Jetwing Lagoon Hotel, Negombo, Sri Lanka
Perfect! My decision was made easy. I was booked in at Jetwing Lagoon in Negombo.
Getting in close to midnight, it was a short 20 minute drive to the hotel where I was greeted and taken to my room by golf cart. There’s something special about arriving at night as you have a surprise waiting for you in the morning when you see the hotel for the first time.
And boy, what a surprise it was! If my stunning and spacious room wasn’t enough, looking out the window I had a view of the pool. It’s not just any pool though, it’s one of the largest in Sri Lanka.
On my way to breakfast I strolled around, admiring the poolside cabanas and zen like layout of the property. While I ate, I was able to look out over the lagoon and watch fisherman getting their morning catch. It was all so peaceful.
It is important to note that my time in Sri Lanka was not only short but I was also very sick. With a high fever and very weak, I spent most of my stay resting, either by the pool or in bed. While it was not my ideal way to experience a new place, I was very comfortable and taken care of by the staff. Being sick while travelling is terrible but a good hotel can help make things so much better. A special thank you to the staff for keeping an eye on me. 
Another reason I fell in love with Jetwing Lagoon and the Jetwing brand in general is their green initiatives. From recycling water and LED lighting for energy conservation, I felt that my hotel stay was low impact and environmentally conscious, a tricky goal in the hotel industry that is often overlooked.
Now, let’s breakdown the main aspects you are most likely interested in as you consider staying at Jetwing Lagoon:
Rooms: I had the pleasure of staying in a Family Room and boy, what a room it was. Complete with a queen bed and 2 long sofas that could be converted into beds, a large bathroom and standard amenities such as a safe, air conditioning and mini-bar, I felt like a king. There are additional styles for larger groups, couples on their honeymoon, and those on more of a budget but all options were beautiful. I specifically loved the Bawa room with it’s outdoor bathroom. 
Service: Throughout my stay I was well taken care of, whether it was driving me to my room, providing me towels by the pool or during breakfast. Being sick and weak, I needed a little extra assistance and the staff helped me as best they could. I had the chance to meet one of the younger staff members who talked me about the apprenticeship program Jetwing Hotels offers to help train and teach students and prepare them for a career in the hotel industry. It’s lovely to see a company doing their part to support the communities around them.
Location: If you’re looking to get away from the busy city and just relax, Jetwing Lagoon’s location is great. It’s also not far from the airport so for those on a short stay in Sri Lanka, they can easily get to and from without spending a lot of time on the road. The only tricky thing I found about the location was that it was difficult to go somewhere and pick up snacks or sight see. Unlike the city, there would be a lot more effort to get places and to pick up items like bottled water.
Dining & Drinks: I’ll admit my appetite was pretty low as I was sick so I can’t speak to most of the food but I did make a point of enjoying breakfast each morning. I tried both the western and traditional Sri Lankan options and each was delicious. A must start to your day. When booking your room you can select what meal options you want included in your rate.
Amenities: Jetwing Lagoon has a pretty robust set of amenities including a gym, spa, pool, banquet halls, bar, restaurant, yoga classes and even a doctor on call. All in all, you’ll be pretty comfortable during your stay.
Price: At the time of writing, rooms ranged from $215 USD/night for a ‘room-only’ deluxe room to $469 USD/night for a ‘full board’ honeymoon suite. Depending on your dates you may also find some significant sales. At the time of writing, Jetwing Lagoon was offering a 50% off sale, offering rooms for as low as $112 USD/night. Considering the quality of this hotel, that is a steal!
WiFi: Offered throughout most of property, the WiFi was pretty solid the majority of the time when doing basic things like checking my email or social media. Thankfully, it was also free of charge!
Final Thoughts: Even though I was sick, I had a lovely stay at Jetwing Lagoon. It was clear that a lot of thought was put into every detail of the hotel and designed to not only help guests relax but with the environment as a top priority. There were only two things I felt could be improved on. While there were two complimentary bottles of water in the room which were very appreciated, purchasing extra bottles was a bit expensive considering the size of the bottles and the average cost of bottled water in Sri Lanka. Also, when returning to the airport, I was only given the option of taking a hotel taxi, which was nearly double the price of my taxi from the airport and more expensive than if I called one on my own, something that is difficult to do without the number and only speaking English. I had such a pleasant stay and this left a slightly bad taste in my mouth as I was checking out and saying farewell. Hopefully guests can be offered multiple options and then choose their preference. That said, I would certainly return to Jetwing Lagoon and recommend it to friends, family and you of course when visiting Sri Lanka.
I’d like to extend my sincerest thanks to the team at Jetwing Lagoon for hosting me during my stay in Sri Lanka and providing me such hospitality. Keep up the great work and I will see you again!
[Via backpackwithbrock]
