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Text and Pix by Daminda
Harsha Perera
Dickwella Resort and Spa owned by Browns Hotels and Resorts located in a southern coastal town 22 km east of Matara is the ideal place for family vacations as well as for those who want to relax in an atmosphere far removed from the hustle and bustle of city life.
It’s a place where one can enjoy both privacy and a serene atmosphere with the waves of the Indian Ocean splashing the coastline.
Dickwella is known for its immaculate beaches and the coral reef which is found beneath exquisite turquoise waters and it is amidst such picturesque beauty that Dickwell Resort and Spa, a 3-star hotel, is tucked away on the peninsula bordered on either side by the Indian Ocean.
The hotel has three categories of rooms, comprising 56 Standard Rooms, eight Suites and 12 Family Suites.
The Standard Rooms are comfortable and spacious, overlooking the Indian Ocean. Each room contains canopied beds and is beautifully decorated with typically Sri Lankan furnishings while the Family Suites are duplexes that are furnished with a king-sized canopied bed and two-canopied twin beds with a private terrace that overlooks the Indian Ocean. The other eight Suites each are tastefully decorated with artwork, antiques and king-sized canopied beds, while offering guests picturesque views of the ocean.
The hotel also has several services and facilities which would make a stay memorable. This includes the swimming pool, a fitness centre and a spa. There are also other facilities such as free Wi-Fi, an internet café, currency exchange, tour operator information area and laundry service.
There is a doctor on call to attend to any medical emergencies that may come up. For families with children there is a kiddies’ play area, and indoor/outdoor activities which include diving and snorkeling.
Browns Hotels and Resorts (BH&R) is owned by Browns Investments, a subsidiary of the Browns Group, which owns and manages several key properties in Sri Lanka.
If you are one for excursions, Dickwella is a great place from which to venture out to see some amazing sights of the south.
Among these is the Wewurukannala Vihara It is the location of Sri Lanka’s largest seated Buddha statue, which is 50 metres (160 ft) tall. Walls in the rooms of the building behind the statue are decorated with a large number of colourful pictures depicting scenes from the life of the Buddha and punishments of miscreants.
The other attraction is the blow hole or “Hummanya” which is a well-known attraction in the deep south. It is an exhilarating experience and is frequented by many tourists.
The other is the Dondra Lighthouse just off the Matara town. The lighthouse is 49 metres high, located at the southernmost point of Sri Lanka, and is the tallest lighthouse in the country.