Escape to Nisala Arana, a boutique hotel nestled in Bentota's lush greenery.
Tranquil Oasis with Modern Comforts
Relax by the outdoor pool or explore the tropical garden while enjoying the convenience of free WiFi. The villa offers a flat-screen TV, DVD player, and a private bathroom for a comfortable stay.
Exquisite Dining and Convenient Services
Indulge in Sri Lankan and Western cuisine and take advantage of amenities like the tour desk and luggage storage.
Book your stay now at Nisala Arana for a truly unforgettable tropical getaway!
✦HAPPI HIGHLIGHTS
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Beautiful location
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Excellent service
At the hotel
Popular amenities
66 listed
24-hour security
Access to health care professionals
Air conditioning
Airport drop off
Airport pick up
Airport shuttle
Airport shuttle (additional charge)
Babysitting/child services
BBQ facilities
Beach
View all amenities
Pools & wellness
Infinity pool
Massage services
Outdoor pool
Spa/wellness center
Swimming pool
Swimming pool toys
Dining & drinks
Cooking class
Food delivered to guest room
Physical distancing in dining areas
Restaurant
Sanitized tableware & silverware
Special diet menus - on request
Fitness & outdoors
Cycling
Garden
Outdoor furniture
Sun loungers or beach chairs
Sun terrace
Terrace
Yoga classes
Rooms & comfort
Non-smoking rooms
Safety & cleanliness
Cleaning standards that are effective against Coronavirus
Contactless check-in/check-out
Dry cleaning
Fire extinguishers
First aid kit available
Guest room sealed after cleaning
Guest rooms disinfected between stays
Guests can opt-out any cleaning services during stay
Physical distancing rules followed
Shared stationery like menus, pens are removed
Smoke alarms
Staff adhere to local safety protocols
Getting around & access
Shuttle service
Shuttle service (additional charge)
Guest services
Express check-in/check-out
Invoice provided
Ironing service
Laundry
Laundry washed per local authority guidelines
Services & essentials
Board games/puzzles
Canoeing
Car hire
Cashless payment available
Daily housekeeping
Diving
Evening entertainment
Family rooms
Fishing
Free WiFi
Key access
Picnic area
Shallow end
Snorkelling
Sun umbrellas
WiFi available
Windsurfing
Review in focus
22 reviews
10/ 10
What a great start for our holiday in Sri Lanka. The hotel and welcoming staff gives you an immediate holiday feeling and has a colonial vibe. We stayed at the doctors house with our family of 5 and that is very spacious with 3 bedrooms. Tommy and staff are great and really pamper you with a personal service and excellent food. Highly recommended!
Johannes · family with children · 2026-07-17
The guest experience
9.5out of 10 22 verified reviews
Loved most
Beautiful location
Excellent service
Worth knowing — Value for money could be improved · Cleanliness could be better
How guests scored the stay
Service10.0
Conrad and team went above and beyond to make sure our stay was perfect.
Location10.0
La location è fantastica, immersa nella natura incantevole.
Overall Experience10.0
A wonderful experience that will be remembered.
Room Quality9.6
Hele mooie kamers en interieurs hele hoge kwaliteit.
Amenities9.6
Fietsen konden worden gebruikt voor esplorare.
Food and Beverage9.6
La colazione è ottima.
Cleanliness8.6
Standard quality for this hotel tier.
Value for Money8.6
Il rapporto qualità-prezzo non è stato adeguato.
Live guest feedback
Guest reviews
Mixed experiences
94% of 16 recent stays rated 8+
9.522 reviews
Great intimate hotel with personal service, excellent food and beautifull garden to relax in
10/10
Johannes · family with children · 2026-07-17
“What a great start for our holiday in Sri Lanka. The hotel and welcoming staff gives you an immediate holiday feeling and has a colonial vibe. We stayed at the doctors house with our family of 5 and that is very spacious with 3 bedrooms. Tommy and staff are great and really pamper you with a personal service and excellent food. Highly recommended!”
A little piece of paradise in Bentota
10/10
Claire · family with children · 2026-03-22
“Nisala Arana is such a tranquil oasis. The grounds are beautiful and there’s something very special about having breakfast whilst watching the kingfishers, green bee eaters and other lovely Sri Lankan birds.
The breakfast was the best we had on our travels. We also ate dinner there a couple of times and it was delicious. The team were really accommodating of our 2 little kids and provided high chairs and child appropriate food.
The rooms were lovely with a great hot shower and good aircon. They had mosquito nets and anti mosquito coils. They even provided a cot with a net over it for our baby.
We would love to come back here some day, it’s a special place.”
Guest review
1/10
Vilius · family with children · 2026-03-19
“The only positive aspects were the friendly staff and very tasty breakfast.”
Stunning garden setting, gorgeous rooms and lovely staff in a charming location
10/10
Amy · couple · 2026-03-09
“A stunning garden setting full of wildlife and with beautifully stylish rooms .
We loved the authentic village setting away from the busier areas and close to the river.
The staff were absolutely lovely.”
Paradise!
10/10
Joshua · family with children · 2026-03-01
“A stunning location, with a real WOW factor, we had such a lovely stay at this unique and beautiful boutique hotel.
Our gorgeous accommodation was immaculate, spacious, with an amazing bathroom.
Every morning, before a delicious breakfast, we enjoyed a swim in the fantastic sized pool, situated in well kept gardens, whilst listening to the tropical birds in the background. It was just bliss!
It is up there as one of best places we have ever stayed.
A big thank you to Tony, and his
fantastic team, for their wonderful smiles, incredible welcome, generous hospitality, and always going the extra mile.
We didn’t want to leave this idyllic place, and definitely hope to return one day.”
Beautiful hotel and garden, great staff, wonderful place to relax.
9/10
Jonathan · family with children · 2026-02-25
“Beautiful grounds, wildlife and buildings. Pool was refreshing and well maintained and not overly chlorinated. Large garden and pavilion area with hammocks to relax and enjoy the peace and birds.
All staff and especially Tony were so accomodating and looked after us well.
Free to use bikes for getting around the neighbourhood. Very close to the lagoon.
Would highly recommend.”
A little piece of heaven
10/10
Catherine · couple · 2026-02-11
“We enjoyed a week at Nisala Lodge. Very tranquil location set in beautiful gardens. Tony and his team were amazing, and we were truly spoilt during our stay. We even managed a cheeky little ride in the Morris Minor, which was a fabulous ending to the week”
Location molto suggestiva
8/10
Valeria · family with children · 2025-09-02
“La proprietà è molto bella ed è immersa in una natura incantevole.”
Guest review
10/10
Delia · family with children · 2025-09-01
“La location è fantastica, sembra di essere in 1 film, giardino curato, la gentilezza e il servizio di Conrad sono eccellenti, tutto curato nel dettaglio, le camere sono spaziose, con tutto ciò che serve, il bagno è esterno ed è fantastico, dietro c'è la giungla, esperienza da non perdere. La zona comune e la cena sono meravigliose, colazione ottima, consiglio di non perdere questa meravigliosa esperienza, la porteremo nel cuore e nel ricordo di questo viaggio! Grazie Conrad... siete un popolo speciale!”
Beautiful surroundings, lovely staff
10/10
rosie · family with children · 2025-08-29
“This is a beautiful location. The gardens and buildings are exsquisite, it is a lovely place to spend time. The surroundings are very beautiful anda lot of thought has gone into their design. The breakfast is delicious. I highly recommend taking the available bikes and exploring the quiet streets in the village. Bentota is a really lovely spot.
Most importantly, the staff are lovely, Conrad and team went above and beyond to make sure our stay was perfect. My son even got the chance to play cricket with them, which he loved! I highly recommend this beutiful, perfect spot.”
Guest review
9/10
Esmee · family with children · 2025-08-18
“Echt een prachtige plek, hele mooie kamers en interieurs hele hoge kwaliteit allemaal! En zo leuk dat er fietsen waren die je gewoon kon gebruiken! Wij zijn met onze kids op de fiets naar lunaganga gegaan, dat was een super leuk tochtje en fietsen in de buurt ging sowieso prima!”
Guest review
8/10
Jonah · family with children · 2025-08-04
“Ligging en tuin. Prachtig!!”
A charming gem that brings you back in time. Unmissable if you love true beauty. A great pleasure to be hosted by Mr. Be
10/10
Elena · group · 2025-07-29
“Stunning stay”
Exceptional
10/10
Aakash · young couple · 2025-06-09
Exceptional
10/10
Katy · review category business travellers · 2025-05-10
“A beautiful place, peaceful and stylish”
A soulful sanctuary – our Sri Lanka highlight
10/10
Nbmr-33 · review category business travellers · 2025-05-04
“From the very first moment, our stay at Nisala Arana was a total success – and became the absolute highlight of our Sri Lanka journey. This hotel was far more than just a place to stay; it felt like a true home full of soul, nestled within a lush, peaceful garden paradise.
The expansive garden is a tranquil oasis right in the heart of vibrant, rural Bentota. We loved exploring the quiet backstreets by bike (freely available), observing local life and reaching the serene, uncrowded beach in just minutes – perfect for swimming and surfing. A fantastic Ayurveda centre was also nearby.
The accommodation is stylish, immaculately kept, and yet wonderfully welcoming – it immediately gave us a sense of belonging. Special thanks go to General Manager Conrad, who hosted us with incredible warmth, attentiveness, and insight. He was not only a perfect host, but also a cultural guide and a true friend – making everything possible, from a fresh seafood BBQ to tracking down a lost phone. Even the owner went above and beyond – including sourcing a guitar for us!
We actually stayed at Nisala Arana twice – once at the beginning of our trip, and again at the end. That’s how much we loved it. The second time we brought friends and enjoyed an almost private guesthouse experience, complete with a talented chef who prepared amazing curries and menus tailored to our tastes.
In short: a place with true heart, deep respect for its guests, and a very personal level of service. Perfect for families, couples, and anyone seeking a stylish yet relaxed atmosphere – not about Instagram hype, but about real soul.”
