Miracle News And New Beginnings Will Be With You in The New Year / Explore Our Editor’s Must-Reads / Beachfront Chic At Sri Lanka’s Ahu Bay / By Paul Ewart / luxurytravelmag
Miracle News And New Beginnings Will Be With You in The New Year / Explore Our Editor’s Must-Reads / Beachfront Chic At Sri Lanka’s Ahu Bay / By Paul Ewart / luxurytravelmag
A new boutique villa by Resplendent Ceylon on Sri Lanka’s southern coast melds style, service and jaw-dropping views to create a winning luxury beach escape
I’m floating on my back gazing up at a cloudless, sunny blue sky. A sea eagle flies overhead and then, nearby, I head the gentle roar of the Indian Ocean, which sits directly below the infinity pool I’m currently immersed in. It’s blissful.
However, I can’t get too lost in my reverie as there are some important decisions to be made: is it too early to ask for an expertly mixed cocktail? Or do I opt for a fresh coconut? OR do I book in for an indulgent massage? Hell, I decide, why not all three? Sometimes the universe throws some serious, life-changing, ‘sliding doors’-scale deliberations your way, and other times you’re forced to make a call on options that are decidedly less impactful. It was certainly a case of the latter during a recent stay at Ahu Bay.
Perched on Ahungalla Point between two secluded bays on the Sri Lanka’s southwest coast, the property is one of the jewels in the Resplendent Ceylon collection – a portfolio of boutique Relais & Chateaux resorts conceived by the Fernando family, who own and operate the famed Dilmah Ceylon Tea brand.
The Ahu Bay design
Our westward-facing Bay View Room – perched on the upper floor with uninterrupted ocean views – has serious ‘wow’ factor. Indeed, the ocean view is the main attraction, with the rest of the decor deliberately muted with neutral sand tones, rattan furniture and recycled wood accents.
The bathroom’s indoor-outdoor aesthetic and alfresco rain shower – with a jet that’s somehow equally light, misty and powerful – is a real winner.
And the rest of the room’s mod cons keep us more than comfy, including the smart TV, endless supply of cookies in the jar, open mini bar and the squishy king size bed.
The other rooms at Ahu Bay offer couples, groups and families the chance to relax in equal comfort. The Bay View Suite, just steps from the beach, offers its own lush garden and a spacious living area, perfect for a private retreat.
The Bay View Pool Suite adds a plunge pool to the mix. And the Bay View Pool Residence is the ultimate hideaway, combining a Bay View Pool Suite with two upper-floor Bay View rooms to create a stunning villa with room for up to six adults. Every space at Ahu Bay feels thoughtfully designed for relaxation and privacy.
Restaurant and bar
When I first arrived and took the steps up from street level to the sweeping ground floor of the lobby-cum-restaurant area, I couldn’t help a small gasp leaving my mouth at the sight of the dazzling ocean beyond the swimming pool. This is a place where understated luxury and serene beauty converge on an infinite horizon. It’s in this casual all-day dining venue where Sri Lankan and international favourites are expertly plated throughout the day.
The thing about oceanfront dining is that the changing weather is your constant companion. But the Ahu Bay team are well versed in spotting ominous grey clouds before their lounging guests do. One minute we’re tucking into our lunchtime plates of colourful curries and wondering at wildly different flavours of rice.
The next, the pool is being pounded by raindrops the size of coconuts, and the palm leaves are splaying out in the gale, flapping around like elephants’ ears. The staff rush to drag the plush white lounge chairs undercover, and like a well oiled machine they roll down giant blinds, protecting every guest from getting so much as a raindrop on the rim of their cocktail glass.
The cuisine is an innovative reflection of nature’s rhythm, crafted from the freshest seasonal produce and sourced with care and intention from all over the island. A real highlight is a five-course sunset meal served on the sand by lantern light, during which we’re treated not only to best-in-class seafood, but to an acrobatic display by a passing bat.Ahu Bay Sri Lanka – Surroundings
Rejuvenation and conservation
Ahu Bay, like its sister properties in the Resplendent Ceylon circuit – Ceylon Tea Trails in the misty highlands, Wild Coast Tented Lodge at Yala National Park, and Cape Weligama on the south coast near Galle – supports meaningful impact through the MJF Foundation and Dilmah Conservation.
Knowing that, thanks partly to the tourists who opt to stay in paradise, the team in all their heartfelt hospitality are able to contribute to local communities and conservation efforts helps us relax even more into our full body massages, courtesy of the nimble-fingered spa staff at Ahu Bay’s Sanctuary spa.
The Great Escape
While leaving my poolside lounger was a bit of a wrench, there’s plenty so much to see outside of the resort. Ahu Bay partner with Sensory Indulgences (https://www.sensoryindulgences.com/) to offer bespoke, local experiences with a network of expert locals hosts – experiences including an exploration of the marshy, Dedduwa Backwaters by bike.
Village life moves at its own tranquil pace between our muddy rides through secret footpaths, spotting graceful herons, colourful kingfishers and local fishermen casting their nets.
With a lake to one side and lush marshland to the other, the air is alive with the chorus of birds, and a very real fear of crocs, none of which show up – we don’t really get within snapping distance in the end. This afternoon escape is a mud-spattered thrill ride, and we learn a lot more about the magic of this landscape than we would have, had we stayed by the pool.
Another rainforest experience sees us trekking to a gushing waterfall with our energetic naturalist guide for a deeper dive into the history of the valley. We taste strange leaves, marvel at intelligent flowers and get a real lesson in the biodiversity that exists in the hill country.
Hotel Notes
Rates at Ahu Bay start from AUD$665 per night on a bed and breakfast basis. Rooms can also be booked on a full or half board basis.
During regular operations, in order to maintain the tranquil nature of Ahu Bay, only guests above 12 years old are allowed.
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