During our 4-day stay in Trincomalee, we knew we wanted to stay within walking distance of the beach. Since most of our itinerary revolved around relaxing by the sea, dolphin watching, and snorkeling, we didn't want to rely on tuk-tuks every time we wanted to catch the sunset or grab dinner.
After browsing through several accommodations, we ended up booking Pearl Diamond Resort, a relatively new property located just a 2-minute walk from Uppuveli Beach (also known as Alles Garden Beach, the quieter northern stretch of Uppuveli).
If you're wondering whether Pearl Diamond Resort in Trincomalee is worth booking for your own trip, here's my honest review after spending three nights there.
💡 Planning a trip to Trincomalee? Start here:
- How to Travel from Sigiriya to Trincomalee by Public Bus (Sri Lanka)
- 4 Days in Trincomalee: Things We Did, Saw & Ate in Sri Lanka's East Coast
Pearl Diamond Resort Location in Trincomalee:
Located in the quiet Uppuveli area of Trincomalee, Pearl Diamond Resort is just a 2-minute walk from Uppuveli Beach. The hotel is situated near the Alles Garden neighborhood, one of the more popular areas of Uppuveli known for its cafés, restaurants, and beachfront accommodations.
Although the hotel sits slightly away from the main road, several cafés, restaurants, convenience stores, and small local shops are all within walking distance. If you're planning to visit attractions farther away, such as Koneswaram Temple, Fort Frederick, or Nilaveli Beach, tuk-tuks are readily available throughout the area.
Some location highlights include:
- ~2-minute walk to Uppuveli Beach (Alles Garden Beach)
- Several cafés and seafood restaurants within walking distance
- Nearby convenience stores and local shops
- Easy access to tuk-tuks for exploring Trincomalee
- Around 15–20 minutes to Koneswaram Temple and Fort Frederick by tuk-tuk
During our stay, we rarely needed transportation, except when we visited Koneswaram Temple and Fort Frederick. Most of the time, we just walked to the nearby restaurants or the beach, which made the location incredibly convenient. Some of our favorite nearby spots included Pream Shack for seafood, Café on the 18th for coffee and brunch with an ocean view, and Coral Bae Restaurant, all just a short stroll from the hotel.
Pearl Diamond Resort Hotel Room:
We booked the Deluxe King Room for our three-night stay, and overall, it had everything we needed for a comfortable beach getaway.
The room came with a king-sized bed (although the blanket was quite thin), air conditioning, a flat-screen TV, a mini refrigerator, an electric kettle, complimentary bottled water, and tea and coffee-making facilities. There was also plenty of space for our backpacks, which we really appreciated.
Although the room wasn't particularly large, it felt bright, clean, and well-maintained thanks to its minimalist design.
My favorite feature, however, was the large sliding doors leading to the private balcony. Since mosquitoes usually came out in the evening, I moved the balcony table and chairs inside the room, creating my own little relaxing corner by the window. Even so, there was still enough space to move around the room comfortably.
While our room didn't have a direct ocean view, we could still catch a glimpse of the sea in the distance through the palm trees. It was a peaceful view to wake up to each morning and a nice way to unwind after spending the day exploring Trincomalee.
The bathroom was even more spacious. It featured a spacious walk-in rain shower enclosed by glass panels and a clean vanity area. Hot water was available throughout our stay, although the water pressure wasn't particularly strong. Overall, everything felt relatively new, clean, and well-maintained.
Facilities at Pearl Diamond Resort in Trincomalee:
Despite being a relatively small property, Pearl Diamond Resort offers enough facilities that make for a comfortable stay.
Guests have access to an outdoor swimming pool with sun loungers, a parking area, an on-site restaurant (where we had dinner on our first night), a rooftop terrace overlooking the surrounding palm trees, and a shared kitchen equipped with basic cooking facilities for those staying longer.
The reception can also assist with arranging dolphin watching, snorkeling, scuba diving, boat trips, airport transfers, tuk-tuk rentals, and other local activities. We initially considered booking our dolphin watching and snorkeling tour through the hotel, but eventually chose Trinco M&M Snorkeling Tours after reading their excellent reviews online.
While the facilities are fairly simple compared to larger beachfront resorts, everything felt clean and well-maintained throughout our stay. If you're looking for a modern hotel within walking distance of Uppuveli Beach, Pearl Diamond Resort offers good value for money.
Hotel Cost: What You Can Expect
We booked Pearl Diamond Resort through Booking.com and paid USD 191.16 (AED 702 / approximately LKR 64,000++) for our 3-night stay in Trincomalee during our May 2026 trip.
Compared with the Lion Gate Hotel in Sigiriya, Pearl Diamond Resort felt noticeably more expensive for what we received. We paid our bill upon check-in using a credit card, and the hotel charged us in USD.
That said, accommodation around Uppuveli Beach generally seemed more expensive than in Sigiriya. Since Trincomalee is primarily a beach destination, you're often paying a premium for the location and easy beach access rather than extensive hotel facilities.
If staying within a short walking distance of the beach is one of your priorities, Pearl Diamond Resort may still be worth considering. Otherwise, it's worth comparing a few nearby hotels before making your reservation.
Not sure whether Pearl Diamond Resort offers the best value for your travel dates? Hotel prices in Trincomalee can vary significantly depending on the season and availability. I always recommend checking the latest rates before booking, especially if you're traveling during the peak beach season.
Note: This post contains affiliate links. If you book through one of these links, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.
Who Is This Hotel For?
Based on our experience, Pearl Diamond Resort is ideal for travelers who plan to spend most of their time around Uppuveli Beach.
Its location makes it easy to walk to nearby cafés and restaurants, while the main attractions of Trincomalee are still just a short tuk-tuk ride away. During our stay, most of the guests we saw were families, although the hotel would also work well for solo travelers, couples, and groups.
Overall Experience at the Pearl Diamond Resort in Trincomalee:
Overall, we had a pleasant stay at Pearl Diamond Resort in Trincomalee. While breakfast was not included in our booking, it allowed us to explore several nearby cafés, homestays, and local restaurants, all of which offered delicious meals at reasonable prices.
The hotel may not have the luxury amenities of some beachfront resorts, but it provided everything we needed for a comfortable stay. Its biggest advantage is its location, just a short walk from Uppuveli Beach, cafés, and restaurants. It makes it a practical choice for travelers who plan to spend most of their time exploring Trincomalee.
