Bar Reef

The founders of Ulpotha, the highly acclaimed retreat in the heartland of old Ceylon.together with a close friend renowned in the marine adventure and water sports worlds, have opened a unique and captivatingly quirky beach resort at Alankuda Beach near Kalpitiya on the western peninsula of this tear-shaped island.

Situated on a two kilometer stretch of beach, Bar Reef Resort offers a truly relaxing getaway. The azure, warm ocean is almost always mirror-calm and welcoming during the months of October to May.

As lovely as it is, Bar Reef Resort is not a boutique hotel-type experience - it is instead a very informal beach destination that offers the friendly hospitality of its village staff rather than regimented hotel-type service. And what it might lack in amenities (there's no running hot water, for example), it makes up for with its rustic charm and whimsical design of its buildings which encourage guests to meet and mingle in an unpretentious communal atmosphere.

The coastal waters offer the treasures of dolphin and whale watching as well as snorkeling over nearby spectacular coral formations. In addition, in terms of water-based action, there is deep-sea fishing, kayaking, canoeing, sailing, kite and wind surfing. For those more inclined towards cultural adventures or land-based nature, the Cultural Triangle, featuring four of the island’s seven World Heritage sites is within two to three hours’ reach, as are interesting temples, churches, Dutch-era towns. The country’s largest National Park is within 90 minutes reach and contains the island’s highest concentration of leopard, along with elephants, bears and other spectacular wild life and bird life. In fact Alankuda and its environs are an absolute bird watcher’s paradise.

Bar Reef Resort consists of varying accommodation types - Villas and Cabanas within Bar Reef Resort itself, and Khomba House further up the beach. Bar Reef Resort is situated approximately 2 hours from the airport and 3 hours north of Colombo.

This review covers 2 properties - the original Bar Reef Resort (formerly called Alankuda Beach) and the jointly managed Khomba House next door; while a further 2 mini-resorts (Palagama and Dolphin Beach) share the same beach and watersports facilities. The focal point is the ambalama - an open-sided pavilion where fresh fish curries are served up in clay pots – and the sleek 40-metre pool, lit at night by fibre optics which mirror the stars overhead. But you'll spend the majority of the day in the beach hut, a thatched cabana facing the waves with comfy deck chairs, chill out music and free Lion beers.

Following the same village based concept as its sister property – Ulpotha located near Anuradhapura, Alankuda Beach is situated in the small fishing village of Alankuda amidst swaying palms, sandy beaches and the azure seas which is home to pods of Dolphins during the season. Alankuda Beach has a range of accommodation including individual wattle and daub cabanas, family villas and the spacious Kohomba house, all set within their own gardens. Meals are served in clay pots in the Ambalama overlooking the stunning infinity pool and the shimmering seas beyond. The nights here are magical with oil lanterns that lights ups the pathways, twinkling fibre optic lights of the swimming pool that matches a star filled sky, and a seductive bonfire on the beach by the boat house where drinks are served.