Taj Bentota Resort & Spa

From the moment we arrived at the Taj Bentota, we knew we were in for a special stay. A warm, genuine greeting welcomed us after a long journey, and check-in was seamless and stress-free – just what we needed! Our room was spotless, and we were really impressed by the housekeeping team – always efficient, attentive, and discreet. The air conditioning worked perfectly, which made such a difference after a day in the Sri Lankan sun. We stayed on a half-board basis, and honestly, the food was exceptional. It’s the best we’ve ever had at this level of board. Breakfasts and suppers were simply fantastic – a beautiful spread of authentic Sri Lankan curries alongside some familiar Western favourites. As a vegetarian, I was especially delighted – for the first time, I felt truly spoilt for choice. A special shoutout to Ranjith in the restaurant and Kannagara at the pool (apologies if we’ve misspelt either name). Both were absolutely wonderful – nothing was too much trouble and they made us feel genuinely at home with their warmth and hospitality. Outside the hotel entrance, but within the grounds, there’s a line of tuk-tuks ready to whisk you away for a bit of local exploring. Though not directly employed by the hotel, they are allowed up the driveway, which makes things very convenient. We highly recommend Kamal, who was not only delightful company but also a fountain of local knowledge – truly like having a personal guide. The only slight downside was the price of drinks at the hotel bar, which were just over twice the price of those in local spots. That said, it wasn’t unexpected and certainly didn’t stop us enjoying a few cocktails during our stay. We left with full hearts and happy memories, and we already know this won’t be our last visit to Taj Bentota. Thank you for a wonderful, wonderful stay.

First Day at the Hotel (Out of a Total of 15 Days) Upon arrival, we were able to check in early at 12 PM instead of the standard 3 PM, which was a pleasant surprise. Rooms and Facilities The room is very nice and recently renovated. It’s located on the ground floor, which is fine—this is what we paid for, including a garden view. Unfortunately, there's no direct access from the terrace to the garden or beach, which is a pity. The hotel itself looks good, though parts of the garden seem a bit neglected. Beach and Pool There’s a nice, clean beach in front of the hotel. However, there are no hotel sunbeds on the beach—only in the garden, and even there, not enough. The same goes for the pool area, where sun umbrellas are limited. Dining – All Inclusive? Not Really. We paid extra for the all-inclusive option, which was significantly more expensive than half or full board. Despite checking in at 12 PM, we didn’t receive our wristbands until 3 PM—which is quite unusual. Typically, it's the other way around. Meals are only available buffet-style in the main restaurant for breakfast and lunch. It’s a shame, as the à la carte menu looks quite appealing. Dinner is possible at two other à la carte restaurants, but without options like king prawns or lobster, which is disappointing. Surprisingly, there’s only one bar in the hotel, located at the reception. There’s no actual pool bar—only a waiter who brings drinks from the restaurant. After waiting 1.5 hours for a menu (and asking three times), we received it, but no one ever came back to take our order. I genuinely don’t understand how this system works. What the hotel calls a “pool bar” simply doesn’t exist. The Shack, another venue, is only open for dinner, so it doesn’t offer any daytime seating either. During the day, there are no snacks available under the all-inclusive package. We normally skip lunch and prefer to grab a light snack later on, but don’t expect that here. The drink selection is also extremely limited. Despite a huge number of cocktails listed on the menu—both alcoholic and non-alcoholic—only four non-alcoholic cocktails are included in the all-inclusive plan. Really? At a 5-star hotel? No milkshakes, no smoothies... This is worse than a €300-per-week hotel in Egypt. Why not just set a price limit per drink within the all-inclusive package? The current system makes no sense. Final Thoughts The hotel is in a stunning location with breathtaking surroundings. However, the all-inclusive experience is comparable to a 3-star hotel at best. The number of places where you can actually use the all-inclusive benefits is practically zero. We came here to relax after a demanding work season and chose this hotel carefully, but unfortunately, it’s far below our expectations. Next time, we’ll definitely return to Anantara or Heritance.

Outstanding service and warmth from the team at Taj Bentota, Sri Lanka. Every member was accommodating and provided a great service from the staff at the front desk, room service, restaurant team and pool staff. Taj Bentota were great with little surprises for my wife 's 40th birthday and very friendly with my young son, who already misses Sri Lanka after one day of being home. In particular, chefs Dalip and Jaswir provided delicious food to our needs and sent us some exciting new dishes to try. A great team in the restaurant. The sea front rooms have a outstanding location overlooking the beach and beautiful sunset. Overall, definitely the hotel to book for future visits and we'd recommend to others visiting Bentota and Sri Lanka.

During our stay at Taj Bentota, Srilanka we had the pleasure of experiencing the incredible culinary skills of Chef Dalip Singh. His passion for food and dedication to perfection truly stood out. Every dish he prepared was a perfect blend of flavors, beautifully presented, and made with the freshest ingredients. What impressed us the most was his warm and welcoming nature. He took the time to understand our preferences and curated meals that exceeded our expectations. A heartfelt thank you to Chef Dalip Singh for making our visit memorable. Taj Bentota is truly fortunate to have such a talented and hospitable chef on their team! We look forward to returning for another delightful experience. Indeed Taj Bentota is the best place to stay in Bentota.