Ocean View is a small beach hotel and restaurant on Galle Road at the southern end of Bentota, on Sri Lanka's south-west coast. As its name suggests, the draw is the sea: many rooms have balconies or terraces looking out over the Indian Ocean, and the beach in front is a clean, uncrowded stretch of sand. It suits travellers who want a simple, friendly base by the water rather than a large resort.
The hotel stands beside the A2 Galle Road at Robolgoda in Bentota, a short walk from the beach, with the coastal railway line running close by, so passing trains are part of the soundtrack. Bentota railway station is about 1.2 km to the north and Aluthgama station about 2.3 km away. Bentota Lake is around 1.5 km from the hotel, and the nearest turtle hatchery is about 1 km away.
Bandaranaike International Airport (CMB) is about 110 km from Bentota by road, and the drive around Colombo and down the Southern Expressway usually takes 1.5 to 2 hours, depending on traffic. The easiest way to arrive after a long flight is a private airport transfer booked in advance with Lakpura: an English-speaking driver meets you in the arrivals hall and takes you straight to the hotel in an air-conditioned car, van or coach sized for your group, from 2 up to 15 guests, at a fixed price for the whole vehicle rather than per seat. The same service works in reverse for your departure flight. Book the Colombo (CMB) Airport transfer to Ocean View.
Rooms range from simple fan-cooled doubles with a balcony to air-conditioned rooms facing the sea, and some units have a kitchen and their own seating or dining area. Each room has a private bathroom with a shower, a wardrobe and an in-room safe. Guests who want the full view, and cooler nights in the hotter months, should ask for a sea-facing, air-conditioned room when booking.
The hotel's own restaurant serves both international and Sri Lankan food, with fresh fish a regular feature, and meals can be taken on the terrace overlooking the ocean. There is also a sun terrace and a barbecue area for evenings by the sea.
The beach is the main attraction, good for swimming in calm conditions and for watching the sunset. The hotel has a tour desk and can arrange bike hire, car hire and water sports such as windsurfing and snorkelling, and the Bentota River and lagoon to the north are the centre for boat trips into the mangroves, jet skiing and water-skiing. Further along the coast are the turtle hatcheries of Kosgoda, the Madu River, the mask makers of Ambalangoda and Galle Fort, an easy day trip. Lakpura can arrange private transfers and day tours to all of these from the hotel.
Bookable activities, tours, and tickets within a 25 km radius.
Pre-book a private vehicle for arrival, departure, or onward travel.
