A cool sea breeze greets us as we step into the lobby lounge of the Anantara Peace Haven Tangalle Resort in Sri Lanka. It's a welcome relief from the humid tropical air that's enveloped much of this port city ever since we arrived. As I settle down on one of the plush chairs, I can hear the sound of crashing waves in the distance. And for a few minutes, it feels like pure bliss.
It's not long before a smiling attendant offers me a cool towel and chilled water, before one of the receptionists informs me that my room is ready. It will be about a two-minute buggy ride, I am told. I thank them and walk over to the edge of the lobby, following the sound of the waves. I get a glimpse of part of this expansive resort – I can see landscaped gardens, winding pathways and a giant pool. Beyond that is the endless Indian Ocean.
Nestled on an 8.5-hectare coconut estate on a secluded rocky outcrop along Sri Lanka's southern coast, Anantara Peace Haven Tangalle Resort is naturally secluded, giving it an exclusivity few properties in the area can offer.
The National checks in to find out more.
The welcome
Garlands and traditional drummers welcome us as we walk into the striking open-air lobby. Beyond the main door, a concrete path surrounded by water on both sides guides us to the reception. The area is framed by large wooden columns and drawn fabric blinds, forming an introduction to the colonial-era plantation architecture style that we will see across the resort.
The neighbourhood
About a three-hour drive from Bandaranaike International Airport in Colombo in the west, Tangalle is on the southernmost tip of the island country. An important fishing port and popular tourist town, it used to be a trading hub with vestiges of its past colonial rulers still dotting the landscape.
Yala National Park, Sri Lanka's most popular wildlife reserve and the second-largest park on the island, is about 70km from the resort. Famed for its bird species, believed to number more than 200, many of them only found in the country, the park also has one of the highest leopard densities in the world.
Setting off in the darkness one morning, we drive through three of the five blocks of the park that are open to the public. Along the dirt road, we meet all kinds of wildlife, from crocodiles to peacocks, monkeys and elephants, but with our eyes straining at the thick foliage for its most elusive residents, the leopards.
We're finally rewarded towards the end of our trek when two leopards, teen siblings playing with each other, run out of the bushes. It's a fleeting moment, lasting only seconds, as the pair disappear as quickly as they appeared, but it's what dominates conversations for the rest of the day.
The room
There are 152 accommodation types to choose from at the resort, spread across rooms and pool villas. I am staying in a garden pool villa that's large enough for a family of two adults and two children. Inside is a 64 square metre luxurious space, complete with a lounge, study, daybed and king-sized bed. In the attached spacious bathroom, the space is dominated by a tub, next to which is a rain shower.
Both the bedroom and bathroom open onto a 33 square metre outdoor terrace comprising a large pool, loungers and a private dining area. Beyond is thick greenery, ensuring privacy as well as exclusivity. Ocean-view and beach pool villas feature similar layouts but, as their names suggest, extend to the ocean or beach.
Each villa is also allocated a host, with all guests' needs, from buggy pick-ups and dinner arrangements, taken care of by a dedicated member of staff.
The service
I find the ultimate in Sri Lankan hospitality here, with smiling staff who are eager to help and quick on their feet. Due to the resort's size, getting around can be a bit of a challenge before I acclimatise myself to the lay of the land – but everywhere I turn, there is someone to assist.
The scene
There are plenty of activities to join while at the resort, from yoga and meditation to nature walks, children and teens clubs, badminton and tennis courts, movie nights and even kayaking.
My personal favourite is Spice Spoons, a cooking class focused on Sri Lankan cuisine. Guests can opt to start at the market, accompanied by dedicated guides, to shop for local ingredients, or join the cook directly at the traditional kitchen, built inside a mud and straw hut-like space in the middle of a rice paddy on the resort's ground. All dishes are cooked using only a woodfire and participants can dine outdoors next to the rice paddy.
Anantara is known for its spas and the one at Tangalle is no different in scope and service, with a few local favourites including ayurveda treatments. Similar to other Anantara resorts, the spa also offers a Slumber Guru Experience in the room where a therapist delivers a sleep-inducing massage and then prepares a luxurious bath leaving me to enjoy the ultimate restful soak.
The food
Guests can take their pick from a number of restaurants. Journeys serves an international cuisine for breakfast and dinner by the the pool, while El Vino has set menus and tapas-style creations with wine pairings. Head to Il Mare for Italian food with stunning ocean views as it's perched on the cliffside.
My top pick, however, is Verala, a teppanyaki-style dining concept featuring fresh seafood and a range of meats. Catch the master chefs showing off their acrobatic cooking skills while taking in the architecture. Split into two domes meant to resemble coconut shells, one "shell" houses the bar while the other is the dining and teppanyaki area. Located on the beach, I choose to sit under the stars, closer to the waves.
For those who wish to take it up a notch, Anantara's Dining by Design offers tailor-made dining options for proposals or just a romantic meal. Guests choose their settings, from a secluded stretch of beach to a cliffside or the deck of their private villa, where a private butler will help ensure a perfect moment.
Highs and lows
Anantara Peace Haven Tangalle Resort is hard to fault. But if I have to, I'd say some of the bedrooms in the villa that face the public lawns and pathways may have issues with privacy, especially when the curtains are drawn open.
The insider tip
A day trip to Yala National Park is a must. At the resort, don't miss the Spice Spoons experience – it's a great way to get immersed in Sri Lankan culinary culture while also learning their way of life.
The verdict
A self-contained resort with impeccable service, Anantara Peace Haven Tangalle Resort is the kind of getaway where you just turn up to unwind. From food to cultural activities and adventure, there's something for everyone.
The bottom line
Nightly rates start at approximately Dh1,400 ($381) for standard rooms and Dh2,400 for villas, including breakfast. Check-in time is from 3pm and checkout time is at noon.
This review was conducted at the invitation of the hotel and reflects hotel standards during this time. Services may change in the future
