IDEALLY SITUATED IN THE CENTRE OF THE CULTURAL TRIANGLE,
this eco-friendly resort has quickly become a favourite spot for tour groups visiting the country's many superlative heritage sites. Dambulla and Sigiriya are just a few minutes away, while Anuradhapura, Polonnaruwa and Kandy can be covered on day-trips. It would be a missed opportunity, however, to restrict yourself to these major highlights, as the area has an impressive number of other delightful tours waiting to be enjoyed: from little known elephant sanctuaries, ancient gardens and forest hermitages to river bathing in the Pink Quartzite Mountains.

You might very well conclude that it would also be a mistake not to spend at least a couple of whole days just enjoying Culture Club itself. There are few, if any, better places in the country for pure, calming peace and quiet. You can loose yourself in the grounds, take a walk along the lake shore, hide in a tree house or wander around the 'quiet zone' listening to bird songs. At some point, treat yourself to an ayurvedic massage and herbal bath.

This taste of the real Sri Lanka is promoted and enhanced by the design and layout of the resort buildings. Everything is low-lying and accommodated within the existing woodland, keeping disturbance to an absolute minimum. At the same time, there is a sense of light and space, as all the public buildings are open, with the red-tiled roof overhangs upheld by wooden pillars - very much in the style of fine traditional building. The interior décor is a mix of traditional motifs and colours with a modern sense of uncluttered comfort.

Finally, the cuisine is up to the same high standards set by the resort elsewhere. The vegetarian meals are particularly good and so too the ever present Sri Lankan curry corner. It doesn't, as they say, get much better than this.