Sri Lanka is famous for its splendid beaches, lush tea plantations and wild, untamed nature, but the island is also pierced by large lakes and rivers which offer even more opportunity for adventures and exploration. Built on the banks of Bentota Ganga or Bentota River, Villa Republic Bentota boasts a private jetty, providing guests with direct access to water sports and river safaris.
Traditions with a Twist
Upon arriving at the Villa Republic Bentota, the weather had taken a rainy turn so we couldn’t take in the full splendour of our new riverside retreat right away. After bringing our luggage to our rooms, the villa staff retired to the kitchen to prepare dinner for our large group.
Since the weather was rainy, I had nothing to do but wander around the villa looking for the bedroom that would best suit our needs (since we were travelling with a toddler). The villa houses eight bedrooms sleeping a whopping 17 guests! From queen-sized bedrooms to family suites with three separate bedrooms, there is something to suit everyone at the villa. Our cosy double bedroom featured all the essentials and was whimsically decorated with communist mementos and portraits of Che Guevara adorning the walls.
Dinner at the Villa Republic
Whenever our team gets together, dinner is usually a big event and everyone is invited to dress up. Since we were expecting our colleagues arriving from abroad, we all put in a little extra effort, even more so than usual. The meal was served right on time at 7 o’clock and we were invited to take our seats. Needless to say, the food was fantastic! With plain dhals and spicy sambals, grilled chicken breast and a plethora of seasonal vegetables, the chef and his team proved themselves true masters of the culinary arts.
Villa Republic Bentota Location
Villa Republic Bentota boasts a truly unique location since it’s perfectly positioned right on the river bank. Thanks to the private jetty, guests have direct access to river safaris and other activities including SUP, jet skiing and parasailing. For beach lovers there’s good news too – the spectacular Bentota Beach is only a five-minute drive from the estate.
Villa Republic Bentota Video
Since our stay at Villa Republic Bentota was as short as 22 hours, we couldn’t experience the whole range of adventures the location has to offer. Still, our talented videographer was able to capture the highlights of Bentota – check out the video below to get a feel of the splendid location and serene ambience.
