Rock Villa is a small heritage hotel in Bentota, built around an old walauwa, the kind of manor house that once belonged to Sri Lanka's landed families. Now run by Nyne Hotels and formerly part of the Taru Villas collection, it keeps its colonial-era rooms and verandahs in a large tropical garden that runs down towards a quiet stretch of beach, with two pools and a spa pavilion in the grounds.
The villa stands on Neelisgewatta Road at Alawatugoda in Bentota, on the south-west coast. Its garden ends at the coastal railway line, and the beach lies just across the track, so the sea is a short walk from the rooms. Bentota railway station is about 0.4 km away and Aluthgama station about 1.4 km, both on the line between Colombo and Galle.
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 Rock Villa.
The rooms keep the old-world feel of the house, with king-size beds, air conditioning and private bathrooms with rain showers. Superior Rooms of about 230 sq ft open onto a spacious verandah, and Deluxe Rooms are slightly larger at about 270 sq ft. The Pool Suite has two bedrooms and its own private pool, sleeping four, while the Walauwa Suite occupies the oldest and finest part of the house. The whole villa can also be taken for a private group.
Rock Villa has two pools set in the garden, a restaurant serving Sri Lankan dishes and international favourites, a licensed bar and a spa offering massages, with private yoga sessions in the garden on request. Seafood barbecues can be arranged on the beach, and the lawns are used for croquet and bocce. The garden is also home to birds and monkeys.
Water sports along the coast and boat trips on the Madu River and through the mangroves of the Bentota River are the classic outings. Close by are the turtle hatcheries of Kosgoda, Brief Garden created by Bevis Bawa, and Lunuganga, Geoffrey Bawa's own country estate, while the mask makers of Ambalangoda and Galle Fort are within reach for a 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.
