Incredibly friendly hosts and located on the widest part of Hik beach with nice big double sun beds. The rooms are basic but great value - 1000 rupees a night for a double room - about £5. The beach bar does good food and is a ran by an very helpful and friendly guy. Recommended.

We travelled to Sri Lanka in early November 2006.for a couple of weeks surfing. Our first trip outside European waters I would describe it more of an experience than a holiday.We decided to travel light and pay as you go.This is what made the trip so memorable.! Arriving at Colombo at eight in the morning we took a local bus into the city's train station paying next to nothing for a train journey to Hikkaduwa. Heading south along the coast, you soon appreciate what this country has to offer. Arriving in Hikkaduwa,we were greeted by several locals who all wanted to offer their services as hotel guides and sort out transport .This was a little overwhelming at first,but after sharing a beer with some of them at a local bar overlooking the harbour we said our goodbyes and committed ourselves to the services offered by Padmasiri, best described as "one of a kind".He took us in his Tuktuk on the short journey into the village.We checked out a couple of places to stay and settled for Drifters Hotel and Beach Restaurant. This is a recently built small family run hotel,with direct access onto the beach,situated on the right hand side of the main Galle Road,a few hundred meters to the south of the main tourist area.This establishment can only be described as perfect.The proprietor,Lalith Priyankara,his familly and staff were so helpful and accomodating.Nothing was too much trouble,and they were always available to offer guidance and advice.The rooms were all well presented,and cleaned on a daily basis.They would provide a varied menu and all the meals from breakfast through to evening meals were exceptional. Our local guide, Padmasiri was also a family member and he would turn up every morning to see if we required his services.He was always smiling and never intruded on our privacy,unlike some of the others we had met on the beaches ! We stayed at this hotel for ten days at a very reasonable rate ,before looking at what else the island had to offer.The surfing had been excellent during our stay.
Lalith also operates Drifters Lanka Tours - a personal touring service,tailored to customers requirements.We sat down and discussed all the options and costs with absolutely no pressure selling.We chose to go south to the safari park,and the head into the hill country,to climb Adams Peak,finishing off in Kandy City,before spending our last night near the airport.This proved to be a perfect end to our hoilday.The transport,hotel accommodation and indeed the whole experience was first class in every respect and at a very reasonable rate.Before this thread turns into an epic.....seek and you shall find ! Sri Lanka was so much more than a holiday.Be sure to check out Lalith Priyankara and his family who made our fist trip toSri Lanka such a pleasurable moment in time.You will not be disappointed.
E-mail drifters-lanka@hotmail.com.