A veritable green paradise, the Tamarind Tree Garden Resort is located less than 10 minutes away from the Bandaranaike International Airport in Katunayake and a half-hour drive from the city of Colombo via the highway.

The perfect escapade for those looking for tranquillity and rejuvenation amid a sea of green, this 13-acre resort is memorable from the moment you drive in through the gates.

With wide open and airy spaces and one-storey buildings, the Tamarind Tree Garden Resort – which has undergone a near-complete transformation with the full support of its Italian owners – is now reinventing itself as the standard bearer of horizontal and sustainable luxury.

Accommodation offerings

Staying true to its positioning, Tamarind Tree Garden Resort’s accommodation options offer guests a luxurious and eco-friendly experience, with the superior rooms, bungalow rooms, and spacious suites designed with sustainability at the forefront. 

The wide open private verandas are a welcoming feature in the suites and bungalows, serving up soothing views of the tree-filled property. Given that the resort has been designed as a horizontal property, walking out of your room here means immediately stepping into a lush green space.

The rooms are all about understated elegance, furnished with modern amenities and prioritising comfort and relaxation. They are also quite spacious, with the villas boasting 625 sq.ft of space and the superior rooms featuring 425 sq.ft. 

Then there’s the alluring pool, which also features a lovely deck surrounded by the property’s trademark greenery. This is a space in which you can spend many hours and come away feeling completely refreshed.

Private meeting rooms, a gymnasium, a jogging track that runs around the entire property, and a snooker room are also available.

A full board stay is currently priced at Rs. 26,100 double nett while kids under five stay for free.

Commitment to sustainability 

As Tamarind Tree Garden Resort General Manager Cyril Perera noted, the property is one of the few garden hotels in the area, including Negombo, and its commitment to sustainability is visible in all aspects of operations.

An investment of Rs. 100 million has currently been approved for the expansion plans, which include the introduction of new facilities and upgrading of multiple areas and services while enhancing sustainable practices and staff-related facilities.

Win-Stone Hotel Developers and Management Director Operations Eraj Abeywardane stated that the resort, which was earlier known as an ‘airport hotel,’ had now been completely transformed, with an emphasis on going green and becoming a carbon neutral property. 

“We are in the process of going solar, which is a massive investment but one that the owners are committed to. We are also working with a naturalist to identify the birds, trees, and butterflies at the property,” added Abeywardane.

The resort aims to become completely sustainable within a year, with waste management practices and the use of organic produce from the resort’s own garden already in place.

Acorn Leisure Vice President – Sales and Marketing (Resorts and Villas) Subanu Perera, expanding on the plans to be fully sustainable, said that they were in the process of adding even more greenery to the existing 13 acres of lush green grounds.

“We have also expanded our nature-based offers and experience-driven approaches. There’s a ‘coconut trails’ experience, where guests can learn about everything relating to coconuts, while we have also expanded family-related activities and services, making the property a one-stop place for parents and kids,” he added.

Weddings and MICE

Tamarind Tree Garden Resort is now increasingly popular for weddings and Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions (MICE), which is no surprise given its expansive space and services. The resort is also in the process of expanding its offering for families, MICE tourism, and experience-based travel. 

It features a fully equipped, state-of-the-art banquet hall which can accommodate over 250 pax and come with its own modern kitchen. Outdoor/garden venues for MICE and banquet facilities are also being planned, along with a range of kids’ activities and nature-based activities within the premises.

Tamarind Tree Garden Resort is jointly managed by Win-Stone Hotel Developers and Management and Acorn Leisure Ltd. (formerly Hemas Leisure).

Memorable cuisine

Executive Chef M.U. Hennayake is the man behind the culinary magic at Tamarind Tree Garden Resort.

With over 30 years of experience, he has worked in many countries across Europe and the Middle East and his bold approach in experimenting with flavours results in some unique and delicious dishes being served up here.

During our visit, we enjoyed a fabulous Sri Lankan feast conjured up by Hennayake, while the delicious ‘karaththa bath’ (cart rice), which most of us tried for the first time, was undoubtedly the star of the show. 

Explaining the origins of the dish in conversation with The Sunday Morning Brunch, Chef Hennayake said it began with carters coming from the deep south, who would stop overnight at places like Pinwatte in Panadura before entering Colombo and prepare this meal.

“They would carry items such as rice and spices with them in their ‘badu malla’ and buy vegetables along the way. When they stopped for the night, they would all get together and cook this meal, mixing everything in one pot and sharing it,” he said. 

‘Karaththa bath’ usually features rice, dry fish, long beans, eggplant, ladies’ fingers, curry leaves, and spices and is more or less like a vegetable biryani, he explained, adding that carrots and beans were added to the dish now.

The F&B offering at the property consists of a restaurant with an à la carte menu (open until 11 p.m. daily), in-room dining (24-hour service), the Pitstop Bar (open until 11 p.m.), and the main restaurant which can hold 100 pax and serves up buffets, specialised menus, and BBQs nights on Saturdays featuring live entertainment.

Authentic Avurudu celebrations

Tamarind Tree Garden Resort is preparing for traditional Avurudu festivities this April, with a host of activities planned for in-house guests and day visitors, including games and action stations featuring authentic Avurudu delicacies.

The resort’s Avurudu village will be open from 10 April while the main festival will be held on 15 April. For walk-in guests, the Avurudu experience is priced at Rs. 4,700 inclusive of lunch.