Tradition is big in Sri Lanka and no more so than in the southern part of the country where for centuries exotic masks have been hand carved.
And the ancient art Is kept alive by the stunning Heritance Ahungalla hotel, with a resident wood carver on hand to show guests the intricates of the interesting way of life.
Carvers utilise the lightweight and pliable kaduru wood from cerbera trees which are common in the area and magically make the masks, used in traditional dance, drama and comedies, as well as pageants and processions.
Sanded using rough leaves or shark skin, the masks were once popular to use in ceremonies to exorcise demons or cure illnesses.
Ambalangoda, a village near the hotel has a mask museum which shows off a range of the best and four foot wooden puppets with strings, with ones representing royalty or nobility, taller and heavier.
The mask making is just one of the experiences the five star hotel by the beach offers. Dubbed “an oasis of wonder” and designed by legendary architect, Geoffrey Bawa, it fuses the site, climate and tradition to create a hive of relaxation.
It was the first hotel in Sri Lanka to be officially recognised for its energy saving and the 152 bedrooms are traditionally furnished with all the usual mod cons needed for a fun stay. Large bath tubs are a perk of the more luxurious accommodation, and all have private balconies giving cracking sea views.
The hotel is a piece of architectural history and a testament to the genius of Bawa who created the hotel in the 1970’s as Sri Lanka’s first purpose built five star beach resort, originally known as Hotel Triton.
Owned by the Aitken Spence chain, which celebrated its 50th anniversary in 2024, the hotel is a true example of Bawa’s philosophy of harmonising architecture with the natural environment.
Bawa pioneered tropical modernism, blending indoor and outdoor spaces seamlessly to create immersive environments and his vision is clear for all to see at the Heritance Ahungalla, with open-air corridors, interconnected courtyards and the seamless integration of sky, water and land.
This is played out through “the four blues”, an interplay of natural and architectural elements which create a mesmerising visual effect.
At the entrance to the hotel, the still waters of the pond reflect the sky, which in turn, sets a tone of serenity upon arrival.
The main piece is the infinity pool, a real architectural gem which merges with the horizon and draws the eye seamlessly towards the Indian Ocean which stretches into the distance, deepening the visual and sensory experience. Bawa was the first designer in the world to incorporate the idea, and the hotel is one of the most photographed.
The ever-changing hues of the sky complete the scene, ensuring that no two moments are ever the same at the hotel, which uses its natural beauty to full effect, with one of its experiences, dining under the stars, a lovely way of enjoying a culinary experience of local steaks and seafood, bursting with panache. There are also opportunities for a tailored menu with a master chef and barbecues and hotel cocktails by the pool.
The Jute restaurant offers fabulous buffet breakfasts, lunches and dinners with the finest of Sri Lankan food on offer and there’s live entertainment in the Bacchus and Orpheus bars.
With such large grounds, it’s perfect to enjoy a spot of early morning yoga by the pool, tennis, beach football and volleyball and indoor games including table tennis, darts, billiards and carrom.
The hotel is an ideal base to explore the local area too and there’s much to see and do, from taking a boat safari in the Madu lagoon, where there’s natural fish therapy for the feet too and the Kothduwa Buddhist Temple plus 32 islands to explore. Then there is Lunuganga Estate, the former country home of Bawa, moonstone mines where bright blue gems can be found and the historic port of Galle, which was virtually destroyed in a tsunami in 2004 and has UNESCO world heritage status for its British colonial, Dutch and Portuguese architecture.
The Details
Heritance Ahungalla, Galle Road, Ahungalla, Sri Lanka.
Tel: + 9491 555 5000
Website: www.heritancehotels.com
Email: hainfo@heritancehotels.com
Heritance Ahungalla is situated on Sri Lanka’s southwest coast in the Galle District and on the sandy shores of the Indian Ocean. The hotel is a two-hour drive from Colombo Airport and under two hours from Bandaranaike International Airport.
Type of Hotel: 5-Star Hotel / Beach Resort
Number of Rooms: 152 rooms and suites
Price Band: For the latest offers for overseas and Sri Lankan visitors, visit the hotel’s website.
Insider Tip: Try out the special seat with the fabulous sea views.
Reviewer’s Rating: 9/10
Author Bio:
Rebecca Hay is an experienced travel writer and member of The British Guild of Travel Writers. Follow her adventures with her family on Twitter and Instagram @emojiadventurer and on Facebook via EmojiAdventurers2.
Photographs courtesy of Heritance Ahungalla
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