Dalmanuta Gardens - Ayurvedic Resort & Restaurant

Perfectly positioned in a residential neighborhood along the Bentota River, Dalmanuta Gardens should be considered by anyone who is looking for a quiet, nature-filled retreat from the loud and bustling streets of Sri Lanka's main tourist drags. The gated property is quite large, and even with its nine standalone bungalows and their surprisingly large personal yards and gardens, the owners could have easily fit more than a handful more guest rooms. Luckily, instead, they've covered the grounds with verdant walking paths, a small pool area, a large 200-plus medicinal plant garden, and an even larger silent garden where guests can walk through heavily landscaped paths and over small bridges, and sit, staring out onto the lily padded ponds (quietly of course). There's also a arid wellness section inclusive of a few rustic cement huts with thatched roofs and scampering squirrels. Against the river, you'll find a modest, open-air restaurant area with plastic tables and chairs, a fish tank, a small bar, and views across the grass to the river. Since the grounds are so large its fairly easy to find a spot to yourself (or to share with a few fireflies), even if most of the bungalows are booked. If you want sociability during your stay, it'll be totally dependent on who is also there when you visit as there are no planned activities that bring guests together. The only interruptions you're likely to find within this serene landscape are the shrieks of young children and the multiple times daily prayer chants broadcast (loudly) throughout the neighborhood; however, many find the latter to be quite soothing. 

Dalmanuta Gardens is slightly off the main road; in fact, your driver may have to stop and ask the local residents for directions. While its location (and concurrently expensive transport options) may not be the best for those looking to get out and explore Bentota, the quiet, slightly removed, riverside spot is great for anyone searching for a natural retreat-like getaway. Depending on traffic, this property is about an hour and 40 minutes south of the Colombo airport, an hour south from Colombo, an hour north of Galle, five hours from the popular tourist hike up Adam's Peak, and just over a two hours' drive from Udawalawe National Park, famous for its high concentration of leopards. 

Dalmanuta's nine standalone bungalows are surrounded by large, well-manicured yards with faux-wood seating and tree stump walkways, and lined with a waist-high hedge perimeter giving guests a nice slice of privacy and open, natural space. All rooms have front-facing outdoor porches with tightly fit furniture consisting of rattan chairs, tables, and loungers; stark interiors house king-size beds with hanging mosquito nets, and contemporary, spacious bathrooms with glass bowl sinks and strong rainfall showerheads. The front door of eaxch opens up to a semi sectioned-off entry area with a wooden vanity desk, rattan table and chairs set, and simple armoire. The slightly raised bedroom area is home to the bed, two side tables, an entertainment console with a tiny tube TV, tea and coffee facilities, and a minibar stocked with soft drinks and snacks. Bathrooms have lightweight robes, hairdryers, and shampoo, shower gel, and lotion. In most rooms, there are two toilets -- one inside the bathroom proper and another one behind a door in the corner. Six of the bungalows are practically identical with only varying sizes of outdoor garden space, while two others skip the dividing wall between the toilets and, oddly, have two toilets that face each other. The suite, which the Swede owner stays in during his visits, replaces the second toilet completely in favor of a small kitchenette with a two-burner stove, dual sinks, and a microwave. There's also a multi-head spa shower in the bathroom. Decked out in all white contemporary decor, this bungalow is also the most stylish and updated of the bunch. Overall, bungalows are simple and a bit dated and rustic, but the decor fits the vibe of the budget-friendly, low-key property.

Dalmanuta Gardens' Ayurvedic program isn't for everyone; if you are coming to take advantage of the Ayurvedic programs and facilities, know that here (like many places) these are given in basic, less-than-sparkling, small cement huts with thatched roofs, cutout doorways and windows, and unswept tile floors. Treatment tables are rustic wooden slabs topped with sheets; products rest on the floor in plastic jugs, and old tubs have calcified stains. Unfortunately, considering it resembles a basement, it's not a very romantic "spa" scene. Yoga is held in a larger thatched hut within the "wellness area," where walls are covered in framed collages of the hotel's history and a ping pong table sits in the corner. 

Dalmanuta may keep it simple, but it doesn't skimp on features. For a mid-range boutique, this spot gives its guests a fair amount of things to do and places to go on the grounds. For starters, there's the small pool area with a pool and bubbling hot tub. As to not break from the back-to-nature vibe, all fixtures, including the fresh water shower itself, are in the form of trees or stumps; there's even a few fake birds perched about that you can see while you swim or lounge on the white wooden loungers. Although not always attended, there is a maritime-themed bar for refreshments. If you're looking for a more natural water source, on the opposite end of the property you will find the Bentota River. While you may not want to dive in, the hotel gives free twice-daily boat rides along the water -- or you can enjoy the view from one of the four overwater dining huts. There is only one restaurant, serving either your prescribed Ayurvedic meals or international fare, and it has fairly strict serving times. Seafood options are fresh as the staff visits the local market each day to pick up fresh catches. There's also a barbecue pit with a few seats set up between the restaurant and overwater dining huts. Free breakfast is served buffet style with local and Western options. There's a small bar serving the restaurant with booze, soft drinks, and fresh juice. Wi-Fi is free throughout the property and since there are not many tuk tuks passing by in the neighborhood, the hotel is happy to set you up with transport (though be prepared to shell out a higher-than-normal fare). During our visit there was no lobby, only a small motel-style reception desk window.