The Blue Water

Guests arrive to the hotel through a big open hallway leading toward a seated reception area, which overlooks a lawn area dotted with tall palm trees. The hotel's Sri Lankan architect, Geoffrey Bawa, is one of the most important Asian architects of the 20th century, and his distinct style focuses on minimalism, nature, and light; this is evidenced by the property's open hallways, ponds, and manicured lawns. The design of the hotel also ensures that all rooms have private balconies that face west for glimpses of the Indian Ocean, and sunsets. The building has both three- and four-story sections.

After guests are seated for check-in, a staff member offers a refreshing towel and three options for a welcome drink. The spare look in the reception area is a theme, and leads to another (mostly white) lounge overlooking a second lawn area, more ponds, and the hotel centerpiece: the outdoor pool. This front section of the property is sprawling and guests will never have to fight for space. 

The hotel attracts a mix of locals and internationals of all ages, and the scene is laid-back and quiet. Crows -- common in Sri Lanka -- might be the only noise breaking up the peace, as they are often present and making themselves heard (they also sometimes bathe in the ponds and pool). Upbeat music can be heard on the weekends from the the neighboring event space, otherwise, guests can enjoy live piano music during meals or in the bar for after-dinner drinks. This is a simple and affordable upscale option with dining packages available, and many guest spend their time on-site relaxing in lounge chairs. Activities like elephant rides, water aerobics, and yoga glasses are nice options to break up the sunbathing. 

Blue Water Hotel is located in Wadduwa, which is near Kalutara -- a large coastal area in Sri Lanka about an hour south from Colombo. This section of the beach is quite wide, though the current can be unsafe for swimming. Guests can go for long beach walks and watch groups of fishermen using extraordinary large fishing nets. For excursions off the property, the Kulu Ganga River leads almost 100 miles to the Sri Pada sacred mountain believed to be the footprint of the Buddha. In addition, the Kalutara area was once the base for Sri Lanka's spice trade, and the area boasts colonial-era plantations (open for tours), temples, and the world’s only hollow Buddhist shrine. Other than the occasional excursion or trip to town, guests will likely stick to the resort, especially since many purchase dining packages. 

Parking at the resort is free for those who rent a car, though guests typically choose to arrive by taxi service, which takes under two hours from the Bandaranaike International Airport. More adventurous types can save money and take the train from Colombo to the Pinwatta Railway stop a short drive from the hotel. The hotel can also arrange transportation in advance. 

The hotel building has elevator access to its three- or four-story sections, and houses 140 rooms, all with private balconies that face west toward the Indian Ocean. The five categories all have basic contemporary decor, seating areas, and work desks. Tech amenities include free Wi-Fi (reception can be spotty in some rooms, though), 32-inch flat-screen TVs, and DVD players. Also on offer are bathrobes, slippers, free bottled water, tea, instant coffee, and minibars stocked with soda, beer, red and white wine, and liquor (fees apply).

Deluxe Rooms have bathrooms with tub/shower combos, and the bottom-floor units have easy walk-out access to the pool. Superior Deluxe rooms are on the second floor with large balconies. Their bathrooms have separate glass walk-in showers with rain showerheads and separate jetted tubs (glass walls can be made private by pulling down the shades). Club Suites are in the newer wing of the hotel and offer more stylish furnishings and original paintings from local artists. They have room dividers between the beds and seating areas, nice ocean views from the terraces, and marble bathrooms with double vanity sinks. The top-floor Executive Suites have similar decor to the Club Suites, 40-inch flat-screen TVs, wet bars, and dining areas. The elegant Presidential Suite is the largest unit in the hotel and has teak floors, walnut furnishings, and a Blue Ray player. 

The front lawn leads to a wide public beach with golden sand, where currents are strong and red flag warnings are common. Strong swimmers may find the waves fun and the water temperature is just right. Guests can also take long walks along the shore and watch local fisherman detangling their nets. Sunsets are also a highlight.

Fenced off from the sand is a large lawn and outdoor pool area with tall coconut palm trees (and lots of noisy crows). This is one of the largest pools in Sri Lanka and has a shallow children’s area. Wooden lounge chairs can be set up with cushions, umbrellas, and towels. A live elephant makes weekly visits to the lawn and guests can pay for rides. 

On the south side of the property is a unique underground spa, sort of tucked under a lawn. It has contemporary design with large holes and cement elements. There are treatment rooms for singles and couples, and the menu offers a range of massages and treatments. An impressive fitness center is a highlight and has modern cardio equipment facing large windows, as well as weight machines and yoga mats (yoga classes are available on demand). There are also two outdoor clay tennis courts, a squash court, table tennis, beach volleyball, water polo, billiards, darts, and chess. 

Many guests looking to save money choose to purchase a dining plan, which includes half- or full-board options in the buffet restaurant. Open daily for breakfast, lunch and dinner, the Admiral’s Room offers guests a choice of indoor seating (air-conditioned) and outdoor seating on the terrace. This is an elegant space with white tablecloth service and large windows that let in light during the day. In the evening, the ambience becomes low-lit and romantic, and there's live piano music. Staff wear professional uniforms, and the cooks are often out and about serving and interacting with guests. Live cooking stations and changing themes break up monotony.  

For a splurge, guests can make a reservation at Nautilus Restaurant. This is an a la carte option with sleek neutral decor and a private dining area within a stocked wine cellar. The menu focuses on fresh seafood and prime meats; it's open for lunch and dinner.

There is an open restaurant space in the lobby called Seven Seas -- this is a 24-hour spot serving, tea, coffee, pastries, and small plates. The indoor Porthole Bar offers a lounge-like atmosphere; it's a nice spot for a break from the sun during the day, or live piano music at night. The poolside Clipper Bar serves drinks and snacks. The Sunset Lounge lobby bar is open from morning 'til night and has covered lounge areas as well as sunny outdoor tables between the pond and the pool (umbrellas are also available). Free tea and sweets are served in this area every afternoon.