Thaala Bentota

amazing

Had an amaaazing stay at Thaala. Great food, great service and good value for money. Starting from welcome to check-out, the staff has been really helpful and always took care of us. Can recommend for someone who loves beach, nature and architecture.

Stayed here for 5 days, here are the pro’s and con’s: Pro’s - Beautiful gardens, lots of sun loungers, pools are kept very clean, Bentota Beach is amazing and goes on for miles. Food is very good, the buffet restaurants have a great variety of food, there is usually a theme each night but you can always get Sri Lankan choices (which is very good). The staff are lovely and cannot do enough for you. Con’s - The hotel is next to the railway line, the trains are very noisy and especially early in the morning blow there air horns to warn anyone at the unmanned crossing near hotel reception that there are coming. These “alarm calls” start at 5.30 and go on for each half hour after that. So if you are a light sleeper you are going to be woken every 30 mins. The “all-inclusive” is anything but, you are restricted to where you can eat and what you can drink. I ordered a coke zero and was told it wasn’t included, you can have other sugary drinks but only sugar free option is water. But not the bottled stuff, no, only out of the tap. The beer needs to be in a glass, no bottled Lion Lager which the other guests drink and is considerably colder than what I get. The cocktails are also very much restricted, there are a choice of about 6-7, my favourite being Pina Colada, but the all inclusive version does not have Malibu in it, you have to pay a few thousand Rupees for the “real” version. Bearing in mind the cost of all inclusive its really not worth it and you feel like the poor relative. Also annoyingly you have to sign a bill for each zero cost purchase, and the staff chase you around with a “bill”. Entertainment in the bar is a series of guys on a keyboard, they are okay, but the Sri Lankan cultural event advertised did not go ahead. Nice hotel, but my advice would be book B&B and buy what you like from the restaurants and bars with the considerable amount you have saved!