Lasting wellness is achieved by bringing oneself into balance, with nature as well as through the nurture we give ourselves and receive from others.  Meaning “in harmony with,” Santani offers a uniquely restorative sanctuary where this belief guides everything we do. Wellness programmes in Ayurveda, detox and cleansing, yoga and relaxation combine on site pampering and rejuvenation with enlightened learning for healthy living long after you leave invigorating surroundings of our luxury wellness resort. Designed to free the mind while treading as lightly as possible on the earth, our private sanctuaries blur the distinction between indoors and out, to encourage you to rest, relax and meditate while inhaling the purest, freshest air and living within in this pristine, truly inspiring scenery that surrounds us.

We chose to design our contemporary dwellings based on the concept of the ‘ambalama’, which is the Sri Lankan word meaning ‘place of rest.’ Historically, pilgrims and traders moved around this sun-kissed island on foot. Simple shelters called ambalama came into being, offering these travellers somewhere safe to rest up for the next leg of a long journey. This human need to rest has not changed; today’s travellers too are in need of a place to rest up, along the journey of life.  Stylish and utterly comfortable, our interiors too are deliberately minimal. As in ancient Buddhist meditation caves in the mountains surrounding Santani, this lack of distraction allows you to focus your mind solely on slowing it down.  To further support your efforts to ‘reset,’ our rooms do not have televisions. While digital detox is a key component of the Santani experience, we do offer in-room WiFi on demand.  By blurring the distinction between inside and out, these private retreats invite you to rest, relax or meditate while inhaling the pure fresh air and taking in the pristine, truly inspiring scenery around you. 

We have 16 Mountain View Chalets that overlook the surrounding mountain range. Sixteen stand-alone, single-bedrooms each extending to a balcony and approximately 500 square feet. These can accommodate two people only. Each stylish, elevated room faces into the surrounding jungle valley and the stunning mountains beyond. Each room features up-cycled rubber wood lounge chairs, recycled teakwood safari chairs on the balcony, extra large pillows, 100% cotton, high thread count sheets, coffee and tea making facilities, personal safe and two closets.     

In addition to this, we have 4 Garden View Chalets that are designed for families with children (above 12) and hence located away from the main area of the resort. These are situated in an area with a small paddy field on one side and a tea plantation on the other. Two chalets are connected to each other through a common open area. One of the two chalets are specifically designed for Children between 12 – 15 with no balconies and other safety specifications. All chalets have a glass wall that provides unhindered views of the lush vegetation surrounding the area. These chalets do not have the mountain vistas, but provide a cosy, secluded feel among thick vegetation and are ideal for groups and families. The chalets can be also be sold individually as well. Similar to our other chalets, these rooms also do not have televisions. While digital detox is a key component of the Santani experience, we do offer in-room WiFi on demand. The walking distance from these chalets to the main lounge and restaurant is about 10 minutes but Tuk Tuk shuttles are available to shuttle guests from these chalets to the main facilities.

DINING

Nestled between the hills and rainforest in the heart of Sri Lanka, Santani exists for the singular purpose of nourishing your soul. When it comes to actual nutrition, we believe balance rather than extremes, and in the value of pleasure in our lives. Whether you like juicing, vegetarian, vegan and raw foods or you prefer heartier traditional fare, Santani is about freedom and choices which are yours to make among our nutritious and delicious food served in our elevated restaurant with capacity for 60 guests and at our open-air main pavilion lounge with its biodynamic wine & fresh juice bar. Your experience at Santani includes a personalised approach to gourmet wellness cuisine. In place of a printed menu for everyone, Santani’s experienced, internationally trained chefs prepare your healthy natural dishes according to a custom meal plan created in co-ordination with the Head of Wellness and Santani’s in-house Ayurvedic doctor based upon your health goals and physical condition. Personalised meal plans draw upon the most recent scientific research in three main areas:

SPA

The best spas in the world harmonise these philosophies, so we built Santani as Sri Lanka’s first full-fledged destination spa, with the first-ever comprehensive hydrotherapy facilities in the country. Our tri-level spa tucked into the hillside’s natural contours has been thoughtfully designed with holistic wellness in mind. You enter on the ground level to our reception and consultation rooms, then descend as if becoming one with the earth as you enter the hydrotherapy level. To warm up your body before treatments, this level houses a steam room, the cedar wood sauna with its a glass wall looking onto emerald paddy fields to the Knuckles mountain range, and our open-air thermal salt soak pool. Deeper into nature, the lowest level divides into four treatment rooms all of which are open onto the surrounding paddy fields. One of these rooms is designed for couples.