Hardcore boot camps and sweating it out in the sun isn’t for everyone. Wellness comes in all shapes and sizes, and sometimes a little indulgent relaxation is all you need to give yourself a healthy glow. Providing ‘luxury for the soul’, Santani Wellness Kandy is just the place to help you on your way. As Sri Lanka’s first and only purpose-built wellness resort, its stunning modern design is just one of the reasons we’re checking it out.
Location
Nestled in the Sri Lankan mountains, Santani is situated 60 minutes from Kandy and four hours from Colombo Airport. Surrounded by the pristine natural beauty of the Arantenna Estate, Santani is spread over 48 lush acres and is a truly serene sanctuary.
Accommodation
Designed with minimalist luxury in mind, the innovative architecture of Santani is reminiscent of a cutting-edge urban hotel. Drawing inspiration from 16th century, non-secular Tampita VIhara style, each sleek space oozes contemporary style. The 16 rooms are 500 square foot each, and the two spacious suites are 1,350 square foot each.
All bedrooms have king-size beds, with twin bed options, along with private balconies and modern amenities. Reclaimed wood features heavily throughout the rooms and wider resort, and each abode is tastefully decorated with sparse, subtle furnishings.
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Food Programme
Featuring fresh, sustainably sourced ingredients, the food at Santani revolves around three healthy menus: ‘Detox’, ‘Vegetarian’ and ‘Spa’. Raw food is offered for those detoxing, and the vegetarian menu and spa menus are both brimming with healthy options that support clean eating. Fresh salads, herb infused soups and Sri Lankan inspired curries are crafted out of organic produce that has been sourced from nearby farms and local markets. For the carnivores, there are fish and meat options.
Treatment Programme
Running all-inclusive wellness programmes that span from three to 21 days, Santani Wellness Kandy’s wellbeing retreats include ‘Ayurveda’, ‘Healthy Living’, ‘Address Your Stress’, ‘Detox’ and Yoga’ packages. A typical seven-day programme includes two 60-minute massages per day, along with yoga classes, meditation sessions, Ayurvedic therapies, detox and cleansing treatments, CrossFit activities and nutritional cooking classes.
Each retreat begins with a private consultation with the retreat’s ‘wellness leader’ who creates a bespoke experience suited to individual needs. Focusing on gentle cleansing and rejuvenation, the focus of Santani Wellness Kandy is on relaxation, pampering and stress relief, rather than boot camp-style deprivation.
Guests that want to zen out can visit the 6,000 square-foot spa and soak their stresses away in the retreat’s thermal salt pool, or enjoy a variety of traditional Ayurvedic and modern western treatments, executed by expert therapists. Those that want to explore the great outdoors can go hiking in the hills, mountain biking or swimming in the local river’s natural swimming pools.
Results
Expect to feel…utterly zen and relaxed (twice daily massages will do that to a person). This is the kind of gentle wellness experience that really rejuvenates you when you’re feeling lethargic and worn down.
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Follow all of Santani’s luxe adventures on Instagram @Santani_Wellness.
