Operator picks re-emerging winter sun titan for long-haul debut

Facilities include an outdoor pool, gym and spa plus tennis, squash and badminton courts. Yoga and meditation wellbeing classes are held on the beach, and there is regular entertainment including live bands, cultural shows and a DJ.

The hotel is located near the resort town of Kalutara, which is accessible by foot or tuk-tuk. The 11-night holiday includes two excursions and the 15-, 22- and 29-night durations include four. Examples include a visit to Kalutara fish market with the hotel’s executive chef followed by a cookery demonstration. There’s also a tour of the south of the island with river safari, a visit to Galle Dutch Fort and a sea turtle conservation project, and a trip to the Garden of Brief, a beautifully landscaped garden, which sits on a former rubber plantation. 

Further excursions can be booked in resort, and there’s also a five-day pre-tour that can be added, covering Dambulla, Polonnaruwa, Kandy and Nuwara Eliya (from £749pp).

Dutton adds: “I would urge agents to focus on the fact that this is a great way to escape the British winter, to go somewhere a little different and at great-value prices – we are offering four weeks for the price of three on our Sri Lanka holidays, starting from £2,499pp for 29 nights.”