Santani Wellness Kandy

From January 28th to 30th, my friend and I stayed at Satani, a luxurious wilderness retreat and wellness hotel highly rated on TripAdvisor. It was our first time in Sri Lanka, and we were drawn to the promise of refined elegance amidst raw nature. The experience, for the most part, lived up to its reputation. The hotel’s design was ethereal, with twenty buildings discreetly nestled in the forest, a stunning hilltop restaurant, and a secluded spa area. Every detail seemed meticulously crafted to immerse guests in the untamed beauty of the surroundings while cocooning them in comfort. The service at Santani Wellness was exceptional, with every staff member radiating warmth and hospitality. The chef, in particular, was a maestro—each meal over the two days was nothing short of spectacular. However, there was one glaring exception that left a sour taste, even after we checked out. The spa manager, an Indian woman with black-framed glasses who exuded an air of elegance and intellect, left us with an unsettling impression. We first encountered her in the restaurant, where she made a point of engaging with every table, enthusiastically recommending the spa and treatments—except ours. We brushed it off at the time. Later, when we visited the spa after booking treatments, she handed us a form to fill out, barely making eye contact, her attention seemingly absorbed by her nails. We couldn’t help but notice that in the restaurant, she continued to greet and chat with every guest—except us. It was as if we were invisible, even in the open, airy dining space. The contrast became starkly apparent when I returned to the spa and witnessed her interacting with a white male guest, patiently explaining each detail of the form with a warmth and attentiveness we had not been afforded. The disparity left us wondering: Did she dislike Chinese guests? Was it our skin color or some other bias that made her reluctant to serve us? I feel compelled to remind her that her behavior is a disservice to the hotel she represents. Moreover, as her own government actively encourages Chinese tourism to Sri Lanka, her actions are not only unprofessional but also profoundly ignorant.

My husband and I stayed in the Mountain View Chalet at Santani for one night during our journey from Ella to Colombo. In hindsight, I would strongly recommend at least two nights—three if you have the time—to fully experience what Santani has to offer. Kandy was our penultimate stop during our 10-night Sri Lanka itinerary, and Santani promised the perfect respite we needed at this stage. While the setting and aesthetic were truly breathtaking, our experience was marred by a series of frustrating inconsistencies and service failures. Unfortunately, our 06:37 am train from Ella was cancelled, forcing us onto a later train, which delayed our schedule and caused us to miss the lunch service at Santani. Although we provided a heads-up about our ETA, we were informed that only sandwiches and fruit could be offered for lunch upon arrival. I pleaded for a hot meal after a 6-hour journey but was met with a firm no. While I understand the need for structure around meal times, the lack of flexibility felt unnecessarily rigid, especially given that lunch was included in our package. It was a bitter start to an otherwise promising stay. For each meal, we were offered two menu options: Western or Sri Lankan. A chef consultation was arranged to tailor the menu to our dietary requirements—my husband is gluten-free and does not eat red meat. The concept of personalisation sounded wonderful in theory, but the delivery fell far short. At dinner, the meals differed from what we discussed earlier, and when we questioned this, we were told certain items contained gluten. My husband’s dessert, for example, was swapped from Sri Lankan pancakes to a makeshift fruit salad—hardly the bespoke experience promised. At breakfast, they served granola containing gluten and suggested my husband “just eat a little,” as if his dietary restriction were a mere preference. This was not only disappointing but also felt deeply unprofessional. Additionally, previously requested items like a Sri Lankan omelette and mixed fruit smoothie were either forgotten or met with bizarre responses like “eat this first, and we’ll bring another.” The grounds and chalet were stunning, and the views from our Mountain View Chalet, for which we paid an additional $40 upgrade, were well worth it. The serenity and natural beauty are Santani’s greatest strengths. We also had 90-minute Ayurvedic treatments, which were very relaxing. However, there was inconsistency here too—my husband received the promised consultation with the doctor before his treatment, while mine skipped the consultation entirely. The lack of uniformity was frustrating and detracted from the wellness experience. Finally, as we were checking out at 12 noon and couldn’t stay for lunch (which begins at 12), we requested a packed meal. I specifically asked for a salad alongside my sandwich, but we were instead given fruit—again, an instance of Santani failing to meet basic expectations. Individually, these lapses in service might not see

The perfect place to relax, unwind and reset. It’s just so peaceful and total bliss. Allows u to totally disconnect and enjoy nature. The balance reset wellness program was what opted for. Loved the walk trek to the river with the naturalist, Sandu, who was so knowledgeable The curated plans for food and spa therapies were really good. Sugarth was amazing. Enjoyed the daily yoga classes with the fantastic Yogi Rahul. He also did amazing meditation and pranayama sessions. So relaxing. Chef Indika and his team churned out a variety of curries and soups. The Sri Lankan style breakfast was delicious. Big thanks to the super attentive staff as well, especially Suresh, Kanishka and Prabhat. Would definitely go back.

Our stay at Santani Wellness Hotel in Kandy was nothing short of extraordinary. From the moment we arrived, we were blown away by the incredible service and the serene, natural setting that made it one of the most memorable hotel experiences we've ever had. The service here is truly exceptional. Santani went above and beyond to ensure every detail of our stay was perfect. The staff set up a WhatsApp group specifically to cater to our needs, which was such a thoughtful and effective touch. We would especially like to recognize Oshee, who was exceptionally professional and helpful. Her warmth and personable approach made us feel welcome and taken care of from the start. She even organized a personal meeting with the chef to discuss our dietary preferences and requirements, ensuring that every meal was just as we wanted it. The room itself was one of the most visually arresting and peaceful spaces we've ever stayed in. Set in the jungle, it offered the most incredible view we've ever had from a hotel room. The combination of glass and balcony made it feel private yet connected to the surrounding nature. At night, the fireflies and the sounds of the jungle created a magical atmosphere. There was (deliberately) no air conditioning, but this wasn’t a problem at all, as the room’s ventilation was thoughtfully designed and kept the space comfortable throughout our stay. One of the highlights of our experience was the traditional Ayurvedic spa. The tranquil setting which was open to nature, and the stunning views made it feel like a true escape. We especially loved the hot pool, which was a perfect way to relax and unwind. The outdoor infinity pool, with its sweeping views of the jungle, was another standout feature. The serene environment was perfect for lounging and gazing out at the lush greenery, truly making us feel at peace with the surroundings. The food at Santani was sensational. The Sri Lankan dishes were packed with flavor and beautifully prepared, but there were also Western options for those who wanted them. Breakfast was a joy—generous portions, with a variety of choices to satisfy any craving. We also had the privilege of experiencing yoga sessions with a traditional Hatha yoga instructor. The classes were thoughtful, and practicing in the open Shala, surrounded by the sounds of the rain and jungle, created a deeply special experience that we'll never forget. A memorable highlight was the guided jungle walk into the Knuckles Mountain Range, led by the hotel's incredibly knowledgeable and passionate naturalist, Osanda. His deep understanding of the environment and ecology made this trek through the remote mountain range an unforgettable adventure. We saw a stunning array of wildlife, including shrub frogs, Sri Lankan jungle fowl, leaf-nosed lizards, mongoose, giant squirrels, egrets, and of course, plenty of leeches! Even though it rained heavily for hours, the experience was so enriching, and Osanda made sure we were safe and well-

In line with a previous review, we have a mitigated point of view for this hotel. Of course the architecture of the hotel is fantastic and the remote location in the mountains near tea gardens is also great … and maybe it is worth visiting it for this … also, lunch and dinner that are included are really gourmet style ….BUT because there are several BUT … there is absolutely no soundproofing for the cabin as there are open to outdoors … this means that you can ear whatever is happening in the cabin next to you… the service is not a five star hotel one: the lady at the spa reception is not at all friendly … there are usually shortage of towels at spa … and there is almost no resting seats at spa (2 only !)… the take away breakfast for our last day was very average … even not a bottle of water in it …. AND … and it is not the least all services are overpriced (and we met some clients that were also sharing the same view and were chocked at the prices). Being a remote place you may want to take a massage there as part of your retreat … but you should know that any massage here will cost you approx 4 to 5 times more than in any other places in Sri Lanka . … even twice the price of a luxury hotel we vis sites in Sigiriya … the cheapest 1 hour massage is approx 200 dollars … on another aspect a cocktail is 21 dollars … something you may want to be aware of before going there …. As strangely once you try to access the spa menu from their website for example it is not working . This hotel is an architecturally interesting cash machine

Second visit to this wellness resort well worth the trip from the United States will be coming back again next year the natural surroundings are unparalleled. I go to wellness spas in the states and they do not compare. The staff goes above and beyond. Ad hoc had a quick party for my dad which they accommodated that morning. Yoga twice a day that can be utilized at any level. I am a doctor and got a Ayverdic consultation from their physicians on staff and that was amazing. I felt like I really learned a lot. Next time I want to go back and do a weeklong detox, meet lots of people there who enjoyed their experience. The only part that I found unpleasant was the fact that the restrooms in your hotel room do not have doors on them this is annoying. The birdhouse views are worth the extra the mist in the morning and watching the sunrise and set is a spectacular experience.