Bentota, Taj Exotica Review

“We had a fabulous start to our honeymoon here. If we...”

Written on: 14/11/2006 by POULTER1 (4 reviews written)

Good Points
Beautiful setting for a hotel, and even though it's a big hotel it never seems too busy. We were on our honeymoon, and we were welcomed with fresh fruit and drinks etc. The pool and poolside service was brilliant; just raise the flag on the sun lounger and someone would come over to take your food or drink order. We mainly went into one of the restaurants (which was not part of the full board package), but we got a 20% supplement. I can't remember what it was called, but booking was advisable, and the pianist was great! Really good waiter service too! The hotel inside and out was fabulous. There were big lizards walking through the gardens, and we also saw a Mongoose one day! Great room service and laundry service too! Not much entertainment, but you don't really mind that. Sunset on the 6th floor overlooking the sea with a G&T, or a beer and some peanuts is a must (but beware the chipmunks don't steal them off you)!

Bad Points
The hotel was that good, it kind of stopped you going out as much as you normally would. I said value for money was good, however watch out for hotel AND Government tax on the minibar. What seemed reasonable turned out to be a lot more expensive! Phone calls home are expensive too.

General Comments
We had a fabulous start to our honeymoon here. If we were to go back I'd travel around Bentota and the neighbouring villages a little more.



Taj Exotica is a beautiful place, and the Sri Lancan's are beautiful people.



Ask the waiter in the Piano restaurant to get his brother (tuk tuk driver) to take you out for the day. We got great deals on Sapphire rings, wooden elephants (which cost well over double in the hotel) and a visit to a Spice Garden (don't buy any products as they cost quite a bit), but tip the guys who give a head and shoulder massage.



Also one of the trips is on the Bentota river, which involves visiting Cinnamon Island, and I recommend you buy some products from there.



Also, children ask for sweets. We took coloured pencils, pens, rubbers and also some cheap plastic toys from a supermarket (eg. a maze with a ball baring in) and they love them!