Santani Wellness Kandy
Wellness hotel · Medadumbara ·
Wellness retreat with Ayurveda, yoga, spa, and personalized cuisine
Information
Arantenna Estate, Werapitiya 20908, Sri Lanka Get directions
Wellness retreat with Ayurveda, yoga, spa, and personalized cuisine
Arantenna Estate, Werapitiya 20908, Sri Lanka Get directions
"Set amid the UNESCO-listed heritage of Kandy—where sacred landmarks mingle with tea estates and rainforest—this wellness haven promises a peaceful, restorative stay with Ayurveda, detox, and yoga programmes. Beyond the spa, experiences deepen your sense of place: the Hatale Tea Factory is a must for immersing in tea-making amidst scenic plantations, and a leisurely downhill walk through jungle canopies teeming with monkeys leads to the serene Narampanawa Temple." - Faye Bradley
"Santani Wellness Resort and Spa is Sri Lanka’s only destination spa and offers unparalleled views of the mountain ranges including the Knuckles UNESCO World Heritage Biosphere. Modern and minimalist architecture is specially designed for relaxation and the 6000 sqft Spa provides the only thermal salt bath. The meals served at the in-house restaurant are personalized based on body types and incorporating six tastes that makes a full meal. There are no menus; however, the Chef personally discusses your preferences and makes a personalized meal. Guests can experience activities like hiking, mountain biking, river walks, bird watching and tea estate walks. The property offers multiple wellness packages ranging from weight loss, detox, fitness, pampering or specific Ayurveda treatments." - My Boutique Hotel (en)
"If you’re looking for the perfect sanctuary where you can escape the stresses of everyday life, Santani is the place for you. Looking out from its treetop balconies in the lush Sri Lankan hilltops, time itself seems to hold its breath. Panoramic views unfold across a forested river valley, and on the horizons, an endless game of hide and seek plays out between the mountain peaks and the swirling clouds. Indeed, calling Santani a sanctuary isn't going far enough: it's a refuelling station for the soul. The 20 striking chalets are purposefully minimal, the architecture modernist, the setting free of unnecessary clutter. It's all about inner focus. With meals included and no distractions, a few days here will make you feel refreshed, revitalised and ready for anything. Still, it’s not just the setting that takes the breath away. This is a first-rate wellness destination with world-beating facilities. The tri-level spa, which appears to be carved out of a hillside, has an open-fronted design (inspired by the region’s monastic cave dwellings) that houses an impressive array of international therapies (like deep tissue and lomi lomi massages) and Ayurveda treatments by a resident doctor. Free sunrise and sunset group yoga, use of the sauna, steam room and thermal salt bath are also included in your stay, and the thoughtfully curated cuisine – based on the ancient yet au courant concept of '6 tastes' – aims to nourish from the inside out. With time on your side, explore the surrounding countryside on a bird walk or visit the Hulu river with a resident naturalist then follow with a brisk swim – it will enhance your wellbeing like never before. Highs The dramatic mountain setting lets nature nurture your ruffled feathers, and is very calming It’s peaceful without being overly quiet – fall asleep to chirruping crickets and frogs, then wake to vibrant birdsong We loved the spa, its hydrotherapy facilities and the gentle healing hands of our Keralan therapist The food is exceptional – nutritionally balanced yet gourmet at the same time No children under 12 – so no distractions Lows Don’t come for two nights expecting a quick jaunt out to Kandy – it takes an hour to get there The rooms aren't soundproofed (the focus is on having natural ventilation), so you can hear your neighbours if they're chatty. However, it's serenely quiet by 11pm or earlier Expect a few leeches while walking the local trails The hush-hush atmosphere won’t suit everyone – leisure guests are just as welcome as wellness guests, but this is a 'WiFi optional' resort, and WiFi is only available in your room on request" - Emma Boyle
"We’ve been singing the praises of Sri Lanka’s boutique hotels for some time now, but we’ve got to admit, this one took our breath away. Santani Wellness Resort and Spa puts together so many of the things we love about this island — the unbearably scenic landscapes of the interior, the homegrown tradition of tropical-modernist concrete architecture, and the legendarily welcoming Sri Lankan hospitality — that it might be worth a return trip all on its own." - Tablet Hotels
"A high-end wellness resort perched with mountain views that specializes in guided hikes and holistic wellbeing, making it an excellent base for exploring nearby ranges while enjoying spa, fitness and restorative programs." - Zinara Rathnayake
