Hikka Tranz by Cinnamon Review: Our Family Beach Stay

We originally booked Hikka Tranz by Cinnamon for just one Saturday night. By the following day, however, we were enjoying the stay so much that we decided we were not ready to leave.

Instead of checking out on Sunday as planned, we extended our booking for another night and stayed until Monday.

Located directly beside the beach in Hikkaduwa, Hikka Tranz by Cinnamon offered many of the things we look for in a relaxing family getaway: a spacious ocean-view room, good food, swimming pools, easy beach access and activities for children.

Here is our complete experience of staying at Hikka Tranz by Cinnamon as two adults travelling with our young daughter.

Arriving at Hikka Tranz by Cinnamon

The hotel’s official check-in time was 3:00 PM, but we arrived at around 4:00 PM.

We were welcomed by the reception team as soon as we entered the hotel. The check-in process was smooth, and we did not have to wait long before receiving our room.

Although we arrived later in the afternoon, there was still enough time to settle in, explore the property and enjoy the beachfront setting before sunset.

The atmosphere immediately felt like a tropical holiday. The hotel was lively because it was a Saturday, but it never felt too overwhelming.

Our Superior King Ocean View Room

We booked a Superior King Ocean View room for two adults and our child.

The room faced the beach and gave us views of both the swimming pool and the Indian Ocean. Being able to see the sea from our room added a lot to the experience, especially during the quieter moments of the stay.

The room was spacious, clean and comfortable enough for our family. There was plenty of room for us to move around without feeling cramped, even while travelling with a young child and the extra luggage that naturally comes with family trips.

The bathroom was also spacious and reasonably well maintained.

Our room included the usual tea- and coffee-making facilities, along with a minibar and the other basic equipment we needed during the stay. Everything was ready when we arrived, which made it easy to settle in and begin enjoying the hotel.

Hikka Tranz by Cinnamon officially describes its accommodation as a collection of more than 150 coastal rooms, with many rooms offering sea views and modern amenities.

For us, choosing an ocean-view category was worthwhile. The pool and beach views helped create the relaxed coastal feeling we had hoped for when booking the trip.

Half-Board Dining and Buffet Meals

We booked our stay on a half-board basis, so breakfast and dinner were included.

All the included meals during our stay were served as buffets. The buffet offered a good variety of Sri Lankan, Western and Indian dishes, making it easy to find something suitable for different tastes.

As it was the weekend, the restaurant became busy during the main meal times. Despite the number of guests, we were still able to enjoy our meals without any major inconvenience.

One of our favourite parts of dining at the hotel was choosing a table with a beach view. Having breakfast and dinner while looking towards the Indian Ocean created a wonderful atmosphere.

The sound of the sea, the coastal breeze and the open view made even a regular buffet meal feel more memorable.

The hotel was also accommodating when it came to our daughter. Since she was still very young, we could request separate food for her without an additional charge during our stay.

This made the dining experience much easier for us as parents. Travelling with a young child often means planning meals carefully, so being able to request something suitable for her was genuinely helpful.

Other Restaurants at the Hotel

Apart from the main buffet restaurant, Hikka Tranz by Cinnamon has additional dining options for guests who prefer à la carte meals.

We noticed an Italian dining option as well as The Crab Shack, the hotel’s seafood restaurant. The hotel currently describes The Crab Shack as serving freshly prepared seafood and sushi.

We did not get an opportunity to try these restaurants during this visit because our half-board buffet meals were already included.

However, The Crab Shack is definitely somewhere we would consider trying during a future stay, especially for a relaxed seafood meal close to the ocean.

Swimming Pools and Kids’ Pool

The main swimming pool was not overly crowded during our stay, even though we visited on a weekend.

We went into the pool several times over the two days. The water and surrounding area provided a relaxing place to spend time between meals and visits to the beach.

There was also a separate children’s pool beside the main pool. Having the kids’ pool close to the main swimming area made it convenient for families, as parents could easily move between the two areas.

Our daughter also enjoyed spending time at the children’s play area near the pool and beach.

This part of the hotel was especially useful during our family stay. When travelling with a toddler, it helps to have different activities nearby rather than needing to leave the property each time the child becomes restless.

Direct Access to Hikkaduwa Beach

One of the strongest reasons to choose Hikka Tranz by Cinnamon is its beachfront location.

The ocean is directly beside the hotel, so we could walk from the hotel grounds to the beach without needing to cross a road or arrange transport.

We spent time in the sea during our stay, although ocean conditions can naturally vary depending on the weather and season. Anyone travelling with children should always check the waves and currents before entering the water.

Hikkaduwa is known for its shallow coral sanctuary, colourful fish and marine turtles. Sri Lanka Tourism also highlights the area’s coral formations, fish, turtles, diving sites and shipwrecks.

The hotel’s location makes it a convenient base for travellers interested in exploring Hikkaduwa’s marine attractions, although our own trip was mainly about relaxing at the property.

Beautiful Tropical Weather and Sunset Views

We were fortunate to have excellent weather throughout the stay.

It was not excessively sunny, but it did not rain either. The result was a comfortable tropical climate that allowed us to enjoy the pool, beach and outdoor spaces without the heat becoming too intense.

The weather also helped us enjoy a beautiful sunset over the ocean.

Watching the sky change colour beside the beach was one of the simple highlights of the trip. It was a peaceful way to end the day after swimming, eating and spending time together as a family.

Why We Extended Our Stay

Our original plan was to stay for one night and check out on Sunday.

However, by Sunday we felt that the stay had gone by too quickly. We were comfortable in the room, our daughter was enjoying the hotel, and the pool and beachfront environment made it easy to relax.

Rather than returning home as originally planned, we extended the stay for another night and checked out on Monday.

That decision probably says more about our experience than any individual hotel facility could.

A good hotel stay is not only about having a clean room or a large buffet. It is also about whether the environment helps you slow down and enjoy your time together.

Hikka Tranz by Cinnamon did that for us.

The second day gave us more time to swim, enjoy the buffet meals and explore the family-friendly areas of the hotel without feeling rushed.

Kids’ Activities During Our Second Day

During the evening of our second day, the hotel organised activities for children.

Our daughter and my wife participated in a cupcake-decorating activity. They both enjoyed the experience, and it added something different to the stay beyond swimming and spending time at the beach.

Small activities like this can make a significant difference when staying at a resort with children.

They give young guests something entertaining to do while also creating enjoyable family memories. Activities may vary depending on the day and the hotel’s programme, so it is worth asking the staff what is scheduled during your visit.

Is Hikka Tranz by Cinnamon Good for Families?

Based on our stay, Hikka Tranz by Cinnamon can be a good option for families looking for a lively beachfront holiday in Hikkaduwa.

The features we found most helpful as a family were:

• Spacious accommodation
• Ocean and pool views
• A separate children’s pool
• A play area close to the pool and beach
• Child-friendly meal arrangements
• Direct beach access
• Occasional activities for children
• Buffet meals with several cuisine choices

The hotel is not a small or completely quiet boutique property. It is a fairly large coastal resort, and weekends can become busy, particularly around the buffet restaurant.

However, the property still offered enough space for us to relax, and the pool was not uncomfortably crowded during our visit.

Who Would Enjoy Staying Here?

We think Hikka Tranz by Cinnamon would suit:

• Families looking for a beach hotel with children’s facilities
• Couples who want ocean views and sunset walks
• Travellers who prefer buffet meal plans
• Guests who want to stay close to Hikkaduwa’s marine attractions
• Visitors looking for a lively resort rather than an isolated retreat
• Local travellers planning a short weekend escape

The hotel is officially positioned as a four-star resort on Sri Lanka’s southern coastline, with more than 150 coastal rooms and direct access to the surrounding beach environment.

Things to Know Before Booking

Weekend stays can be busy, especially during breakfast and dinner. Going to the buffet slightly earlier may provide a quieter experience and a better chance of finding your preferred table.

An ocean-view room is worth considering because the pool and sea views contribute significantly to the resort experience.

Families travelling with young children can ask the restaurant staff about suitable meals. What is available without an extra charge may depend on the child’s age, booking conditions and current hotel policy.

Scheduled children’s activities may also change, so check with reception after arrival.

Finally, sea conditions in Hikkaduwa can vary. Always assess the waves and follow local guidance before swimming, particularly when visiting with children.

Our Final Thoughts

What began as a simple one-night Saturday stay turned into a two-night family holiday.

We enjoyed the spacious ocean-view room, varied buffet meals, relatively peaceful swimming pool, children’s facilities and direct access to the beach.

Dining while looking at the Indian Ocean, enjoying the sunset and watching our daughter take part in the cupcake activity were some of the moments that made the experience special.

There were busy periods around the restaurant because it was the weekend, but this did not have a major negative effect on our stay.

Most importantly, the hotel gave us the feeling that we wanted from a coastal break: the freedom to relax without needing to plan every hour of the day.

We enjoyed Hikka Tranz by Cinnamon enough to extend our stay, and we would happily return—perhaps next time with a meal at The Crab Shack included in our plans.

Our overall impression: A lively and family-friendly Hikkaduwa beach resort with good ocean views, enjoyable buffet dining and plenty of ways to spend a relaxed weekend by the sea.