Why go?
For laid-back luxury and sweeping Indian Ocean views, Anantara Peace Haven strikes the perfect balance between natural seclusion and beautifully considered design.
Honeymoon style
Anantara Peace Haven Tangalle is made for couples who value thoughtful luxury and a sense of place. Honeymoons here are shaped by the rhythm of Sri Lanka’s south coast; unhurried, sensory, and quietly indulgent.
Design is understated and elegant, allowing the landscape to take the lead. Service is warm and intuitive, creating an atmosphere that feels both luxurious and personal. It’s the kind of place where romance happens naturally. Nothing here is rushed or over-designed. The landscape leads; the luxury lingers quietly. Here romance lives in the details, the welcoming staff, and the sense that you are exactly where you’re meant to be.
Set the scene
Once a working coconut estate, now a laid-back luxury hideaway, Anantara Peace Haven Tangalle unfolds over 22 acres of palm-fringed calm. The architecture is subtle but considered, all clean lines and open-plan spaces softened by breeze blocks, carved timber and terracotta tones. There’s a distinct nod to Geoffrey Bawa here – Sri Lanka’s iconic architect – with earthy materials and a natural flow between indoors and out.
The lobby sets the tone: quiet, open, and calming, with latticework ceilings and a reflection pool that feels more like a meditation than a check-in. Up a level, the library is a dreamy little perch above the palms – ideal for slow mornings or a post-swim cup of tea with a view.
Paths weave through the tropical gardens towards the spa (Ayurvedic rituals, done right), a fully kitted-out gym if you’re feeling virtuous, and – the real star of the show – stand-alone villas with private pools, daybeds, and just enough space to lose track of time.
The vibe here is quiet luxury with a Sri Lankan soul. Less about peacocking, more about ease. Understated, stylish, and soaked in sunshine, it’s the kind of place you’ll want to return to before you’ve even left.
Food and drink
There are three restaurants to choose from, each with its own rhythm and mood. Journeys is the laid-back, open-air option for all-day dining, where local staples take the spotlight – fragrant fish curries, sumptuous sambals (spicy relish), and golden-edged hoppers (rice pancake), alongside well-executed international favourites. Mornings are a generous banquet of tropical fruit, fresh juices, and eggs any way, best taken slowly with coffee and a sea breeze. Come evening, the menu leans into spice and comfort with curries, grilled seafood, and a few Mediterranean nods.
Il Mare is arguably the most romantic spot on the property. It’s perched above the ocean, serving polished Italian plates such as crab linguine, grilled tiger prawns, and silky tiramisù under low lighting. Verala delivers a sharper, more theatrical experience: teppanyaki grills, sushi rolled to order, and bold, clean flavours with a Japanese-Sri Lankan edge. For something truly memorable, Dining by Design offers private setups in the organic garden, under the palms, or cliffside at sunset framed by crashing waves. Don’t miss the Sri Lankan cooking class – Mama’s Kitchen – a beautifully paced, interactive experience that lets you take a taste of Tangalle home.
Rooms
A scattering of four-storey buildings houses 120 serene sanctuaries, each gazing out towards the ocean or, on the ground floor, spilling straight into fragrant gardens. Rooms are generous in scale and subtly stylish, marrying clean lines with local soul: rattan armchairs made for languid mornings, hand-carved timber tables, deep plunge tubs, and flashes of Sri Lankan artistry that add just the right amount of character. But it’s the 32 private pool villas that dial things up. Expect lofty, wood-beamed ceilings and bathrooms that verge on spa territory with double vanities, a bath with a view and oversized walk-in wardrobes. The plunge pool offers an idyllic spot for couples to unwind together. Order room service and dine on your terrace, and, as peacocks parade across the lawns, you can take in an uninterrupted sweep of the Indian Ocean.
Spa
Tucked between lotus-dotted ponds and palm-fringed paths, this serene coastal spa is the kind of place you arrive at and instantly exhale. Think slow mornings wrapped in Ayurvedic rituals; tailored treatments that move at your own pace.
For couples, it’s all about reconnecting in tranquil, side-by-side spaces, with bespoke spa journeys that feel as restorative as they are romantic. And, if you’re leaning into a longer stay, multi-day wellness programmes bring together mindful movement, nourishing meals, and holistic therapies to gently reset, recharge and re-align.
Family-Friendly
Little ones are well looked after with a thoughtfully curated kids’ club brimming with daily adventures, while an optional babysitting service offers grown-ups the gift of guilt-free downtime.
Location
Anantara Peace Haven Tangalle enjoys a prime position just two and a half hours from Colombo, and the journey here is made effortless via the Southern Expressway. Tucked away near the heritage town of Tangalle, the resort feels blissfully secluded. From here, guests can explore some of the island’s most striking landscapes on day trips, with Udawalawe’s elephant-filled grasslands and Yala National Park for leopard-spotting both within easy reach.
Prices: From £288 per night. For more information please visit: anantara.com/en/peace-haven-tangalle
Address: Goyambokka Estate, Tangalle, Sri Lanka, 82200 Tangalle, Sri Lanka.
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