DoubleTree by Hilton Weerawila Rajawarna Resort – HONEYMOON SUITE REVIEW
Photography by Jehan Seedin
Nestled in the banks of the Weerawila Lake with beautiful views of the lake and expansive gardens, lies DoubleTree by Hilton Weerawila Rajawarna Resort. The resort, named after the unique Rajawarna trees that adorn its grounds, is absolutely charming and peaceful. The hotel’s location, the luxurious suites, the tantalizing food, and the service no doubt provide honeymoon couples with the perfect getaway.
Location
The DoubleTree by Hilton Weerawila Rajawarna Resort is located in the Weerawila Tissa Sanctuary and is in proximity to three of Sri Lanka’s most visited sanctuaries Yala, Uda Walawa and Bundala. About 270km’s from Colombo, the Southern Highway takes you to the hotel in just three and a half hours. Known to be one of the most picturesque locations in Sri Lanka and a perfect spot for bird watching, the sanctuary attracts over 400 species of birds, including 200 migratory birds that fly in from as far as the Arctic tundra. The country’s first DoubleTree by Hilton hotel, the resort is aptly themed to honor the bird sanctuary that they are in, and provides 270-degree beautiful views of the two lakes.
Suites & Rooms
The property has 78 rooms, including 3 Luxury Suites and one Presidential Suite. For honeymooners, the three suites – named after the birds Thrush, Egret, and Fantail -offer the luxury, comfort, amenities, and solitude that would make your honeymoon even more special. In addition to the large luxurious bedroom, these spacious suites have a separate living area with TV, a dining area, and a pantry with stunning views of the garden, the pool, and the lake. Like any other honeymoon couple would enjoy, our bed was beautifully decorated with flower petals. The backlit panels elevate the ambience and warmth of the rooms, and they have all the modern amenities, including a coffee maker, a refrigerator, and a microwave. The rooms also have dressing and writing tables, and even automated curtains which you could control from bed.
The washrooms are luxurious with two showers – a flat water fall and a rains shower, a bathtub which is again decorated with flower petals for honeymoon couples, and his and her sinks. There is also a large private balcony where you can sit back and relax in the comfortable lounge chairs.
Food & Drinks
The food at the hotel was fresh and delicious! The food and service at the restaurant definitely lifted the hotel a notch up. The variety of breads, salads, mains and desserts served at the hotel’s all-day restaurant Spoonbill was expansive. Breakfast was an international buffet with plenty of Western, Sri Lankan and Indian dishes to choose from. Lunch and dinner can either be buffets or a-la-carte depending on the occupancy rates. Either way, you won’t be disappointed. Executive chef Jerome’s team is always prepared to go that extra mile to meet guest requests. The food was delicious and Kapila, the executive sous chef at the property always made sure we had what we wanted. The roof-top restaurant Redshank though closed at the time we visited the hotel, operates when the hotel’s occupancy rates are high and specializes in sea food dishes like crab, shrimp and lobster.
The hotel also has three bars – Turnstone, the main bar, Hornbill, the pool bar, and Nightjar, which is the rooftop cocktail bar. While Turnstone and Hornbill bars operate daily, Nightjar may be open only on certain days. Turnstone offers a luxurious and cosy setting where you can enjoy a cocktail, play some pool or even watch a match on the giant screen.
Spa
We highly recommend the spa treatments offered by the AYU Balinese Spa at the hotel. The experienced therapists offer an array of tranquil treatments ranging from facials to pedicures to oil massages and more. They also have a couples treatment room where you and your partner can opt to have the treatments together. They also have spa treatments curated especially for honeymooners.
Things To Do
Apart from the restaurants and the bars, there are plenty of spaces inside the hotel which you must explore. You can try out some stargazing with your partner at the hotel’s rooftop sun deck. Then there’s the low-lit, secluded rooftop garden, where you can enjoy the evening breeze sipping into your drinks. Shisha pipes are also available on request.
There are also plenty of locations in the hotel, like by the lake or the rooftop, where you could request the hotel to set up a special romantic dinner. And if you’re up for a boat ride, the sunsets here are stunning, and the hotel will arrange a boat ride upon request.
The gazebos you find by the lake are luxurious and ideal for an early morning yoga session, or even to just listen to the early morning wakeup calls of the birds, the peacocks and the water buffalos making their way across the lake. You can also dive into the hotel’s 75-metre pool and enjoy a tropical drink and some food from the poolside bar.
There is a karaoke lounge and guests can also try some special Ceylon teas, ranging from the silver and gold tips to other flavored teas at the ‘Tea Jar’.
The Bundala National Park is just 15 minutes away, the Yala National Park is 40 minutes away, and Kataragama is 28 km from the hotel. If you need any excursions arranged, the hotel will arrange it for you at an extra cost.
Service
Service at Double Tree by Hilton Weerawila Rajawarna Resort was very good. The hotel employs around 200 staff, many of them from the region, empowering them and their families.