By Marianne David
With its plush rooms, extensive buffets, and expansive views of the breathtaking Indian Ocean, the Sheraton Kosgoda Turtle Beach Resort is a lovely place to indulge and unwind.
Featuring fantastic F&B offerings, a well-appointed fitness centre, a spa, a pool that’s just two metres short of being Olympic-sized, and immediate access to the stunning beach, the hotel provides guests an indulgent stay that is sure to satisfy.
Excursions and entertainment
Located on the idyllic southern coast of Sri Lanka, its prime positioning also offers easy access to many areas of interest, so guests will never be at a loss for adventure, entertainment, and sightseeing here.
The 172-room property is in close proximity to Galle, Bentota, Madu Ganga (river safari), and several turtle hatcheries. Exploring the world-famous Brief Garden by Bevis Bawa in Beruwala is highly recommended, while guests can also learn about exquisite Ceylon Cinnamon by visiting a plantation in the vicinity and watching the process unfold.
The six-acre property also offers several spaces for private events, including the grand ballroom, poolside, lawn, and garden on the fifth floor, along with two restaurants and two lounges/bars.
Best known for its buffets
The buffets shine the brightest at Sheraton Kosgoda and Executive Chef Ramesh Kularatnam relishes the challenge of serving up the best possible spreads.
Speaking about its widely-popular buffets, Ramesh – a soft-spoken man who lets his food do the talking – asserted: “It’s not just about volume, but also about quality and taste, which is why people keep returning.”
The culinary team comprises diverse members from all corners of Sri Lanka, along with three Indian chefs, to ensure authenticity.
F&B spaces
S Kitchen: Drawing repeat diners with its extensive offering, the all-day dining restaurant S Kitchen never disappoints. Guests will be spoiled for choice at this restaurant, which serves up buffets on a daily basis. Chef Ramesh has definitely raised the bar high here and set the standard for others to follow.
Olive: Located by the poolside, this Mediterranean-style restaurant is open for lunch and dinner. At lunch time, the menu is suited for poolside dining and includes a splendid seafood barbeque. At dinner time, the focus is on Spanish, Moroccan, and Arabic cuisine, with seafood taking centre stage and steaks coming a close second. The restaurant has its own bar and a good selection of cocktails and drinks, along with lots of healthy food options.
Blu3 rooftop lounge and bar: Catch the sunset while listening to the waves and drinking in the views of the Indian Ocean or be mesmerised by the twinkling lights of fishing boats that appear in the distance as darkness falls, while indulging in one of the signature cocktails and tucking into the delicious tapas. You can also make your own cocktail, with the friendly mixologist more than willing to show guests the ropes.
Sho Lounge: Located in the lobby of the restaurant with plush seating and plenty of space, Sho Lounge is a great place to unwind with friends and family over drinks. The menu includes sandwiches and cakes, among other items.
A cut above the rest
The hotel’s commitment to service that stands out and food that never fails to satisfy ensures that guests keep coming back for more, asserted Sheraton Kosgoda Turtle Beach Resort General Manager Paul Sun.
As Sheraton Kosgoda Turtle Beach Resort Senior Marketing and Communications Manager Himali Wijesekara pointed out, the Marriott chain has set a standard and quality culture that ensures all guests – regardless of whether they are local or foreign – are given top priority. “This sets us apart,” she added.
The hotel is part of the international Marriott chain of hotels, which boasts a powerful portfolio of over 30 brands and more than 8,000 properties around the world.
In Kosgoda, the Sheraton is certainly living up to its global reputation and delivering on all expectations in truly indulgent style.
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‘2023 will be a wonderful year and a year of recovery’
Year 2023 will be a wonderful year and one of recovery, asserted Sheraton Kosgoda Turtle Beach Resort General Manager Paul Sun.
Noting that things had slowly started picking up after Covid but then took a downturn with the political and economic crises, Sun however revealed that the tide was now turning around again.
“Things are looking up. Occupancy was quite good in November, hitting 48% in comparison to 29% in October, which is a big jump. We are hopeful that December will be even better and we look forward to a very good season and a good 2023,” he asserted.
Sun, who attended the World Travel Market in London earlier this year, noted that the conversations about Sri Lanka with travel agents were very positive.
“They love Sri Lanka and want to promote it. However, bookings for the European market are made 180 days in advance so we will only see the results in Q2 of 2023. Despite the struggles in the recent past, I believe that 2023 will be a wonderful year and a year of recovery.”
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Christmas and New Year plans
The hotel is gearing up to celebrate Christmas and New Year in style, with some great entertainment and dining options lined up.
Christmas Eve celebrations will be held at the poolside, featuring Pop Culture and Elephant Foot, plus fireworks and a lavish buffet.
The Christmas day brunch at the property is also popular among locals and features a host of activities for kids too.
On 31st night, the hotel will ring in the new year in grand style with Misty headlining the celebrations. Last year’s bash also featured Misty and was a great success.
Along with Misty, there will be DJs, fireworks, dance performances, and an extensive buffet – laid out from one end of the poolside to the other end of the hotel.