Blog
In Conversation with Francesca Battocchi from Laba Fanjove Island
Fanjove Island: Naturally Luxurious
News Article
26 June 2024
Guests staying at Anantara’s hotel in the town of Tangalle, Sri Lanka, may not know it but, as they look out to sea from this gorgeous beachfront resort, there’s not a single piece of land that separates them from Antarctica. All that lies between them and the southernmost continent on Earth are several thousand miles of Indian Ocean, which is apt given that Anantara is an ancient Sanskrit term that roughly translates to ‘without end’. Perched at the very tip of Sri Lanka’s south coast, we sat down with Champika De Silva, the Director of Sales, to discuss that ethos, the hotel, and what guests can expect at this self-styled Peace Haven.
Anantara Peace Haven is still relatively young – the hotel will celebrate its tenth birthday next year – but that’s not to say that the people behind it aren’t seasoned pros. The hotel was built to blend contemporary luxury with the natural, timeless aesthetic of the Sri Lankan coastline and its landscape, and it was backed by the internationally renowned Minor Hotels and the local Hemas Holdings.
And there’s no escaping the fact: this is a wonderfully peaceful place. The team at Anantara, Champika included, are committed to that ethos and a quick flick through the hotel Instagram and it seems as though they’re doing rather a good job. Guests stay in either a room – rain shower and all – or a villa, where a private pool and host service make sure that the most stressful decision to make will be when to eat lunch. Or where to eat it. Anantara Peace Haven itself has every option from moonlit restaurants overlooking the breaking waves to romantic, tucked away private decks. Further afield, Champika mentions the excellently named ‘Mama’s Kitchen’, an immersive local dining experience where guests overlook the rolling paddy fields as they dine on some of the tastiest dishes the area has to offer.
And then of course, there’s Tangalle. A gem of a town on the coast, there’s more seafood on offer here than almost anywhere you can imagine, the local fishing communities serving fish so fresh it would have been swimming just hours before. Away from the food, the town boasts some of the island’s most beautiful beaches alongside some fine cultural treasures. The Mulkirigala Rock Temple in particular is a must-visit, an ancient Buddhist site that sits atop a 205-metre high slab of rock and that has been a sacred place for over 1,500 years. If you fancy it, the hotel can lay on a visit there that includes a meditation with the local monk. Colombo, too, is within striking distance of the hotel, with all of the cultural, culinary and natural delights that it has to offer.
Champika’s keen to stress that it’s not all straight up relaxing at Peace Haven; this is a hotel with myriad adventures that blend their ethos of contemporary luxury with authentic Sri Lanka. In nearby Mirissa, guests can take a boat to catch a glimpse of whales – for those lucky enough, that might include the notably solitary and tough to spot Blue Whale. There’s a great surf break at Kudawella, with guides and instructors to help even the most novice wave-catchers, an elephant safari in Yala, a turtle sanctuary visit and beautiful, Instagram-worthy sunrise kayaking.
It’s fair to say that this is working. Champika mentions that the guest feedback they receive from their international – predominantly UK and European – markets is overwhelmingly positive and often highlights the serene atmosphere of the hotel, the breadth of its activities and the friendliness of the team. It’s a team that remains mainly local, something Anantara is keen to continue so that local traditional and cultural elements can simply become part of the hotel’s daily operations.
That’s the admirable goal at this lovely hotel: a fusion between global standards and the warmth of local hospitality and activities. One look at the design of the hotel and it’s obvious that it’s a vision that’s been realised, beautiful villas melting away into the Sri Lankan countryside and bars, restaurants and guests areas snuggly settled overlooking the beach and ocean. For a hotel that means ‘without end’, it seems as though it’s a sentiment shared by a lot of guests about their trip in this little slice of southern Sri Lankan paradise.
One point of contact throughout the journey
Honest advice from years of experience
Insight to create the perfect trip
Call us today