The Villa Bentota is a stylish beachside villa, set outside the town of Bentota, on Sri Lanka’s southwestern coast. Originally a `Mohotti Walauwa’, a beautiful manor house, it was renovated by iconic Sri Lankan architect Geoffrey Bawa into a gorgeous boutique hotel. Now owned by design guru Shanth Fernando, it has been transformed into a chic, seaside retreat but without diluting its original charm. It is ideally located close to a sandy strip known as Paradise Island.
Housed within the walled gardens of an extensive coconut grove estate, The Villa Bentota has just 15 air-conditioned rooms and suites. All are stylishly furnished with king-sized beds draped in fine linen, minibars and en-suite bathrooms. Expect beach-facing balconies with super sea views, garden-gazing bath tubs in Superior Suites and private plunge pool in an Executive Suite. Contemporary Sri Lankan and Western dishes are served in the Villa Café and delectable cocktails in the adjoining bar.
There are plenty of spaces to relax and unwind at the Villa Bentota including a nearly 23-metre swimming pool. In the surrounds, Bentota’s beaches are broad and sandy and arguably the most family-friendly on the island. Numerous watersports are on offer nearby at Bentota lagoon including surfing, snorkelling, and jet skiing. Inland tour include visit to the Cinnamon Island, Kosgoda Turtle Conservation Project and visit to the nearby Geoffrey Bawa's house, Lunuganga.
Amenities
Bar/PubConciergeCribs/Infant Beds AvailableFamily RoomGardenLibraryMultilingual StaffOutdoor PoolPrivate BeachRestaurantSafety Deposit BoxesSpa/SaunaWi-Fi AvailableStay The Villa Bentota has just 15 rooms and suites. Each has its own unique character, but all share the same signature Bawa-inspired monochrome style: an artful combination of contemporary and classic leanings. The smaller Standard Rooms may have direct garden access, Superior Suites are much roomier and come with a private veranda, balcony or roof terrace. The luxurious `Mohotti Suite’ consists of two double rooms, living room and freestanding bathtub with garden and sea view.
ChildCare Families with children are welcome to stay at the Villa Bentota hotel but there are specific facilities available for children.
Dine Dining at the Villa Bentota is in the Villa Café, an open-sided pillared pavilion. The cosmopolitan a la carte menu is created by head chef, Nishantha Liyanage, who came from Paradise Road’s celebrated Gallery Café in Colombo. As such it includes many of its signature dishes such as Black Pork Curry and Sri Lankan Prawn Curry as well as ginger chicken and grilled lobster. There’s even an authentic pizza oven, plus homemade ice creams. The cafe is linked to a bar which spill onto a deck.
Relax For relaxation there are two swimming pools at the Villa Bentota. Guests have an easy access to the beach and the 'Villa Spa' managed by Spa Ceylon Ayurveda offers treatments on appointment. The 'Villa Shop' – Paradise Road gift store offers 10% discount for residents and the 'Villa Gallery' has space featuring local contemporary artists with art for sale.
Experience Set on the southwest coast, the Villa Bentota offers a wide range of activities at the nearby Bentota lagoon including surfing, snorkelling, and jet skiing. Cruise through the Madu Ganga River mangroves and explore its river islands, home to over 111 bird species. Visit the Kosgoda Turtle Conservation Project and view some of the endangered species. Culture tour can include a visit to the Galle Dutch Fort, Kande Viharaya that dates back to 1700s and Geoffrey Bawa’s gardens at Lunuganga.
Location Villa Bentota is right on the beach at Bentota, just off the main Colombo-Galle road, south of Colombo on Sri Lanka's south west coast.
Getting there Fly to Bandaranaike International Airport in Colombo. From the airport we recommend leaving 2-hours for the journey to The Villa Bentota.
When to go Sri Lanka is a year-round destination with consistently warm temperatures and lots of sunshine. There are two monsoon seasons but they only bring rain to the west and south-west coasts from May to September; and the east coast and northern region between October and February. The rest of the year is sunny and dry but the months of December to April are probably the best time to visit. Colombo and the low-lying coastal regions have an average temperature of 27°C.
Destination
Beaches, Sri Lanka
Featured
Discover sides of Asia you never knew existed, revealed by people who know every facet.
Featured
June 01 - 1, June 01, 2025
Featured
June 01 - 1, June 01, 2025
Here is a small selection of the kind words our clients have said us recently.
“I would like to thank Asian Geographical Expeditions staff for organising a perfect holiday for my family to Dubai, Sri Lanka and the Maldives…”
“We are grateful for the exceptional planning and care taken by Asian Geographical Expeditions to ensure our holiday was perfect.”
“… organised by Asian Geographical Expeditions following a recommendation from a close friend. He wasn’t wrong! Asian Geographical Expeditions immediately showed us their professionalism, care and attention to our wishes.”
“Thank you for suggesting the helicopter ride to Everest Base Camp and breakfast with a view of Mt Everest—a truly spectacular moment.”
“The history and cultural specialists also deserve a mention for the way they illuminated the heritage of the places we visited, as does the Buddhist scholar with his apparently boundless knowledge.”
“We were very impressed to learn that its CEO had led some amazing first-ever expeditions … Clearly, he’s still an ace at organising expeditions.”
“Tibet was a revelation … it surely was a blessing to travel back to the region after 50 years … Thank you, Asian Geographical Expeditions, for making this possible.”
"Everything went smoothly, and we want to thank our friendly guides and driver who shared their personal stories and the rich histories of their countries. That is the AGE difference."
"A heartfelt thank you to all the staff at Asian Geographical Expeditions who made this super trip possible."
"… we had a stress-free trip, ‘hands-free’, enabling us to enjoy the sights and rich cultures of Dubai and Oman ."
"The meticulous care, support and guidance provided by Asian Geographical Expeditions made the trip extra-special."
"The itinerary was as we expected... the Asian Geographical Expeditions did a fantastic job, going the extra mile to ensure we had the best holiday ever.”
"The attention to detail shone through every aspect of our journey … we gained a deep understanding of a region that remains enigmatic to many. Thanks for a remarkable travel experience!"
"I am deeply grateful to the entire team at Asian Geographical Expeditions for their dedication and hard work in crafting such a memorable holiday."
"The guides were exceptional—they clearly loved sharing their knowledge and insights into the local culture and history."
"We were really impressed with the immaculate organisation ... The Asian Geographical Expeditions team kept in communication during the tour, ensuring that each of our members was comfortable."
"The detailed itinerary and thoughtful pre-trip information removed all stress from our travels, which went off without a hitch, allowing us to dive deep into the stunning landscapes and rich cultures of Central Asia."
"The hospitality was truly remarkable... we are immensely grateful to the team for their efforts and look forward to our next adventure with Asian Geographical Expeditions."
"Every detail of our trip was superbly executed... (and) the exceptional attentiveness of the guides added a feeling of luxury and comfort that was much appreciated."
"The guides were not only knowledgeable but also truly passionate about sharing their rich cultural histories, which added a personal touch that was deeply appreciated."
"Every aspect of the trip, from guides to accommodation and the well-planned itinerary ... was seamlessly orchestrated. We will always recommend Asian Geographical Expeditions for anyone looking to explore Central Asia in unparalleled depth and comfort."
