Fiona & Michael
England, February 2026
What did you like most about Sri Lanka?
People, food, history, climate.
What did you like most about Maldives?
Luxury, unspoilt island like paradise, accommodation, spa was excellent.
We stayed in RAAYA by Atmosphere.
What did you like least about Sri Lanka?
N/A.
What did you like least about Maldives?
Food for 5-star was a bit disappointing. Comparable to other 5-star destinations we have visited, the food and the restaurants let the experience down. Had much better food etc. in much less expensive resorts i.e. Mexico [in a] TUI hotel, Egypt [in a] Sensatori hotel!! [We are sorry you found the food at RAAYA disappointing and we will feedback your comments to the resort. In my personal experience, Maldives suffers from selling its excellent fish and seafood on the global market, which means it is extremely expensive for resorts to buy – we were served salmon and mackerel when tuna, baracuda and John Dory are caught locally in the archipelago! Also, everything has to be imported and then transported to individual islands, which makes it a very expensive destination.]
What is your opinion of your accommodation in Sri Lanka?
Very colonial in keeping with the country it was! Very good.
The first hotel was terrible 'Waterland' Negombo – thank goodness it hugely improved. [We are disappointed to hear that your stay at Waterland was a let down and we apologise for the poor standard of accommodation you experienced. Again, we will feedback your comments to the hotel to help it improve.]
We did not like Waraka Udawalawe – very dark rooms near a river and lots of mosquitos.
[Waterland, Negombo; Lake Lodge Kandalama, Dambulla; Mountbatten Bungalow, Kandy; 98 Acres Resort & Spa, Ella; Waraka Udawalawe, Udawalawe; Taru Villas - Mawella, Tangalle; Yara Galle Fort, Galle; The Villa Bentota, Bentota]
How would you rate your resort in Maldives?
Accommodation – Very good (5/5)
Beach – Very good (5/5)
Diving – Satisfactory (3/5)
Food – Poor (2/5)
Responsible and/or sustainable travel – Good (4/5)
Service – Very good (5/5)
Snorkelling – Satisfactory (3/5)
Spa – Very good (5/5) – Excellent!
Transfer to and from Malé (seaplane) – Very good (5/5)
Overall experience – Good (4/5)
What is your opinion of your chauffeur guide in Sri Lanka?
Kapila was a lovely man, very helpful, polite, always on time – a pleasure to spend so much time with. Sometimes we struggled to understand his dialect but by the end of the trip, this became easier!! A super chap.
What is your opinion of your flights to and from Sri Lanka?
All on time, very good. [Emirates – Economy Class – Manchester]
Pity about the war and being stuck in Dubai!!! Emirates picked up the cost of basic food and hotel but they let us down with poor communication which resulted in us being stuck for 8 days!! [Yes, a particularly untimely happenstance since you had only just arrived in Dubai when the USA/Israel and Iran conflict started and the airport was shut down... Your experience of poor communication from Emirates was not unique, I am afraid, as other customers told the same story.]
Any other comments?
A fabulous holiday. We will certainly go back as long as the costs do not 'shoot up'!! We would like to do 20 days Sri Lanka and 10 Maldives next time!! [We are delighted that you would like to return to Sri Lanka and Maldives with us in the future 
]
