Three of a kind by CHRISTINE McCABE
The brainchild of Sydney-raised architect Nath Rankothge, a newly launched hotel circuit brings together Sri Lanka’s mountains, coast and tea country. Working with his father Lal and uncle KRG Wijesundara, Rankothge established Aarunya Nature Resort eight years ago, a highland retreat tucked into the country’s Cultural Triangle near Kandy overlooking the UNESCO-listed Knuckles Mountains.
Keen to expand his philosophy of “transformative journeys rooted in nature”, last month Rankothge launched the AAHAASA Collection, numbering three independently owned retreats with Aarunya as its anchor (aahaasa means “to the sky” in Sinhala). The mountain retreat is joined by Aavya Cove Villas on the southwest coast near the historic Galle Fort and from February, the Aadya Tea Bungalows, Sri Lanka’s largest private tea estate regeneration project, under way for a decade and providing employment and skills development for rural communities.
With five additional bungalows, to give a total of 10, and bordering a UNESCO-listed reserve, the 81ha Aadya sits at 125m in the misty mountains of Maskeliya near Hatton; it includes a private nine-hole golf course as well as extensive walking trails and no fewer than three waterfalls. The luxury bungalows will each offer traditional “Appu” service (old school butler) and afternoon tea featuring an estate-to-table brew.
The AAHAASA brand plans to build on the success of Aarunya, the retreat’s 10 private pool villas set across 4ha of verdant spice and tea gardens. Each villa is tucked into forest, offering mountain views and comes with a full complement of luxury extras: gratis non-alcoholic minibar, snacks, sundowners tea and a guided nature walk with your butler-cum-naturalist.
The day spa draws together Balinese, Ayurvedic and modern treatments, with personalised wellness programs and private yoga sessions also available.
The resort restaurant works with ingredients from the property’s own garden as well as local farmers. A soon-to-open bamboo pavilion will provide space for spice production and research facilities for resident naturalists.
The next stop on the AAHAASA circuit can be found in the little town of Balapitiya, about 45 minutes by road from Galle. Set beachfront, Aavya Cove features 12 luxury modernist villas, each with its own terrace and private garden, a honeymoon suite offering sweeping sea views and a three-bedroom residence, perfect for groups or families. The gardens are especially lovely, designed by Dooland de Silva, who collaborated with revered architect Geoffrey Bawa at the famous Kandalama Hotel. A soon-to-open wellness centre will offer coastal-inspired treatments (expect plenty of sea salt scrubs).
The resort’s restaurant team works with local fishermen to snare the best catch and offers innovative dining opportunities such as breakfast aboard a traditional boat on the Madu River or barefoot starlit dinners on the sand.
Rates at Aarunya from $576 a night and $337 at Aavya Cove Villas.
