Club Bentota is a beach resort of 146 rooms on Paradise Island, the narrow strip of land at Aluthgama where the Bentota River runs alongside the Indian Ocean before meeting it. With the river on one side and the sea on the other, guests can choose between ocean and river views, and the hotel is reached by a short boat ride of about three minutes across the river to its lobby. The resort has its own private beach and a well-equipped water sports centre.
The resort lies on Paradise Island in Aluthgama, on Sri Lanka's south-west coast, at the northern end of the Bentota beach strip. Aluthgama town and its railway station are about a kilometre away, Bentota railway station is about 2 km south, and Colombo is around 60 km to the north. The beach runs along the ocean side of the property, while the river side faces the mainland and the boat landing.
Bandaranaike International Airport (CMB) is about 105 km from Aluthgama by road, and the drive usually takes 1.5 to 2 hours on the airport and Southern expressways, depending on traffic around Colombo. The simplest 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's boat landing 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 Club Bentota.
The 146 rooms are divided between Superior Bungalows, Deluxe Rooms and Suites, and each opens onto a private balcony or terrace with a view of either the Indian Ocean or the Bentota River. The suites have a separate living room and bedroom. Rooms have individually controlled air-conditioning, a mini-fridge and a digital safe.
The Garden Restaurant is the main restaurant, serving Eastern and Western dishes at breakfast, lunch and dinner, with themed dinners and children's menus. Drinks are served at the Terrace Bar, and the River Restaurant, looking over the Bentota River, is used for private functions. Candle-lit dinners can be arranged in quieter corners of the grounds, and there is in-room dining.
The water sports centre has jet skis, water skis, surfboards and speed boats, and instructors on hand. There is an outdoor pool with a separate children's pool, a playground, tennis, volleyball and billiards, and CocoSpa offers Ayurvedic treatments, herbal baths, massages and a steam room. A shopping arcade, travel desk and currency exchange complete the facilities, and the hotel also hosts weddings.
The Bentota River is right on the doorstep, and boat cruises up the river into the mangroves are the classic outing from the hotel. Bentota's long beach stretches south of the island, and Galle Fort makes an easy day trip down the coast. Lakpura can arrange private transfers and day tours from the hotel.
Avoid this hotel unless you are looking for a Fawlty Towers experience with a touch of mold and a constant "sorry, not available" for everything at the bar (including soft drinks and wine). The food was surprisingly good, but that…
One of the best hotels in Sri Lanka We stayed at the club bentota hotel, and it was an amazing experience. The staff were incredibly helpful and ensured we had a wonderful vacation. The hotel's garden was stunning and created suc…
We truly enjoyed our stay at the hotel. The food was absolutely delicious, the atmosphere was wonderful, and what impressed us most was the exceptional care and hospitality we received throughout our stay. The staff were warm, att…
Ratings and reviews provided by TripAdvisor for Club Bentota.
Bookable activities, tours, and tickets within a 25 km radius.
Pre-book a private vehicle for arrival, departure, or onward travel.
