Bentota has long been synonymous with beach holidays in Sri Lanka, but beyond its shoreline lies a quieter, more considered way to experience the coast. At Taru Villas – The Long House, the focus shifts from typical seaside indulgence to space, design, and a slower pace of living. In this conversation, Chairman Ashan Malalasekera shares the thinking behind the property and how it redefines what a coastal stay can feel like.
By The Sea, At Ease: The Long House, Bentota And The Art Of Slowing Down
At Taru Villas – The Long House, architecture, space, and the coast come together to create a beach stay that feels personal, not performative
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Bentota is known for its beaches. What sets The Long House experience apart?
The beach is just the starting point. What makes The Long House different is the space: the 80-foot pool, the open corridors, the art on the walls, the sense that you’re in a home rather than a hotel. A train trundles past the garden a few times a day, almost like a scene from another era. Bentota has plenty of beach hotels. We wanted to offer something you would actually remember.
The Long House is defined by its open, linear design and sense of flow. What inspired this architectural approach?
Chairman Ashan Malalasekera
The site inspired it. We had this beautiful stretch of coastline and wanted to honour it, not compete with it. There are no dead ends, no enclosed corridors, just a natural flow from one space to the next. It encourages movement, or stillness, depending on what you need. The architecture steps back and lets the setting do the work.
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The property encourages unhurried living. How do you see guests naturally slowing down during their time here?
It usually happens by the second day. The pool is long enough that swimming becomes almost meditative. The verandahs are designed for sitting, not passing through. There’s no schedule pushing you anywhere. We see guests start to read again, have long conversations over breakfast, or simply watch the ocean without reaching for their phones. The architecture makes space for that. We just stay out of the way.
Beach holidays are as much about dining as they are about leisure. How does your culinary philosophy reflect Bentota’s coastal character?
Seafood, simply prepared, served where you can smell the salt air. That’s the philosophy. We source locally and cook without overcomplicating things. The coast provides enough flavour on its own. Meals here tend to stretch longer than planned, which we take as a compliment. The setting helps. Food tastes different when you can hear the waves.
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The Long House, a boutique Bentota property Instagram/thelonghouse.taruvillas
Taru Villas is known for understated luxury. How is this philosophy expressed at The Long House on a day-to-day level?
It’s in the details you don’t notice until later. The quality of the linen. The way the light falls through the corridors. Staff who remember your coffee order without making a show of it. We don’t announce the luxury; we let you discover it. The art on the walls is bold, but the service is quiet. That balance is what we aim for—memorable without being overwhelming.
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