Vivanta is a serene beach resort operated by the luxury Indian hospitality network Taj Hotel Resorts & Palaces. It is located along the southwestern coast of Sri Lanka, halfway between Colombo and Galley. Other luxury destinations in the Indian Ocean: the Seychelles, Zanzibar, Song Saa, Amonoi Resort.
The hotel was recently renovated as a bucolic space where guests can hear the whispers of the palm trees and the sweet music of the waves, a place where it is still possible to stroll through velvety and pristine sands and enjoy the intense orange colors of the magnificent sunsets.
It has 160 suites overlooking the turquoise waters of the Indian Ocean and the lush gardens. Each room occupies an area of almost 4,300 square feet and offers amenities such as original wicker furnishings with ergonomic design, large beds and spacious bathrooms. The entire complex was built according to the guidelines of colonial architecture, with red tiled roofs and terraces, and to top it all off, it features an idyllic infinity pool.
But perhaps the most interesting feature at Vivanta is the Jiva Spa, housed on a strip of beach away from the main complex and lined with palm trees and exuberant greenery. Honoring the rich Sri Lankan heritage, it boasts open terraces, a central courtyard with sacred trees and a reflection pool, combining ancient Eastern wisdom and and modern sensibilities. The spa offers excellent rejuvenation treatments, ranging from aromatherapy massages, traditional Indian remedies, scrubs and body wraps. The expert staff uses only natural products in a refreshing, harmonious atmosphere.
On the other hand, the hotel’s outstanding gastronomy is distributed in five distinct restaurants and bars offering both Eastern and Western cuisine. S.H.A.C.K serves fresh seafood cooked outdoors in a beautiful setting overlooking the ocean; the stylish Sea View boasts a fine collection of wines from around the world; the Oriental Pavilion delivers authentic Chinese food; The Palms specializes in a pleasing range of international dishes, and Tease, an informal space in the middle of the pool, is famous for its imaginative libations.
If you want something more intimate, there is also the option of a romantic dinner by the ocean: a culinary and sensory experience, exclusive and private with a personalized menu that allows you feel the waves under your feet. It is an unforgettable experience that may include fireworks, Kandiyan dancers, a serenade or an elephant ride along the beach.
In addition, Vivanta offers its guests fascinating entertainment outside the resort: boat trips to local villages to explore exotic customs and lifestyles, excursions to observe whales and dolphins up close, a tender and emotional visit to a nearby orphanage for baby elephants, a boat trip through magnificent mangroves towards the mouth of the river, or a visit to the Kosgoda turtle hatchery.
Vivanta by Taj Bentota is located in an almost untouched corner of the world where people inevitably return because the things that really matter in life should be experienced more than once to be truly appreciated. ■
