Santani

Location: Sri Lanka's Hill Country | Sri Lanka

Price guide: $$$$$ $100-$200 per person per night

Sitting high in the Sri Lankan hills, surrounded by thick forest, tea plantations and rice fields, Santani is a boutique wellness resort designed to help guests rejuvenate both body and mind. Everything is personalised, from healthy meal plans to yoga courses, and there’s an extensive programme of spa treatments to choose from. You’ll stay in a luxurious minimalist chalet, and embark on cultural excursions to meet local artisans and visit ancient temples.
Perfect forAnyone looking to unplug from the modern world, reconnect with themselves and get immersed in nature.
In the knowThe name ‘Santani’ comes from a Sanskrit word meaning ‘in harmony with’ – and it’s an appropriate choice, with the hotel’s modern yet organic architecture blending seamlessly with its natural surroundings.

Recommended for...

  • Spa & Wellness
  • Landscapes & Scenery
  • Hideaway
  • Chic Design

Hotel Overview

Sense of Place

Santani sits on 48 acres of pristine forest, on the site of a former tea plantation surrounded by terraced rice fields. The Hulu River winds past nearby and is a picturesque spot for a swim. Being high up in the hills, the climate is nice and cool, and a drink around a cosy campfire in the evening is a must. Kandy is approximately a 1-hour drive away. 

Rooms at Santani

Santani's chalets look modern, with an almost industrial style, featuring sharp angles, steel and glass. However, their minimalist design is inspired by ancient Buddhist ideas about mindfulness, which explains the lack of televisions. Wi-Fi is available, but only on request, in a further effort to encourage a digital detox.

That being said, the rooms are very comfortable, with large four-poster beds and furnished balconies where you can enjoy the view over the mountains or the countryside. They are designed to be ventilated naturally, which is not only healthier but saves a huge amount of energy otherwise spent on air conditioning.

Food & Drink

Dining at Santani is completely tailored around your own requirements, and you’ll have a consultation with the chefs and the hotel’s Ayurvedic doctor to come up with the best meal plan for you. No refined or processed foods are used, and the emphasis is on fresh, organic fish, meat and vegetables, all presented in a beautiful gourmet style.

Sample dishes include banana blossom salad with shredded coconut, pine nut and goats’ cheese tortellini, and citrus and beetroot cured pink salmon. The healthy emphasis doesn’t mean you have to go without dessert – try the masala chai, raspberry and jasmine creme brulee trio.

Facilities

Combining ancient Ayurvedic wisdom with modern wellness technology, everything about Santani’s spa is geared towards helping you relax. Spread across three storeys, the spa comprises a steam room, a cedar wood sauna, and an open-air pool where you can soak in thermal salt water.

Once again, personalised wellness packages are drawn up to help meet your needs, whether you’re in need of a detox, struggling with sleep, stress or addiction, or just looking to live more healthily. You can indulge in personalised yoga classes, while there are regular visiting masters in reiki, meditation, osteopathy and more.

Activities at Santani

Explore the stunning cultural and historic attractions surrounding the hotel: a hike to the Bambaragala Cave Temple is a rewarding one for experienced walkers, while a more gentle route takes you to the peaceful Kukul Oya waterfalls for a swim. You can meet practitioners of an ancient tradition in the coppersmiths and woodworkers of Galmaduwa, and pick up a one-of-a-kind gift or souvenir.

Best time to go

Best time to travel

Good time to travel (but some limitations)

Travel is possible (but it’s not the best time)

Travel is not recommended

  • Jan
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Best time to go

Hotel location

Santani is approximately a 4-hour drive from Bandaranaike International Airport in Colombo.

Stay at Santani on these trips

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