Explore Sri Lanka
No Result
View All Result
  • About Us
  • Home
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms and Conditions
  • What’s On
  • What’s On April 2024
  • What’s On August 2024
  • What’s On December
  • What’s On July 2024
  • What’s On June 2024
  • What’s On March 2024
  • What’s On May 2024
  • What’s On October 2024
  • What’s On September 2024
  • Home
  • Issues
    • 1983 - 1990
      • 1987
        • May 1987
        • June 1987
        • July 1987
        • August 1987
        • September 1987
        • October 1987
        • November 1987
        • December 1987
      • 1988
        • January 1988
        • February 1988
        • March 1988
        • April 1988
        • May 1988
        • June 1988
        • July 1988
        • August 1988
        • September 1988
        • October 1988
        • November 1988
        • December 1988
      • 1989
        • January - March 1989
        • April 1989
        • May 1989
        • June 1989
        • July 1989
        • August 1989
        • September 1989
        • October 1989
        • November 1989
    • 2010 - 2019
      • 2010
        • January 2010
        • February 2010
        • March 2010
        • April 2010
        • May 2010
        • June 2010
        • July 2010
        • August 2010
        • September 2010
        • October 2010
        • November 2010
        • December 2010
      • 2011
        • January 2011
        • February 2011
        • March 2011
        • April 2011
        • May 2011
        • June 2011
        • July 2011
        • August 2011
        • September 2011
        • October 2011
        • November 2011
        • December 2011
      • 2012
        • January 2012
        • February 2012
        • March 2012
        • April 2012
        • May 2012
        • June 2012
        • July 2012
        • August 2012
        • September 2012
        • October 2012
        • November 2012
        • December 2012
      • 2013
        • January 2013
        • February 2013
        • March 2013
        • April 2013
        • May 2013
        • June 2013
        • July 2013
        • August 2013
        • September 2013
        • October 2013
        • November 2013
        • December 2013
      • 2014
        • January 2014
        • February 2014
        • March 2014
        • April 2014
        • May 2014
        • June 2014
        • July 2014
        • August 2014
        • September 2014
        • October 2014
        • November 2014
        • December 2014
      • 2015
        • January 2015
        • February 2015
        • March 2015
        • April 2015
        • May 2015
        • June 2015
        • July 2015
        • August 2015
        • September 2015
        • October 2015
        • November 2015
        • December 2015
      • 2016
        • January 2016
        • February 2016
        • March 2016
        • April 2016
        • May 2016
        • June 2016
        • July 2016
        • August 2016
        • September 2016
        • October 2016
        • November 2016
        • December 2016
      • 2017
        • January 2017
        • February 2017
        • March 2017
        • April 2017
        • May 2017
        • June 2017
        • July 2017
        • August 2017
        • September 2017
        • October 2017
        • November 2017
        • December 2017
      • 2018
        • January 2018
        • February 2018
        • March 2018
        • April 2018
        • May 2018
        • June 2018
        • July 2018
        • August 2018
        • September 2018
        • October 2018
        • November 2018
        • December 2018
      • 2019
        • January 2019
        • February 2019
        • March 2019
        • April 2019
        • May 2019
        • June 2019
        • July 2019
        • August 2019
        • September 2019
        • October 2019
        • November 2019
        • December 2019
    • 2020 - 2024
      • 2020
        • January 2020
        • February 2020
        • March 2020
        • September 2020
        • October 2020
        • November 2020
        • December 2020
      • 2021
        • January 2021
        • February 2021
        • March 2021
        • April 2021
        • May 2021
        • June 2021
        • July 2021
        • August 2021
        • September 2021
        • October 2021
        • November 2021
        • December 2021
      • 2022
        • January 2022
        • February 2022
        • March 2022
        • May 2022
        • April 2022
        • June 2022
        • July 2022
        • August 2022
        • September 2022
        • October 2022
        • November 2022
        • December 2022
      • 2023
        • January 2023
        • February 2023
        • March 2023
        • April 2023
        • May 2023
        • June 2023
        • July 2023
        • August 2023
        • September 2023
        • October 2023
        • November 2023
        • December 2023
      • 2024
        • January 2024
        • February 2024
        • March 2024
        • May 2024
        • April 2024
        • June 2024
        • July 2024
        • August 2024
        • September 2024
        • October 2024
        • November 2024
        • December 2024
    • 2025-2029
      • 2025
        • January 2025
        • February 2025
        • March 2025
        • April 2025
        • May 2025
        • June 2025
  • For Digital Subscription
  • About Us
  • What’s On
    slide
No Result
View All Result
Explore Sri Lanka
No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • Issues
    • 1983 - 1990
      • 1987
        • May 1987
        • June 1987
        • July 1987
        • August 1987
        • September 1987
        • October 1987
        • November 1987
        • December 1987
      • 1988
        • January 1988
        • February 1988
        • March 1988
        • April 1988
        • May 1988
        • June 1988
        • July 1988
        • August 1988
        • September 1988
        • October 1988
        • November 1988
        • December 1988
      • 1989
        • January - March 1989
        • April 1989
        • May 1989
        • June 1989
        • July 1989
        • August 1989
        • September 1989
        • October 1989
        • November 1989
    • 2010 - 2019
      • 2010
        • January 2010
        • February 2010
        • March 2010
        • April 2010
        • May 2010
        • June 2010
        • July 2010
        • August 2010
        • September 2010
        • October 2010
        • November 2010
        • December 2010
      • 2011
        • January 2011
        • February 2011
        • March 2011
        • April 2011
        • May 2011
        • June 2011
        • July 2011
        • August 2011
        • September 2011
        • October 2011
        • November 2011
        • December 2011
      • 2012
        • January 2012
        • February 2012
        • March 2012
        • April 2012
        • May 2012
        • June 2012
        • July 2012
        • August 2012
        • September 2012
        • October 2012
        • November 2012
        • December 2012
      • 2013
        • January 2013
        • February 2013
        • March 2013
        • April 2013
        • May 2013
        • June 2013
        • July 2013
        • August 2013
        • September 2013
        • October 2013
        • November 2013
        • December 2013
      • 2014
        • January 2014
        • February 2014
        • March 2014
        • April 2014
        • May 2014
        • June 2014
        • July 2014
        • August 2014
        • September 2014
        • October 2014
        • November 2014
        • December 2014
      • 2015
        • January 2015
        • February 2015
        • March 2015
        • April 2015
        • May 2015
        • June 2015
        • July 2015
        • August 2015
        • September 2015
        • October 2015
        • November 2015
        • December 2015
      • 2016
        • January 2016
        • February 2016
        • March 2016
        • April 2016
        • May 2016
        • June 2016
        • July 2016
        • August 2016
        • September 2016
        • October 2016
        • November 2016
        • December 2016
      • 2017
        • January 2017
        • February 2017
        • March 2017
        • April 2017
        • May 2017
        • June 2017
        • July 2017
        • August 2017
        • September 2017
        • October 2017
        • November 2017
        • December 2017
      • 2018
        • January 2018
        • February 2018
        • March 2018
        • April 2018
        • May 2018
        • June 2018
        • July 2018
        • August 2018
        • September 2018
        • October 2018
        • November 2018
        • December 2018
      • 2019
        • January 2019
        • February 2019
        • March 2019
        • April 2019
        • May 2019
        • June 2019
        • July 2019
        • August 2019
        • September 2019
        • October 2019
        • November 2019
        • December 2019
    • 2020 - 2024
      • 2020
        • January 2020
        • February 2020
        • March 2020
        • September 2020
        • October 2020
        • November 2020
        • December 2020
      • 2021
        • January 2021
        • February 2021
        • March 2021
        • April 2021
        • May 2021
        • June 2021
        • July 2021
        • August 2021
        • September 2021
        • October 2021
        • November 2021
        • December 2021
      • 2022
        • January 2022
        • February 2022
        • March 2022
        • May 2022
        • April 2022
        • June 2022
        • July 2022
        • August 2022
        • September 2022
        • October 2022
        • November 2022
        • December 2022
      • 2023
        • January 2023
        • February 2023
        • March 2023
        • April 2023
        • May 2023
        • June 2023
        • July 2023
        • August 2023
        • September 2023
        • October 2023
        • November 2023
        • December 2023
      • 2024
        • January 2024
        • February 2024
        • March 2024
        • May 2024
        • April 2024
        • June 2024
        • July 2024
        • August 2024
        • September 2024
        • October 2024
        • November 2024
        • December 2024
    • 2025-2029
      • 2025
        • January 2025
        • February 2025
        • March 2025
        • April 2025
        • May 2025
        • June 2025
  • For Digital Subscription
  • About Us
  • What’s On
Home General

Cloistered 
In Green

by
0
326
SHARES
2.5k
VIEWS
Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
PDF Button
Nature surrounds the retreat on every side

The mere mention of Unawatuna, like many of the Southern Coast’s pristine beaches, conjures images of hot sun and, if the season is right, heaps of tourists. Not even half a kilometre inland, the Thambapanni Retreat nestled in bamboo forests is a far cry from the usual beachside accommodations. Tall trees make it an oasis for those inclined towards nature, interested in a cool and calming environment. 

Words Benjamin Fowler

The first thing that one might notice at the Thambapanni Retreat is the abundance of greenery at every turn. The property blends effortlessly into the verdant surroundings, nestled snuggly into Unawatuna’s massive Rumassala Rock. Though not even a kilometre away from the beach and busy roads, the air is filled with the noises of chirping birds rather than car horns. It’s truly a retreat in every sense of the word – and the numerous therapeutic facilities lure you deeper into blissful relaxation.

The Retreat’s main building is an inviting, cozy peach colour, and seems like it only has walls when absolutely necessary – the dining area has an unobstructed view of nature, which in this case is bamboo trees and flowering plants that hang over the pool. The large tiles on the floor are both practical and elegant, the stones maintaining coolness while embedded stars and diamonds add sophistication to the walkways.

Utterly surrounded by green, the open air eating area allows you to breathe deep the fragrant, tropical air while you eat food prepared by a master chef well-versed in Western and Asian cuisine, infusing both with ancient Ayurvedic touches. The architecture is also a tasteful blend of tropical Asian and colonial styles, made all the more charming by Art Deco flourishes.

This is most evident one storey up, in the yoga room. The peach columns that at best imply a wall, are sandwiched between the floor’s cool stone tiles and the dark wood of the ceiling. The peach sections are accented with white lines and elaborately detailed wooden columns.

The arrangement of buildings is irregular, but true to the contours of the mountain. We wind our way past the buildings and find ourselves confronted with nature at every turn until we arrive at a courtyard with high walls entirely composed of stone. It’s quiet and still, and consists of a simple stone throne and a pedestal in the centre on which sits a large, white bowl filled with colourful flowers. It is simple and striking, and functions almost like a lobby for the variety of therapeutic options that await you on the other side.

The stairwell to the spas is actually just rocks naturally jutting out from the mountainside. In fact, when the spas are in use, water is circulated down the rocks, creating a waterfall that seamlessly makes its way down to the stone courtyard.

At Thambapanni Retreat, aside from the Ayuvedic spa, you’ll also find a massage centre, a sauna and the open-aired yoga room that overlooks much of the property. In fact, many of the Retreat’s facilities are open to nature, taking maximum usage of the shade to keep things cool. A tree grows through the massage centre, right by the table. Many of the rooms were built around the natural trees and boulders, incorporating them into the design.

Leaves and vines lay strewn over many of the roofs and awnings at the resort. Rather than clean them off, the resort keeps them where they are, maintaining that connection with the environment. This makes the property seem like its intertwined with nature rather than merely surrounded by it. The monkeys bounding around the trees certainly add to this effect, as do the friendly rabbits.

Most of the accommodation are found in the tower, a four-storey structure at the Retreat’s highest point. That it’s barely visible from the rest of the property is testament to how much tree cover there really is, and how little of a footprint was made in the construction of the place. Concrete stairs with inset diamond-shaped tiles take you up to the different suites. Each floor of the tower is its own suite, complete with a balcony that has furniture and hammocks. The ocean is visible from the top, and its hard to believe somewhere so shady, cool and isolated could be so close to the beach.

Thambapanni Retreat

Unawatuna 

Tel: (+94 91) 223 4588

info@thambapannileisure.com

thambapannileisure.com

[nggallery id=272]

 
Previous Post

Earth Hour At Cinnamon Grand Colombo

Next Post

Exquisitely Floral!

Next Post
Exquisitely Floral!

Exquisitely Floral!

No Result
View All Result

Categories

exlpore-sri-lanka-logo

Location

20-2/1 Lauries Place Facing R A de Mel Mawatha Colombo 04.

Contact

(+94) 715 134 134

Email

info@btoptions.com

© 2023 BT Options. All Rights Reserved.