Luxury hotel holiday Anantara Kalutara Wadduwa

The Anantara Kalutara is a five star resort on Sri Lanka's south west coast. State-of-the-art architectural design, inspired by Geoffrey Bawa, breathes new life into the typically Sri Lankan cabana, creating the glass-walled, dynamic building that sits at the centre of the Anantara Kalutara. Inside, a range of cuisines are served in vastly varied restaurants, and in the guestrooms, more distinctive Sri Lankan style meets contemporary amenities and technology. Spend a few days as part of a touring holiday soaking up the sunshine beside the sea or pool and exploring the bays of the peninsula, and the towns of Kalutara and nearby Beruwala or Bentota.

Anantara Kalutara one bedroom pool villa Anantara Kalutara Sri Lanka pool villa private pool sun loungers private enclosed terrace

Anantara Kalutara spa exterior Anantara Kalutara Sri Lanka spa exterior buildings walkway over water female spa worker

Anantara Kalutara romantic beach dining Anantara Kalutara Sri Lanka beach dining romantic dinner fire torches

Anantara Kalutara villa bedroom Anantara Kalutara Sri Lanka pool villa bedroom bed television private terrace modern décor

Anantara Kalutara deluxe ocean view room Anantara Kalutara Sri Lanka deluxe ocean view room modern décor private terrace

Included in your Expressions holiday

Accommodation in a double or twin room on bed and breakfast
Scheduled flights with Sri Lankan Airlines
Transport by private car with driver-guide if part of tour or private car transfers only

Concierge service and Expressions Holidays regional helpful hints
Optional room, board and flight upgrades. Details on request

Luxury bespoke holidays and tours to Anantara Kalutara, near Wadduwa

The Anantara Kalutara Resort is a 4-star luxury hotel with a stunning peninsula location. Traditional Sri Lankan design is fused with influences of Bawa's Tropical Modernism, alongside gourmet dining, excellent spa facilities to afford a peaceful, indulgent experience.

Facts in brief

Official star rating 4

Location On the Kalutara peninsula, approximately 45-miles from Colombo

Closest airport Bandaranaike International Airport

Distance from airport 55 miles

Hotel facilities and services

2 Outdoor Swimming pools, Yoga and meditation pavilion, Kids and teens centre, Gym, Geoffrey Bawa library, 2 Shops, Water sports centre, Olu Restaurant, Acquolina Italian Restaurant, Spice Traders Asian Restaurant, and Upper Deck Bar.

Complimentary

Wifi.

Chargeable watersports

Water sports at the Anantara Water Sports Club include Bodyboarding, Surfing, Windsurfing, Fishing, Kayaking, Jet skiing, Water skiing, and Speed-boating.

Land sports

Yoga and Fitness centre.

Out and about nearby

One afternoon, take a trip into Kalutara itself. This colourful town was once an important spice-trading centre, formerly owned by the Dutch, the Portuguese, and the English. Richmond Castle is an ochre-fronted manor house with landscaped gardens, originally designed to imitate an Indian palace. Situated at the top of a small climb, the Fa Hien Caves are encased within the oldest natural rock in Sri Lanka and are said to have been occupied 37,000 years ago. On the banks of the Kalutara River stands the Kalutara Bodhiya, a Buddhist temple; this is one of the most spectacular religious sites in the area, and is crowned by a vast white dome. To truly enjoy the Sri Lankan weather, explore the Calido Beach, a strip of land that separates the river from the sea, or Kalutara Beach, which is often almost empty, though the sea is not often totally calm.

Sports nearby

Kayaking, Windsurfing, Surfing, Jet skiing, Scuba diving, Snorkelling, Sailing, Fishing, Walking, Hiking, and much more.

Special offers for this holiday>

Absolutely loved it. Bespoke sense of the trip is very good. Very pleasant and efficient service.

Mrs H, Sep 2023

Holiday price guide Sample prices are per person based on two people sharing a Premier garden view room for 7 nights

From about

£2,000

Holiday Code EXH1881

The prices displayed here are a guide only. Each holiday price will be tailor-made at the time of booking to reflect all actual costs including up-to-date special offers.

Call us on 01392 441245

Luxury bespoke holidays and tours to Anantara Kalutara, near Wadduwa

On the south west coast of Sri Lanka, the Anantara Kalutara is a five star resort immersed in the luxurious paradise of its surroundings. From the outside, the main hotel building has the appearance of an oversized beach cabana. A light wood structure supports the peaked roof, which seems to hover above the glass walls, and, inside, the red-tinged wood gives the atmosphere a distinctly oriental feel. Guests can dine here, in the Olu Restaurant on international cuisine, in the Acquolina Restaurant on Italian cuisine beside the infinity pool, or in the unusual Upper Deck, which sits in the roof's peak, on tapas and light snacks. The feel of each restaurant, though they reside in the same building, is entirely varied. Acquolina is strikingly modern, with sheer, sleek lines and smooth wooden decking; Olu has a traditional warmth, decorated with cream and terracotta colours; and the Upper Deck has decorative flags hanging from the rafters, and low, comfortable armchairs. Outside this captivating structure is Spice Traders, a restaurant that specialises in Asian cuisine. Guests dine beside stone statues and perfectly manicured trees and hedges; and, though alfresco dining is always casual, Spice Traders does not sacrifice an ounce of ambience, particularly after the sun has set. If booked in advance, guests can enjoy private beachfront dinners with their loved ones, lit by flickering beach lanterns. Beyond the Anantara's main building are the hotel rooms, dotted around the tropical gardens under coconut palm trees and beside the golden sand. The guestrooms have all of the sumptuous style and design flair of the hotel restaurants, with signature furnishings that seem to mimic authentic antiques, carved wooden room dividers, and low-hanging lamps that offer atmospheric low-lighting in the evenings. In all rooms the colour palette is kept simple and refined, with white linens and cushions enlivened by slivers of purple, turquoise, lime, and pale ochre. Larger groups may be interested in staying in one of the pool villas, each of which has ample living space, its own private plunge pool, and a small garden area. Alternatively, take full advantage of the two swimming pools on-site, one of which sits very close to the gently rippling waters of the river. The Anantara Spa, accessible from the rest of the hotel via a bridge over a pond, pampers guests with treatments rooted in Eastern healing traditions. Ayurvedic treatments, a yoga pavilion, and steam rooms leave guests feeling refreshed after a day of exploration. Other activities at the Anantara include Spice Spoons Cooking Classes, the myriad activities at the Water Sports Club, and a peaceful afternoon spent enjoying the library dedicated to Geoffrey Bawa. The Anantara Kalutara Resort, newly opened in September 2016, is an idyllic five star destination that adds an additional layer of luxury to any tour of Sri Lanka.

Room descriptions

Anantara Kalutara has 141 rooms with air-conditioning, King size bed or twin beds, balcony or terrace, coffee machine, minibar, LED flat screen television, and wine humidor.

Premier Garden View Room

Deluxe Lagoon View Room

Deluxe Ocean View Room

Deluxe Poolside Room

One Bedroom Ocean View Suite with separate lounge

One Bedroom Anantara Suite with separate lounge

One Bedroom Presidential Pool Suite with plunge pool and separate lounge

One Bedroom Pool Villa with separate lounge and dining area, outdoor plunge pool, decking, and sun loungers

Two Bedroom Pool Villa with separate lounge and dining area, outdoor plunge pool, decking, garden, and sun loungers

Special offers for this holiday>

Absolutely loved it. Bespoke sense of the trip is very good. Very pleasant and efficient service.

Mrs H, Sep 2023

Holiday price guide Sample prices are per person based on two people sharing a Premier garden view room for 7 nights

From about

£2,000

Holiday Code EXH1881

The prices displayed here are a guide only. Each holiday price will be tailor-made at the time of booking to reflect all actual costs including up-to-date special offers.

Call us on 01392 441245

Luxury bespoke holidays and tours to Anantara Kalutara, near Wadduwa

The journey and how you get there

For a holiday to Anantara Kalutara Resort in Sri Lanka, our clients fly to Colombo, usually with Sri Lankan Airways on a direct flight from London Heathrow (or with Emirates from other UK airports via Dubai). This hotel is 1 hour 40 minutes' drive from Colombo airport and is either a stay in its own right, in which case you will have a car transfer to the hotel and back, or it is stayed at as a coast extension at the end of a tailor-made touring holiday, in which case you will approach the hotel from a different location.

Additional information

Children: Interconnecting rooms and extra beds are available. The Two Bedroom Pool Villa can accommodate up to 4 adults and 2 children. The Adventurer Kids Club is available to entertain the children while parents relax.

Special offers

Call to make your booking and save an extra £50 per adult Call us instead of emailing us when you are thinking of booking a holiday and save an extra £50 per adult (in addition to any special offers that might be available). We want to talk to you to discuss your requirements and a phone call is usually the best way for you to define what you want enabling us to respond more accurately. We want to talk to you and you save an extra £50 per adult.

Absolutely loved it. Bespoke sense of the trip is very good. Very pleasant and efficient service.

Mrs H, Sep 2023

Holiday price guide Sample prices are per person based on two people sharing a Premier garden view room for 7 nights

From about

£2,000

Holiday Code EXH1881

The prices displayed here are a guide only. Each holiday price will be tailor-made at the time of booking to reflect all actual costs including up-to-date special offers.

Call us on 01392 441245

Luxury bespoke holidays and tours to Anantara Kalutara, near Wadduwa

About South west coast

An Expressions tailor-made holiday to the south-west coast of Sri Lanka incorporates a popular holiday destination for tropical sun, sea and sand. It offers wonderful beaches and a variety of hotels and guests houses to choose from, with the added attraction of having local life and interesting places to see and things to do nearby. What’s more, facing directly west to the Indian Ocean, visitors are treated to the most magical sunset views. This 100-kilometre coastline between the cities of Colombo and Galle is blessed with miles of palm-fringed golden beaches interspersed with harbours, inlets, mangrove-lined rivers and lagoons. Bentota and Beruwela are the primary locations for restaurants and nightclubs which are mostly found in hotels, and also offer a range of watersports along with Hikkaduwa. Hotels of every size and quality vie with private villas, coconut plantations and fishing villages for a space on the beachfront and those priceless Indian Ocean views. We have selected a range of hotels on Sri Lanka's south-west coast which are ideally located to explore the highlights of the region, including luxurious boutique hotels and resorts such as Saman Villas and Serene Pavilions.

Highlights of Bentota, Wadduwa & the south west coast

In addition to relaxing on the beach, there are plenty of other things to see and do in this region. In and around Wadduwa: Fishing life along the coast; Long beach walks; Kalutara – famous for its historic Bo tree, grown from a sapling of the Sri Maha Bodhi in Anuradhapura, and Gangatilaka Vihara Temple - the only Buddhist shrine in the world which is hollow; Kalu Ganga (river) and Bolgoda lake; Richmond Castle – a 19th century spice plantation mansion, built for a regional Governor resembling an Indian Maharaja’s palace design, now open to the public. In and around Bentota/Beruwela: Watersports at Bentota/Beruwela on the Bentota river (there is a well-equipped centre offering a range of motorised and non-motorised water sports, including diving); Bentota mangrove river boat trip; Long beach walks; Brief Garden – home and landscaped gardens created by Bevis Bawa, the artist brother of Geoffrey Bawa. Behind a bamboo hedge lie walled gardens, bowers, lawns, sculptures and a Japanese garden; Lunuganga Estate – the home of celebrated Sri Lankan architect Geoffrey Bawa; Aluthgama – shops and market; Galapita Vihara Buddhist Temple - 12th century, 5 km upriver. Inland: Singharaja Rainforest; Plantations, farming and craft villages. Between Bentota and Galle: Kosgoda Turtle Hatchery; Buddhist Temples – e.g. Kumarakanda Vihara; Balapitiya –boat trips on Madu Ganga river and lagoon – birdlife, water monitors, islands; Mask carving and painting in Ambalangoda; Moonstone quarry in Meetyagoda; Beach walks; Hikkaduwa - tourist shops and restaurants, lower budget; Fishing trips, Snorkelling and scuba diving, waterskiing, kayaking, windsurfing and sailing – at Hikkaduwa (12 km from Galle). Wherever you stay on the south-west coast, day excursions can be made to historic Galle, Buddhist temples, Sinharaja Rainforest, Ambalangoda mask factory, the Kosgoda turtle hatchery. The water sports facilities at Bentota/Beruwela (or Hikkaduwa) are within an hour’s drive from any of the hotels.

Cultural highlights of Bentota, Wadduwa & the south west coast

In the small towns and villages that straddle the main trunk road and railway line, Buddhist temples sit alongside churches and mosques whilst livelihoods are gained through a mix of tourism, trading and fishing, farming and skilled crafts. It is fascinating to stroll along the beach and watch the fishermen preparing to launch their brightly-painted boats, later seeing them return with their catch. A venture into the hinterland reveals a world of lush plantations, tropical forests and lagoons. The rural villages are often known for a particular skill such as furniture or mask-making and weaving using dyed reed. Wadduwa, Bentota, Beruwela and the stretch of coast between Bentota and Galle all offer golden sand beaches, small fishing communities and watersports. Further inland, the Sinharaja rainforest is the only large undisturbed rainforest left in Sri Lanka where over 800 of the island’s endemic species of flora and fauna can be found.

Climate of Bentota, Wadduwa & the south west coast

The south-western part of Sri Lanka is the wet tropical zone. It is warm and humid all year round. Sea breezes make the coast a little cooler. The sunny, dry season is between November and March with average temperatures at around 26C. The south-west monsoon brings intermittent torrential rain, winds and rough seas, normally in May, June and July, with temperatures of up to 32C.There is also changeable weather during September and October. Humidity fluctuates between 70% in the day and 90% at night, which can be oppressive in built up areas.

Travel around the region

We include private transfers with all our holidays to Sri Lanka, and a personal chauffer with all our touring holidays. Driving Distances: Colombo International Airport to Wadduwa – 1.5 to 2 hours (56 km), Colombo International Airport to Bentota – 2 ½ to 3 hours (90 km), Colombo International Airport to Galle – 3 hours (150 km), Wadduwa to Kandy – 4 hours, Bentota to Kandy – 4.5 hours (180 km), Colombo to Wadduwa – 45 mins to 1 hour (30 km).