Club Bentota

The introduction to this hotel is authentically Sri Lankan and gives it a secluded vibe. Stray cows wander along the road leading to the resort driveway, which ends at a riverbank where a staff member advises when the next boat to the resort is scheduled to arrive. During our visit, we clambered aboard awkwardly with our luggage (no one offered to help), an indication that the resort's low rates translate into a similarly low level of service. The boat ride across Bentota River takes about five minutes (a crocodile may be spotted along the way!), and guests will be provided with life vests.

After pulling into the dock, guests again will be expected to take their own luggage to the lobby. Our check-in experience, like the boat experience, wasn't the friendliest, and guests are given a bracelet to wear depending on which dining plan they choose. Club Bentota was built in 1982 by a South African architect, and despite some charming elements like the Asian-style lobby with vaulted wood ceilings, it's clear that the resort's low-rise, red-brick complex has seen better days. There are ponds throughout, including a tranquil koi pong under pagoda-style walkways, and the resort's lush grounds are dotted with tall palm trees, but there's plenty of mildew, moss, and peeling paint throughout. Rooms are located in two-story buildings along the peninsula that face either the lagoon or the ocean (not every room has a water view, though).

Days are spent relaxing by the beach or pool, or on an excursion, and are broken up by meal times at the buffet restaurant. Nightlife is livelier than at other resorts in the area, with one spacious bar near the pool that stays open until midnight, and group travelers (including wedding parties) adding some fun to the mix. This isn't the most romantic seaside resort, though, and many of the couples and families arrive here through European tour operators, drawn by the budget-friendly rooms and all-inclusive options.

Situated on a peninsula between the Indian Ocean and Bentota River known as “Paradise Island," the resort is an hour and 40 minutes south of Colombo and just over an hour north of Fort Galle by car. The adjacent beach is wide and clean, with fewer vendors than other stretches of sand in the area, though red flags may be up depending on the time of year. Excursions in the area include the the Kosgoda Turtle Hatchery and the historic Bentota Buddhist temple, originally built in the 12th century, both 15 minutes away by car. Brief Garden -- a lush jungle garden designed by landscape architect Bevis Bawa including the art-filled home of Sri Lankan tropical modernist architect Geoffrey Bawa -- is 10 minutes away by car. While great for photographing local life, picking up essentials, and sunbathing, Bentota itself isn't that appealing for tourists. Bandaranaike International Airport is about two hours away by car or bus, and a train from Colombo to the Aluthgama train station takes about the same amount of time. 

Like much of the resort itself, the rooms here have passed their prime, though they are fine enough for a budget getaway with such a prime beachside location. Situated throughout as series of red brick, two-story buildings, rooms have terra-cotta tiled floors and teak furniture with private patios or balconies, though not all have river or ocean views and there is a good amount of wear and tear throughout. All rooms include flat-screen TVs, mini-fridges with free bottled water, electric kettles with tea and instant coffee, ceiling fans, safes, and desks. Rooms are also air-conditioned, though it's not always reliable, and local fauna like ants and lizards sometimes visit guest rooms. Smaller Superior Bungalows have one king or two twin beds and a small window-side seating area, while larger Deluxe Rooms have king beds and a bit more seating, and Suites have generous living areas with cushioned, modern couches and chairs as well as extra closet space. Wall art is limited to sketch-style floral prints. 

Bathrooms in Superior Bungalows and Deluxe Rooms are small, with granite vanities, stand-up showers, and slightly outdated fixtures. Suites have larger, updated bathrooms with contemporary double basin vanities and hi-tech showerheads, while all bathrooms include bathrobes, slippers, and toiletries. Minor maintenance issues are possible, and we did see some dirty grout in the tan tile work. Interconnecting rooms are available, as are baby cribs for families and honeymooners receive flowers on the bed and a fruit basket. 

Hands-down, the resort’s best feature is the adjacent beach with fine, pale sand that's cleaner and less crowded than other beaches to the north. There is a seemingly unmanned lifeguard station, though the beach is flagged based on conditions, and when the tide is out guests can walk out to small rocky island for photos. Sand flies may deter guests from lying directly on the sand and lounge chairs are located inside the security guarded property, and guests should also keep an eye out for the occasional monkey. The Bentota area is known for surfing, but more consistent and challenging breaks are farther south.

The hotel has a mid-size rectangular pool surrounded by a small concrete and brick terrace and plenty of faux-wicker loungers arranged across the adjacent lawn. Regular activities like water polo and aqua aerobics take place throughout the day and The Terrace Bar (next to the pool) opens early, so guests with all-inclusive plans can start drinking into the evening, when there is often live music, though the toilets in the area need updating and emit a consistently unpleasant smell. 

Family friendly activities include a large water sports center offers kayaking, windsurfing gear, jet ski rentals, as well as waterskiing, wake boarding, and tubing, as well as tennis, volleyball, table tennis, billiards, and darts. An open-air theater also offers occasional cultural shows and kids programs and vendors typically set up shop here selling handmade wares.

The Ayurveda Center and Coco Spa has two somewhat drab single treatment rooms and one for couples. Despite lackluster interiors, the spa menu is impressive, with a range of massages and Ayurvedic treatments including deep tissue treatments and jet lag relief, as well as beauty services multi-day packages.

The resort also has a travel desk to book excursions, a gift shop, and internet cafe as Wi-Fi is only available near reception and the pool area. 

This easy-on-the-wallet resort is not going to impress anyone with extraordinary cuisine, but the buffet is decent. Guests can choose between half-board, full-board, and all-inclusive packages, and are given a bracelet to wear at check-in, though liquor options are limited with all-inclusive packages. The main restaurant is next to the pool with a range of seating options both under shade and outside in the sun. Buffet opening times are strict and breakfast includes self-serve coffee, omelette stations, fresh pastries, and local specialties like hoppers (Sri Lankan crepes), while lunch and dinner offer a consistent range European and Asian cuisines and extensive dessert stations. Free coffee and tea are served in the late afternoon between meals and there is a terrace adjacent to the river that's especially enjoyable in the morning over coffee before it gets too hot. The resort features themed international cuisine nights and has an a la carte seafood restaurant as well. When arriving to the resort by boat, guests may notice a pretty restaurant jutting over the water, though it's only available for private events.