Paradise Holiday Village

The two-and-a-half-pearl Paradise Holiday Village attracts budget travelers with cheap rates and a central location -- five-minute walk from the beach, near dozens of restaurants, and a 30-minute drive from the country's main airport. The hotel makes a fairly good first impression with an outdoor terrace under a wooden domed ceiling, next to the black-granite reception desk. A metal knight and wooden elephant with accompanying sign saying it brings good luck are quirky additions. The complex consists of attractive two-story, orange-and-beige buildings with red-tile roofs and brick pathways that meander through the well-manicured grounds of palms and flowering plants. 

Unfortunately, the attractiveness of the exteriors doesn't continue into the interiors. Rooms are dated and visibly worn, with some cleanliness and maintenance issues, and outside noise can often be heard. The restaurant has an interesting design of traditional wood furniture with blue-patterned cushions and rock 'n' roll paraphernalia such as guitars and framed records along the walls. All in all, it's worth spending a bit more for one of the better maintained properties in the area.

Negombo is often a pick for travelers just arriving or leaving Sri Lanka, as it's within easy driving distance of the country's main airport -- Bandaranaike International Airport. The Paradise Holiday Village is a 30-minute drive from the airport and about an hour from the bustling capital of Colombo. The property sits along a main road in Negombo, surrounded by ample restaurants and shops. Guests can easily walk to area eateries or hail a tuk-tuk from the sidewalk. Though not along the beach, it's a five-minute walk to the public beach -- travelers should note, however, that the beaches here often have trash and vendors can be a nuisance.

All of the 49 rooms have a similar design consisting of pale-yellow walls, white tile floors, and traditional wooden furniture, plus either white or attractive wooden ceilings. The furnishings are dated and visibly showing wear and tear, plus cleanliness and maintenance issues are often present. Carved-wood accents around the windows and doors, plus towel animals on the beds do provide charming details. Beds are only topped with low-quality white sheets. Some rooms have furnished outdoor space, but it's not private.

Standard features include air-conditioning, ceiling fans, mini-fridges with water bottles, tube-style TVs with a few English-language channels, free Wi-Fi, and safes. Suites add spacious living areas with outdated patterned furniture and wet bars. Bathrooms are similarly in need of an update, equipped with showers that lack curtains and a single bar of soap.

The Paradise Holiday Village doesn't have much on-site, though it does have a medium-sized outdoor pool that's big enough for the number of guests, plus loungers and a couple of tables and chairs are available. The adjacent lawn leads to an open-air room with an armoire offering books for borrow. All rates include a free buffet breakfast of hot and cold items at the on-site restaurant. The restaurant is also open for lunch and dinner, and receives mostly positive reviews. Wi-Fi is free throughout the hotel, but can be a bit spotty.