Tabula Rasa Resort Paradise in the jungle

‘‘We have travelled to many countries all over the world, but when we visited Sri Lanka with our three children we immediately fell for the charm and natural beauty of this island...’ 

Habaraduwa is popular tourism destination in the South Coast, mainly because of a stretch of stunning golden beach. It is home to one of the popular turtle hatcheries and is lined with stilt fishermen creating a picture perfect scenery. 

Located about two kilometres interior to the coastal belt, ‘Tabula Rasa’ Resort, is still identified as a beach resort. Built on a hillock surrounded by jungle in between Lanumodara and Polkanda area, ‘Tabula Rasa’ Resort is perfectly positioned to view the Bay of Habaraduwa beach stretch from the west side of the property.
Having started its construction in 2016 as a result of an investment made by a Dutch couple, Tabula Rasa Resort and Spa, opened its doors for visitors in early 2019. Arnoud Oostenbroek and Anouk Brouwer are well travelled partners and their final stop was in Habaraduwa to invest their life long earning in South Sri Lanka.
‘We had travelled to many countries all over the world, but when we visited Sri Lanka with our three children we immediately fell for the charm and natural beauty of this island and decided to stay here for a while. I picked up my work as project developer and bought an old English colonial villa in Galle as our house. After some months we decided to invest on a hotel project and to make our home here’ said Arnoud Oostenbroek.

‘Tabula Rasa’, derived from Latin, means ‘The New beginning’ and that’s precisely what its Dutch founders hope to inspire during your stay at the property. The property has been beautifully designed by the owners as Arnoud is an architect and she is a designer, meaning every last detail has been thought through including adding binoculars to every room to enjoy the stunning view down to the coast.   
‘Tabula Rasa Resort and Spa’, is where the perfect blend of a jungle and beach holiday awaits. Its ‘village-style’ architecture on a hilltop, adorned with a hundred coconut trees, offers breathtaking jungle views from one side with the ocean’s breaking waves in the backdrop. 

‘With dedication, we craft unique experiences, setting the stage for your own ‘new beginnings’. Experience the epitome of luxury in our range of rooms, including villas and private plunge suites, where we cater to your every desire, providing personalised service and a warm embrace of culinary delights and hospitality’ Anouk Brouwer said.
Tabula Rasa Resort  offers 24 rooms including twelve deluxe rooms with ocean/ jungle views, five suites with plunge pools, four villas with ocean views and three two bedroomed family apartments with lake views. All rooms face the coast, although for the best views ask for a first floor room or one of 
the bungalows.
‘Tabula Rasa Resort and Spa’ offers a restaurant serving international cuisine and Sri Lankan specialties  as well as oriental and western cuisine, a swimming pool designed in an attractive location with a view of the Habaraduwa Beach, and a rooftop bar with fire pit facilities with a beautiful garden. The resort has commenced the construction of its newest ultra-luxury unit, the Emerald Suite, celebrating its eighth anniversary.
Each room/suite has facilities including flat-screen cable TV, wireless high-speed internet access, in-room safety deposit box, mini refrigerator, work desk and chair, IDD telephone, hair dryer and tea/beverages facilities.
‘Experience ultimate tranquility as you float in Tabula Rasa Resort’s infinity pool, breathing in fresh ocean air as you gaze over the terracotta rooftops. Every room channels Sri Lankan culture and the island’s natural beauty in its contemporary design, with locally handmade furniture and fabrics’ Anouk explained. 
Chaminda Amarasekara recently assumed duties as the new General Manager of Tabula Rasa Resort. Under his administration, he expects to bring more local and foreign tourist attractions to the resort. Focusing on the comfort, freedom and privacy of its guests, Tabula Rasa Resort and Spa is also getting ready to introduce a number of special credit card discounts for local tourists during January up to April.
Cuisine plays a major role in ‘Tabula Rasa’. Meals are served in the main open restaurant or in the privacy of guest’s own verandah. Fresh seafood, authentic Sri Lankan and Mediterranean cuisine are on offer prepared with locally purchased fresh vegetables and seafood brought right to the door step of the resort. 
‘Chef Wijaya Kithsiri and his team is capable of catering to all culinary needs of the visiting guests’ she said. 
Fusion cuisine promoting innovative Sri Lankan, Eastern and Western cuisine, ‘homemade pizzas’ cooked in wooden fired oven, ‘BBQ on the beach’ and the famous English pub style bar are popular with the guests.

‘Tabula Rasa’ offers guests an experience that is intimate and personalised while providing the highest level of service’ said Chef Wijeya.
Although the property is not on the beach the hotel can arrange a tuk-tuk to take guests to the nearby Habaraduwa Beach, where they have six beach cabanas reserved for guests to use which are stocked with beach amenities. The journey by tuk-tuk would take between five and ten minutes. Excursions and tours are another attraction of ‘Tabula Rasa’. Habraduwa, an attractive sandy bay popular for surfing, lounging and snorkelling, virtually deserted palm-fringed beaches of Dalawella, Unawatuna and Mirissa are also a very short distance away. 
‘Whale and Dolphin watching in Mirissa is a half a day tour, which can be arranged on request’ Anouk said.
Apart from Galle Fort, other attractions close to Habaraduwa include Kottawa Rainforest, spice and cinnamon plantations and the tea plantation at Hinduangoda that produces the world’s most expensive white tea. The Martin Wickramasinghe Museum and turtle hatchery at Kosgoda, Madol Duwa in Koggala, stilt fishermen at Ahangama, Blow hole in Tangalle and the temples at Yatagala and Rumassala are also interesting places to visit.
The rates for ‘Tabula Rasa’ ranges from Rs. 60,000 to 80,000 for Villas and Suites. 
Pix by Sanath Weerasuriya