This was our first stop in Sri Lanka and it did not disappoint. The first part we wanted somewhere to chill and adjust to the climate etc and Anantara did just that. Great property, food, staff and attention to detail. The whole team went out of their way to make us feel comfortable and welcome particularly to our toddler. Everyone learnt her name and she really enjoyed high giving everyone everyday from front desk, to the restaurant to housekeeping. They were super helpful ensuring she had sufficient food options with her egg allergy too. Food overall was great and rooms fantastic and spacious and well laid out. We had a pool access room and would recommend. We did bed and breakfast but ended up having dinner there most nights so would also recommend doing half board as discovered they often do good deals if you book direct. The spa was lovely and had a great massage. Also, the cocktails from the bar were delicious, some of the best i had in Sri Lanka! Lychee martini being a highlight.

Not a dislike but just a note there not much in walking distance from the hotel, hence my advice to do half board. You can do day trips elsewhere of course but personally think this hotel is suited to a holiday where you are looking to really kick back.

An excellent hotel with outstanding service. Nothing we asked about was ever ignored or declined. The staff we t above and beyond to support us in having an excellent holiday. It was our wedding anniversary and both of our children‘s birthdays when we were there and they pulled out all the stops for each celebration. From food, to kids club to happy hour to just remembering our names and what we’d been doing the day before, the staff were outstanding. We were there over Tamil new year and Easter and they put on amazing cultural events which were phenomenal. We felt like we had an excellent taste of the country before we even left the hotel! Huge shout out to the two ladies in kids club - our boy couldn’t stop talking about pizza making, t shirt painting and rabbit feeding! Alison’s huge shout out to Shamilan who served us breakfast each day where nothing was gone unnoticed! We cannot wait to come back!

The only very small things that could be improved is stronger fans in the restaurant as it was incredibly hot and when anything needed to be sent to the room like food or bath salts it seemed forgotten or took a very long time (over an hour). Important to note that there is no beach which might not appeal to some people.

Breakfast spread, variety of the dinner buffets, afternoon tea arrangement Proactiveness of the staff across the restaurants, house keeping, kids activity center and gym Massive 55 meter swimming pool with prompt poolside service and availability of life guards Kids activity center where our daughter was very well engaged

At Aquolina - The parma ham tasted old and the rinds were not removed At Spice Traders - The chicken satay was served without peanut sauce, the chicken and seafood seemed a tad overcooked, however, the amuse-bouche served ahead of our orders was really innovative.

From the moment we arrived at Anantara Kalutara, we knew we were in for something special. Nestled between the Indian Ocean and the Kalu Ganga River, this breathtaking resort perfectly blends luxury, serenity, and genuine Sri Lankan hospitality. Our week-long stay was nothing short of perfection. The architectural beauty, tranquil atmosphere, and stunning views set the stage for a truly unforgettable experience. Every detail, from the spacious, beautifully designed rooms to the world-class dining options, reflected Anantara’s commitment to excellence. What truly set this experience apart, however, was the exceptional staff who went above and beyond to make us feel not just like guests, but like family. Sampath, Thavindu, Vitaj, Ishah, Ravindu, Suwindu, and Pubudu were all outstanding, each contributing to the warm and welcoming atmosphere that made our stay so special. A particular mention must go to Pumudith, who was an absolute gem. His kindness, positivity, and genuine desire to ensure we had the best possible stay made a huge impact on us. Whether it was his fantastic service, insightful tips about Sri Lanka, or just his infectious enthusiasm, he truly elevated our experience. When I fell ill, he even went out of his way to bring me lime juice, which—miraculously—cured me! The food was phenomenal, the spa was a sanctuary of relaxation, and the overall atmosphere of the resort exuded elegance and tranquility. Whether we were lounging by the pool, enjoying a sunset cocktail, or taking in the stunning natural surroundings, every moment felt magical. If you’re looking for a place that combines five-star luxury with the warmth of genuine hospitality, Anantara Kalutara is the perfect destination. We left feeling rejuvenated, pampered, and already planning our return. Thank you to the entire team for an unforgettable stay!

Nothing

Deluxe lagoon room was large and very comfortable. Huge bed, large walk-in wardrobe, big bathroom with double sinks, rainfall shower in wet room with a free-standing bath. Food in the main restaurant was good, but US$52 for the evening buffet seemed excessive. Pool-side lunch menu was small but reasonable prices and food was ok. Main pool was very big, plenty of sunbeds, and rarely crowded. Good views from the pool. Best thing about this hotel is the staff. The people are friendly and kind. Special mention to Pumudith and Suwindu at the pool who were really lovely!

The adult-only pool is towards the beach, and is a thin strip pool with not many beds, which is a shame. Main pool is about 4m deep throughout which is ok, but a deeper end would have been nice. The bulk of the bar and restaurant seating is outside, which can be extremely hot and humid. Service in the restaurant can be a bit slow at times. They spray regularly to control the mosquitoes, but I still got a fair amount of bites on the overcast days. Drinks and food are quite expensive.

Breakfast Buffet was really nice

The Pricing of Dinner Buffet way above market rates bring down slightly the value for money element Pricing a Thai sit down meal dinner with Thai chefs at Rs.29,500/- per person was unjustified and way above value for money criteria. However, the quality of food was excellent in normal buffet. Welcome was beyond expectations, staff was extremely courteous including Uneska of front desk, Shamal Wanigasuriya Asst Front Office Manager,Lashan Liyanage Front Office Manager, Pastry Chef Lankathilake and all stewards and staff were really caring, attentive, informative, supportive and creating a better experience in hospitality sector,

The breakfast was great. The pools were amazing. I loved the property and the nature that was surrounding us. Right from the squirrels to the birds to the Kaduru trees <3. I want a special mention to Mahimi who was really knowledgable of the property and also guided us well throughout our stay. So polite and accommodating.

That I decided to do the buffet dinner because the night that I arrived there was delicious sea food grill every where. But it was Mediterranean the night I joined the buffet and that is so common where I live, the UAE - so it was not special and not worth the money I spent on it.

We planned to find a quiet place to spend a calm week celebrating my Wife’s Birthday. The welcome and drive from the Airport by Mr Godahewa was smooth. He kept us entertained with his vast knowledge of Sri Lanka, we must say that Mr Godahewa’s professionalism was exceptional. On arrival at the Hotel, the staff took excellent care of us, Thank you to Mr Lashan the Manager for upgrading us to the Suite. Everyone at the hotel from the cleaner, Chambermaid, breakfast, lunch, dinner, and the spa made our stay memorable. Thanks go to Chathuka, Krish, Anna, Vimukthi, Kavindi, Sanka, and others of which we have not mentioned by name. Very Special thanks goes to the Chef ‘Mr Chaminda’ and his team. Mr Chaminda is the best on the Island and must be recommended for his great customer service and tasty food. Mr Chaminda thank you very much for preparing and making my wife's Birthday memorable.

Nothing

-beautiful grounds -exceptional staff -top quality food -adults only pool is quite and amazing -The Italian & Thai restaurants are brilliant

-location is a bit far out if your planning day trips out of the resort, but perfect if you are coming here just to relax -we booked an ‘ocean view room & were given a garden view room. Very limited rooms with an actual sea view - however we did get our room changed (book room 317) and although we had to wait a few hours for the room to be cleaned- we were given lunch whist we waited

We really appreciated the room upgrade thank you for this! The staff were super friendly and helpful, they couldn’t do enough for us! Special thank you to Heshan who was so lovely and attentive and made us feel so welcome. We loved the spa treatment we received with a discount, and the room had a breathtaking view! We also liked that the TV had free movies on there for us to watch, this is a really nice touch! Overall a wonderful stay and highly recommend staying here!

The only thing we can think of is the noise from the dogs barking in the middle of the night which understandably is outside of the hotels control, this was a little irritating as we are light sleepers.