PARADISE REDISCOVERED: Anantara Peace Haven Tangalle
Reality will surpass your wildest dreams upon arrival at the luxurious five-star Anantara Peace Haven Tangalle where each guest is welcomed with a private Sri Lankan ceremony. One of the first luxury hotels to establish themselves in Tangalle, it is located in a former coconut plantation alongside a secluded coastline with a craggy cliff that offers dramatic vistas over the ocean. Located on the southern coast of Sri Lanka, the relatively undeveloped city of Tangalle offers unspoiled natural tropical beauty amongst coconut trees, weeping palms, golden sand beaches, and aquamarine waters.
This sprawling and tranquil sanctuary is set amongst acres of lush tropical landscaping with Sri Lankan inspired architecture and décor. Choose from 152 rooms or villas, depending on your preference. The spacious hotel rooms feature ocean views with private balconies or terraces with beach access. For the ultimate in privacy and space, book a 1000-square-foot luxury villa with a private pool ranging from one to two bedrooms with either garden or ocean views or beachfront access. Contemporary Sri Lankan décor adds to the charm of these large and luxuriously appointed villas. Bedrooms feature a king-sized bed with a sitting area, a full dressing room, along with indoor and outdoor showers and a soaking tub. Awaken to the sounds of tropical birds singing, peacocks dancing in your front lawn, or mischievous monkeys playing in the coconut trees.
Take in the sun either on their secluded beach or by the 25-meter infinity edge swimming pool with breathtaking views of the ocean. For casual daytime dining, grab lunch at the poolside bar and grill, which serves light bistro fare and refreshing cocktails.
Relax and rejuvenate in their soothing Zen-like spa with plenty of relaxation rooms to completely unwind. Melt away all the stress from the outside world with a 90-minute signature massage that uses a combination of oils and movements to promote deep relaxation while restoring energy. Other treatments include a chakra crystal balancing that detoxes the body through a massage, singing bowls and crystals, as well as a marma abhyanga massage to rebalance the marmas- areas where the blood, lymph vessels, muscles, bone tissue and nerves meet.
Taste the flavors of the world in spectacular settings. For all-day dining, venture to Journeys. For breakfast, they feature a generous international buffet that serves Asian, Western and Sri Lankan specialties to please everyone's palette. For lunch and dinner, the menu reflects the journey of the spice trade route with all-day a la carte dining featuring a range of classic Thai dishes, Indian specialties, Sri Lankan curries, and western fare consisting of pastas, and BBQ grilled meats and seafood. Villa guests have the option to enjoy an exclusive breakfast at the beautiful Verala restaurant, which offers alfresco dining in a dramatic beachside setting. At night, it transforms into a Japanese-themed restaurant with a Sri Lankan flare, featuring an optional teppanyaki table for those who wish to witness Japanese culinary masters at work. Hallmarks of this exceptional fine dining experience include the Tom Yum Goong soup, spiced crab cakes, and succulent, slow-baked jumbo lagoon prawns made with garlic butter, ginger and spicy soy sauce. Enjoy exceptional Italian cuisine at Il Mare, which offers moonlit dining atop a cliff with dramatic views over the Indian Ocean coastline. For the ultimate in culinary romance, book the dining-by-design experience. Indulge in an exquisite private candlelit private dinner on the beach or cliffside with a personalized menu ranging from Surf and Turf to Sri Lankan, Italian, or seafood menus with a personal butler on hand to serve you.
Close to the Udawalawe National Park and the ancient 2000-year-old Buddhist Mulkirigala Rock temple carved into the side of a mountain, there are plenty of attractions to visit in this relatively undeveloped area of Tangalle. While driving in the area, it's not uncommon to see giant elephants grazing by the side of the road in the nearby national park. Once you visit Tangalle, you will experience a special and tranquil energy that will forever change you and remain with you long after you leave.
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