Your stay — Temple Tree Resort & Spa
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The Property — Temple Tree Resort & Spa
Temple Tree Resort & Spa is a low-rise, whitewashed hotel set back from Bentota's main beach road, with a calm, slightly old-fashioned feel. Its lobby opens onto a large free-form pool shaded by mature palms; the vibe is quiet and family-oriented rather than chic or lively. The spa is decent but not destination-grade, and rooms are clean but basic for the price. It suits travellers who want a reliable, hassle-free beach base rather than boutique character.
Chronicles of Bentota
Bentota developed from a small fishing village into a resort town in the 1970s, when the Ceylon Tourist Board and local developers built the first beach hotels on the coastal strip south of Aluthgama. The town's architecture is a mix of colonial-era Portuguese and Dutch influences in the older parts—especially around the Bentota River—and functional mid-century modern hotels along the beachfront. Culturally, it remains a Sinhalese Buddhist community, with the Galapatha Raja Maha Vihara temple and its elaborate murals a short walk inland. Today Bentota is known for water sports and river safaris, and it feels more laid-back and less commercialised than Hikkaduwa or Negombo.
Best Time to Visit
Full Bentota guide →Best months
December to February are the most comfortable months: low humidity, calm seas and minimal rain, with manageable crowds before the European summer rush.
Peak / festival surge
Peak season runs from mid-December to January and again in July–August. July is busy due to European school holidays and the Esala Perahera in Kandy (late July), which drives regional travel. Hotel rates can double; booking three months ahead is essential.
Budget shoulder season
April and September offer the best budget value. April is hot but has fewer tourists, while September sees the tail end of the monsoon with short bursts of rain and sharply discounted room rates.
Weather & packing
Bentota has a double monsoon: the southwest monsoon from May to September brings frequent heavy showers, often in the afternoon. Pack a lightweight rain jacket or compact travel umbrella and quick-dry shorts or a sarong—cotton dries slowly in the humidity.
Live City Briefing — Bentota
- A new pedestrian bridge over the Bentota River, linking the hotel area to Aluthgama town market, opened in late 2024, reducing the need for tuk-tuks for shopping or meals.
- The main A2 coastal highway is undergoing intermittent resurfacing near Aluthgama junction through mid-2026, expect occasional 10-minute delays when travelling north to Colombo.
- Several new local cafés and guesthouses have opened on the riverfront west of the Aluthgama bridge, offering a cheaper alternative to hotel restaurants for casual meals.
Your Perfect Room
✨ AI-generated · Jul 2026Before you check in to Temple Tree Resort & Spa, here's what to know about choosing the right room.
Best rooms to request
Upper floors (2nd and 3rd) facing the garden or pool, away from the main road. These rooms are quieter and catch the coastal breeze.
Rooms to avoid
Ground-floor rooms near the reception or car park — road noise from Bentota's main road and foot traffic from the entrance can be disruptive.
Best views
Garden or pool view from upper floors; ocean views are not guaranteed as the resort is set back from the beach.
Quietest floors
2nd and 3rd floors.
🔊 Noise notes
Bentota's main road runs past the resort — traffic hum is audible on ground floor and street-facing rooms. Local tuk-tuks and buses add sporadic noise from early morning until late evening.
Insider tips
1. Request a room in the older, two-storey blocks (further from the road) for a more private, shaded setting. 2. Breakfast service starts at 7:30 — go early to bag a table by the pool, as the indoor area gets crowded and noisy.
- Call the hotel directly 24–48 hours before arrival and ask for a specific room type
- Add a note in your booking comments field
- Ask at check-in — front desk staff can often accommodate if a room is available
Hotel Facilities — Temple Tree Resort & Spa
Free basic Wi-Fi in lobby and restaurant (up to 5 Mbps); no premium tier. Login via voucher at check-in.
No lift; all rooms on ground or first floor via stairs only.
Complimentary digital newspaper access via PressReader in lobby; no printed papers. Heritage note: property built around restored colonial Dutch-era villas.
Standard check-in 14:00–18:00; early bag drop from 10:00; late check-out fee LKR 6,500 until 20:00, subject to availability.
Free storage at reception, no lockers.
No step-free access; main entrance has two steps; all rooms require stairs; wheelchair access not available.
Free on-site parking for 15 cars (first come, first served). Nearest public car park: Bentota Railway Station car park (200m, LKR 100/day). No EV charging.
Fees, Taxes & Deposits
City / tourist tax: None
Deposit & card hold: Full advance payment required at booking; LKR 15,000 incidental hold on credit card at check-in.
5-Minute Radius Essentials
Induruwa — 843 m · ~11 min walk
Money & Currency
Get a travel card →Sri Lankan Rupee, LKR
Use ATMs in town for the best rates; exchange desks at the airport and hotels give poor rates.
Cards accepted in hotels and nicer restaurants; street stalls and small shops are cash-only, so carry local currency.
Not expected but appreciated: leave 5-10% at restaurants if no service charge, and give a few hundred LKR to drivers/guides.
Eat, Shop & Travel on a Budget
Cheap car hire →Small cafes along the main road serve a short black or tea for around 150–200 LKR.
Rice and curry (rice with 3-4 curries) from a local eatery costs about 400–600 LKR.
A main of grilled fish or kottu roti at a simple restaurant is roughly 500–800 LKR.
Look for small food stalls and roti sellers along Galle Road near the bus stand area.
Cargills Food City or Keells Super stores are common for basic groceries and drinks.
Visit the weekly market stalls along the main road for affordable cotton clothing and sarongs.
Local buses along Galle Road cost around 50–150 LKR per ride; the budget way from Bandaranaike Airport is a government bus to Aluthgama then a tuk-tuk (total under 1,500 LKR).
Eat at local rice-and-curry joints instead of hotel restaurants for big savings; bargain hard for tuk-tuk rides (agree fare before getting in); buy bottled water and snacks at supermarkets, not tourist shops.
Emergency Contacts
BentotaWhere to Eat
💡 Booking tip: For popular restaurants in Bentota, book at least a week ahead — especially for weekend evenings and during festival season.
Your arrival at Temple Tree Resort & Spa
🕒 Check-in is from . Arriving earlier? Most hotels store luggage free — just ask at reception.
🚐 Pre-book an airport transfer →Getting Around
Bentota town centre → Isuru Holiday Home
💡 Flag down a three-wheeler on Galle Road for short hops. Negotiate the fare before getting in – 150-200 LKR within town. For evening trips, carry a phone torch as side streets near Isuru can be unlit.
Colombo Fort Railway Station → Bentota Railway Station
💡 Board the southbound express (non-stop to Galle) for the fastest trip. Buy a 2nd class reserved seat (360 LKR) for a guaranteed place. From Bentota station, tuk-tuks charge 200 LKR to Isuru – walk 15 mins if you have light luggage.
Bandaranaike International Airport (CMB) bus stop → Isuru Holiday Home, Bentota
💡 Take the air-conditioned CTB bus to Colombo Fort (route 187, 150 LKR), then board the 02 Galle Road bus to Bentota. Ask the conductor to drop you at the Bentota Hospital stop – Isuru is a 5-min walk south.
Bandaranaike International Airport (CMB) → Isuru Holiday Home, Bentota
💡 Book via PickMe or Uber app for fixed price around 8,000 LKR. Avoid touts at arrivals; pre-arrange with your hotel for a reliable driver who knows the side roads to Isuru.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best rooms at Temple Tree Resort & Spa?
Upper floors (2nd and 3rd) facing the garden or pool, away from the main road. These rooms are quieter and catch the coastal breeze.
Which rooms should I avoid at Temple Tree Resort & Spa?
Ground-floor rooms near the reception or car park — road noise from Bentota's main road and foot traffic from the entrance can be disruptive.
Is Temple Tree Resort & Spa noisy?
Bentota's main road runs past the resort — traffic hum is audible on ground floor and street-facing rooms. Local tuk-tuks and buses add sporadic noise from early morning until late evening.
Which rooms have the best views at Temple Tree Resort & Spa?
Garden or pool view from upper floors; ocean views are not guaranteed as the resort is set back from the beach.
What are insider tips for staying at Temple Tree Resort & Spa?
1. Request a room in the older, two-storey blocks (further from the road) for a more private, shaded setting. 2. Breakfast service starts at 7:30 — go early to bag a table by the pool, as the indoor area gets crowded and noisy.
What time is check-in at Temple Tree Resort & Spa?
Check-in at Temple Tree Resort & Spa is from null. Check-out is by null.
Does Temple Tree Resort & Spa have Wi-Fi?
Free basic Wi-Fi in lobby and restaurant (up to 5 Mbps); no premium tier. Login via voucher at check-in.
Is there a city or tourist tax at Temple Tree Resort & Spa?
None
Where can I eat cheaply near Temple Tree Resort & Spa?
Rice and curry (rice with 3-4 curries) from a local eatery costs about 400–600 LKR.
What is the cheapest way to get around from Temple Tree Resort & Spa?
Local buses along Galle Road cost around 50–150 LKR per ride; the budget way from Bandaranaike Airport is a government bus to Aluthgama then a tuk-tuk (total under 1,500 LKR).
When is the best time to visit Bentota?
December to February are the most comfortable months: low humidity, calm seas and minimal rain, with manageable crowds before the European summer rush.
Top Attractions in Bentota
💡 Head north of the Bentota River mouth around 4pm to see fruit bats roosting in the trees along the shore.
💡 Donations are welcome. Wear long trousers or a sarong — these are available at the entrance. Climb the stairs to the main shrine for the best photo spot.
💡 Take a bus from Bentota to Balapitiya (30 LKR) then walk 10 minutes. Bring insect repellent. Local monks may offer a brief guided tour — a small tip is appreciated.
💡 Negotiate directly with boatmen near the bridge for a 30-minute trip. Expect to pay around 1500–2000 LKR per person. Best done early morning for wildlife.
💡 Entry costs 2,000 LKR (cash only). Arrive before 10am to beat the heat and groups. The garden is 15 minutes from Bentota by tuk-tuk — negotiate a return fare of 1,000 LKR.