Review of Anantara Kalutara Resort

Uniquely facing two waterways – the Kalu Ganga estuary and the Indian Ocean – the Anantara Kalutara Resort is located just an hour’s drive away (78 kilometres) from both Bandaranaike International Airport and Colombo (40 kilometres). 

The transfer allows visitors to experience the beauty of Sri Lanka as the route traverses verdant countryside, waterways and lagoons by luxurious limousine with complimentary Wi-Fi, snacks, cold towels and even a DVD player. There is also a seaplane transfer once a day to the lagoon or guests may charter a private seaplane or helicopter if a flight is preferable. Another option is to take to the rails with a scenic railway journey to Kalutara South Railway Station, a ten-minute drive from the resort. 

Experiences abound with tea plantations, mansions and sacred temples close by including the world’s only hollow Buddhist shrine. Alternatively take to the water with a cruise along the Kalu Ganga River which travels right through from Adam’s Peak or Sri Pada, the sacred mountain believed to have the footprint of the Buddha.

This stunning resort with 141 beautifully appointed rooms, suites and villas, has been inspired by legendary architect Geoffrey Bawa’s vision of tropical modernism with natural materials used - including tropical hardwoods - to accent the cool clean lines of the neutrally decorated interiors, enlivened with touches of colour.  

The airy guest rooms feature either a balcony or a terrace with outdoor seating; Nespresso machines; multimedia entertainment; a wine humidor and sleek bathrooms with a standalone tub, twin vanities and rain shower. Room types range from Premier Garden View Rooms to Deluxe Lagoon View Rooms – each offering 78 square metres of living space - and the Deluxe Poolside Room (80 square metres) featuring a terrace with easy access to public areas and the pool to the Deluxe Ocean View Room (72 square metres) with ocean views from a private balcony. 

Moving on up to the suites and you enter a peaceful kingdom of cool – with white-washed hues and polished wooden floors underfoot. The One-Bedroom Ocean View Suite offers 173 square metres of space with indoor and outdoor dining areas and a separate living area. There is Apple TV, Netflix and Bose surround sound, children’s amenities if required and the services of a Villa Host to look after every whim. The One-Bedroom Anantara Suite at 123 square metres of space features a separate living area and a kitchenette, handy for all day snacking. This signature suite is the only one featuring dual lagoon and ocean views from one of two spacious balconies. At a similar size, the Royal Bawa Suite meanwhile lives up to its name and features a master bedroom opening out onto an inviting private plunge pool with a terrace complete with outdoor seating and loungers. The spacious living and dining area features local artworks, beautifully carved screens and plush fabrics. 

Villa wise, there are one bedroom examples at 235 square metres of indoor and landscaped outdoor space with the two bedrooms offering 228 square metres. The former features sliding doors opening out onto a private pool and sundeck with loungers and ample outdoor seating in an enclosed landscaped garden. The vaulted standalone living room with dark wood beams sits across from the master bedroom, linked by a common hallway. The larger villas however open out onto an inner courtyard with two bedrooms at either end for added privacy. Floor to ceiling sliding doors or windows open out from every room onto the sundeck and private pool area, perfect for travelling with friends or with the family.

Beach lovers will love spending time by the ocean in a private shady cabana with a dedicated Sunshine Butler at your beck and call. Others will prefer visiting the main pool with its jacuzzi, testing the waters at the adults only infinity pool at Acquolina or watching the young one play in the children’s pool. 

The beautiful two-storey floating Anantara Spa offers a serene and tranquil retreat, surrounded by water and lotus plants. The facility offers an extensive range of treatments inspired by Ayurveda traditions including family and junior spa experiences. There are massages, couple’s treatments, facials, body scrubs, body wraps, a Pedi:Mani:Cure Studio by the renowned Bastien Gonzalez and a menu of Ayurvedic Wellness Experiences. Key treatments have been specially designed for the resort from the hydrating, healing and deeply moisturising Kalutara King Coconut Delight to the Anantara Kalutara Tea Journey inspired by the country’s tea heritage. 

Wellness journeys include consultations with an Ayurvedic physician, acupuncture and trying out the healthy raw juices and wholesome menu.  Facilities include five single and four double treatment rooms; a Yoga and Meditation Pavilion; three outdoor relaxation areas with lotus waterways, steam rooms and male and female changing rooms. 

The Spa also offers both individual and group Yoga lessons and Pilates training either in the Pavilion or within the gardens, Aqua Aerobics and a fully equipped 24/7 fitness centre with personal trainers on hand if required. 

Activities here abound with a long list of recreational pursuits including Air Rifle Shooting; Archery; Art Classes (including canvasses and paints); Croquet; Fishing Guru Experience; Deep Sea Fishing; Golf and Fish Feeding Activity; Bicycle rentals and a Sri Lankan Traditional Dress Experience. For a quiet moment, visit the Geoffrey Bawa Library and look through the private collection of his sketches. There are also PCs available for use. 

Coaching is available for Circuit Training; Personal Training; Swimming; Cricket; Table Tennis and Water Aerobics. Water sports include boat rides; snorkellling; Canoeing; Stand up Paddle Boarding; Jet Skiing; Sailing; Windsurfing, Scuba Diving and much more. 

There is also an Adventure Tower where guests can abseil up 10 metres and zip line 165 metres over the lagoon; an opportunity to sample local fresh fruits from the market with chef preparing them individually; taking a Kalu Ganga Boat Trip along the mangrove-lined waterway and watching the Sundown Ceremony complete with graceful dancers and floating flower arrangements as the day ends. 

For kiddies, there are Art Lessons and the Aliya Kids’ and Teens’ Club, dedicated facilities offering a range of supervised activities, gaming stations and outdoor sports. 

Excursions include a visit to Geoffrey Bawa’s own country estate, a transformed former cinnamon and rubber farm; visiting Brief Garden by Geoffrey’s brother, Bevis; enjoying a traditional fishing trip with chef preparing your resulting catch; visiting the holy Kalutara Pilgrimage Site; and visiting Yala National Park to see leopards, storks, crocodiles, monkeys and more. 

Guests may also visit the Kosgoda Turtle Hatchery; take a tour of the Fa Hien Caves dating back as far as 33,000 years; enjoy tea at the Handunugoda Tea Plantation; go Whale Watching in season; visit an Eco Village or enjoy a Cinnamon Experience as Sri Lanka is responsible for 90% of the world’s production. 

For those who prefer to tour local towns and cities, take a Galle City Tour to meet descendants of the original merchant families, take a tour of Colombo visiting its historic sites by private limousine or take a tour of Richmond Castle, built for a rich landowner in 1896.

The best way to describe the resort is cool, calm and collected. From the tropical modernist design, inspired by Geoffrey Bawa to the restrained chic of the accommodation and the sheer breadth of the facilities and activities available at the resort, it is simply astounding. 

The excursions too are well thought out and relate to both the property and Sri Lanka, especially with the tours of Lunuganga Estate, Geoffrey Bawa’s country home, a former Cinnamon and Rubber plantation and his brother Bevis’s beautifully landscaped Brief Garden said to be his masterpiece. Guests can even take a moment to see Geoffrey’s original sketches in the resort’s Geoffrey Bawa Library. It is rare to find a resort that has gone out of its way to really showcase the history and rich culture of the country in which it resides. It is to be admired.

Guests can enjoy a wide range of cuisines from across the world within six restaurants and bars. 

With large picture windows overlooking the sea, tall ceilings and contemporary rattan and wooden furnishings, Olu is the all-day dining restaurant starting with a buffet breakfast with live cooking stations and freshly baked patisserie. The à la carte menu offers a range of international favourites and Sri Lankan specialities with fresh local seafood. Each day, there is a daily buffet with options featuring Asian, European, Sri Lankan, Arabian and Italian specialities. There is also fresh seafood and barbecue options too. Menu highlights include Olu Salad, Lagoon Crab Curry and Grand-fed Angus Tenderloin. 

With a traditional wooden décor in a modern dining room and an al fresco riverside sala, Spice Traders is an indoor / outdoor space with large windows opening out onto the gardens. Honouring Kalutara’s spice trading history, the dinner menu includes dishes from Thailand, China and India. Typical dishes include Jingha Til Tikka and Thai-style Seabass. 

Acquolina, the resort’s Italian restaurant, is a contemporary space overlooking the adults-only swimming pool. Fresh seafood is a speciality whilst the wine cellar makes for a romantic à deux moment. Menu selections might include Piatto di Salumi Misti, Tagliatelle al Nero di Seppia or Osso Buco. 

The Upper Deck Lounge and Sports Bar is a split-level space with traditional planters chair seating upstairs with unrivalled views over the resort and casual leather seating overlooking a pool table. Both traditional and Sri Lankan-style afternoon tea can be enjoyed here whilst there is a wide range of innovative cocktails available including World’s End, Kalutara Vodka Soda and The Sri Lankan Citizen. Beautifully presented, they pack a punch, just to warn you. 

The most casual dining venue is the Pool Bar of course with light bites and drinks, including fresh fruit mocktails, served throughout the day. Expect gourmet burgers, salads, pizza and decadent desserts. 

Other culinary experiences include Dining by Design for special barbecues, picnics or dinners served by chef and a butler on either the beach, in a treehouse overlooking the river or by the lagoon. Guests may also join chef for an interactive cooking lesson. Spice Spoons will reveal the secrets of spicy Sri Lankan cuisine with a programme that starts with a market visit for ingredients followed by a step-by-step tutorial. Enjoy the fruits of your labours and take home a box of recipes to impress your friends. They will also teach you wellness cuisine, whipping up healthy and nutritious meals if you prefer.

Teppentara, the Japanese al-fresco restaurant is currently closed but hosts cooking classes for all ages.

With properties across Asia, the Indian Ocean, the Middle East, Europe and Africa, Anantara is committed to preserving the world’s most beautiful destinations. They aim to preserve and nurture their host communities and environments, operating in a way which is beneficial to the locals and sustainable for the generations to come. They believe in grassroots involvement in the local community as well as matching guest donations to organisations that provide vital services such as child welfare and wildlife protection.

Each property is committed to water and energy conservation, minimising water consumption in all areas of the hotel. Waste management is also a priority with resorts reducing, re-using and recycling solid waste, implementing composting programmes and purchasing long life, durable products which are able to be recycled. The group works with local communities, offering opportunities for the locals, promoting cultural awareness with their guests and integrating indigenous culture into everyday experiences. Where possible, the group will employ members from local communities and will source environmentally and culturally sustainable products and services.

There are several guest initiatives for sustainability at the resort including enjoying the finest of seafood caught that day by local fishermen, grilled and served on the beach by chef and a butler. There is also a private dining experience in a treehouse available overlooking the lagoon. The curated menu, again personally served by chef and a butler, will include produce from the gardens at the resort and honey from the in-house beehive.

Anantara Kalutara Resort also operated the brand programme, Dollars for Deeds, where each guest dollar is matched by the resort and the funds given to the Udawalawe elephant transit home where orphaned elephants are cared for.