Set directly on the beach, this upscale resort is nestled between Bentota River and the Indian Ocean. A range of facilities -- huge swimming pool, water sports, kids' club, and spa -- and room categories make the resort suitable for both couples and families. Four restaurants offer a variety of cuisines, including buffets with live-cooking stations, plus there's a swim-up bar. All 165 rooms are modern and attractive, outfitted with minibars, tea- and coffee-making facilities, flat-screen TVs, and furnished outdoor spaces -- some with ocean views. Note that past guests have complained of early-morning lounger reserving, musty smells in rooms, and noise from the bar. Travelers looking for a smaller hotel in the same area can check out AVANI Bentota Resort & Spa, which is pricier, but offers a more relaxed experience.
Set directly on the beach, this upscale resort is nestled between Bentota River and the Indian Ocean. A range of facilities -- huge swimming pool, water sports, kids' club, and spa -- and room categories make the resort suitable for both couples and families. Four restaurants offer a variety of cuisines, including buffets with live-cooking stations, plus there's a swim-up bar. All 165 rooms are modern and attractive, outfitted with minibars, tea- and coffee-making facilities, flat-screen TVs, and furnished outdoor spaces -- some with ocean views. Note that past guests have complained of early-morning lounger reserving, musty smells in rooms, and noise from the bar. Travelers looking for a smaller hotel in the same area can check out AVANI Bentota Resort & Spa, which is pricier, but offers a more relaxed experience.
The 71-room Hotel Goldi Sands is a mid-range property with an excellent setting along the beach, near ample restaurants and a 25-minute drive from the airport. Rooms are simple but appealing, outfitted with flat-screen TVs, artwork, and mini-fridges, and many with sea-view balconies. However, some are showing a bit of wear and tear, and occasionally bathrooms have an unpleasant odor. Although there's no gym, facilities include a long outdoor pool with hot tub, a sandy area with wooden loungers facing the ocean, and a spa offering Ayurveda treatments. The well-reviewed restaurant and bar serves buffet-style meals, but not all rates include breakfast. Travelers looking for a more upscale stay may prefer the nearby Jetwing Blue.
The 71-room Hotel Goldi Sands is a mid-range property with an excellent setting along the beach, near ample restaurants and a 25-minute drive from the airport. Rooms are simple but appealing, outfitted with flat-screen TVs, artwork, and mini-fridges, and many with sea-view balconies. However, some are showing a bit of wear and tear, and occasionally bathrooms have an unpleasant odor. Although there's no gym, facilities include a long outdoor pool with hot tub, a sandy area with wooden loungers facing the ocean, and a spa offering Ayurveda treatments. The well-reviewed restaurant and bar serves buffet-style meals, but not all rates include breakfast. Travelers looking for a more upscale stay may prefer the nearby Jetwing Blue.
The 200-room upscale Cinnamon Bey Beruwala resort on the southwest coast of Sri Lanka combines austere modernist architecture with artful Turkish design to create an understated atmosphere right on the Indian Ocean. Rooms are elegant and simple, with striking wood lattice work, contemporary furniture, and ocean-facing terraces, though couples looking for romance should upgrade to Deluxe Rooms for extra seating and use of an exclusive pool (one of three on the grounds). Sunset views are particularly spectacular and the hotel has a number of restaurant options including an airy buffet with international dishes and live-cooking stations. The adjacent beach isn't the best for swimming and guests looking for a better beach should consider Centara Ceysands Resort on Bentota Beach, which has rooms at a lower price point.
The 200-room upscale Cinnamon Bey Beruwala resort on the southwest coast of Sri Lanka combines austere modernist architecture with artful Turkish design to create an understated atmosphere right on the Indian Ocean. Rooms are elegant and simple, with striking wood lattice work, contemporary furniture, and ocean-facing terraces, though couples looking for romance should upgrade to Deluxe Rooms for extra seating and use of an exclusive pool (one of three on the grounds). Sunset views are particularly spectacular and the hotel has a number of restaurant options including an airy buffet with international dishes and live-cooking stations. The adjacent beach isn't the best for swimming and guests looking for a better beach should consider Centara Ceysands Resort on Bentota Beach, which has rooms at a lower price point.
This 158-room upscale Eden Resort & Spa, on the southwest coast of Sri Lanka, opened in 1995 and claims to be the first spa hotel in the country. Following a 2013 partial renovation, today it attracts Asian and European tourists who rely on its contemporary and elegant rooms with wood or granite floors, flat-screen TVs, and patios or balconies. The pool and swim-up bar draw a lively crowd during the day, as does the pub in the evenings, though the resort's lawn and the on-site Ayurvedic spa also offer peace and quiet. Great food and drink options include fine dining at Temptations and the new rooftop lounge, 7th Heaven, though guests should keep in mind that the adjacent public beach isn't the best for swimming. For a more intimate vibe, guests should try Nisala Arana Boutique Hotel, with stunning tropical grounds, though it's not next to the ocean.
This 158-room upscale Eden Resort & Spa, on the southwest coast of Sri Lanka, opened in 1995 and claims to be the first spa hotel in the country. Following a 2013 partial renovation, today it attracts Asian and European tourists who rely on its contemporary and elegant rooms with wood or granite floors, flat-screen TVs, and patios or balconies. The pool and swim-up bar draw a lively crowd during the day, as does the pub in the evenings, though the resort's lawn and the on-site Ayurvedic spa also offer peace and quiet. Great food and drink options include fine dining at Temptations and the new rooftop lounge, 7th Heaven, though guests should keep in mind that the adjacent public beach isn't the best for swimming. For a more intimate vibe, guests should try Nisala Arana Boutique Hotel, with stunning tropical grounds, though it's not next to the ocean.
This spacious 160-room hotel in southwest Sri Lanka (near historic Galle) has a rare cliffside location with dramatic views of the Indian Ocean from several vantage points. Vivanta is Taj’s upscale (versus luxury) brand, and modern rooms all have private balconies. Four dining options serve quality cuisine (a Taj trait) and a trendy bar has sunset views and upbeat music. Daytime activities are pretty restricted to the outdoor pool, spa, fitness center, and huge beach, but water sports and excursions can be arranged through guest services. For a more intimate stay and guaranteed ocean views from rooms, consider the slightly more luxurious (and expensive) Saman Villas.
This spacious 160-room hotel in southwest Sri Lanka (near historic Galle) has a rare cliffside location with dramatic views of the Indian Ocean from several vantage points. Vivanta is Taj’s upscale (versus luxury) brand, and modern rooms all have private balconies. Four dining options serve quality cuisine (a Taj trait) and a trendy bar has sunset views and upbeat music. Daytime activities are pretty restricted to the outdoor pool, spa, fitness center, and huge beach, but water sports and excursions can be arranged through guest services. For a more intimate stay and guaranteed ocean views from rooms, consider the slightly more luxurious (and expensive) Saman Villas.
This 75-room, upscale beach resort on the southwestern coast of Sri Lanka has competitive prices and attractive tropical modern style. All rooms have contemporary furnishings, free Wi-Fi, and work desks; bathrooms come with glass walk-in showers. The vibe is quiet and relaxed (perhaps too relaxed for some), and there are two a la carte restaurants and two bars. The expansive beach remains free of crowds, but most tend to plant themselves at one of two outdoor pools divided by a large lawn space. Saman Villas and Vivanta by Taj are nicer but also pricier, while those looking to save may want to consider the typically cheaper Surf Hotel.
This 75-room, upscale beach resort on the southwestern coast of Sri Lanka has competitive prices and attractive tropical modern style. All rooms have contemporary furnishings, free Wi-Fi, and work desks; bathrooms come with glass walk-in showers. The vibe is quiet and relaxed (perhaps too relaxed for some), and there are two a la carte restaurants and two bars. The expansive beach remains free of crowds, but most tend to plant themselves at one of two outdoor pools divided by a large lawn space. Saman Villas and Vivanta by Taj are nicer but also pricier, while those looking to save may want to consider the typically cheaper Surf Hotel.
This clean and basic 66-room hotel along Negombo Beach is close to the airport and a good pick for those seeking budget accommodations in Sri Lanka. A variety of rooms and suites have balconies, flat-screen TVs, mini-fridges, and free bottled water. Bright colors and contemporary furnishings add pizzazz to the overall look, but bathrooms have outdated tiles. There's a standard buffet restaurant serving all three meals (breakfast is free), and a fun highlight is the Pirate Bar with authentic English pub decor. Manicured grounds lead to a public beach area -- sunsets are beautiful from here -- though most guests choose to plant themselves around the outdoor pool, which could use more lounge chairs.
This clean and basic 66-room hotel along Negombo Beach is close to the airport and a good pick for those seeking budget accommodations in Sri Lanka. A variety of rooms and suites have balconies, flat-screen TVs, mini-fridges, and free bottled water. Bright colors and contemporary furnishings add pizzazz to the overall look, but bathrooms have outdated tiles. There's a standard buffet restaurant serving all three meals (breakfast is free), and a fun highlight is the Pirate Bar with authentic English pub decor. Manicured grounds lead to a public beach area -- sunsets are beautiful from here -- though most guests choose to plant themselves around the outdoor pool, which could use more lounge chairs.
