests, who varied in age from children to retirees. The staff put 100 per cent into making it fun, so a huge thanks for that; it looked like they were enjoying themselves, too, I’m glad to say. I’d like to give a final shout-out to a member of staff who we befriended: his name sounded like Corkilla. He contributed enormously to our enjoyment of the holiday.

Can't think of anything.

We had a great time in Rockside Cabanas. The luxury cabana is a dream and absolutely worth the price! I also had a chance to see the rooms and they look even better in the real life. Daniel - the manager, Kochila - our waiter, Bisu - the cleaning lady and the whole team were super friendly and helpful. The food is very tasty, we tried the Sri Lankan dishes as well as tuna tataki and fish, everything was delicious! The brand new pool has a good size and is a great asset for the property. There is a lizard and some geckos walking around, even the monkeys were coming in the afternoons... We did not see any snakes. Just few meters from the hotel is the Dallawella beach where you can snorkel, see some colourful fishes, feed and swim with the turtles. Amazing experience! During our stay the beach was quite busy. It was a good choice and we had wonderful holidays! Thank you, Guys!!! We will definitely be back here next year!

Little things that were immediately fixed and not really important.

Everything! Beautiful surroundings from the room to the gardens to the beach which was a stone’s throw from the room. Saw turtles from a distance as wanted to avoid the Hurley burley of following them and touching them. Great food and it was lovely to meet the owners who were very sociable and kind.

Nothing!

The location was great, at the quiet end of the beach and right beside the sea. The beach is narrow and the hotel's loungers are in their garden, but you can easily walk to the wider part and swim with the giant turtles which is incredible! The room was very nice, large, very clean and had a balcony overlooking the garden and the sea. Breakfast wasn't included in my room rate which was a shame as the cost of the room was expensive, but the staff were helpful especially the manager Daniel who was very kind and exceptionally good when I discovered I had left my travel plug adaptor behind in Colombo! I had a very enjoyable stay and I'm sure I'll go back!

I didn't like the constant loud music being played through speakers in the garden. I just wanted to relax on a lounger and enjoy the peaceful surroundings or listen to my own music.