Hotels on the Lake in Bentota

Very personal service despite being a mid sized resort hotel

This hotel is chef's kiss. The pool and poolside are brilliantly thought out and massive so you can have a peaceful dip even if it's busy (I went out of season). My riverside room was the perfect way to start every day and the food, even the Western food, is really good. The service is unrivalled, it surpassed my expectations. I would say the hotel's greatest asset is its location in between the river and the sea, where you also you get lots of wildlife. And a 7 minute walk (plus couple of minutes shuttle boat to the town side) to Aluthgama train station. The minute you're out of the town side entrance, you're in the thick of town life but you wouldn't know it from the island oasis the hotel is on. It's walking distance to the Secret Island temple and Bentota Bridge, which are the only things Bentota offers other than beach. I would 100% stay here again and recommend it to everyone who comes to Sri Lanka for a relaxed, luxurious beach holiday. Special shout out to Thilak the boatman and Masheshani on reception, who were both stars. Auic and all who work at Ceylon Club and the pool men.

A phenomenal hotel with great rooms and even better staff. Food was brilliant, pool was great and there’s a small but very well equipped gym. Wish I’d stayed longer.