The Cottage Bentota

The Cottage Bentota is a charming three-bedroom pool house set in a palm-fringed garden a short tuk-tuk ride inland from Bentota’s beaches. Peaceful and private, it feels tucked away in the countryside yet keeps the beach, the town’s restaurants and the Bentota River close at hand, which makes it an easy, relaxed base for a family or a small group of up to six.

The heart of the garden is a private pool with a shallow tanning ledge, ideal for small children and for cooling off on hot afternoons, with sun loungers and a parasol beside it. A covered terrace with a dining table looks over the water for meals outdoors, there is a barbecue for grilling in the garden, and the lawn gives children space to play.

Inside, white walls, antique furniture and comfortable sofas set the tone, and a projector screen in the living room turns movie nights into a proper cinema. The kitchen is well equipped with an oven, a large fridge and a Nespresso machine, and a solid teak table sits ready for family meals. The king suite has a four-poster bed with a canopy, garden views and an en-suite rain shower, while a queen room and a twin room share a second bathroom. A housekeeper looks after the house, and home-cooked Sri Lankan meals can be arranged.