Santani Wellness Resort is Sri Lanka's first luxury wellness resort, focused on Ayurvedic treatments and holistic wellness. It is located in a remote and peaceful setting about an hour's drive from the sacred city of Kandy in central Sri Lanka.

Key details about Santani Wellness Resort:

• Situated at an altitude of 800 meters in the Aratenna region, formerly a tea-growing area
• Set on a 48-hectare property surrounded by lush green landscapes and rushing rivers
• Designed with a minimalist architecture that blends seamlessly with the natural environment
• Features glass, wood and metal chalets aligned next to each other, offering luxurious and minimalist accommodations
• Emphasizes digital detox, with no TVs in rooms and limited Wi-Fi access
• Houses Sri Lanka's first comprehensive thermal facilities, including hydrotherapy installations
• Offers personalized wellness programs covering areas like Ayurveda, yoga, detox, weight loss, and more

Santani, which means 'harmony' in Sanskrit, was founded by Vickum Nawagamuwage. The resort was born from his personal transformation through yoga and meditation, and his desire to create a place embodying prosperity and emphasizing harmony with oneself and the world. The founding philosophy centers on helping guests find tools to achieve balance between external demands and personal fulfillment, promoting sustainable well-being through a harmonious relationship with nature.

Santani Wellness Resort offers a comprehensive range of wellness programs and treatments focused on holistic well-being:

• Ayurvedic Therapies: As the cornerstone of Santani's offerings, Ayurvedic treatments are personalized based on individual dosha analysis. Guests begin with a consultation to identify their constitution, after which tailored therapies are prescribed.
• Yoga: Various yoga programs are available, integrating traditional practices with modern wellness techniques.
• Detox Programs: Santani provides detox packages designed to cleanse and rejuvenate the body.
• Specialized Wellness Packages: The resort offers a variety of targeted programs including:
  • Weight loss
  • Sleep improvement
  • Menopause management
  • Addiction recovery
  • Anti-aging
• Hydrotherapy: Santani boasts Sri Lanka's first comprehensive thermal facilities, including steam rooms, saunas, and thermal salt baths.
• Massage Therapies: Various massage techniques are offered to promote relaxation and healing.
• Personalized Nutrition: Instead of set menus, each guest receives meals carefully tailored to their specific needs, supporting ketogenic, Ayurvedic vegetarian, and detox diets.
• Mental and Spiritual Wellness: Programs aimed at enhancing mental resilience and spiritual well-being in response to contemporary stress challenges.

Santani's approach integrates traditional practices with modern wellness science, emphasizing personalization and holistic harmony. The resort's programs are designed to not only provide immediate relaxation and healing but also to equip guests with tools for maintaining wellness long after their stay. The stunning natural setting, minimalist architecture, and focus on digital detox further enhance the overall wellness experience.

The architecture and design of Santani Wellness Resort play a crucial role in enhancing the overall wellness experience for guests in several ways:

Minimalist Architecture: Santani features a modernist and minimalist architectural style that blends seamlessly with the natural environment. The resort is discreetly perched on a plateau surrounded by jungle and terraced rice fields. This design approach creates a sense of harmony with nature, promoting relaxation and tranquility.

Integration with Nature: The architecture maximizes the use of natural light through large windows and thin metal frames. Flat roofs protect from sun and rain while allowing light to enter and reflect the surrounding landscape. This integration with nature helps guests feel more connected to the environment, supporting mental well-being.

Eco-Friendly Features: The resort's design incorporates natural ventilation, eliminating the need for air conditioning in most areas. This eco-friendly approach not only reduces energy consumption by 70% compared to similar hotels but also creates a more natural and healthy environment for guests.

'Ambalama' Concept: Guest accommodations are based on the Sri Lankan concept of 'ambalama', or 'resting place'. The chalets, made of glass, wood, and metal, offer a luxurious yet minimalist experience. Each room features dark wood walls, a canopy bed with mosquito nets, and a terrace that blurs the line between indoor and outdoor spaces, encouraging relaxation and meditation.

Digital Detox Philosophy: The resort's design supports a digital detox experience. Common areas lack connected devices and Wi-Fi, while rooms are not equipped with televisions. Wi-Fi is available only upon request, encouraging guests to disconnect from technology and focus on their wellness journey.

Wellness Spaces: The wellness areas, including the spa, are designed to be open to the exterior, incorporating natural elements like stone, wood, earth, and water. This design promotes relaxation and reconnection with one's inner nature. The three-tiered wellness center is built into the hillside, offering stunning views of the surrounding landscape and enhancing the sense of tranquility during treatments.

Panoramic Views: The resort's layout and design, including the infinity pool, provide panoramic 180-degree views of the surrounding hills. These views contribute to a sense of spaciousness and connection with nature, supporting mental well-being and relaxation.

By thoughtfully integrating these architectural and design elements, Santani creates an environment that supports physical, mental, and spiritual well-being, enhancing the overall wellness experience for its guests.

Santani Wellness Resort follows a personalized and holistic approach to dining, focusing on wellness and nutrition tailored to each guest's individual needs. Key aspects of their culinary philosophy include:

• Absence of set menus: Instead of offering fixed menus, Santani provides customized dishes for each guest based on their specific requirements and wellness goals.
• Three main dietary pillars:
  1. Ketogenic diet
  2. Ayurvedic vegetarian
  3. Detox
• Sample dishes:
  • Ketogenic: Grass-fed Australian beef steak with herb-infused squash cake, mushroom puree, and tamarind sauce
  • Ayurvedic vegetarian: Traditional Sri Lankan curry made with organic rice and vegetables
  • Detox: Almond and vanilla smoothie enriched with dates and chia seeds
• Use of organic and local ingredients: Santani prioritizes the use of fresh, organic, and locally-sourced ingredients in their culinary creations.
• Tailored meals: Dishes are carefully crafted to align with each guest's individual wellness objectives, as determined during their initial consultation.
• Gourmet presentation: While focusing on health and balance, Santani ensures that meals are beautifully presented and satisfying to the palate.
• Outdoor bar: Guests can enjoy biodynamic wines and freshly pressed juices at the resort's open-air bar, combining pleasure with wellness.

This culinary approach at Santani Wellness Resort reflects their commitment to holistic well-being, combining gastronomic excellence with personalized nutrition. By tailoring meals to individual needs and offering a range of dietary options, Santani ensures that dining is an integral part of the overall wellness experience, supporting guests' health goals while still providing a pleasurable culinary journey.

The spa at Santani Wellness Resort offers a comprehensive range of facilities designed to promote holistic wellness and relaxation, seamlessly integrated with the natural environment. Key features include:

• Multi-level design: The wellness center is built on three levels along the hillside, with different services on each level.
• Sri Lanka's first comprehensive thermal water therapy center: Santani boasts the country's first full-scale hydrotherapy facilities.
• Specific amenities:
  • Cedar wood sauna
  • Salt water pool
  • Steam room
  • Treatment rooms for personalized therapies
• Infinity pool: Offering panoramic 180-degree views of the surrounding hills, perfect for relaxation between treatments or yoga sessions.
• Combination of traditional and modern techniques: The spa blends ancient Ayurvedic practices with the latest discoveries in health and rejuvenation science.

The spa's design emphasizes openness to the outdoors, using natural materials like stone, wood, earth, and water to foster a deep connection with nature. This approach aligns with Santani's philosophy of achieving harmony between internal well-being and the external environment.

Treatments are tailored to each guest's specific needs, identified through an initial consultation. The spa offers a wide range of services, including Ayurvedic therapies, massages, yoga, and hydrotherapy, all aimed at promoting balance and rejuvenation.

Overall, the spa facilities at Santani Wellness Resort are designed to provide a comprehensive wellness experience, combining the serene natural setting with state-of-the-art amenities and expert care.

Santani Wellness Resort stands out as a unique wellness destination due to several distinctive features:

Location and Setting:

• Situated in a former tea plantation at an altitude of 800 meters
• Surrounded by 48 hectares of lush landscapes, including jungle and terraced rice fields
• Located an hour away from the sacred city of Kandy, offering cultural experiences

Minimalist Luxury Approach:

• Modernist and refined architectural design that blends with the environment
• Glass, wood, and metal chalets based on the Sri Lankan concept of 'ambalama' (resting place)
• Rooms designed to blur the boundary between interior and exterior, promoting relaxation

Focus on Ayurveda and Holistic Wellness:

• Sri Lanka's first luxury resort specializing in Ayurvedic wellness
• Personalized wellness packages addressing various health concerns
• Integration of modern health science with deeply rooted Ayurvedic traditions

Philosophy of Balance:

• Emphasis on finding equilibrium between external demands and personal fulfillment
• Promotes a sustainable approach to well-being that extends beyond the stay

Digital Detox:

• Common areas free from connected devices and Wi-Fi
• No televisions in rooms, with Wi-Fi available only upon request

Age Policy:

• Accepts guests 12 years and above, ensuring a tranquil environment

Exclusive Experiences:

• Opportunity to visit Buddhist cave temples in the surrounding mountains
• Proximity to the Kandy Perahera festival, a grand cultural spectacle

Eco-Friendly Approach:

• Design that preserves 70% more natural resources compared to similar climate hotels
• Emphasis on coexistence with nature rather than eradication

Unique Spa Facilities:

• First comprehensive thermal destination in Sri Lanka
• Houses the country's first integrated hydrotherapy facilities

Personalized Culinary Experience:

• No set menu; dishes tailored to individual needs
• Focus on ketogenic, Ayurvedic vegetarian, and detox cuisine

These unique features position Santani Wellness Resort as a world-class luxury wellness destination, offering a holistic approach to health and well-being in harmony with nature and local culture.