Edge of Paradise

Find your zen at Anantara Peace Haven Tangalle Resort, where the natural world is on your doorstep and tranquility is on tap

Marco Polo was so enraptured by Sri Lanka that he famously christened it ‘the most beautiful island in the world’. For the 21st century traveller, the charm of this tropical Indian Ocean gem doesn’t get any more paradisiacal than the Anantara Peace Haven Tangalle Resort.

Situated on the southern tip of the island, the old fort town of Tangalle is a world away from the more crowded tourist locales and the resort certainly checks all the retreat-worthy boxes. One-of-akind setting nestled in the lush greenery of a former coconut plantation? Tick. Uninterrupted golden-hued stretch of beach fringed by swaying palms? Yours for the strolling. Bespoke cliff-top dining experience for two? This way please.

With 152 rooms and villas opening onto idyllic vistas of the Indian Ocean, selective seclusion is the watchword. The lure of a Beach Pool Villa with its own perfectly chilled plunge pool may well overrule any desire for active exploration, but there are plenty of zen moments to savour around the resort. Set positive intentions for the day with sunrise asanas by the sea in the yoga pavilion, sign up for a beginner’s surfing lesson with Tropicsurf luxury surf excursions, or grab a basket for a food lover’s tour of the local markets paired with a cooking class.

Day trips further afield immerse travellers in the natural world with Udawalewe National Park the place to spot wild elephants, UNESCO listed Sinharaja Forest Reserve jam-packed with flora, fauna and wildlife, while the cultivated slopes of Handunugoda Tea Estate speak to a bygone era.

The resort also has local flavour in spades, and Sri Lanka’s culinary pedigree is reimagined at Verala where the farm to table menu unexpectedly blends teppanyaki techniques with local influences. You’d also be hard pressed to find better Italian cuisine anywhere on the island than beachside at Il Mare, while Il Vino’s legendary cellar-style degustation dinners are the ultimate social dining occasion.

Max out your tranquillity quotient at Anantara Spa where Ayurveda wellness programmes sit alongside homegrown experiences such as the King CoconutDelight. Lastly, you can learn more about the resort’s dedication to sustainability while on a guided stroll through the organic rice paddy field and garden, ending with a farm-to-table dining experience a top a traditional treehouse. Plus, you can make a difference by helping to release turtle hatchlings to the ocean, as part of the resort's conservation project.

To find out more, call +94 47 767 0700 or visit anantara.com

Inside a Garden Pool Villa

Retreat to a two-bedroomed villa

The approach to the spa

Tour the local markets and then join a cooking class