NH Bentota Ceysands Resort — Hotel in Sri Lanka

An Unforgettable Experience at Centara Ceysands Hotel

I recently had the pleasure of staying at the Centara Ceysands Hotel, and I must say it was an absolutely breathtaking and fantastic experience. In this review, I would like to highlight four aspects that made my stay truly exceptional.

Overall Hotel Atmosphere: From the moment I stepped into the hotel, I was captivated by the mesmerizing atmosphere that surrounded me. The hotel's design, with its elegant architecture and stunning views, created a sense of tranquility and relaxation. The attention to detail in every corner of the property was remarkable, making it a feast for the eyes. Whether it was the beautifully landscaped gardens or the serene riverfront setting, every aspect of the hotel exuded beauty and charm.

Food and Beverages: The culinary experience at Centara Ceysands Hotel was nothing short of heavenly. The buffet spreads during breakfast, lunch, and dinner were delightful, offering a wide variety of delicious options. However, it was the desserts that truly stole the show. The massive variety of sweet treats was a delight to indulge in, and each bite was a burst of flavors and textures. I was particularly impressed with the attention given to the presentation, which added an extra touch of elegance to every dish. Furthermore, the inclusion of a dedicated kids' food section was a thoughtful gesture that ensured even our little ones were catered to with care and consideration.

Service Provided: The exceptional service provided by the staff at Centara Ceysands Hotel truly exceeded my expectations. From the moment we arrived, we were greeted with warm smiles and a genuine willingness to assist us in any way possible. The staff members were not only friendly but also fluent in English, making communication effortless. They went above and beyond to ensure our needs were met, making us feel valued and well taken care of throughout our stay. In particular, I would like to extend my heartfelt thanks to Russel and Uditha, who consistently went the extra mile to make our experience truly memorable.

Facilities and Activities for Kids: One of the standout features of Centara Ceysands Hotel was the extensive range of facilities and activities available for children. The dedicated kids' playroom provided a safe and engaging space for our little ones to explore and have fun. Additionally, the inclusion of bouncing castles on weekends and a variety of other games further added to the excitement and entertainment. The hotel's commitment to ensuring a family-friendly environment was evident, and it made our stay even more enjoyable as we witnessed our children's laughter and joy.

In conclusion, my experience at Centara Ceysands Hotel was nothing short of extraordinary. The breathtaking atmosphere, heavenly food and beverages, outstanding service, and impressive range of facilities and activities for kids all contributed to a truly unforgettable stay. I highly recommend this hotel to anyone seeking a memorable and enriching...

Disappointing New Year’s Stay at NH Ceysand Bentota

I recently stayed at NH Ceysand Bentota for New Year’s Eve (31st December) and 1st January, after carefully considering multiple options. I chose this hotel specifically because of the advertised children’s activities like card-making, which I thought would be a great experience for my 3-year-old daughter. I also paid separately for the gala dinner, expecting a pleasant and family-friendly experience.

Unfortunately, my stay was filled with disappointments.

Room Allocation Issues

Despite clearly mentioning during the booking that we were a family of two adults with a toddler, we were given two queen-sized beds. This setup was extremely inconvenient for us, as it was difficult to conjoin the beds safely. At one point during the night, the beds separated while we were sleeping, making the experience very uncomfortable and causing disrupted sleep. This was a basic requirement that the hotel failed to address.

Staff Behavior and Tip Culture

It was evident that a majority of the staff expected tips for almost every interaction, whether at the front desk, restaurant, or pool. While tipping is a courtesy, the way it was expected at every turn was both frustrating and unprofessional. As Sri Lankans, we were judged harshly, with the assumption that we wouldn’t give “bulky tips.” This led to rude behavior and neglect. At one point, my wife even questioned if we had paid the same amount as others because of how poorly we were treated compared to foreign guests.

Children’s Activities: A Major Disappointment

The main reason I selected this hotel was the kids’ activities promised at the Maxies Club. When we took our daughter there, the staff prioritized non-Sri Lankan (white) children, giving them new play dough and settling them in comfortably. Meanwhile, my daughter was left standing, ignored, and only given stale old play dough after I personally arranged a space for her. It was hurtful and upsetting, even for a 3-year-old. This blatant preferential treatment ruined what should have been an enjoyable experience for her.

If there is any doubt, I urge the management to review the CCTV footage from 31st December to see the clear bias displayed by the staff in charge of the Maxies Club.

Management’s Responsibility

I blame the management for failing to properly train and take care of their staff. It felt as though the employees were overworked or undervalued, leading to their excessive focus on tips. Hospitality begins with good management, and this hotel sorely lacks it.

Highlight

The only positive experience was with the chefs, who displayed genuine hospitality and professionalism. They were the sole bright spot in an otherwise disappointing stay.

I had stayed at this property previously when it was Centara Ceysand, and I was hopeful that NH Collection’s takeover would mean an improved experience. Instead, I was left with ill treatment and regret.

To anyone considering this hotel, especially Sri Lankans, I would advise you to reconsider unless the management makes serious...

This incident happened upon checking-in on 11/11/24, I was informed that driver accommodation was unavailable, contrary to prior confirmation of my check in via email. First of all, No one was at the welcome desk area, the Boat guy welcomed us at arrival. After arrival we came to know that driver's accommodation was full in spite of our earlier check in via email. We called up front desk/reception person (who was on the other side of the water). As the main reception is at the other side of the river. We asked him for the solution in this situation or to call up on the duty manager but no revert came. We (my wife and daughter of 12) waited there for 25 mins for reception and duty manager to revert on our situation. None came forward with any solution and receptionist kept on insisting on phone to come on the other side of water where mainreception & rooms are there. After waiting for around 30 minutes we went to main reception. Still duty manager was absent & the receptionist was LITRALLY LAUGHING ON US over this situation. He then called the duty manager, for which we requested around 40 mins back. While on call with the duty manager again he was laughing & making fun of us this entire time. 55 mins passed the arrival comes the duty manager (without wearing any badge or so. Seems to have just woke up from the sleep). We requested him to firstly handle their staff/receptionist to behave professionally which he failed to do so. Later we came up with the solution to find any nearby accommodation for the driver for which we will pay. Upon that he agreed. While all this frustrations & unpleasant situation happening THE RECEPTIONIST WAS AGAIN KEPT LAUGHING LITRALLY ON OUR FACE for don't know why.

Key Issues: I hv Pre-booked confirmation via mail and fulfill the online check in process still the front desk staff and duty manager behaved very much unprofessionally. Unavailability for drivers stay - Hotel claimed that the driver's accommodation was full. So after a long tiring day, all we had to do is to again look for the driver's accomplice & paid Rs 6600/- to stay somewhere else. Unprofessional Staff - Receptionist Named Mr. Praboda's attitude and behavior was totally unacceptable he was just laughing all the time. Neither did he was able to resolve the issue nor he could offer us a glass of water. He dint explained anything like WiFi password, breakfast timing anything. We were told by receptionist that Mr. Kasun - Duty Manager was roaming around the property and he came after 50 mins to meet us personally and even after listening our issue he was unable to resolve the matter. Also even after his warning & in his presence the receptionist was still laughing like he was high on drug's. When I raised the issue to General manager Mr Silva he offered me a complementary lunch with a form where I need to sign that I will not raise the issue to trip advisor or any...