Wattura Resort & Spa
A serene getaway
Wattura Resort and Spa is an apt moniker. Enveloped by the Gin Oya estuary and the Indian Ocean, the property itself is a celebration of water - the element harmoniously melds aesthetics with functionality and purpose. Embracing duality and balance, and luxurious in its simplicity, Wattura Resort and Spa lends itself as the perfect place to unwind and rejuvenate.
As I enter the property, the large, reception pavilion gracefully emerges into view - a surprisingly simple, exceedingly unpretentious, yet vast space. The phrasing of the word “simple” may allude to cynical connotations, but the almost clinical design of the welcome area is purposeful, as I would soon find out. Having been welcomed and invited to light the oil lamp, the staff waste no time in leading me to my room. In the comfort of my abode for the weekend, I complete my check in and am served the welcome drink. The service from the get go is a clear intimation that guest comfort and convenience are top priority - from the seamless in-room check in to having a choice in picking a welcome drink (you’re more than welcome to them all, should you choose), the staff at Wattura Resort strive to ensure you want for nothing.
Once the formalities were complete, I was asked to drop by Pappali, the property’s sole restaurant - seeing that I had arrived ahead of time, the restaurant had thoughtfully prepared hors d’oeuvres that tasted as great as they looked. Sufficiently satiated, I headed out to discover the property.
Wattura Resort & Spa is the perfect getaway perfect for both couples and families. Considering that the Wattura Kids area is tactfully segregated from the quieter areas of the property, the adults have plenty of options to relax and rejuvenate
The strategic location of Wattura Resort & Spa is a fitting embodiment of property’s moniker and design philosophy that centers on celebrating water, the elixir of life. Enveloped by the Waikkal beach and the Gin Oya estuary, the property is rife with the ethos of duality and balance, with water features and fixtures throughout. Wattura has 2 room types:
Suites and Villas. Tastefully designed melding traditional architecture, and modern, custom-made fixtures, the rooms appear to encapsulate the “less is more” spirit, the elements combined translating into a serene experience. Furthermore, while both the Suites and Villas are spacious, the villas comprise multiple rooms, have plunge pools and bathrooms with jacuzzis.
Interestingly enough, while the Suites may not have a jacuzzi, the bathroom has been designed in a way that could convert the shower area into a makeshift “bathtub” you could soak in. Should you choose to stay at one of the Resort’s Villas, you will be entitled to the services of a personal butler who will be at your beck and call. The Suites open out to gin oya and the Villas have access to the beach, while the Wattura Residence has access to both.
Wattura markets itself as a ‘wellness and family oriented luxury boutique hotel’, and a tour of the property confirms the same. The kids zone is separated from the rest of the property by the reception pavilion and contains a mini water park with an adjacent gaming arcade. The area will be manned by dedicated staff and parents can leave their kids to play while they head out to the pool, the beach or the spa.
The wellness element extends to even the minutest details that are easily missed. For instance, many of the plants in and around the property are of the herbal variety and have medicinal properties. The pool meanwhile has been inspired by the leisure ponds discovered in the Sigiriya Rock Fortress, and designed to promote wellness and relaxation. The Wattura Spa is the centrepoint of the hotel from which all other areas diverge and converge. Compartmentalised into different sections, from tastefully decorated massage rooms to hydrotherapy treatment areas with temperature controlled pools, the spa caters to a number of wellness requirements of its guests.
Meals at Wattura are served a la carte, and the lunch and dinner menus, for instance, are periodically changed and updated by the chef. The breakfast menu, in contrast, is quite vast and remains constant. Perhaps one of the best selling points, however, is their all day breakfast. This means that there’s no need to forego breakfast in order to catch a few extra Z’s. After all, nothing ruins a leisure based vacation more than having time restrictions. You have the freedom to enjoy your breakfast whenever and wherever you please. And best of all, although you are served a la carte, you are more than welcome to request extras of whatever is on your plate at no extra cost and the staff will happily oblige. At tea time, the chefs prepared an excellent lineup of sweet and savoury items, including serving curated cocktails and mocktails to guests. The food here was always well presented and tasted fantastic, and the chefs wowed with the perfect execution of whatever food was placed in front of me.
Wattura Resort & Spa is the perfect getaway perfect for both couples and families.
Considering that the Wattura Kids area is tactfully segregated from the quieter areas of the property, the adults have plenty of options to relax and rejuvenate.