Santani Wellness Resort & Spa

Santani is located on the old Aratenna tea plantation high in the hills, the views overlooking the valley are incredible and you immediately feel grounded. The resort is architecturally stunning and has been designed thoughtfully. The rooms nestle in the mountains and is surrounded by the forest, the spa has open rooms looking directly out to the valleys and grounds whilst maintaining utter privacy. The rooms do not have AC but have been designed specifically to have continual airflow, the jali at the tops of the rooms combine tradition with a sophisticated take on maintaining a cool temperature. The overhanging roof ensures that you can sit on your balcony in the downpour and watch and listen to the rain without getting drenched. Something to bare in mind is due to the fact that the rooms have been sustainably designed to maintain natural airflow without AC - the rooms are not airtight so the surrounding forest sounds are heard inside the rooms, it can be very loud and if you are used to sleeping in silence, I would recommend noise cancelling earbuds. Another note is that there are no curtains - there is little in the way of light pollution but it is not 100% dark so again, if you are used to sleeping in blackout rooms, bring eye masks. Or let nature drift you into sleep. I have read other reviews regarding WiFi and AC and power cuts and whilst in this modern world these are required, at Santani, it is not, and if you arrive there with the intention of being connected to technology I’d say it’s probably not the right place for you, the power will cut out, it is situated in the middle of nowhere and there are torrential downpours and regardless of how “expensive” it is to stay there, it is in Sri Lanka, power cuts happen. The Ayurvedic treatments have been incredible and Deepa my therapist for the period that I was staying there is amazing, she is gentle, professional and is well versed. There are process before and after treatments and while this is not a huge spa, I would say at times it can feel like there are a lot of people in the spa area but not necessarily using the facilities, people are coming from and going to their treatments so the changing area feels a little busy but the rooms themselves I have found empty or with one or 2 people actually in them. I would come back to stay at Santani for the treatments alone. The dining experience was lovely, I booked Santani not necessarily because of the Michelin star but because of the thought that has gone into linking mind and body. Food was incredible, beautifully plated and had the opportunity of trying new foods (largely unavailable elsewhere). There are no printed menus so the chef will discuss your meals with you personally. There was a communication problem here, I do not eat pork or red meat and on 2 occasions these were on my meal plans which I think is an oversight when meals are so individually prepared. Despite this, the food was amazing. I could write a novel about my stay but if you need somewhere to decompress and be properly taken care of, I would highly recommend Santani, I found myself sleeping often and have left feeling completely restored. The daily yoga is optional but would highly recommend taking part especially if you practice regularly anyway. Both Omaya and Samer were great and enjoyed the pace and difference in practice, the breathwork sessions were amazing. I think in the western world yoga is used as a means of workout but here, it is a natural way of life. The nature walks were great and there is so much flora and fauna if this interests you, I saw more animals and insects at Santani than I have in a petting zoo and have asked Damitha to include a book in the rooms which details all flora and fauna on the estate. I couldn’t have dreamed of seeing a muntjac but they roam around, monkeys, a Sri Lankan hornbill, a changeable hawk eagle, a giant squirrel, mongoose, and so many more. It really was an incredibly grounding experience and would highly recommend staying.

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Santani was one of the most peaceful weeks I have ever experienced. From the moment I arrived, the entire team made me feel incredibly well looked after. I followed the detox programme, and every part of the experience exceeded my expectations. My lovely massage therapist was exceptional and my daily treatments the highlights of my days. I loved starting and ending my days with the yoga sessions. I also had wonderful meditation, breathing, and sound bath sessions with the yoga teacher, which were truly eye-opening and gave me so much to reflect on. The nature walks were another highlight, especially the bridge walk where I learned about the local spices and plants. The setting is simply breathtaking, surrounded by beautiful landscapes that make it easy to slow down and reconnect with yourself. A special thank you to Theekshana and the entire team for their genuine care and kindness throughout my stay. The food was absolutely delicious, healthy, nourishing, and full of flavour. Thank you, Santani, for such a memorable experience. I leave feeling refreshed, inspired, and deeply grateful. I truly hope I’ll be able to come back one day.

My recent four-night stay at Santani Wellness Kandy was one of the most restorative and memorable hotel experiences I have had anywhere in the world. I stayed on a full-board package with spa access and unlimited laundry included, and the entire experience felt exceptionally thoughtful from start to finish. The setting itself is breathtaking, surrounded by mountains, forests and complete tranquillity, but what truly distinguishes Santani is the way every aspect of the stay is designed to support genuine rest and wellbeing. The food was consistently outstanding: healthy, beautifully presented and surprisingly varied. The spa facilities were superb, providing the perfect complement to the peaceful atmosphere of the resort. Every member of staff I encountered was warm, attentive and genuinely committed to making guests feel welcome. A special mention must go to Saman, one of the resident yoga instructors and a Reiki healer. His complimentary morning and afternoon yoga sessions were a highlight of my stay. He has a rare ability to create a calm, inclusive and deeply authentic environment regardless of experience level. His guidance, knowledge and presence added enormously to the overall wellness experience, and I left each session feeling both physically refreshed and mentally grounded. What impressed me most about Santani was that it never felt superficial or commercial. There is a genuine sense of care, mindfulness and professionalism throughout the property. I arrived feeling exhausted and left feeling renewed. I would not hesitate to return and would highly recommend Santani to anyone seeking a world-class wellness retreat in a truly extraordinary natural setting.

Santani was truly one of the most peaceful and unforgettable wellness experiences I have ever had. The property is absolutely stunning, surrounded by breathtaking nature and incredible views that instantly make you feel relaxed and disconnected from the stress of daily life. The entire experience was exceptional — from the wellness treatments and spa to the food, yoga sessions, and overall atmosphere of the resort. Everything felt thoughtfully designed to help guests recharge both physically and mentally. What made the experience even more special was the amazing hospitality from every member of the team. Everyone was kind, attentive, and genuinely cared about making my stay comfortable and memorable.