Agoda rates Ranveli Beach Resort at 4.5 stars; TripAdvisor gives it 4 stars and a Certificate of Excellence.

So that would be 4 stars out of what? Out of 20? Actually, it’s out of 5, so this is one level short of excellence.
Of course these rating systems are relative. I suppose this accommodation would excel if compared with, say, Swaziland in the off-peak season. But having spent the sweltering afternoon strolling through the neighbourhood, I now know what the competition looks like. Ok, so this wasn’t such a bad choice after all, and for $US50 a night.

Just don’t expect much in Colombo, Sri Lanka.