My husband and I just returned from a two-week stay at Taj Bentota, and I cannot recommend it highly enough! From the moment we arrived, we were welcomed with the warmest hospitality. The staff were incredible – friendly, attentive, and always ready to make our stay as enjoyable as possible. It felt like they genuinely cared about making us feel at home.
The property itself is absolutely stunning. Set along a beautiful stretch of beach, the resort offers breathtaking views from nearly every corner. Whether we were lounging by the pool or dining at one of the restaurants, we had the pleasure of soaking in the amazing coastal scenery.
The hotel room was spacious and clean, offering a comfortable and relaxing space, with all the amenities you could need for a comfortable stay. The housekeeping team, Saman, Harsha, Sanath and, in particular, Lenora, did an excellent job, and we always returned to a room that was spotless and refreshing. We absolutely loved the special towel displays that the housekeeping team created for us every day. It was such a thoughtful and fun touch that made our stay feel even more personalised and special! However, the room did show some signs of wear and could benefit from a renovation, particularly in the bathroom. The shower head could use an upgrade, and the grouting in the shower area was a bit worn. While these were minor issues, they did stand out in an otherwise excellent room.
Dining at Taj Bentota was an indulgent treat! We enjoyed a variety of local and international dishes, all expertly prepared and beautifully presented. The breakfast spread was especially impressive – fresh fruit, pastries, made-to-order special dosas and Sri Lankan specialties. What truly made our stay exceptional was the warm hospitality of the restaurant team; Tarupathy came and introduced himself to us on our very first evening there and figured out our favourite foods, and further introduced us to the Indian chefs, Dalip Singh and Jasveer Singh. They were an absolute delight, treating us like family and going above and beyond to ensure our culinary experience was nothing short of exceptional. Their warmth and dedication to their craft were evident in every dish they prepared. Tarupathy always made sure we were happy with everything, getting to know it better, and talking to us about our travels around Sri Lanka as well as helping with recommendations to make our visit more enjoyable. We were also truly impressed by the restaurant staff’s attention to detail (like remembering what our tea/coffee preferences were, to warming up our favourite pastries and the surprise messages on our cappuccinos) and their warm hospitality, in particular Asiri, Sam, Harith, Dilan and Janitha. Nothing was ever too much effort for them, and they always greeted us with a smile. Their kindness and dedication really made our dining experience unforgettable.
The resort offered plenty of activities to keep us busy. I enjoyed the daily aqua aerobics with Janaka - he made the sessions challenging enough and fun; a definite welcome as it allowed for a slightly less guilty feeling when I indulged in my next meal! The fitness centre was well equipped- and I enjoyed using it for a few quick weight resistance training sessions. We really enjoyed using the steam room and sauna during our stay, which were located in the fitness centre. However, it was a bit disappointing that these were not always available to use as they were switched off and the people in charge of operating them were not always around.
During our stay, I had a couple of Indian aromatherapy massages at the spa ; my therapist Aimit was just amazing, I felt so relaxed after each of the massages. My spa experience was almost perfect; it was soured slightly by an issue with the pricing. When I booked my treatment, I was quoted one price, but on the day of the appointment I was tracked down by the Spa doctor at breakfast to be informed of a price increase. I raised my concerns at the time, and I was reassured that the original price would be honored. However, at check-out, I noticed I was still charged the full amount and had to go through the process of getting the price corrected. While the issue was eventually resolved, it was a bit frustrating to have to deal with this after an otherwise relaxing experience.
We enjoyed sitting on the sun beds by the pool and simply unwinding, taking in the peaceful, beautiful views of the palm trees and the sea. The pool attendants were always smiling and happy to help out in any way possible. Kannangara was very attentive and regularly checking we were comfortable and looked after us well with food and drinks. We particularly enjoyed the fresh king coconuts; although we felt Taj is missing a beat by not chilling them.
The daily line up at 5.45pm of the puja dance and lighting the diya - a nice touch Taj Bentota. It was so amazing that we got to experience a touch of the beautiful Sri Lankan Cultural/Traditional dancing - the dancers were exceptional and so talented.
Our experience was made even more special by the bar staff, in particular Ashek and Don, and live entertainment. It was the perfect way to unwind after a day of relaxation, and the live music really added to the atmosphere, making our evenings memorable.
Overall, what really stood out to us and which we really appreciated, was the exceptional service. Every staff member, from the door men, the front desk, the restaurant servers to house keeping team, went out of their way to ensure we were well taken care of. We celebrated my husband’s birthday there; they even surprised us with a special treat – a personal touch that made the celebration even more memorable.
The breathtaking views, exceptional service and warm hospitality made our stay at the Taj Bentota truly special. If you’re looking for a luxurious yet homey escape, Taj Bentota is the place to be. We left feeling completely pampered and are already planning our next trip back!
Thank you Taj Bentota for your outstanding service and unforgettable memories!
