The Frangipani Tree by Edwards Collection - Thalpe

We went to the Frangipani Tree hotel in May. Very poor experience. No service. Staff not present - hiding whenever possible. No security at entrance booth…very weird management.

A small boutique hotel right on the beach in Talpe ( a shortish tuk tuk ride from Galle) . Excellent food and friendly staff. The hotel has a beautiful pool (the sea near the hotel is not really suitable for swimming although it does look wonderful). The hotel is on a main road, although you can't hear the traffic. Recommended.

Arriving in the hotel from the busy road is like stepping into a dream. The beautiful low buildings are laid out around an equally beautiful small pool, and the rooms - each named after a turtle species - are somehow both simple and luxurious. I think it is the first time I have had a bathroom in the open air, with a frangipani tree growing in it... The food was fabulous and portions extremely generous, especially the Sri Lankan options. Breakfast is memorable, and the outside tables are yards from the sea. The staff are delightful - friendly, helpful and efficient. Altogether a fantastic experience.

The frangipani tree hotel First impressions absolutely amazing. The hotel is clean and fresh. The road outside the hotel is completely bonkers and noisy but the frangipani tree hotel is an oasis of calm. You really cannot hear the road as the waves from the Indian Ocean muffle out any other noise We had an ocean view room there is only one word to describe the accommodation- incredible. The room is spacious with a small courtyard incorporating your shower and toilet facilities. It’s bright airy and lovely. Just so you know there are cockroaches in the toilet area as it’s outside. The staff cannot do enough for you on our first day they filled our mini fridge free of charge with soft drinks and gave us a bottle of wine. A special mention must be given to Thushara one of the staff. He was exceptional he simply couldn’t have done enough for us whether that was cleaning the room or getting us a tuk tuk to go into Galle he had everything in hand. He made our stay even more special Palinda appears to be the senior member of staff. He was again very attentive and helpful Sanjeewa is the head waiter his English is very good and he leads the rest of the team. Very nice chap. Chathiya is the chef he was excellent. If you decide to eat in the hotel the food is really good and reasonably priced for a hotel. There are many staff in the background who don’t get any recognition. A general tip box which everyone could share would be very useful. When we stayed there were only two other rooms that were occupied. We were originally booked into a garden room but were upgraded to ocean view room it’s spectacular. Right the limitations. The beach sharply shelves you cannot swim in the sea it’s far too dangerous. When we booked the hotel Audley Travel assured us that the hotel and beach were exactly what we wanted a beach to lounge on and walk along. This is a misrepresentation the location of the hotel is opposite this description. The road outside the hotel is treacherous. It’s the A2 a main road. There are few places to walk to safely to eat outside the hotel. This limits where you can go on foot you can walk on the beach but there are limits to how far you can walk each way from the hotel due to rocks impeding your way. If you want to venture further away from the hotel there is Mirissa Beach which we thought was amazing. The Tuk Tuk takes about 40 minutes and costs about 7000 rupees. Be careful though as you have to barter the price. Mirissa beach is relatively safe beautiful waves (be careful they are powerful) it’s clean and the beach is lined with bars / cafe. We ate at the Lava restaurant the food was delicious. What you may want to know there is a conservation team working on the beach we saw at least 100 baby turtles being released. Wonderfully marshalled and so unexpected absolutely incredible. There is a bay about a kilometre away from the frangipani tree hotel going towards Galle. In that bay you can hand feed large turtles

When the sun shines, this place must be beautiful and an inviting place to chill. On grey rainy days (which was our experience) it feels less inviting. Mainly as the location is 20 minutes from Galle, and the long road in between is too busy to enjoy walking on. Plus the sea in front of the hotel becomes too rough to swim in. Having said that, the staff were the star of the show, friendly and helpful to ensure you have a good experience. Daily, the doorman greeted us with an umbrella and huge smile, the groundsman kept the pool and garden spotless, the dining team were accommodating, and housekeeping made us smile every day. The pool was usable in the rain. And we really grew to like the outside quirky bathroom.

Such a beautiful setting with very friendly and helpful staff. Lovely authentic accommodation. Would certainly recommend for a couples romantic holiday. Amazing pool looking out to the ocean. Such a tranquil setting that is well located for a wide range of touring and sightseeing options.