Cantaloupe Levels

Cantaloupe Levels, an intimate Luxury and Lifestyle boutique hotel, in Rumassala, near Galle, is the second property under the Cantaloupe Hotels portfolio. Picturesquely perched on the lush green Rumassala headland, this luxuriously quirky boutique hotel reveals views of a wide turquoise bay that stretches from Jungle Beach all the way to the world famous Dutch Fort of Galle. Sumptuous guestrooms, an eye-catching tri-colour infinity pool and sultry areas for dining and imbibing make this the place to be on the Southern coast.

The evil King Ravana of Lanka abducted Sita, the wife of India’s Prince Rama, and brought her to Sri Lanka. Amidst the bloody battle to rescue her, Rama’s brother Laxman was injured and Hanuman, the legendary monkey God, was sent back to India to collect specific medicinal herbs that would save his life. In his haste Hanuman forgot which herbs were required and instead brought back pieces of the Himalayas containing a melee of herbs and accidently dropped one of them at Rumassala. Even though the Ramayana is a mythological story, the rare and endemic flora found on the mountain mysteriously seems to support its legendary tale.

Perhaps unsurprisingly, Rumassala is also thought to have rare magnetic properties. The late Sir Arthur C. Clarke, a renowned British science fiction writer who made Sri Lanka his home, attributed this to a meteorite strike and it is said that satellites cannot be placed directly above the hilltop in space. As such, the aura alluding from all of this mythological possibility definitely gives Levels a mysterious edge.

Levels rooms are luxurious, spacious and romantic. Invoking Cantaloupe’s signature contemporary baroque aesthetic; accentuated with bold design statements including patent leather snakeskin bed-heads, light timber flooring, elegant daybeds and suave mod cons. The pale gold and silver features complement the predominately white washed palate, whilst contrasting black furnishing and bright pop art.

Levels features an eclectic international a la carte menu, which combines signature dishes from Cantaloupe’s partner restaurants, Clique Cuisine in Colombo and Coconut at Cantaloupe Aqua, nearby in Habaraduwa, Talpe. Exquisite Japanese cuisine is a hotel speciality, along with melt-in-your-mouth sous-vide steaks and fusion paella. The hotel’s air-conditioned restaurant is on the ground floor and spills onto a plant-festooned side terrace with sliding doors that open onto velveteen lawns topped with tables, which is ideal for dining alfresco under a balmy starlit sky and presents 270 degree views. A large selection of wines from many of the world’s most respected regions is featured in The Cellar. To mix it up a bit, why not choose your own dining destination; perhaps the rooftop for a memorising 360 degree view of the entire Galle area or for an adventurous treat, Jungle Beach.