Anantaya Passikudah, Sri Lanka

An enchanting resort on the beautiful Passikudah bay with a rustic-chic design, spacious rooms and spectacular villas.

Newly opened in 2016, the beautiful Anantaya is still something of a hidden gem on the up-and-coming east coast. The resort is certainly eye-catching. Its distinct architecture has been influenced by Thai and Balinese style, with a dark wood exterior and many of the public areas – including bars, restaurants and a few outdoor spa areas – are located in open-air pavilions and thatched buildings throughout the resort. The grounds are equally beautiful with bridges crossing the large swimming pool and paths taking you through to pretty gardens that lead down towards the beach. From here you can walk along the beautiful bay or enjoy a range of watersports in the generally calm and shallow waters of the bay. We can’t think of a better place to head to for a post-tour wind-down.

Days begin with a breakfast at the stylish, yet relaxed main restaurant The Seaboard Deck, which overlooks the pool towards the beach and sea. Lunch and dinner are also served here and this is where all your included meals will be. Alternatively, you can treat yourself to dinner at the signature seafood restaurant The Blue Coral. The cuisine here is sourced locally and you can enjoy catch-of-the-day dishes seasoned with spices that the island is famous for. There are two bars including the swim-up Splash, and the beach-side Sands where light meals, snacks and local and international drinks are served.

The rooms, suites and villas are very spacious and reflect the Asian design of the resort. Located in three-storey buildings throughout the grounds are the Superior Rooms and Deluxe Rooms with Balcony which are on the upper floors. From the ground-floor Pool Suites you can enjoy access to the pools directly from your terrace. If you’re travelling as a family or group, the incredibly expansive villas are an excellent choice. Featuring two or three bedrooms and a stylish living and dining room the villas also have a terrace and small plunge pool.