By Rama Gaind.
One of the options if you’re looking for a getaway that offers the perfect gateway to Sri Lanka’s southern coastline … is Bentota. The Indian Ocean-facing resort town offers some of the country’s best sun-drenched experiences and cultural excursions.
EKHO Surf Bentota is located in the southern coastal region of Sri Lanka.
Beyond the energetic colonial capital of Colombo, the rural hill stations and tea plantations, Bentota is admired for its long golden beaches. Located approximately
65 kilometers south of the capital and 56 kilometers north of Galle, the name of this city was derived from a mythological story that asserts a demon named ‘Bem’ ruled the tota or the river bank.
Verdant hill ranges sprinkled with mélange of tea plantations, a cosmopolitan coastal capital that’s colonial history is attired with a tinge of pride in Colombo and game-rich national parks that house thousands of elephants.
Nowadays, Bentota is known for its world-class water sports and seafood rather than sanitariums. Only a 90-minute drive from the capital, the resort town’s popularity has surged, together with the availability of accommodation options. These range from humble beachfront bungalows to five-star resorts. At the upper end of the scale is EKHO Surf, a stylish 96-room property that sits squarely on Bentota Beach’s main stretch, just a few bare footsteps from the Indian Ocean. On offer is an appealing accommodation package: a Beach Getaway Package includes dinner under the stars on a private beach, 15 per cent off selected food and beverages and a 25-per cent spa discount.
EKHO Surf, a stylish 96-room property sprawling along Bentota Beach’s main stretch in Sri Lanka, only a few bare footsteps from the Indian Ocean.
Holidaymakers can unwind on sun loungers in the manicured gardens eyeing the show-stopping vistas and tropical pools, laze away the day at the Balinese spa or escape the heat in the plush, well-appointed rooms, many of which feature unobstructed sea views.
Operated by the team behind the legendary Galle Face Hotel in Colombo, the resort is part of the EKHO collection of experience-themed properties that dot the country.
Beach attraction
However, the drawcard is Sri Lanka’s seemingly endless stretches of postcard-perfect coastline boasting beaches that rival those in southeast Asia — and its northern neighbour, India. In addition, there’s some of the continent’s best surf. If the west coast is the country’s crowning attraction, Bentota is one of its brightest jewels.
Guests can immerse themselves in one of many activities during a stay at EKHO Surf from jet skiing and banana boat rides on Bentota Beach to a private tour around Galle.
Conveniently located roughly halfway between Colombo and UNESCO World Heritage Site, Galle Fort on the scenic Southern Expressway route, the town is revered as one the country’s premier coastal retreats. Since its days as an 18th-century rest-house spot for Dutch sailors, and later when British colonialists built a sanitarium here, visitors have flocked to its palm tree-flanked shores to soak up the golden beaches and sea breezes.
Indeed, the town’s appeal extends beyond the tropical trio of sun, sea and sand. Brief Garden, a lush man-made attraction designed by renowned landscape architect Bevis Bawa, proves a pleasant respite from the sun loungers. A 10-kilometre journey from EKHO Surf, the garden was transformed over decades from a rubber plantation into arguably Sri Lanka’s most impressive landscaped gardens.
The revered Buddhist temple Kande Viharaya is also well worth a visit. Set atop a hill in the nearby Kalutara District, it features one of the world’s tallest sitting Buddha statues, in addition to a few other curious including the stupa, a bodhi tree and the relic chamber, which is believed to be the oldest structure in the temple. Impressive murals depicting events from Buddha’s life also adorn the walls.
A Beach Getaway Package that includes dinner under the stars on a private beach, 15 per cent off selected food and beverages and a 25-per cent spa discount is available at EKHO Surf hotel in Bentota.
Other popular day trips destinations include the Kosgoda Sea Turtle Care Centre, where guests can learn about the various species and assist with conservation efforts, the local toddy distillery, at which the producers demonstrate their dare-devil skills tightrope walking skills, and of course the UNESCO-recognised Galle Fort. With a history spanning more than 500 years, this is one of Sri Lanka’s most archaeologically important areas and a rare example of a European fortification that features local building styles. Highlights within the historic city range from renovated Dutch-colonial buildings to centuries-old mosques and an ever-growing number of boutiques operated by local artists and designers.
Why not also immerse yourself in the multiple sides of the town during your stay at the EKHO resort. From jet skiing and banana boat rides on Bentota Beach to a private tour around Galle, there is something for everyone at this convenient beachfront retreat.
DETAILS BOX
EKHO Surf Bentota
