The coastal town of Bentota is situated in the southwest region of the island and is known for its calm weather, relaxing beaches, dazzling marine life and has an overall idyllic atmosphere making it the perfect holiday destination for all visiting Sri Lanka; these are only but some reasons to visit Bentota. Bentota sightseeing is a mandatory as there are so many things to do in Bentota and places to visit in Bentota, so book your stay at Cinnamon Bentota Beach to live the experience right from the hotel itself.

Here are the top 10 reasons why Cinnamon Bentota Beach is the best choice for your stay in Bentota;

1.Exquisite architecture

Cinnamon Bentota Beach is nestled in the mesmerizing Indian Ocean along the southern coast of Sri Lanka. With a heritage dating back to the 60’s and designed by one of Asia’s most influential architects Geoffrey Bawa, it is the ultimate tropical destination perfect for an art and architecture enthusiast or a lover of exquisite oceans. Don’t forget to request for a private tour of the art, history and architecture surrounding the hotel!

2. Whatever food your heart desires, we’ve got it!

Cinnamon Bentota Beach is home to many restaurants of varying cuisines. Ottimo, our very own Italian Restaurant, Zest, for all your Asian food cravings, Nossa, our all-day-dining restaurant, for whenever hunger strikes, Fuze, the Lounger Bar for a good catchup session and tantalizing cocktails, Drench, the pool bar, to chill and relax! Take your pick of cuisine or ambience and we are sure to deliver!

3. Sea meets Spice, literally!

Our location is bound to tempt you with an exhaustive list of activities. So, we foresee your sea of hunger to take over every once in a while. For such times, our seafood restaurant, Sea meets Spice, will be at your rescue. This is the only time you’ll go ‘Oh fish!’ and not be disappointed. We lay out our fresh catch of the day for you. So, pick your favourite, choose a marinade or sauce, your choice of preparation, and we’ll cook up a storm.

4. Art, history and culture; right at your fingertips!

Cinnamon Bentota Beach is the perfect getaway for a divine tropical holiday. The property is truly a feast for the senses, fringed by the Indian ocean, with its striking rich batik ceiling brought to life by Ena de Silva and the eclectic pieces of art peppering the property, the resort embodies the tropical beauty, art and culture of the island – a true microcosm of beautiful Sri Lanka. The arts and crafts within the property are from renowned artists and craftsman such as Laki Senanayak and Ismeth Raheem.

5. Learn a skill, or two!

A vacation refreshes you in ways you cannot imagine and learning a humble skill like pottery or even the skill of puppet making gives you a perspective that you never knew existed. Learn to carve out a puppet or make your own vase or pot holder whilst you stay at Cinnamon Bentota Beach, and it’ll be a trip you never forget!

6. Endless water sport adventures

Stay with us at Cinnamon Bentota Beach and glide through the ceaseless sea by water skiing, and you’ll know what compels us to have such high standards. Water skiing is one of the many water sports Bentota is known for. The river around us has the perfect surface for this fun activity. Enjoy our on-site jet skis, canoes, boat rides and so much more in terms of watersports on offer for guests.

7. Romantic dinner by the sea and river

What’s not to miss about a romantic candle-lit dinner by the sea or river (take your pick!) with the love of your life? We at Cinnamon Bentota Beach will curate the most perfect, dream-like and fantastical dinner for the two of you and we will ensure that you have the time of your life and make your holiday all the more memorable!

8. Local experiences, just for you!

Cinnamon is endemic to Sri Lanka and it was discovered in our island by the Portuguese. Cinnamon cultivation is a unique and scarcely known process. It is truly a one-of-a-kind experience that is both interesting and authentic. While you are visiting the cinnamon factory, you will see the cinnamon peelers at work and you will learn about the uses and healing properties of cinnamon and its grading process. As a special treat, a cinnamon tea tasting session can be arranged upon request.

9. Curated nature escapades from Cinnamon Bentota Beach

A Boat Safari on the Madhu Ganga gives you a two-in-one experience of witnessing the beautiful wildlife of Sri Lanka while you enjoy a boat ride with your loved one, meandering past river dwellings and dense mangroves. Venture deep into these mangroves, and experience this unique adventure in Bentota. Connect with your loved one at a deeper level on this adventurous yet relaxing river safari.

10. Known to be one of the best honeymoon destinations in Sri Lanka

If you’ve been wondering what the best resorts in Sri Lanka for a honeymoon were, look no further than Cinnamon Bentota Beach! It is one of the best hotels for couples in Sri Lanka owing to its idyllic atmosphere, relaxing and romantic ambience and all the fun activities on offer for couples on honeymoon. We can arrange many excursions to keep the happy couple in good spirits!

Those enjoying their days in the sun could be oblivious to the exposition happening just a couple of miles away towards the center of the ocean. The cerulean waters that lure in the adventure-driven surfers and the laid-back tourists, also hide a giant secret within its ripples and dunes; only the largest creature to ever exist.

Anywhere else in the world, these 40 feet long Blue Whales stay hidden deep within the waters, away from their predators, feasting on shrill. But here on the eastern coast of a tiny teardrop-shaped island, these gentle giants take leaps of faith, plunging out of the waters putting on a show to locals and travellers who’ve voyaged to see them dance.

Buddhika Dayaratne, also known as Daya, is an environmentalist working with Cinnamon Nature Trails (CNT). As a whale watching expert, Daya has spent years to accumulate a sea of knowledge on these giant mammals. Along the way, he’s had the opportunity to draw inspiration and expertise from the likes of famous Marine Biologist Dr Charles Anderson. His mastery on the topic has awarded him with many golden opportunities; one of which, being featured on BBC’s Blue Planet II program to share his experience with whales, the importance of conservation and his passion to study these gentle giants.

Daya first observed these cetaceans swimming through our waters in 2010. Despite a handful of Blue Whale sightings, the conflict in the north and eastern parts of the island restricted any commercial whale watching operations. Post-war, the CNT Team headed out deep into the Indian Ocean in search of Blue Whales; they were blessed with not just several blue whale spotting, but also a larger number of sperm whales!

Here at the coastal enclave of Trincomalee, the discovery of Whale Watching has brought forth many opportunities for the local community but has also heightened concerns for life below water. Daya understands the responsibility he carries on his shoulders as a learned and experienced environmentalist. “Whales are acoustic animals”. Even the biggest creature to ever swim in our waters is sensitive to the roaring motors of the local fishermen. The two-stroke engines of the motorboats commonly used locally for whale watching frighten and alarm the whales to hide deep within their oceanic habitat.

Against such a backdrop, Daya can’t emphasize the importance of imposing regulations to protect these mammals from harm in their habitat any better. Cinnamon Nature Trails’ 4-stroke engines sail silently against the waves conscious to be sensitive to the marine mammals in their own home while also giving you front row seats to an oceanic masquerade starring our very own Blue Whales. With thoughtfully curated experiences, the Cinnamon Nature Trails team has made meaningful investments to practice conscious and responsible whale watching excursions.

Trinco Blu by Cinnamon, based right along the coastal strip of Uppuvelli, will host you for a picturesque and a memorable holiday with fun in the sun. Here, you will fight the urge to sleep in, waking up with the sun to claim your best seats to the Whale dances at the crack of dawn. Once in the waters, settle in and let these gentle giants take your breath away with each plunge before swimming along the boat beside you.

Experience the best of Sri Lankan hospitality paired with the endless charm of natural artistry, here at Trinco Blu by Cinnamon. Bask in the goodness of the coastal sun as the soft tunes of the Indian Ocean serenade you. Listen to the legends of the region and bear witness to the greatness that hides within our corner in Trincomalee. Discover a different kind of beauty in this historic North-eastern coastal enclave of Sri Lanka.

Spread across the 53-acre state, the resort has it all; exceptionally rich biodiversity, lakes, ponds and other bodies of water nourishing grasslands that add the fresh hue of green to the land. As legend has it, Hanuman dropped a part of the Himalayan Mountain as he flew across the skies to aid his wounded brother, Rama. The chunk of land he dropped was rich in strange flora and fauna, not to be found easily anywhere else in the world. This chunk of land is known to be the plateau of Ritigala and its biodiversity has spread across the village of Habarana, making it a true haven for those who find peace amongst untouched nature.

The resort was built taking inspiration from the rustic charm and the meditative calm of the Ritigala Monastery, a lasting artefact of ancient Buddhism dating back to the 1st century BC. The remarkable architecture of the monastery has been imprinted in the resort to add to its rustic charm. With its chalets designed after the village houses found in old Anuradhapura, the resort creates a unique curation of simplicity, peace and luxury of rural life, lived alongside nature. The many treehouses become prime spots for sightseeing and enjoying the quiet of a radiant sunset as the skies are painted in vibrant hues of pink, purple and golden. Dining under clear star-lit skies is utterly romantic in its simple nature. The cooling breeze that rustles the leaves soothes the senses while it refreshes and heals.

The village itself is an eco-system of many micro-habitats formed by a myriad of various species, animals and foliage. Within the limits of the resort, you are bound to spot the occasional elephant or two grassing along the banks of lakes and rare species of birds in their natural habitat, lazying about or in a rush to their nests before the sunsets over the lakes of Habarana!

The resort detoxes you from the hustle of the city, yet gives its visitors the choice of adventure. Whether it is climbing the infamous rock fortress, a two-hour hike up the Ritigala Mountains, a serene boat ride along the water bodies or sightseeing the ruins of the ancient kingdom of Anuradhapura, Cinnamon Lodge Habarana and Habarana Village by Cinnamon are located in close proximity for all.

With the many chalets built for the best of privacy and the vast land perfect for a cycling trip, or an evening stroll and adventure to fill in the day or even reading a book on a hammock swaying in the winds, enjoying the little time left to do nothing, the resorts are a perfect culmination of nature. Their ties to the roots of ancient culture resonated in its architecture and build, emanates the peacefulness and ritualistic simplicity of the lives of our ancestors.

Visit the resorts for your next getaway and indulge in the unfiltered, untouched beauty of nature and lose yourself in it, as the hoteliers who walked this land first did. As Shakespeare said, heaven is the everlasting treasury of life and the quiet village of Habarana seems to be a perfect example of it.

This story charts back 30 years ago, to 1986, when the Cinnamon Lakeside Colombo as we know it today, went by ‘Ramada Renaissance’. Back then, there were hardly any large hotel chains in Sri Lanka, with The Ramada being one of the few situated in Colombo. Tucked away within this glamorous, modern structure, was The Library, a concept referred to as the Bibliothek. The Library was an exclusive, members-only bar and club that was home to some of Colombo’s most elite patrons.

The Library’s members were accomplished individuals in their own right, favoring the likes of professionals, artists and intellectuals. Membership at this private club was wielded with much pride and pomp of fashion. The club was run under the guidance of Felix Nypels, the General Manager of the hotel at the time, who made sure that the club was also modeled after his exacting standards.

The Library was a lively, swinging spot, where regular members would meet to let loose and enjoy the finer things in life. As the name suggests, The Library’s walls were adorned with leather covered books; where rare classics and popular novels were freely available. Guests were invited to kick-back and tuck into their favorite manuscripts, whilst sipping on some finely aged brandy.

Yes, no request was too obscure and unobtainable! Its patrons could request for custom dishes, private dining and sweet surprises served in one of the dimly lit nooks of The Library. As its policy was a purely members-only lounge, members could enjoy complete privacy in this club. The quiet and lavish ambiance, only added to the idea that one was dining in a private, speak-easy style bar!

Harpo Gooneratne, one of Colombo’s most highly regarded entertainment professionals was the Entertainment Manager of this very institution. He recalls how he began his journey here, starting as a DJ, introducing flashing lights onto the dance floor, a completely new phenomenon for Colombo’s party goers at the time! Once dusk approached, the flickering candles and light clangs of cutlery and crockery, would give way to some of the time’s most popular tunes! Come nighttime, The Library would come alive to a thriving discotheque. Initially the entertainment was managed by Wikram Singh, from London Town Discotheques, who brought down many of the world’s most sought-after celebrities and musicians such as Richard Clyderman, Three Degrees, Trini Lopez, Bollywood stars amongst a host of other top performers of international repute. It’s clear the very best of the island’s entertainment was hosted at The Library!

However, whilst The Library had garnered a reputation for throwing gala parties in the evening, its membership was also fond of the quiet and reclusive ambiance during the day. One of the first members of the club, Mr. Sathish Abeywickrama, reminisces on how homely The Library always felt, the bar was designed by architect Navin Gooneratne, who made sure to design the space with the client’s comfort at the forefront. As Sathish and his family were staunch patrons of the Cinnamon Lakeside Colombo, with all celebrations, weddings and special dinners taking place here, The Library was almost a second home for him. In particular, he notes how he was on a stag party at The Library, when a curfew was called, and he and his fellow partygoers were resigned to stay here until the curfew was called off!

A very few prestigious clubs still exist today. Whilst many have closed or fallen into disrepute, The Library still raves, tucked away in a quiet corner of the Cinnamon Lakeside Colombo. It’s a place where time seems to have stood still. When walking through this space, you are able to be transported back to the good old days. A time when the biggest business deals were done in the privacy of this club, when a casual dinner date meant getting dressed up in your finest garb and service was always par excellence. Nilantha, The Library’s manager, is able to keep its legacy alive, by imparting all the knowledge that was imbibed into him, back when he was a young lad and joined in 1989.

In a time when we all seem to be nostalgic about the better days, it seems fitting to immerse ourselves in the past. To flick through the aged, slightly yellowing pages of your favorite book, whilst enjoying a specialty cocktail in privacy, is an offer no one can resist!

The Library is truly a place where history, privacy and exclusivity collide.

If you’re ever left wondering for ‘things to do Sri Lanka during a long weekend?’: we’ve got you covered right here. There’s so much to do in Sri Lanka, and so much to see, we promise all your experiences will be made a tad bit better with Cinnamon Hotels and Resorts! Book your long weekend stay with us now and avoid disappointments. You can plan ahead and we will ensure your stay is just as you had wished, hoped and planned for!

Here are some experiences not to be missed;

1. Elephant and Leopard encounters; the wild side!

A rich and diverse collection of mammals have found their homes in Sri Lanka including the elusive Leopard and the majestic Elephant. Being one of the finest wildlife watching countries in South Asia, a wild life tour in Sri Lanka is guaranteed to give you a heart-warming and jaw-dropping experience of close encounters with Elephants and Leopards. Enjoy it in comfort by staying with us at Cinnamon Wild Yala.

2. Fun under the sun; its beach time!

Want to make your friends and family ‘ooh’ and ‘aah’ at the wonders of your travels in Sri Lanka? Make sure you post that Insta-worthy picture of you swinging over the beautiful beaches of Sri Lanka on a palm-tree swing. Swing over the ocean and capture that effortlessly picturesque moments on camera! Stay with us at any of our beach locations such as Cinnamon Bey Beruwala, Hikka Tranz by Cinnamon, Trinco Blu by Cinnamon and Cinnamon Bentota Beach.

3. Visiting the Sigiriya Rock Fortress; a Rock-star!

The Rock Fortress in Sigiriya said to be built by King Kashyapa is considered to be the 8th wonder of the world. It is also one of the most valuable historic monuments in the Island and the hike is definitely worth the view at its peak. Sigiriya is one of the most visited sites in Sri Lanka and it’s no surprise why! The climb, the view and everything in-between makes for the perfect Sri Lankan experience. Stay with us at Cinnamon Lodge Habarana or Habarana Village by Cinnamon to add that special flavour to your Sigiriya getaway!

4. Treat yourself to some water sports; let the adrenaline flow!

Whilst Sri Lanka provides a perfectly relaxing getaway, it is also the place to be for all the thrill-seekers and adrenaline junkies out there! The water sports in the coastal areas of Sri Lanka are a must try and you can do so to your hearts content while you stay at Hikka Tranz by Cinnamon, Cinnamon Bey Beruwala or the Cinnamon Bentota Beach. There is no better place to head out to sea and observe majestic creatures like the Whales in their own habitat than in Mirissa. Journey into the deep seas and experience the vivacity of Sri Lanka’s marine life. Hikka Tranz by Cinnamon offers the best and definitely the most comfortable Marine Mammal Safari’s out there giving you the 5-star treatment you deserve.

5. Experience the Hikkaduwa Nightlife; let’s party!

The vibrant party atmosphere of Hikkaduwa attracts all the thrill-seekers and party animals to Hikkaduwa. With its perfectly relaxing atmosphere, ocean waves in the background and the sandy beach beneath, the party never stops! Dance until your legs are sore and experience the nightlife in Hikkaduwa at its best!

6. Getaway to the city; a sweet escape!

It is no wonder that a cup (or two, or many?) of the famous Ceylon Tea is a must try in Sri Lanka. So treat yourself to some of the best local teas, scrumptious tea-time savouries and some mouth-watering sweets at the Cinnamon Lakeside Colombo or Cinnamon Grand Colombo. Eat your cares away and wash away your weariness with a comforting cup of tea with us during the long weekend. Here in Sri Lanka, there’s nothing a cup of tea cannot fix!

See you soon for a long weekend getaway like no other. has you covered with a plethora of experiences and hotels to choose from!