I recently had the pleasure of staying at Anantara Kalutara, and I must say that it was an unforgettable experience from start to finish. From the warm reception at check-in to the moment of departure, every aspect of our stay was simply outstanding. The first thing that struck us was the genuinely friendly and welcoming nature of the staff. Throughout our stay, we were greeted with warm smiles and genuine hospitality. It's evident that the team at Anantara Kalutara takes great pride in ensuring their guests feel at home, and it made all the difference. The culinary offerings at the resort were a delightful surprise. The food was not only delicious but also presented beautifully. From local delicacies to international dishes, each meal was a gastronomic adventure. The chefs clearly put a lot of thought and effort into crafting an exquisite dining experience for their guests. Our room was a tranquil oasis of comfort and cleanliness. The attention to detail was evident, and we appreciated the effort put into maintaining the room's pristine condition throughout our stay. It provided the perfect haven after a day of exploring the surroundings. Anantara Kalutara's commitment to guest security was commendable. We felt safe and secure at all times, allowing us to fully immerse ourselves in the relaxing atmosphere without any worries. My husband, who can be a bit of a difficult guest, was thoroughly impressed by the bar facilities and service. The bartenders were not only skilled mixologists but also attentive to his preferences, ensuring he had a fantastic time throughout our stay. It's rare to find such excellent service tailored to individual preferences. What truly stood out was the resort's exceptional customer service. Despite their best efforts, sometimes things can go wrong in any establishment. However, at Anantara Kalutara, the staff promptly addressed any issues we encountered.

While I was excited to explore Kalutara, I couldn't help but feel that there wasn't much to see beyond the common tourist spots. It would have been great to have more off-the-beaten-path attractions to discover and immerse myself in the local culture. As for the resort, I found the staff to be a bit pushy at times. While I understand that they have a job to do, the frequent inquiries about my stay and constant questioning even during meals felt a bit overwhelming. It would have been nice to have more space and privacy to enjoy my meals without feeling like I was being constantly monitored.

We got a great deal in terms of cost/value/benefits. That was one of the reasons we chose this property in the first place. It is a nice resort with good facilities. We were upgraded to higher room category, which we appreciated. Staff were friendly and trying to be helpful. There was live music at the restaurant in the evening. They have great Yoga Teacher, yoga and Pilates sessions were every morning and are free of charge.

We were booked as 3pax, got an extra bed - but all the bathroom essentials were for 2 pax only. We never got a 3rd bathrobe, slippers etc. For towels we always asked for 3 - somehow that worked out. At 10.30am there was still maintenance and cleaners at the adult pool - and out of 5 days this was the only time we ever used the pool. The same day the property had no WiFi, which took several hours to fix, and the same day we had no water in our room, which left us with no way of refreshing ourselves before our excursion. Management did look after us later, but this is unacceptable for a 5* property with a prestigious name. The resort is preparing for the high season (now is the rainy season) but this should not affect the current guests.

Dealing with the responsible manager In the hotel got a mistake and I was given a villa with a private pool

Excellent

Little pricey

Room & View

N/a

The hotel was very dirty and cockroach’s everywhere

The hotel and surroundings were beautiful & the staff were so attentive and helpful.

Limited options on buffet due to low number of guests

Everything was wonderful and memorable

The spa was overpriced and although we paid for a 90 min couples treatment we received only 75 mins, and so we raised a complaint and received a discount

Great staff, beautiful rooms and lovely resort. We would recommend this place to anyone visiting Sri Lanka.

Nothing

Oil lamp

Access to beach was difficult

the setting, the resort itself was amazing to walk thorough to the beach and the warmth of the staff

some of the food options were limited.. - not so many guests

Extremely friendly staff. the resort exceeded our expectations in every way. we had a wonderful experience and would definitely visit again.

Wonderful breakfast - huge variety of items to choose from. All fresh, delicious, and beautifully prepared.

The whole facility design was amazing plus the staff they are friendly

Nothing

Usual Anantara excellence. Great food, attentive staff, comfortable rooms, excellent facilities.

It's a tad isolated but that doesn't matter if you're happy to be self contained.

one of the best hotels ever. the staff are so friendly and the food is delicious

excellent service

location

the staff and the resort was done up beautifully

the location- it’s a 45 minute drive to bentota and this resort location had no life or restaurant outside & because of Covid the resort had only 2 restaurants working .

What I liked about the stay: Beautiful hotel (another one of Jeffrey Bawa’s exceptional creations), warm and welcoming atmosphere, exceptionally hospitable and attentive staff! The latter point about the staff is worth mentioning again - their anticipation of your needs and meeting them fully, from the time you arrive till you leave, and their attentiveness to the little details, were what moved the dial for me from “very good’ to “exceptional’ in my rating of my stay. A special shout out to the pool staff Thisara and Gayan who really looked after us at the pool and bar area, the cleaning staff at the “ocean block, 3rd floor”, all staff at the Olu restaurant and the adjoining bar, and the gym instructor (who also organised our zip wire event)! Even the hard grafting gardening ladies had a welcoming smile on their faces, as did the security guards. Thanks also to the duty manager Shailandra and GM Joao for looking out for us during our stay. Will definitely come back again.

Nothing comes to mind.

We had the most wonderful stay at Anantara. We had a big family reunion there, and every member of our family was looked after very well. The staff are well trained, and were very attentive to our every need. All the staff were excellent, especially Thisara who was always around near the poolside, and was always so friendly, courteous and nothing was too much trouble.

N/A - everything was perfect