As others have stated getting to Santani has a few challenges but is well worth the effort. My transfer from downtown Colombo was about 4 hours. Upon arrival I was asked if I had eaten and escorted to lunch before the kitchen closed. Thank you Chef. I had booked a garden room so was away from the main area which helped me get my daily steps in. I felt very safe and they do have a night watchman. Also a buggy is in request and came within minutes which was a great service especially when raining. Room is basic but comfortable and had everything that i needed. Restaurant- this is an award winning restaurant and all the food I had was excellent both in quality and presentation. I was offered 2 choices and went with the Sri Lanka menu every meal. Lunch usually had fish that was delicious and evening a curry. Breakfast offered traditional western, Sri Lanka favorites. I mainly had granola and yogurt and fresh fruit. Spa- I had some of the best treatments I have ever had and I must say a thank you to Deepra for that. I had a treatment every day and being with the same person was perfect as they knew what treatments you had previously. Also to Doctors who kept an eye on my blood pressure (it was a lot better at the end of my trip) and for being so kind and patient with me when I had a minor incident. I left a few days before the dreadful floods so hope all staff and families are safe.
We had a lovely three-night stay at Santani, and the experience was exceptional from arrival to departure. The hospitality was warm, genuine, and attentive, making us feel truly cared for throughout our stay. The property itself is stunning—peacefully set amidst nature, offering breathtaking views and a sense of complete serenity. The minimalist design blends beautifully with the surroundings, creating a calm and restorative atmosphere. The wellness facilities, spa, and daily activities were thoughtfully curated, and the food was nourishing, delicious, and tailored to our preferences. Santani is more than just a place to stay; it is a journey of relaxation and wellbeing. Highly recommended for anyone seeking peace, wellness, and exceptional service
Santani delivered on everything it promised—and then some. To begin with, this is not a place that loudly markets itself, nor does it need to. I discovered Santani almost by accident, and from the moment I arrived, I was quietly delighted by its philosophy: East meets West—modern, minimalist luxury executed in the most understated, tasteful way imaginable. This is not performative luxury. It is thoughtful, lived-in, and clearly designed by someone with deep experience of the world’s finest stays. There is no pretence here—only integrity in what the property sets out to be. The luxury is subtle, intelligent, and entirely unforced. The staff elevate the experience even further. Warm, intuitive, and genuinely attentive, they go out of their way to ensure every need is met. From the concierge greeting to the discreet 24/7 service, everything feels seamless. There is no excess, no intrusion—just care, done properly. I opted for the all-inclusive package, which includes three meals a day, and this deserves special mention. Every single meal was distinct, beautifully executed, and thoughtfully curated. There is no rigid menu; instead, you choose daily from a generous range of options, with careful consideration for dietary preferences and restrictions. It felt abundant without ever being indulgent for indulgence’s sake. I arrived on Christmas Eve and was treated to a stunning seven-course dinner—one of the most memorable festive meals I have had. It did not feel manufactured or excessive, but rather elegant, restrained, and deeply respectful of each ingredient. The team went out of their way to create a true sense of Christmas, complete with a gift exchange and a beautifully intimate ambience in the restaurant. The spa experience stays true to Santani’s Ayurvedic roots, offering the best of Eastern and Indian medicine without pushing guests into an intense or prescriptive detox. There is no pressure to commit to long, rigorous programmes. Instead, you leave feeling genuinely rejuvenated, calm, and restored—balanced rather than depleted. And then there is the location. Set in the hills of Kandy in Sri Lanka’s east, the surroundings are nothing short of breathtaking. The vistas are expansive and serene, unlike anything else. The landscape feels almost Amazonian in its forestry, yet alpine in its elevation—at times reminiscent of Switzerland, minus the snow. In December and January, the climate is especially magical: cool, misty mornings and evenings with gentle fog, and comfortably warm days. Other times of the year offer a softer chill, making it ideal for those who prefer warmer climates. Santani is a place that stays with you. It is restorative without being prescriptive, luxurious without being loud, and deeply grounding. This is firmly a “return” destination—one to revisit solo or to share with like-minded souls. A place for the keeps.
Everything from location to staff , to food, to service, everything can be imagined was perfect. Thank you for Santani team for this amazing experience!
This is the most peaceful luxury place you can imagine. This a place where you rebalance all you sences. The more days you are here the slower you walk. Whereever you are in the resort you are part of the nature. We did a week full of treatments - healthy food and daily yoga and massage. Everything is extremly well delivered. Shashi, Kanishski, the fantastic chefs and everyone else in the restaurant made sure every meal was a special experience. Dr Nadeesha and her spa team and yoga master Rahul made sure we now are leaving in best possible condition.
Santani is a magical place, where you combine nature, wellness and fine dining. The closeness to nature where you are “above the trees”, gives a so special stay and allows you to see green in many different flavors. This was our second stay at Santani, and we selected the wellness package to fully experience the spa and treatments. These were carefully selected by the Ayurveda doctor, all aligned with our dosha. 90 minutes treatment each day for a week is highly recommended ??. The restaurant is fantastic with fine dining with delicious both Sri Lanka and western options. Our stay was also in the week when cyclone Ditwah struck Sri Lanka and the Kandy area. Our heartfelt gratitude to everyone at Santani Wellness Kandy for making us feel safe and secure. Oshee, Shashi, Kanishka, and the rest of the team did an incredible job of keeping us safe, informed, and well cared for. The Santani team handled our departure so safe and smooth, and the excellent care and attention truly meant a great deal to us.
Das Santani liegt ca. 4 Stunden vom Flughafen Colombo und ca 1.5 Stunden von Kandy entfernt, weit abgelegen im ruhigen Hochland am Rande einer Teeplantage - ideal für meine erste Ayurveda Erfahrung. In einer weitl?ufigen Anlage, je nach Lage der Villa auch mit zahlreichen Treppen, steht der dezente Luxus im Vordergrund. Die Villen sind in gleichem zurückhaltend luxuri?sen Stil eingerichtet mit einer genialen Aussicht, vor allem am Morgen, wenn sich der Nebel bei Sonnenaufgang lichtet. Ja, die Villen haben keine Klimaanlage (war auch nie so hei?, dass diese n?tig gewesen w?re) und auch z.T. offen gestaltet, so dass man sich mitten in der Natur fühlt. Das ist Teil des Santani Konzeptes und ich fand es sehr passend, ist aber sicherlich nicht für jeden Reisetyp geeignet. Sehr praktisch fand ich den im Preis inkludierten t?glichen W?scheservice. Die Ayurveda Erfahrung war fantastisch! Nach der initialen Konsultation und Untersuchung durch eine professionelle Ayurveda-?rztin erhielt ich meinen t?glichen Plan mit Anwendungen, Yoga, weiteren Sessions (z.B. Atemübungen, Meditation, Wanderungen). Die Anwendungen waren ausnahmslos sehr gut! Der Spa-Bereich war in Ordnung, k?nnte aber ein Upgrade vertragen (z.B. bei Saunen, Liegen und Umkleide). Das Restaurant (barfu?) ist das Kernstück der Anlage. An der Bar im Erdgeschoss erh?lt man frisch gepresste leckere S?fte. Im ersten Stock befindet sich das offene Restaurant mit toller Aussicht - mehr geht nicht! Das Essen ist ausnahmslos fantastisch und man bespricht jeweils den Menüplan mit dem Koch, da alles auf seinen Ayurveda-Typ und das gew?hlte Programm abgestimmt ist. Besonders hervorzuheben ist der ausnahmslos freundliche Service des Teams. Man wird h?ufig mit Namen angesprochen und fühlt sich immer willkommen. Insgesamt eine hervorragende Wahl für alle, die eine luxuri?se und ruhige Ayurveda-Erfahrung suchen!
I came looking for purpose — I found peace instead. I came seeking silence — I was enveloped by the sound of nature. I came expecting quality food — I was instead nourished. I came hoping to move — yet somehow, I became still. I leaned in and heard nothing but the cicadas singing, the birds calling, the barking deer breaking the quiet. I looked closer and saw eagles gliding, trees swaying, and nature simply being. I came looking for peace — and instead, I found purpose.
I’d always wanted to experience a proper retreat, and finally went in September. Choosing Santani was the best decision ever. From the moment I arrived, I felt cared for like royalty. The meals were designed specifically for me, based on my body type, and I finally gave myself the mental and physical space I’d been missing.Those seven days made a huge difference to my lifestyle. My meals now look completely different, I’m eating healthier, and I understand my body better.?Now, about Santani what a gorgeous space to unwind. So close to nature, yet so peaceful and protected. The staff were incredibly caring and professional, from the chefs and servers to the security team, masseuse, yoga instructor, tour guides and the Ayurvedic doctor who was just brilliant at what she did. Every evening, the chefs discussed my next day’s meals with me, answering all my questions. I am bad with names; recall Dashan's name only, the sweetest server, and the rest were amazing too.?The rooms were beautifully designed, simple yet luxurious, with breathtaking views. Every detail was so thoughtful, even the flower prints on the wooden headboard felt elegant and intentional. The bathrooms were spotless, the massage rooms immaculate, and having a massage surrounded by forest sounds was magical. The chirping of birds, rustling leaves, nature itself felt like therapy.?I’d definitely recommend an initial retreat of 5–7 days to anyone considering it.