The Cinnamon Cottage

A beautiful accommodation nestled in a jungle village in Bentota, on the edge of the lagoon and only 15mins bicycle from the beach. I found this place extremely magical, the room was a good size with amenities to make me comfortable. Open air shower which was a lovely addition. A fair price for a beautiful property, a delicious included Sri Lankan style breakfast of fresh tropical fruits with caring and attentive hosts. Sanjay and his family went above and beyond to make my time with them meaningful. Not to mention the free use of a bicycle and the kayaks meant you’re never at a limb for an activity to do. Would highly recommend. I’m already planning my next trip! (Theres also two adorable fury friends that come with the property, so win win really)

Had ourselves a great stay at this cottage. Only thing was that we only stayed for 1 night, should have stayed for 2 really as it was that nice. As soon as we arrived I had a full body massage off Sanjaya’s mum, absolutely amazing and very good value for money. They brought us freshly barbecued fish down to our cottage on the lakeside for dinner, which was very tasty. Great night’s sleep, followed by a lovely breakfast brought down to us again. Was a bonus that we could go out on the lake whenever we wanted on the kayaks. Couldn’t recommend this place enough.

Sanjaya was a fantastic host who truly went above and beyond to make sure I enjoyed my stay. He is incredibly helpful, kind, and friendly, and always willing to do whatever he can to make your trip special. I’m from India, and thanks to Sanjaya’s hospitality, I completely fell in love with Sri Lanka. Highly recommended!

I traveled with my kids , 4 and 2 year old by myself. I wanted to experience a different setting to the usual hotels we do. Actually from the first phone call everything was so perfect. Sanjay made me feel so safe and he helped with transport and gave me recommendations to do activities with the kids. Such as boat ride , turtle conservation. We really enjoyed kayaking in the lake which is just with the property. Rooms were extremely clean and food was nice too!! Family cooked breakfast was definitely a nice touch. My kids loved playing with his son and wife and the dog - Doughnut! This was one of the best trips I did in Sri Lanka with the kids . I have done a lot and this is my first doing at an Air bnb due to Budget concerns and this place ticked everything and beyond . Value for money is 100% . The view from the balcony is 100% Hospitality and service is 10000% +++.

Cinnamon Cottage is run by truly wonderful people who genuinely care about their guests. From the first moment, they did everything possible to make my stay as comfortable and welcoming as it could be. What touched me most was the incredible support I received when I had to leave unexpectedly for health reasons. The hosts were not only understanding and compassionate, but they actively helped me during this situation, went out of their way to assist, and even made a refund for the unused booked time possible. This level of kindness, integrity, and human warmth is rare and deeply appreciated. I am truly grateful for the way I was treated and can wholeheartedly recommend Cinnamon Cottage to anyone looking for a place with genuine care, generosity, and heart. Thank you for everything. 💛

The place is a run down property, with shaking doors, half broken locks and ac that does not work and fan is also ineffective. The room stays hot all the time and bathroom is not very clean. The pictures are misleading and we were heartbroken when we saw the property in person.

Un’esperienza indimenticabile. Siamo arrivati al terzo giorno del nostro viaggio in Sri Lanka in questo meraviglioso cottage in riva al lago con un giardino rigoglioso e vivo. La famiglia di Sanjaya ci ha fatti immediatamente sentire a casa, la moglie ci ha portato in camera la DELIZIOSA cena che la mamma ci ha cucinato. Entrambe dolcissime, ci siamo proprio sentiti in famiglia. Poi dopo un bellissimo risveglio con concerto degli animali della laguna, abbiamo fatto un giro in kayak da loro offerto. Ci siamo anche fatti il boat safari da loro organizzato dove abbiamo visto tantissimi animali stupendi. Sanjaya è un uomo splendido, generoso, gentile e super disponibile, un vero amico con un grande cuore. Ci ha accolti e aiutati per ogni cosa ed è sempre presente per te. Non vi dimenticheremo❤️ E per chi ci legge, fatevi un regalo e andate al Cinnamon Cottage ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

I would give The Cinnamon Cottage more than five stars if I could. It is owned and run by a very kind and friendly family. The location, right on the lake, is beautiful, peaceful, and quiet. It is a bit out of town and restaurants are a minor trek at least during the off-season. This place is absolutely worth a visit!

One of the best home-type stays I’ve ever been to. Sanjaya, the owner and host is so hospitable and hardworking, he’s literally built some of the structures himself. The cottage is beside the Lunuganga and they have Kayaks that you can take out to watch the sunsets from the river. If you’re expecting a 5 star hotel experience, this isn’t the place. But if you’d like a homely, simple, Sri Lankan lifestyle away from the hustle, surrounded by wildlife and nature, this is definitely the place for you. Sanjaya organized a scooter for us to take out to wonder around the area. Highly recommended! And thanks again Sanjaya and family for hosting us!

Great place to chill and relax. Really friendly hosts who go above and beyond to fulfill our requests. Great pricing. Superb view on the riverfront. They have kayaks so you can go kayaking If you're interested. Two cute dogs are a plus point.

A Truly Memorable Stay Our stay at the Cinnamon cottage was nothing short of exceptional. The lake view from our room was absolutely breathtaking, providing a serene and picturesque backdrop to our relaxation. The room itself was impeccably clean and comfortable, creating a welcoming atmosphere. The hosts were incredibly kind and accommodating, going above and beyond to ensure our stay was perfect. Their warm hospitality made us feel right at home. We were particularly impressed by the complimentary kayaking, which was a fantastic way to enjoy the beautiful lake. The open shower was a unique and refreshing experience, and the eco-friendly architecture of the hotel was truly admirable. Overall, our stay was a truly memorable experience. We highly recommend it to anyone seeking a peaceful and rejuvenating getaway.

Really enjoyed our time with Sanjay and his family. The location of this place is perfect! It's very green and the rooms overlook the lake. Sanjay also helped us with Kayaks and bicycles. The dogs are super cute and we enjoyed playing with them! Would recommend it to anyone who likes a quiet place surrounded by nature

Io e il mio compagno siamo stati due giorni qui, un soggiorno da sogno. Vista sul lago mozzafiato, giardino ricco e curato, camera spaziosa e molto pulita, doccia con vista cielo. Un luogo di pace. Ti offrono i loro kayak per girare il fiume, bellissima esperienza davvero, abbiamo visto un sacco di animali,uccelli,scimmie,coccodrilli. La prima sera,appena arrivati la mamma ci ha cucinato una ricca cena srilankese buonissima per 1€, stessa cosa per la colazione di frutta tropicale,omelette,pane tostato, crepe di cocco e miele, tutto in riva al fiume, incluso nel prezzo.Organizzano anche safari sul lago e altre attività, e ti prestano le loro bici. Abbiamo poco tempo per girare tutta l’isola quindi siamo dovuti andare via ma saremmo rimasti volentieri per un mese intero. Ci siamo sentiti a casa dal primo momento in cui siamo arrivati, Sanjaya, sua moglie e sua mamma sono davvero splendide persone, ci hanno amati e coccolati, e dato consigli molto utili. speriamo di rivederli presto,sarete per sempre nei nostri cuori ♥️ CONSIGLIO ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️🙌🏾

Staying at Cinnamon Cottage was one of the highlights of my trip in Sri Lanka. More than just a place to stay, it felt like being welcomed into a family. Sanji and his mother are incredibly kind, accommodating, and always ready to help with anything. The cottage itself is surrounded by a lush, peaceful garden, and having access to a canoe on the lagoon was a wonderful bonus. The WiFi is impressively strong (perfect for remote work!), and the room was spacious and very comfortable. One thing to keep in mind: renting a motorbike is the best way to get around, as the cottage is a bit away from the seaside and town center. Tuk-tuks and taxis are available but might take a few minutes to arrange. That said, the tranquility and hospitality here make it absolutely worth it. Would love to come back!

Sanjay and his family are so sweet, I can’t expect more than what they have offered to me… I saw true Sri Lankan hospitality. I wouldn’t able to complete my journey without his support. I only stayed 2 nights but I instantly felt comfort when I get there. The cottage is situated just by the quiet river… it’s gorgeous and room is spacious (it’s a hut renovated by themselves) you can hear birds and animals sound all the time. I had home made breakfast and dinner each day in the setting. My main purpose to visit Bentota is to see Bawa’s works scattering around… so I communicated with him before check-in for better planning. Eventually my to do list all crossed! Additionally, they offer free kayaking in to the river… it was fun, too. (you can see many Mangroves) Lastly, he kindly dropped me off at the airport all the way from Bentota in extreme rain… It was my final and the best accommodation in Sri Lanka.

The family were soooo welcoming and helped us in so many ways. Sanjaya and Bodhini spoke excellent English and looked after our every need - from guidance on places to visit, canoeing instruction and of course lovely food. Sanjaya’s mother, Shanti, gave a wonderful massage at a low price and was always smiling - so typical of Sri Lankan people. It is worth visiting the beautiful garden and home of Lungugama 5 mins by bike.

Cinnamon Cottage: A Hidden Gem with Potential My experience at Cinnamon Cottage was a delightful mix of highs and lows. The setting is absolutely enchanting – a beautiful boat ride brought me to this charming place, and the sunset views were unforgettable. The overall service was also excellent, friendly and attentive. Unfortunately, the food was where things fell short. While edible, it lacked the refinement and flavor I'd expect, earning only 2 out of 5 stars. If the cuisine could be elevated to match the ambiance and service, Cinnamon Cottage would be a true gem. I certainly hope to return in the future and see that they've taken steps to improve their culinary offerings.

Had a great stay. Amazing hosts. The owner is very very helpful and reliable. Very much recommendable.

Der Besitzer hat uns freundlicherweise direkt am Flughafen abgeholt. Als wir bei der Unterkunft ankamen, waren wir momentan etwas enttäuscht, denn wir waren der Meinung, dass wir im Cottage untergebracht werden. Stattdessen bekamen wir ein Zimmer im ersten Stock. An diesem Zimmer gibt es jedoch absolut nichts auszusetzen. Es war sehr geräumig mit einem großen Balkon und Blick auf den See. Ein ganz besonderes Highlight ist, dass die Kajaks und auch Fahrräder (sofern sie fahrbereit sind) im Zimmerpreis eingeschlossen sind. Das ist ein echter Vorteil, den wir ausgiebig genutzt haben. Das W-LAN funktionierte ebenfalls ausgezeichnet. Da unser Zimmer nur über einen niedrigen Tisch verfügte, wurde uns das Frühstück in einem dafür vorgesehenen Bereich im Erdgeschoß serviert. Dort herrschten leider ziemliche Sauberkeitsmängel und Unordnung, was sich mit ein klein wenig Aufwand beseitigen ließe. Das war aber auch schon der einzige nennenswerte Makel an der Unterkunft.

Ein toller Ort um runter zukommen und relaxen. Die Besitzer sind so herzlich und alles ist top. Das Essen schmeckt super! Einfach ne Runde über den See/Fluss mit dem Kajak ? Kein Problem :) wunderbar