Mathugama Rd, Aluthgama 80550 Sri Lanka, Bentota, Sri Lanka | (937) 315-4602
Scenic location on a peninsula between Bentota River and the Indian Ocean
Attractive, modern rooms have flat-screen TVs, kettles, minibars, and safes
All rooms have furnished outdoor spaces -- some with ocean views
Four on-site restaurants and a bar, serving Sri Lankan, Thai, and seafood cuisine
Huge oceanside outdoor pool with a swim-up bar and a kiddy pool
Elegant spa offering range of treatments and spacious fitness center
Kids' and teens' clubs, plus lots of water sports (fee)
Resort can organize excursions such as river cruise and scuba diving
Free Wi-Fi throughout
Insufficient sunbeds and early-morning reserving
Ocean isn't swimmable at times due to strong currents
Rooms near the bar can experience noise
Some complaints of musty smells in rooms
Set directly on the beach, this upscale resort is nestled between Bentota River and the Indian Ocean. A range of facilities -- huge swimming pool, water sports, kids' club, and spa -- and room categories make the resort suitable for both couples and families. Four restaurants offer a variety of cuisines, including buffets with live-cooking stations, plus there's a swim-up bar. All 165 rooms are modern and attractive, outfitted with minibars, tea- and coffee-making facilities, flat-screen TVs, and furnished outdoor spaces -- some with ocean views. Note that past guests have complained of early-morning lounger reserving, musty smells in rooms, and noise from the bar. Travelers looking for a smaller hotel in the same area can check out AVANI Bentota Resort & Spa, which is pricier, but offers a more relaxed experience.
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Scene
Large, beachfront resort with a huge range of family-friendly activities
The main drawcard of this four-pearl resort is its spectacular location on a peninsula between the Indian Ocean and Bentota River. Most of the resort’s 165 rooms either overlook blue water and golden sands or the tranquil river and mangroves. Rooms and common areas are bathed in neutral hues and contemporary furnishings, with vibrant accents from throw pillows and artworks. All spaces are sleek and thoughtfully designed, including the lobby's moody dark floors topped by gray chairs with bright-green throw pillows, and purple flower murals spanning the ceiling. The all-day Cafe Bem has cheerful pink, purple, and orange armchairs under a gold and wood-beam ceiling, while the 360 Restaurant is a more formal affair with white table settings, chandeliers, and freestanding rattan lamps. Given the array of indoor and outdoor activities, and multiple room categories, the hotel is suitable for couples, families, and groups.
Location
Beachfront peninsula setting between Bentota River and the Indian Ocean
The resort is nestled on a peninsula between a river and the ocean, a five-minute boat ride from a departure point near Aluthgama station. While there's little in the immediate surrounds, guests can walk to an area with more restaurants, hotels, and shops in around 20 minutes. The beachside resort is halfway between Colombo and Galle, about a 90-minute drive to each destination. Meanwhile, Bandaranaike International Airport is just over two hours by car.
Rooms
Sleek rooms with kettles, minibars, and balconies or terraces
The resort offers a large variety of rooms ranging between 127 and 456 square feet (39 and 139 square meters), all with furnished balconies or terraces overlooking the pool and ocean, or river and mangroves -- those on the higher floors have the best vistas. Their design is keeping with the rest of the property, featuring sleek neutral-tone furnishings with vibrant splashes in artworks and throw pillows. Actual decor varies a bit between rooms, but all are attractive and modern. On the downside, some guests have complained of damp smells and rooms near the bar experiencing noise. Standard amenities include air-conditioning, ceiling fans, minibars, tea- and coffee-making facilities, safes, flat-screen TVs with international channels, and free Wi-Fi. Mosaic-tiled bathrooms have showers, free toiletries, and hairdryers, plus separate tubs in some. One Bedroom Suites and Family Residences add sitting areas and bathrobes.
Features
Huge range of features including four restaurants, two bars, two swimming pools, gym and spa
Given there's little in the immediate area, it's necessary that the hotel offers ample leisure and dining options for guests. There are four restaurants, including the all-day Cafe Bem, which serves Sri Lankan and international cuisine buffet-style and at live-cooking stations. The 360 Restaurant, named after its river and ocean views, is a fine-dining eatery serving seafood and Asian dishes for dinner. Also only open for dinner, the Suan Bua Restaurant serves Thai cuisine amid distinctive purple and grey decor. The all-day Ceylon Club serves teas, snacks, and other refreshments in a stylish, yet relaxed, setting, while the Inn Between bar serves cocktails, beer, and snacks.
The hotel sits along a pretty, wide stretch of golden sand, but the water is not always swimmable due to strong currents. The beach here is far cleaner than in areas like Negombo. The adjacent, huge pool is surrounded by palms and loungers, and comes with a hot tub and a swim-up bar. A good-sized kiddy pool is available here as well. Several past guests have complained that the resort does not provide enough loungers, as well as that many guests reserve sunbeds early each morning.
A water-sports center offers a range of activities such as snorkeling, but for a fee. Kids' and teens' clubs are on-site, and staff can arrange excursions such as scuba diving and river tours. Spa Cenvaree provides treatments like Ayurvedic therapies and Thai massage, while a spacious gym has cardio and strength-training equipment. Meeting and event spaces are also on-site. Wi-Fi is free throughout.
