Style Contemporary coastal cocoon
Setting Soporific Silent Beach
Set beside an 800-metre sweep of silky sand, Sri Lanka boutique hotel Amanwella, near the seaside town of Tangalle, is a capsule of contemporary cool, with oversized suites and enough open space to make it family friendly. Luxury, views and comfort all come in abundance, and the beach, surf lessons and jungle-edged villages nearby offer plenty of distractions for wild-at-heart kids.
In the know
Sleeping Amanwella’s stylish suites are all similar in design, with sleeping, living and sumptuous bathing areas partitioned by floor-to-ceiling sliding doors. Indoor spaces spill onto view-boasting balconies and courtyards filled with banquettes and plunge pools. Extra beds can be added to each suite for free for the under 12s (for over 12s, it’s US$100 a child a night).
Activities The beach is a magnet for Junior Smiths, and the hotel’s collection of buckets, spades and sporting equipment outshine the board games available indoors. While the sea is no friend to weak swimmers, there are lifeguards on duty on the beach and they’ll even accompany littlies into the sea to ensure they’re safe. Fishing trips and surf lessons should interest older children, as will the chance to spot elephants, leopards and crocodiles in nearby national parks. Creative kids can join the chef in the Amanwella kitchen for a hands-on peek into the art of Sri Lankan snack-making.
Splashing Tucked below the restaurant and bar, Amanwella’s 47-metre long infinity pool hugs the hillside and boasts breath-snatching views of the palm-speckled bay and the sea. Beside it, a deep terrace is topped with cushioned sun loungers, where staff deliver heat-beating scoops of sorbet and glasses of iced water. There’s no shallow section of the pool, but lifeguards provide an extra pair of eyes.
Feasting Perched atop the eastern headland, the Restaurant and its sun-drenched terrace gaze over the sea. Kithul wood furniture tops smooth terrazzo floors indoors, and seating spreads to the courtyard, where musicians serenade diners by moonlight. Chef Sujith presents a Mediterranean and Asian fusion menu, with fish, seafood and curries up for grabs. Baby and children’s menus are available, with kid-friendly fare including pureed fruits, tomato and cheese toasties, stir-fried noodles and banana splits. Amanwella’s second eatery, the Beach Club, serves up daytime nosh, plus private dinners on request.
No need to pack Baby cots and highchairs.
Time-out The hillside spa suite is the go-to place for prettying up talons, trotters and travel-weary visages, but if it’s blissful body treatments you’re after, the coconut grove spa garden is the spot for sensual flight-revival healing à deux. Book your slot early for the free services of the hotel’s resident nanny.
To book a child-friendly Smith stay visit http://www.mrandmrssmith.com or call the expert Travel Team on 800 905 326. What’s more, BlackSmith membership is now free for life, so sign up today to receive life-enhancing extras and exclusive offers at more than 850 hotels and holiday houses around the world. At Amanwella, you’ll score a cocktail and canapés for two.