Cinnamon Bentota Beach-Signature Selection promises journey of nostalgia

By Uma Chandrasiri

Sri Lanka’s first ever purpose built beach resort and Geoffrey Bawa’s masterpiece, Cinnamon Bentota Beach-Signature Selection, stands majestic, serenaded by the flowing waters of the Bentota river and the crashing waves of the Indian ocean and invites you to a world of bygone charm, eclectic and unrivalled beauty, highest standards of service excellence and an opportunity to escape into a world where dreams are fulfilled. 

The promise of Cinnamon Bentota Beach-Signature Selection lies in the fusion of the one of the islands’ most beloved beach destinations, proud local heritage, Bawa’s mastery in ‘tropical modernism’, open spaces kissed by natural light, timeless and world renowned Sri Lankan hospitality, views that mesmerise, unparalleled dining experiences and the warmth of her people that elevates a holiday to a cherished memory. 

Dining at this inimitable resort is a masterclass in culinary experience, bold island spices that meld with refined mediterranean flavours, unhurried evenings and the promise of the freshest of the ocean’s treats. The dedicated and highly skilled chefs at the resorts’ main restaurant, Zest, offer delectable Chinese, Indian and Sri Lankan cuisine while their open-air seafood restaurant ‘Sea meats spice’ brings the bounty from the ocean straight to the table. Italian and Mediterranean elegance in cuisine is encapsulated at the intimate L’incontro, its elegant setting promising fine dining, finest selection of wines and connection. The three bars and cafes of the resort, fuze- lobby bar and lounge, Drench pool bar and cafe Comida, offer an exciting array of signature cocktails, fine wines, mocktails, light meals, freshly brewed coffee and the finest Ceylon tea. 

Cinnamon Bentota Beach- Signature Selection is also unique in their highly thoughtful and curated offerings, ranging from a total of 141 premium and luxury rooms and 16 premium and deluxe suites (the famous Geoffrey Bawa suite being the most luxurious and a tribute to the late legend), Kurundu spa- wellness by choice and the fully equipped fitness centre and experiences such as ‘Bloom house’ and ‘Addara hena- farm to fork concept’ and the much valued ‘Play hub’ where the resort staff mind their 3-10 year old guests with fun activities, giving time and space to tired parents to unwind. ‘Bloom house’ is a secluded tropical paradise on the riverbank that allows guests an intimate space away from the main resort to enjoy breathtaking sunsets or indulge in a romantic dinner. ‘Addara hena’, a novel initiative designed to integrate sustainable agriculture into the day-to-day operations of the resort, supplies seasonal, organic vegetables to the resorts’ kitchens. As part of the important concept, the resort has subsequently introduced ‘Ambula’, a rustic mud house built adjoining the resorts’ own miniature paddy field, which offers a unique and memorable experience, especially to the resort’s foreign guests to pick and cook their own addition to lunch or dinner. ‘Addara hena’ is supported by a closed-loop waste management system where garden waste is converted to compost for use on the farm. The resort takes pride in extending their environmental and social responsibility to the community as they share the excess compost with their neighbours.

Having spent a thoughtfully curated day at Cinnamon Bentota Beach- Signature Selection with a media team, it was evident to everyone present, that this architectural marvel of late Geoffrey Bawa was not merely a place of wonder and beauty highlighted by the unique works of Ena De Silva (the creator of the magnificent and vibrant batik ceiling panels at the resorts’ entrance), Laki Senanayake (who built the iconic peacock sculpture in the lobby), the amazing work of Barbara Sansoni in the lobby and the paintings of renowned artist Ismeth Rahim, but more so a place where people go over and beyond, not just to meet but to exceed every expectation of their valued guests. Apart from the high levels of comforts and hospitality offered by every 5-star resort, the uniqueness of Cinnamon Bentota Beach- Signature Selection lies in its heart, in the way its staff give new meaning to customer satisfaction and value addition. 

The resort vastly benefits from its proximity to the Bentota river, especially at times when her guests are barred from the ocean’s rough waters. The river offers opportunities of adrenaline-inducing water sports or softer and slower currents on a guided mangrove boat ride. Apart from the mangrove rides that allow glimpses into the beauty of our southern waterways and wildlife, Cinnamon Bentota Beach-Signature Selection is proud to offer excursions to the iconic country home of Geoffrey Bawa on the banks of the Dedduwa Lake, Lunuganga Estate, and his brother Bevis Bawa’s ethereal brief garden where time stands still. For those seeking a different thrill, the river also offers the ‘live in the moment’ rushes of water skiing, jet skiing, wind surfing, banana boat rides, body boarding, wave runners, tube rides and disco donut rides for families. 

The unique locale of this wondrous resort makes it a coveted venue for destination weddings, either at their elegant ballroom under crystal chandeliers or by the breaking waves of the ocean beneath a canopy of stars. The resort’s lush and spacious gardens further support celebrations, may it be a birthday, mehendi, haldi, or even corporate cocktails at twilight. 

Speaking to Daily FT, Cinnamon Bentota Beach-Signature Selection General Manager Johan Aschan said: “Since joining the company in 2023, my assignment has been to uplift Cinnamon Bentota Beach following its extensive 2019 renovation. Consequently in 2023, we embarked on a turnaround plan which included rolling out a new strategic road map designed to elevate brand perception, resulting in us shifting and rebranding to add a ‘signature selection’ label. Our vision for this unique, refined and sophisticated resort has always been to be the No. 1 luxury beach destination in Sri Lanka.” Under the guidance of Aschan, the team at Cinnamon Bentota Beach- Signature Selection has streamlined internal processes to achieve the culture of ‘service excellence’ by cultivating a high performance mindset centered on ‘unscripted luxury and elite execution’ in all areas of operation. This fostered a transformative employee environment, driving diversity and extensive local engagement with a 30% female participation. 

When asked as to how he differentiates the resort from a Southern 5-star beach hotel, Aschan responded, “Our unique location with the river on one side and the beach front on the other, sets us apart. The resort is sophisticated yet intimate with Bawa’s unique blend of urban chic and tropical modernism. It is perfectly suited to host lavish weddings and events, as well as catering to high-end travellers seeking a bespoke service and an unforgettable travel experience. Our key differentiator, however, is our people who deliver personalised and heartfelt service excellence every day.” 

Cinnamon Bentota Beach - Signature Selection Resort Manager, Sriyangani Dhanapala, told Daily FT that the past two years with the resort have been immensely gratifying with the biggest pull factor being the ability to improve and transform a business towards its vision. 

“Having spent a considerable amount of time investing in our biggest asset, our people, I am not only able to witness heightened business potential but also notable personal growth. In terms of improvements, most of the big-ticket changes have already been implemented such as elevating the brand to a luxury space under the signature selection positioning. We are currently working on a few initiatives aimed towards service excellence and accreditation.” 

Dhanapala further reiterated her general manager’s sentiments when she identified the warmth of their service as one of the unique focal points of the resort. “Our employees are our ambassadors and they are empowered to be independent on the service floor. This creates the magic of our culinary strength, room experiences, and recreational spaces. I believe that the right talent, empowered and groomed well, is a recipe for magic. At Cinnamon Bentota Beach Signature Selection, we are the destination stewards and the storytellers of the region that put Sri Lanka on the map for excellent hospitality. Our attention to detail and guest-centric approach comes straight from the heart as we deliver our promise of the magic that is true Sri Lankan hospitality.”