ANANTARA PEACE HAVEN TANGALLE RESORT

HIGHLIGHT

The resort’s uplifting, holistic wellness journey typically ranges between three and seven days, and is tailored to your needs by resident Ayurvedic doctor, Jayachandran Thampi.

WELLNESS PHILOSOPHY

The resort embodies the Anantara philosophy of “without end” with its extensive array of mind, body and soul-rejuvenating experiences. At the spa, which sits on a lush, quiet corner of the compound, you can indulge in a range of Sri Lankan, Western and other Asian treatments within one of the eight treatment suites. Travellers like myself who are seeking respite from hectic urban life will discover a gem in Pinda Sweda, an anti-inflammatory Ayurvedic massage recommended by Dr Thampi to improve circulation in the body using warm bags containing heat-generating herbs and spices. To address my constant battle with low energy and work stress, Dr Thampi also recommended Pizhichil, a highly nourishing oil bath where two masseuses gently massaged warm herbal oil into my sun-parched skin while skilfully kneading any muscle knots. To nourish my mind, I also partook in yoga and meditation at the secluded outdoor pavilion. The small class size of just four people meant that the instructor was able to lavish attention on every single one of us. I was surprised by how easy it was to clear my mind for two hours. I focused instead on the hushed voice of the teacher and the sound of the waves crashing onto the rocky shore in the background. As I found out later, the natural soundtrack was in fact a constant feature of the Anantara Peace Haven Tangalle Resort, whether I was taking in the splendid views of the Indian Ocean from my beachfront pool villa, or enjoying a local spread at one of its restaurants. After four wonderfully relaxing days, I left not only with fond memories of my time at the resort, but also with an eight-page personalised guide with tips from Dr Thampi on how to lead a healthier lifestyle. I still refer to the guide regularly and have altered some aspects of my diet and sleeping habits. I recently even downloaded a meditation app, and I’m glad to report that I’m still following it through. Baby steps.