Sri Lanka's personally picked gems

Sri Lanka has surely tested me! It has shaken me from my comfort zone, from what is familiar to me, and threw me at times off my human understanding of things.

WHY THIS PLACE MATTERS
This country has taught me to surrender by sinking into nature where I could feel time bending with all my being, to accept beauty and pain equally as a wholeness process of nature.
Here are the places I stayed in I feel were quite unique:

SANTANI WELLNESS - KANDY, SRI LANKA

THE SANCTUARY
I felt very comfortable in this sanctuary and will surely go back. A minimalist mountain retreat devoted to deep rest and nervous-system recalibration. Built into former tea estates, suspended between mist and silence.
Purpose-built wellness architecture. Absolute quiet, no distractions. Spaces designed for inward descent
Santani was founded by Vickum Nawagamuwage, a Sri Lankan visionary who spent years living on the move, from strategic consulting in the U.S. to wellness explorations across Asia, before returning to his homeland to build a sanctuary that could actually change the nervous system’s relationship to stress. Luxe Wellness Club.
Although the founders did not reside in Dubai, Santani’s corporate presence extends to the UAE through Santani Management FZ-LLC in Ras Al Khaimah, which acts as their regional head office and connects the retreat to the Middle Eastern wellness and travel world. Santani
This connection adds another layer of resonance for those of us with roots in Dubai, a bridge between fast-paced global life and deep, intentional restoration.

WELLNESS & HEALING

Ayurveda, detox, and therapeutic rituals held with precision and reverence.
Daily yoga and meditation
Thermal spa experiences
Personalised Ayurvedic programs
Breath-led, body-first healing

THE LAND CODES
The mountains hold containment and clarity. And here, the mind slows down naturally. Walking feels grounding. Stillness feels inevitable.

ACCOMMODATION
Minimalist chalets opening onto expansive mountain views.
Clean lines
Natural materials
Silence as a companion

FOOD AS MEDICINE

Simple, intentional, and deeply nourishing.
Ayurvedic-informed cuisine
Light, clean, grounding meals prepared by amazing chef/s
Supports detox and integration

MY EXPERIENCE
This is a place that strips away excess.
There is nothing to do, and everything to receive.
My body softened. My thoughts slowed. My nervous system remembered safety.

WHO THIS PLACE IS FOR
Burnout recovery
Deep rest and detox
Nervous system healing
Those seeking silence and structure

MY RECOMMENDATION
Come here when you are ready to be with yourself.
Not to escape, but to return.
👉 https://www.santani.com/santaniwellness-kandy/

WATER GARDEN SIGIRIYA — CULTURAL TRIANGLE, SRI LANKA

THE PLACE
A refined, water-centered retreat resting beneath the ancient Sigiriya Rock.
Private villas surrounded by water
Vast open skies
Quiet elegance

THE LAND CODES
This land carries ancient intelligence.
The water calms.
The rock grounds.
Time slows.

ACCOMMODATION
Private villas with plunge pools and open views.
Spacious
Calm
Luxurious without excess

FOOD & RHYTHM
Balanced, gentle, and well-paced.
Nourishing meals
Slow dining
Space between moments

MY EXPERIENCE
This place felt like being held between past and present.
Days were expansive.
Nights were deeply restful.
The body felt safe to soften.

WHO THIS PLACE IS FOR
Conscious travelers
Couples
Cultural exploration with comfort
Those who want beauty without noise

MY RECOMMENDATION
Ideal as a grounding stop between journeys.
Stay long enough to let your breath change.

👉 https://www.watergardensigiriya.com/
 

W15 HANTHANA ESTATE — HILL COUNTRY, SRI LANKA

THE ESTATE
A restored colonial tea estate in the Hanthana mountains.
Heritage elegance
Slow luxury
Human-scale hospitality

THE LAND CODES
The hills feel orderly and calm.
Life here feels structured.
Nature and human presence feel aligned.

ACCOMMODATION
Refined rooms overlooking tea plantations and gardens.
Quiet mornings
Soft light
A sense of being cared for

FOOD & FLOW
Thoughtful, grounding, and well-prepared.
Nourishing without heaviness
Supports clarity and focus

MY EXPERIENCE
This place felt composed.
My thoughts became clearer.
My body felt settled.
There was space to reflect, write, and integrate.

WHO THIS PLACE IS FOR
Writers and creatives
Gentle retreats
Those who prefer mountains over movement
Travelers seeking calm refinement in the midst of fields of tea plantations

MY RECOMMENDATION
Choose this if you want stability, beauty, and quiet grace.
👉 https://hanthana.w15.lk/

 A NOTE ON MOUNTAINS VS. SEA (SRI LANKA)

From my experience, the mountain side of Sri Lanka felt cleaner, calmer, and more organized in the human world.
The pace is slower.
The air is clearer.
The nervous system settles more easily.
The coastal areas, while vibrant and alive, felt more chaotic — louder, busier, and less contained energetically.
Choose the mountains if you are seeking:
Healing
Integration
Order
Inner listening

A NOTE ON AIRBNBs

Airbnbs in Sri Lanka can be beautiful, but often come with challenges:
Inconsistent comfort and infrastructure
Higher costs than expected once services are added
More effort required to feel held and supported
For deep work, healing, or rest, I found established retreats and estates far more supportive.

My personal travel notes (soon only for members)

MORE DESTINATIONS COMING SOON
This members-only sanctuary will continue to expand with new portals, places of power, and destinations that shift consciousness.
Next:
Oman Grounding Nature
United Arab Emirates conscious living spots
UK magical portals
Lebanon’s mystical landscapes
Georgia’s wild sacred sites
Korea’s ancient wisdom and healing experiences
Persian ancestral healing roots
Cosmic retreats & spiritual sanctuaries around the world