Waterside Bentota Hotel

We liked everything about the hotel. Friendly and helpful staff, great location overlooking the river and very good food. Highly recommended.

We liked everything.

Super friendly and helpful staff. Good breakfast and dinner at the onsite restaurant. Love the location, outside of main town and right on the lake, really nice sitting out on the lake watching sunset. Nice pool as well.

It's an older property and the rooms are rather outdated, could definitely use a refresh/remodel.

Beautiful location. Friendly and attentive staff. Good quality food.

Rooms are comfortable and clean but some need updating.

Stunning location peaceful and relaxing but within an easy tuk tuk ride to Bentota town and beach. The staff were super helpful, friendly and accommodating. Food was excellent especially the fresh fish.

Nothing. Although tea/coffee making facilities in the room would further enhance the stay.

The location was not easy to find but once there this was a hidden treasure with beautiful views of the river and very peaceful

Getting to the location

Great ambiance and very friendly staff . Food was breath of fresh air considering the quality of food wasn't great outside . They cooked light meals for our kid too which was very helpful.

Breakfast was great. Location is slightly inside (couple kilometers) however we got the hotel boat service to go to the nearby water sports facilities.

We booked this lovely little spot last-minute and were so glad we did! We arrived to a beautiful lakeside view, welcome drinks, a 'welcome home' message in petals on the bed - it was a real treat from the get-go. The staff were incredibly friendly and helpful. The rooms and pool are perfectly clean and a good size. We were treated to a beautiful candlelit dinner by the lake - delicious food and wine (the veggie rice and curry was superb), friendly service. It was one of the highlights of our 3-week trip. The property arranged an early morning boat safari (head chef as guide) followed up with a spectacular breakfast spread. The property really couldn't have done anything more to make our stay more relaxing. No need to eat elsewhere - the on-site restaurant is excellent and very accommodating.

We really enjoyed the boat safari - lovely sunrise, lots of birds, monkeys, baby crocs - but expect to be saddened by the amount of plastic waste entangled in the mangroves.

Excellent staff, always trying to make you feel comfortable. Amile and Nuan were very attentive, always checking if we had all we needed, and going that extra mile to arrange stuff for us. The location is great, right on the bentota river.

Everything was great, the bathtub is slightly older and the switchboards can be renovated.

Everything was superb!!! Thr hospitality .. the location .. the view .. the food.. we loved everything about this place... the staff are the kindest and they helped us feel like home from the moment we arrived till the time we left.. we Love you!! Thank you for everything!!!

Non

Beautiful peaceful riverside locationThe staff were just lovely, so friendly and helpfulAmazing food!Very comfy spacious bedroom with balcony overlooking the poolEasy tuk tuk ride or 20 minute walk to the beach

Location and outlook from room were wonderful,overlooking pool gardens and river, staff were wonderful and caring, excellent food. These people were really making sure we were looked after. Organised a river cruise for us, saw a crocodile & monitor lizard. Also made me a birthday cake & dressed the table up beautifully.

The Waterside is set In beautiful, peaceful gardens on the Bentota riverside. If you are lucky you may see the local wildlife passing through the garden. During our stay we saw Water monitor, Mongoose, Porcupine, Sea Eagles, Kingfisher, Fruit bats. Every evening between 6-6.30pm the Fruit bats leave to feed, it is a spectacular sight seeing hundreds of Fruit bats flying together. Our room was on the 1st floor with a large balcony with views over the garden, lovely swimming pool & river. The room was large & comfortable & tastefully decorated, the bathroom had bath & shower. All staff at the Waterside provided exceptional service which made our stay very special.All meals at the Waterside were delicious, Saman is an exceptional Chef.We will definitely stay at the Waterside during our next visit, we would not consider staying anywhere else, thank you for making our holiday so special.

Nothing, everything was perfect for us.

Waterside is on the bank of the river and property was stunningly beautiful. Rooms were BIG and very conformable. close to Bentota beach. I would love to visit again.

road to the property is very narrow

The location is by the Bentota river. The property offers a boat safari into the river that takes you through the mangroves. The pricing for the boat ride in an off season is very reasonable. The food is simple but very well made. The entire staff at Waterside Bentota was extremely hospitable and helpful.

The room did not come with a kettle and cups, but we were promptly provided these upon request. The AC took some time to cool the room and we noticed it especially because it was terribly hot and humid outside.

Brilliant relaxing, tranquil garden with large pool. Watching thousands of Vine bats at sunset from the pool or our balcony from our deluxe room. Location for us walking distance to large Bentota Buddha and on to the station and beach, park and cafe, or short tuk tuk ride. Peaceful, excellent for bird watching, Krested hawk eagles, Brahminy Kites, Vine bats, Kingfishers, Egrets, Bee Eaters, Mynah birds.. 4th time in Bentota first here hope sincerely to go back. Staff excellent did everything to make us comfortable. On my request gave me an airer to dry clothes on the balcony. Discussed vegetarian options breakfast, lunch and evening meal. Loved the Sri Lankan food we requested. Bedroom a dream, large comfey bed, air conditioning, lovely bathroom, TV for news, views from the balcony to reflect on. Enjoyed bird watching on early morning boat trip and invited to visit owners farm. Enjoyed discussing the longer term future plans and changes to organic farming. Visited Panchakapaduwa Buddist secret island along the beach back track in the shade again. Wonderful 4 days very sad to leave. Thank you to all the staff. So relaxing.

Nothing. We took a portable drink heater for tea and coffee but most of the time had it at the restaurant.

Food was very good , chef cooked beautiful meals at a very reasonable price .Resort only had one other couple and they gave us a free upgrade to a balcony which was very nice of them , they organised transport to our next location which all went to plan. Also a taxi to do a couple of sights and helped us grab a couple of Advocados at the market. Everyone went above and beyond for the 3 days we stayed.

Only one gripe which I sort of feel bad mentioning but I feel the need to prepare other unsuspecting people that may read the reviews for the river safari which was one of the reasons I booked this accomodation. We were all Ok with the cost quoted at 12,000 LKR (60AUS)but it was what happened when we were taken to an unexpected spice garden which turned out to be a very elaborate scam and we got sucked in hook line and sinker. We didnt even have cash or our card with us but we were then accompanied in the boat with a man in a suit for us to pay on card 19800LKR close to Aus 100. It ate into our time to see what we went for on the safari , . Having said that I would just recommend giving the spice garden a complete miss!!!!

We booked for one week and decided to stay another week. We liked it there very much, friendly staff, spacious rooms, large pool, good meals. It is a a short walk to the beach and Bentota town, but we decided to stay there, enjoy the waterfront porch at the river, used the pool and just - relaxed. Its a small hotel where you can find peace and quitness.

The property is beautiful and situated just on the bank of the river Bentotta .Enjoyed the river safari organized by them.The staff is very friendly and courteous.Will definitely visit again.

We had an amazing three nights here and would have liked to stay longer. Such a peaceful location overlooking the lagoon and a beautiful pool to swim in. Dinner was delicious with an amazing variety of delicious curries. We were made to feel very welcome and at home and nothing was too much trouble.

It was all perfect.