Two weeks All Inclusive departing 8th September, returning 22nd September 2016
We – like I’m guessing you’re doing now – checked out Hikka Tranz on Trip Advisor to try and ascertain whether this would be a holiday we would enjoy.
Our criteria …. To find a hotel that fell within our budget, a hotel that was going to be relaxing, with a certain amount of comfort, all inclusive ( although that was a booking option ) and was based at a destination that we had not visited before.
The Hikka Tranz by Cinnamon ticked all those boxes.
Firstly we booked our holiday through Travelbag, they were informative, professional, and the whole process ran like clockwork without a hitch. We would definitely book a holiday through them again. A BIG Thank You, to Sarah Lockwood who dealt with all our requirements, questions, and organising the holiday overall, we were very pleased with the service we received.
We needed to fly direct from the UK to Sri Lanka as one of our party had a slight aversion to flying or rather taking off and landing, so a stop off in Dubai was not an option. We flew direct via Sri Lanka airlines, the flight was eleven hours going, and eleven and a half hours return. Sri Lanka airlines was ok, the amount of leg room was only slightly restrictive ( I am six foot ) being able to stand and walk around...Two weeks All Inclusive departing 8th September, returning 22nd September 2016
We – like I’m guessing you’re doing now – checked out Hikka Tranz on Trip Advisor to try and ascertain whether this would be a holiday we would enjoy.
Our criteria …. To find a hotel that fell within our budget, a hotel that was going to be relaxing, with a certain amount of comfort, all inclusive ( although that was a booking option ) and was based at a destination that we had not visited before.
The Hikka Tranz by Cinnamon ticked all those boxes.
Firstly we booked our holiday through Travelbag, they were informative, professional, and the whole process ran like clockwork without a hitch. We would definitely book a holiday through them again. A BIG Thank You, to Sarah Lockwood who dealt with all our requirements, questions, and organising the holiday overall, we were very pleased with the service we received.
We needed to fly direct from the UK to Sri Lanka as one of our party had a slight aversion to flying or rather taking off and landing, so a stop off in Dubai was not an option. We flew direct via Sri Lanka airlines, the flight was eleven hours going, and eleven and a half hours return. Sri Lanka airlines was ok, the amount of leg room was only slightly restrictive ( I am six foot ) being able to stand and walk around helped. The in-flight entertainment was sufficient to prevent boredom, the food was average. The waitress we had however was miserable …. I guess everyone has an off day !!
Travelbag arranged our transfer from the airport and our driver was waiting at arrivals, the journey by SUV to the hotel was two and a half hours, we were able to stop and stretch our legs, our driver Adjit was very helpful and accommodating, pointing out various points of interest during our journey.
When we arrived at the Hikka Tranz we were pleasantly surprised, the hotel was spotlessly clean, and the staff were all very friendly, professional, and helpful.
Our room was fairly spacious, with separate, bathroom facilities, tea and coffee, mini fridge, coded safe, flat screen TV and DVD player, there is also free WiFi with a code available from reception, and a lovely balcony area with a sofa table and chairs …. The sea view was stunning.
Our cases were brought to the room immediately upon arrival, The air conditioning worked very well and was a God-send !! After a long day travelling we retired to a very comfortable bed and a good sleep.
Breakfast, was amazing, the choice of beverages, and meals were all you could possibly want from an all inclusive restaurant. The food ranged from a curry breakfast … to a traditional English bacon and eggs !!! I’m not talking about the usual Holiday Inn type breakfast here …. The “Egg Station” was a separate counter where you could order any type of egg, and they were all cooked to perfection !!
We all love our food, and everyone in our party was exceptionally happy with all our meals, breakfast, dinner, and the evening meal. I was especially looking forward to sampling a traditional curry, Sri Lanka known as “Little India” did not disappoint, you could – if you wanted – have curry all day, every day …. That said, the meals available diversified enough to keep everyone in our party happy, who would not enjoy BBQ Lobster, freshly baked breads, Italian, Thai, English, the list was endless …. And it was all delicious !!
The buffet restaurant was everything we hoped it would be, but if you want to try something different, there is the “Crab Restaurant”. A slight criticism here …. The Hikka Tranz website suggests that there are two restaurants one serving Steaks and a variety of meats, and one serving Crab, lobster and a fine selection of fish … this is incorrect, there is one restaurant with two separate menus, we tried both and were not disappointed with either menu.
The Hikka Tranz pool is a kind of infinity pool, that is very well maintained, as are the surrounding grounds, the beach runs up to the hotel boundary and is easily accessible if you do not want to relax around the pool.
We were very lucky with the weather, rain was forecast everyday as the rainy season starts towards the end of September, it did rain a few days but not for long, and the rain soon dried up in the constant 30 degrees.
You can venture out of the hotel, the souvenir shops are worth a visit and some of the carved gifts are amazing.
There is a local supermarket which is very handy, and there is also an AMEX currency exchange, both are within walking distance, the exchange rate at the AMEX was a lot better than the hotel, and we changed our currency there with no problem, they will exchange both American Dollars and English currency.
The hotel arranged a couple of days sightseeing for us, with a lovely gentleman named Buddhy, and his brother Ashok, one was a long day from 05:30am – 22:30 I can however recommend this, we visited the Elephant Sanctuary, the Holy Temple in Kandy, the Tea Factory, the Spice Farm, and the Botanical Gardens …. As well as lunch …. It was a great day !!
We also booked a Tuk Tuk ride to the old Forte which was an experience you have to try …. If you thought driving in London was busy …. Just hop in a Tuk Tuk to a major city ….. not for the faint hearted !!
The hotel also has entertainment, not your usual cabaret, but very enjoyable, some nights is a guitar duo, or background piano easy listening, or a traditional dance troupe.
Our two weeks seemed to fly by, we enjoyed every minute, the cute chipmunks who will take fruit or nuts from your hand, to the Turtles swimming close to the beach … everyday was an experience, the option is down to the individual, it’s your holiday to enjoy in any way you choose, no one disturbs you if you just want to chill by the pool, but if you want to be more active, there is volleyball and a gym and various activities that you can become involved in …. The choice is yours.
One last point, as incredible as our holiday was, I would be discourteous if I did not mention the one thing that enhanced our whole experience, something that converted a great holiday into an amazing holiday ….. And that was the staff at the Hikka Tranz, they went above and beyond the call of duty to ensure our holiday was as memorable and enjoyable possible, they were all friendly, helpful, and professional without peer and deserve a mention by name, I would like to thank … Samantha, Sarath, Janaka, Menaka, Keerthi, Malaka, Suresh, Nissanka, Nayomi, Dhanushka, Udara, Asitha, and Jayatissa ….. And a lot more who’s names I cannot remember, the incredible young gentleman who tidied our room everyday and who left us towel animals, to the gentleman who reserved our beds by the pools without us requesting !!!
Lastly, I hope this review helped in deciding whether to book a holiday at the Hikka Tranz by Cinnamon, I understand everyone is different, all I can say is that we had, an amazing time, and will definitely be returning in the future …. Many thanks for taking the time to read this review ….. Happy Holidays !!!!!More
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