The Villa Bentota

The Villa Bentota is a celebrated 15-room boutique hotel in Bentota set just back from a lengthy sweep of sunset-facing beach. It holds great cultural significance since it was designed by the late Geoffrey Bawa, an influential Sri Lankan architect. Built in the 1970s and originally called the ‘Mohotti Walauwa’, this was also one of the island’s very first boutique hotels. Nearly 50 years later, and after a sensitive upgrade and renovation overseen by British interior designer George Cooper, it relaunched in July 2021 under KK Collection management as a sister hotel to Kahanda Kanda and KK Beach.

The hotel sits in two acres of private grounds shaded by coconut palms, and has two swimming pools, a restaurant, a bar, a chic boutique and plenty of areas to unwind. Seven rooms are suites, and these spacious bedrooms – often on higher floors with deep garden- and ocean-facing balconies or terraces – are stylishly furnished with antique four-poster beds. There are a range of room categories including a two-bedroom Family Room and some very affordable entry level rooms.

Dining is an experience to be cherished. Guests tuck into fusion menus and Sri Lankan dishes in a range of settings including the bar terrace, room balconies, lush grounds and the beach. The palm-studded gardens make a dreamy backdrop for weddings and events, and the hotel can cater to up to 250 guests.