Anantara Peace Haven Tangalle Resort

A secluded stretch of beach on the southernmost coast of Sri Lanka is just one of the smart draws of this 152-room resort, where the sound of the ocean is louder than patrons’ chatter.

The resort lives up to Anantara’s marketing promise to connect “modern travelers” to “genuine places, people and stories through personal experiences.” Every luxury hotel company is selling that now, but here, Anantara is delivering.

Tourism on Sri Lanka’s unspoilt south coast is on the rise and luxury Asian hotel brand Anantara has been one of the first to plant its flag on the beach. Totally tropical are the only words that describe this former coconut plantation near Tangalle. Expert rating: 7/10.