Thaala Bentota

Breakfast was exceptionally good.. A lot of varieties of food..

We stayed at Thaala Bentota with my wife and daughter and had a wonderful experience. The hotel’s design, by renowned Sri Lankan architect Geoffrey Bawa, beautifully blends history with modern comfort. The lush, green grounds are filled with coconut palms and tropical plants, creating a peaceful, natural atmosphere. A standout feature is the serene Japanese-style pool with large koi carp, which adds to the relaxing vibe. There are two excellent swimming pools, ideal for unwinding. The overall ambiance is calm and welcoming. Breakfast was very good, and while the à la carte menu isn’t exceptional, the restaurant still offers a solid selection of dishes. One of the highlights of our stay was the exceptional friendliness and support of the staff. From the moment we checked in, they were attentive to our needs. Our original room on the ground floor had a slight smell of mold—likely due to the rainy season—but the team responded promptly to our request and offered us alternatives. We were quickly moved to a room on the first floor, which was perfect. All our requests were met with a smile, making the stay feel warm and welcoming. The major advantage of the resort is its' location facing one of Sri Lanka's best and picturesque beaches which makes the experience unforgettable.

Thaala's is a big hotel yet manages to create an intimate vibe. The surroundings are serene. A quiet beach just in front of the property. The sunsets are gorgeous. A gentle walk leads to the Bentota river. Many restaurants nearby - the in-house restaurants are also very good. There's also the utterly quaint Bentota railway station near the hotel - designed by Geoffrey Bawa himself. We were also quite lucky to see turtles being released into the sea - there's a small hatchery by the lighthouse near the hotel. If you're looking for a relaxing getaway, just head straight to Thaala.

There are a lot to like about this resort. The way they welcome the guests is exceptional - I have never seen such a warm welcoming ritual at any other places. There are two excellent pools we enjoyed through they have some restriction on dress code - fully dressed muslim women are not allowed to use the pools. The adjacent beach is excellent for bathing and surfing though may not be very scenic compared to other places. The breakfast was just superb with many many items. The staff were very very cordial and helpful. The overall atmosphere in the resort is very soothing and relaxing.

Our family are very familier with Sri Lanka. We have lived in the country and travel to SL at least once a year since 35 years. This hotel is absolutely one of the best. Nice rooms, good food, wonderful beach in one of the best spots in SL. Every one in the staff did maximum to make the stay as smot and fantastic as possible. We have 2 children 9+11 years old and they really love the poolarea, the beach and it is very close to the water sport center LSR were you can dive, go one jet scoter, boot rides. Whole family warmly recommend this hotel.