A union of tropical design and ancient Sri Lankan art
Situated on the south west coast of the island, just an hour from downtown Colombo, Anantara Kalutara Resort is set overlooking a tranquil lagoon where the Indian Ocean and the winding Kalu Ganga River meet. Luxuriate in beachfront paradise, enjoying authentic Sri Lankan hospitality.
The inspiration for the interior design was naturally drawn from Anantaras’ appreciation for rich local culture, the essence of traditional Sri Lankan aesthetic and the building’s original architecture by the renowned Geoffrey Bawa.
The essence of Anantara
The essence of the Anantara philosophy is summarised in its name which in ancient Sanskrit means “without end” or “without limits”, signifying a pledge to the traveller seeking rare experiences. Guided by this ideal, the guest rooms pay homage to the history of Sri Lankan culture, enveloped in the luxury of an Anantara resort.
A medieval heritage
It is a well-known fact that Geoffrey Bawa’s buildings, while each unique in their own sense, have the common trait of blurring the line between the interior and exterior surroundings – this stays true in the original design for Anantara. In keeping with this ethos, each guest room and suite was designed to ensure one would always have a view of the ocean or lagoon regardless of whether they were relaxing in bed or unwinding in the bath. Design inspiration from traditional medieval art give the esteemed guest a sense of the culture of the island that dates back 2500 years.
Flora & fauna
Incorporating traditional Sri Lankan elements was always a part of the design, keeping with the richness of Anantara. The design and décor of the rooms aim to celebrate traditional Sri Lankan art in a contemporary setting. Eighteenth century medieval Sri Lankan motif detail incorporated into the headboards, wardrobe doors and lighting are accentuated by colourful batik bed runners and scatter cushions. The soft furnishings are designed by local textile artist, Ena de Silva and the monochromatic line drawings of local flora and fauna are illustrated by Sri Lankan artists.
Historic beauty
The resort draws its strength from the rich cultural traditions, historic heritage and natural beauty of the context in which it is located.
This was one of the key aspects to consider in the project brief, along with catering to the brand’s global standards of luxury.
