Anantara Kalutara 

Welcome to a water wonderland

Head off the beaten track to this under-the-radar Sri Lankan hideaway, where river meets the ocean.

Anantara Kalutara Resort is a stunning beachfront retreat on the south-west coast of Sri Lanka just an hour and a half from Colombo. The vibe is off-grid tranquillity, infused with a slice of laidback luxury. Based on a blueprint conceived by Sri Lanka’s famed architect Geoffrey Bawa, a huddle of low-slung, terracotta-roofed buildings sit at the tip of a narrow peninsula where the Kalu Ganga river flows into the Indian Ocean – so you can go river cruising one day, then embark on lazy beach hangouts the next.

Why we love Anantara Kalutara

  • It’s in a beautiful and secluded spot on the south-west coast, but within reach of Colombo, Galle and other must-see destinations

  • A trio of excellent restaurants conjures up a world of culinary delights, from Thai-style lobster to classic afternoon tea

  • Active types will love the choice of things to do, from ziplining over the lagoon to fishing from a traditional sailing boat

  • When you want to relax, there’s a tranquil floating spa, yoga sessions by the sea and private butler-serviced beach cabanas

5 stars
Dec - Mar
Colombo 10½ hours
On the southwest coast of Sri Lanka, 1 hour’s drive south of Colombo
Approx. 1 hour's group transfer from Colombo airport
All Inclusive

Facilities

  • Restaurants & bars
  • Board
  • Spas & wellness
  • Diving & Watersports
  • Sustainability
  • Families
  • Good to Know

You won’t be short on food and drink options – three excellent restaurants and a pool bar feature cuisines from Sri Lanka, Asia, Arabia and Europe, and there are some excellent private-dining options.

Olu
Live cooking stations and themed dinner buffets are paired with à la carte dishes at all-day Olu, a bright and airy spot with high ceilings and glass walls whose menu transports you from Sri Lanka to Europe, Arabia and beyond.

Spice Traders
Dine on pan-Asian cuisine under a canopy of rattan hanging lamps at this rustic venue, which spills out on to an alfresco riverside sala. Try the Thai-style lobster or a plate of jumbo river prawns infused with tandoori spices.

Acquolina
Overlooking the adults-only pool, this fine-dining restaurant is a stylish venue for equally stylish Italian flavours with a focus on seafood – the squid-ink pasta with lobster is divine.

Upper Deck Lounge & Sports Bar
This colourful spot, dotted with leather armchairs, is the place for afternoon tea or casual drinks overlooking the lagoon – grab a terrace seat for the best views.

Pool Bar
Enjoy day-to-night drinks and light bites overlooking the pool (be sure to order a frozen margarita) from 11am to 6pm.

Book a special lantern-lit dinner right on the beach or facing the lagoon for a romantic experience.

Whats Included

Breakfast at Olu.

Upgrade Options

Half Board • Breakfast and dinner at Olu • Credit for dinner at à la carte restaurants
Full Board • Breakfast, lunch and dinner at Olu • Credit for lunch and dinner at à la carte restaurants
All Inclusive • Breakfast at Olu • Lunch and dinner at any restaurant (opening hours vary) • Daily high tea • Selected drinks (11am-11pm) • Minibar refilled once per stay • 1 x spa treatment per stay (for guests staying a minimum of 7 nights).

The fabulous Anantara Spa feels like a world apart thanks to its dreamy location surrounded by water and lotus flowers. You can soak up the peace of the outdoor relaxation space and ease aching muscles in the steam rooms, or choose from a curated menu of Ayurvedic, western and Asian treatments. Our pick is the skin-and-mind-soothing Kalutara Tea Journey, a celebration of the healing power of green tea.

A yoga master is available for private lessons in your choice of location, and there are daily group classes in the spa’s yoga pavilion.

The 24-hour fitness centre overlooking the garden is well-equipped with cardio and strength-training machines and free weights, and there are regular fitness classes, morning runs on the beach and the like. For something a little different, head outside to the Adventure Tower for a spot of rock climbing and abseiling or to zipline across the lagoon. Other options include cricket lessons, bike tours and table tennis.

The resort’s dedicated water sports centre* offers jet skiing, wakeboarding, waterskiing, windsurfing, banana boat ride, snorkelling, lagoon fishing, deep-sea fishing, stand-up paddleboarding, canoeing and a range of boat rides.

The team here source as many ingredients as possible from the immediate area, including almost all of the ethically caught seafood. Any leftover food is donated to local farmers to be used as feed for their animals. Community projects include everything from regular beach cleans to food donations to a nearby orphanage. The resort is part of Anantara’s Deed for Dollars scheme, which supports Udawalawe’s transit home for orphaned elephants.

With various accommodation options and plenty to keep kids entertained, families will feel welcome. There are two large pools, both with a water-jet zone; one is just for adults while the other has a children’s section.

The dedicated Aliya kids’ and teens’ clubs provide a wide range of supervised activities for younger guests, from painting lessons to outdoor activities and tailor-made excursions.

Minimum stay: 5 nights 27 Dec-05 Jan for Suite and Villa guests; 3 nights 27 Dec-05 Jan for other guests; no departures on 31 Dec.

Compulsory Christmas Eve and New Year's Eve dinners, supplements apply.

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