The Cinnamon Cottage

Very warm welcome from Sanjay & arranged transport to his recommended restaurant Olive which was beautiful. Perfect quiet riverside setting, saw so much wildlife on a boat trip from the property, excellent local guide. Kayaks & bikes free to use, Sanjay suggested sunset kayak which was amazing. Sanjay kindly drive us to our next destination in Mirissa & arranged airport pick up - he has so much knowledge & advice to share as a travel consultant, a lovely, kind & friendly host

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Le petit déjeuner, le personnel des amours

Walking to either of the nearby temples, meeting friendly people in the tropical beauty, feeling the magical charm of Sri Lanka. Kayaking on the lake at sunset, flocks of parakeets and eagles overhead, giant bats emerging and the sound of monks chanting coming out of the jungle. Wonderful. The family are outstanding. Sanjeev is a rich source of fascinating information. The food was delicious.

Wow… what an extraordinary place! We stumbled across The Cinnamon Cottage while looking for accommodation in Bentota on Booking.com. We’d just flown in and wanted somewhere peaceful to relax and recover from jet lag — and we couldn’t have found a better place or experience. From the very start, Sanjaya’s hospitality was exceptional. He kindly picked us up from the airport and even provided cold water for the drive. During the journey, he shared fascinating insights about Sri Lanka — his passion for his country is infectious and lovely to see. Having worked as a travel agent, his local knowledge is truly impressive. Our room was beautiful. We stayed on the top floor, overlooking the garden and water — the view was spectacular: lush, green, and surrounded by nature. The room felt spacious with its high ceilings and large sliding doors. The bed was very comfortable, and the semi–open-air bathroom was stunning. Showering while looking up at palm trees swaying against the blue sky was such a memorable experience — as was taking an outdoor shower during a tropical rainstorm! We also went kayaking (free of charge) from the bottom of the garden. It was magical at sunset, and we were guided along a scenic, peaceful route through the greenery. Breakfast, which we chose to have a few times, was served in the room and varied daily — tea or coffee, a fresh fruit platter, and a savoury plate of eggs, bread, or rice. It was delicious and great value. We also enjoyed a homemade rice and curry dinner one evening — simple, authentic, and very tasty. Sanjaya lives on the property with his lovely family, who are all so warm and welcoming. His son is adorable — and their dog, Donut, is the sweetest! Sanjaya also helped us organise local excursions at great prices, which made exploring the area so easy and enjoyable. I couldn’t recommend The Cinnamon Cottage more highly — such a fulfilling, peaceful, and heartwarming stay.

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