Strolling down the beach in Bentota was something of a sweet surprise to me as a first time visitor to Sri Lanka. How could we have this gorgeous, stretch of golden sand almost all to ourselves? I soon found out, that’s just one of the beauties of the quiet coastal town of Bentota. Even better, just a few sandy steps away was where we called home for a few days at the Centara Ceysands Resort, Sri Lanka.
Beautiful and empty Bentota Beach, Sri Lanka all to ourselves. Image © Skye Gilkeson
Peeking through a row of palm trees Centara Ceysands Resort & Spa, is located on the Bentota peninsula, taking advantage of a beach frontage on one side of the property and a river frontage on the other. Boarding a boat that carries guests across the lagoon to the hotel, it’s clear the property has taken full advantage of its position, designed to offer guests glimpses of water from their rooms as well as the dining and leisure areas.
Centara Ceysands claims prime position on the Bentota peninsula, showcasing the river and the beach on either side of the resort. Image © Skye Gilkeson
Pulling into the wharf for check in, we were handed a cool drink and sweet smelling refreshing towels. From our arrival, it was made clear to us that our job was to enjoy the stay, and the staff would worry about the rest. That’s exactly what you hope for at a 5-star hotel, but you don’t always find.
View from our living room balcony at Centara Ceysands, Bentota Sri lanka. Image © Skye Gilkeson
Deluxe One Bedroom Suite at Centara Ceysands
The property has 165 rooms, making it a great choice for groups and corporates. They also cater specifically to families with Family Residences and suites, a kids club and babysitting available. We stayed in a Deluxe One Bedroom Suite, positioned with views to both the beach in front and pool area down below. Dark wooden furniture, soft furnishings in earthy tones with accents of green, gold and red gave the suite a very modern, Sri Lankan feel. We had a living room with a TV, a comfortable lounge and coffee table, a corner desk, buffet and mini bar and a balcony with a table and chairs to watch the sunset across the ocean. The bedroom featured a king-sized bed with a balcony overlooking the pool a huge bathroom with a tub. With plenty of room to spread out and a plate of welcome canapés and fresh fruit we were made to feel instantly at home.
King bed with a view of the pool below and beach beyond, Centara Ceysands, Sri Lanka. Image © Skye Gilkeson
Welcome canapés and fruit basket in our Suite at Centara Ceysands, Sri Lanka. Image © Skye Gilkeson
Swimmers brave a short evening shower for a dip in the pool. View from our bedroom balcony at Centara Ceysands, Bentota, Sri Lanka
Centara Ceysands Resort & Spa
Aluthgama, Sri Lanka , Sri Lanka
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WATCH our afternoon spent in Unawatuna and Galle here
The Fit Traveller was a guest of Centara Hotels & Resorts for this stay. As always, the opinions and words are authentically our own.
Skye is the founder and editor-in-chief of The Fit Traveller.
She is a journalist, writer, photographer, intrepid traveller and a former personal trainer with a passion for helping others reach optimal health.
As a TV journalist and producer, Skye has worked for household names such as 60 Minutes, Sunrise, TODAY and Nine News. She has also written for Women’s Health, Fodor’s Travel and Yahoo7 Travel, among many others.
Equally comfortable in a 5-star resort or hiking a far-off mountain, Skye loves the unexpected and enriching life experiences that each trip brings and can often be found in a backstreet chatting to locals with her camera in hand.
Skye is based in Sydney, working to master the balance between motherhood and her appetite for adventure.
Read more about Skye’s story here.