Set in to a rocky hillock in Unawatuna 5 Km south of the city centre of Galle and less than one and a half hours drive on the E 1 highway from Colombo the serene and tranquil Thambapanni Retreat is ideal for honeymooners or those who would like to enjoy the warm beaches and rest in the cool climes of a bamboo grove just a stroll away.

The five rooms with the privacy of having one room on each floor in a seven storey tower built in to the hill side are spacious, comfortable and secluded. The scenic view of the Indian Ocean beyond a 150 meter canopy of green is breath taking. The hotel offers a range of rooms (twenty three in all) ranging from USD 150 to USD 55 (bed and
breakfast) per couple per night. As the rooms have been set in to the hill side with minimal damage to the lay of the land one will find protruding boulders in their bed rooms and even in the swimming pool.

The hotel boasts of a cool swimming pool shaded by a groove of towering Bamboo, an  Ayurvedic Spa, Yoga and guests can avail themselves of the facilities of the Thaprobana Beach House and Thaprobana Pavillion Resort & Spa, the other two sister hotels owned by Thambapanni Lesiure the owners of Thambapanni Retreat.

Thambapanni  Lesiure spent Rs Fifty Million recently to put up the Tower Rooms,  said Prabath Kariyawasam General Manager of the group.

"The three hotels situated in close proximity to each other offer a vastly different range of entertainment and services which makes staying with us a unique experience," he added.

Chef Soyza is in charge of the restaurant and specialises in sea food dishes."The sea food market the hotel offers each night is very popular with the guests and we can serve a sea food platter within twenty minutes," he quipped.

Resident Manager of the hotel,  Deepthi Hettiarachchi  with years of experience behind him in the hospitality trade  has a new vision for the newly renovated and refurbished Retreat.

Call 091 4946682 for details on the dream honeymoon package offered by the hotel which includes scenic photographic locations and  more for a memorable stay.


Text and pictures by P D DE SILVA