Giman Free Beach Resort

I recently stayed at the Giman Free Hotel and had a unique experience. This hotel is truly isolated, far away from civilization, making it a perfect spot for introverts or those looking for solitude. While the hotel itself is clean, it is clear that some renovations are needed to update the facilities. However, the staff more than makes up for any shortcomings with their friendliness and willingness to accommodate guests. The restaurant at the hotel surprised me with its delicious food, which I found to be better than what I have experienced at some five-star hotels in Sri Lanka. The beach near the hotel is clean. However, the downside of the beach which is very wild and long is the amount of garbage and plastic that washes up on the shore. Since the beach is deserted it was disheartening to see all the pollution scattered along the shoreline. Overall, if you are seeking a quiet retreat away from the hustle and bustle of city life, the Giman Free Hotel is a great option. Just be prepared for a bit of roughness around the edges of the beach.

If you are looking for the last remaining unspoiled pristine beaches and natural environments in Pasikuda ( East coast of Sri Lanka), you would be spot on! However, if you are looking for accommodation to match the same specifications, you might need to look again! In over 40 years of travel to all corners of the world and having stayed in different categories of accommodation ( from five stars to hostels to B&B’s and national park bungalows) , have I never experienced such a stark discrepancy between what you see and what you get! Let me elaborate; you would turn off onto a gravel road from the main Pasikuda-Trincomalee artery at the very point you see the hotel’s name board. Actually, the name board is rather well kept ( not peeling off or rusting) which would give you the impression that the resort too is well maintained. Sadly the name board is the first of the many deceptions I encountered. We were a group of 12 well travelled individuals who occupied 6 rooms. The rooms are stand alone units; some with a floor above and some without. Ours was 501 and we had occupants in the room above. The first thing on entering the room was to be hit by the dank musty smell as though it had not been aired for a considerable time. But as we were in the middle of a rather remote area surrounded by wilderness we ignored it and simply opened the French windows from which we had a view of the sea. That of course was rather nice. Well, that was just the beginning of the list of negatives. The bathroom and toilet doors had no handles. That was a first! Water was leaking from the bidet shower and the floor was always wet. I hate wet toilet floors. The walls of the toilet was swollen with damp mold. The chrome of the shower unit was covered in white watermarks from previous usage. Some detergent and elbow grease would have sorted that issue if only the staff had been given clear instructions. 5 of the 6 rooms our group occupied had no hot water. Even worse was the fact that there was nobody who could fix it ! There were no mattress nor pillow protectors! A thin threadbare sheet covered the mattress. The mattress had a patch of dubious origin as did the decorative cushions placed in front of the pillows. The AC made such a loud noise that we had to switch it off and rely on the fan. Well, that was not too bad, but it would have been nice to have AC as the outside temperatures were in the mid 30’s. One bedside light did not work but was not fixed despite being asked to do so several times. There are no fire extinguishers anywhere on the premises which is extremely dangerous as most of the roofing is coconut thatched. No electricity switch breaker or trip switch system. No emergency torches in the rooms. The staircases were so badly illuminated that those occupying the top floors had to use the torch on their phones! The food was terrible as was the service. Over 30 minutes for a pot of tea or coffee! The extent of the cook’s culinary skills was noodles,

"Giman Free Beach Resort is a hidden gem! The untouched beauty of the location, with its coral reefs and shallow waters, is breathtaking. The rooms are cozy and well-maintained, and the staff go out of their way to make you feel welcome. The beach is perfect for swimming and snorkeling, and we had an amazing time exploring the underwater world. The food was delicious, and the overall experience was unforgettable