South Coast Ayurveda Resort
"What a wonderful place. A beautiful setting produces the backdrop to this exquisite paradise. Thank you so much for a wonderful time." Clare Kinsella. More reviews.
Introduction
Nominated best chill out spot by Harpers Magazine: "The best Ayurvedic treatments on the island can be found at this resort. ... Indeed it compares favourably to the best ayurvedic treatments in Kerala."
One of the best beach locations on the island for relaxing and experiencing the wellbeing benefits of Ayurveda. Enjoy synchronised full body massages, herbal baths and steams, and rejuvenating scrubs.
Founded by a local family who pioneered the resort concept of Ayurveda in Sri Lanka, this is amongst Sri Lanka's most respected Ayurveda resorts, along with the West Coast Ayurveda Resort.
Lodging
Spacious and beautifully furnished ensuite rooms with balconies and view of the sea or garden. Sri Lankan hospitality at its best.
Food is freshly prepared from local produce, mostly organic and very delicious.
Begin the day with tropical fresh fruit and juices, herbal or Sri Lankan black tea, yoghurt, eastern and western bread, yams and nourishing conjee with different leaves - the green soup which also aids digestion.
The highlight of the lunch buffet is a range of vegetables cooked in different ways and fresh fish, followed by fruits, curd and treacle, and dessert for those who are not watching their weight.
Dinner is a set meal with a soup or entrée, a vegetarian or fish main course, followed by dessert.
Saturday evening is Sri Lanka night with wonderful Sri Lanka food - some of it cooked in the dining room, and Eastern music played by a group of traditional musicians.
In addition there is individually prepared food to complement the Ayurveda programme.
Location
The resort is located on the southern tip of Sri Lanka, near a coastal village, approximately 140 kms from Colombo. Overlooking two stunning, secluded beaches the resort nestles among palm trees and verdant valleys, giving each balcony a view of lush greenery or the sea. Ideally situated for exploring the sites of the south including the historic town of Galle and the turtle sanctuary.
Nearest
....airport: Colombo International airport, Sri Lanka. Transfers are included; flights are separate. A driver from the resort will collect you whatever time you arrive. The journey takes about 3.5 hours depending on traffic.
Please note: your outbound flight will depart the day before the day of arrival due to time difference and journey time (return flight usually arrives back the same day).
Before booking your flights please check availability and confirm your booking with us.
Check-in time is 12 noon. If you arrive in the early morning hours you will need to pay for that night.
...swimming facilities: in the extended gardens you find the saltwater pool overlooking the ocean. Walk down the slope of the gardens for the choice of two beaches, one for swimming at designated times, depending on the tide; the other for walking or jogging only or to watch the stilt fishermen who are unique to this area.
...shops: on site is an Asian silks and handicraft gift shop. The local village is typically Sri Lanka and not very touristy, only 15min away by tuk tuk. Here you find markets and many other shops, including jewel shops (Sri Lanka is famous for its jewels).
...restaurants: in the nearby village, about 15 min by tuk tuk. Though you are unlikely to need them as you are well catered for at this Resort.
...other attractions: The Resort organises free short excursions to places of interests on most afternoons during the week. Local places of interest include:
Stilt fishermen - found nowhere else on Sri Lanka
Ancient temples and 1500-year-old rock carvings
The markets and bazaars in the local village
The Old Dutch Fort at Galle
Lighthouse at Dondra
Activities and prices
Ayurveda
This resort focuses on offering professional Ayurveda treatment packages. The qualified staff prescribe treatments for each guest individually, including head, face and body oil massage; herbal or steam baths; freshly prepared herbal medicines and elixirs and personally recommended food. Guests enjoy approx two hours of treatments per day.
The beauty at this resort is that there are female doctors and massage therapists for female guests (which we find is much appreciated by female guests), and male therapists for male guests.
Ayurveda treats the body, mind and spirit of a person as a whole entity, and works on the basis that the mind and body affect each other and together can overcome disease and strengthen the immune system. It can complement modern medicine. A one- or two-week programme can be very beneficial for general rejuvenation or a gentle detox. Allow two weeks or more for deeper health benefits. More on Ayurveda.
Other optional activities include Yoga or Tai Ji/Qi Gong or meditation on the roof top for sunrise and in the gardens overlooking the sea at sunset.
Free lectures, Ayurvedic astrology and excursions are also offered.
PRICES
Prices include full board, all ayurveda treatments (the personalised package includes consultations with an Ayurvedic doctor, daily massages, wraps, herbal baths, steams, optional acupuncture, freshly prepared herbal remedies, etc; approx two hours of treatments per day), yoga, tai chi/chi kung and meditation classes, local excursions and airport transfers. Flights are not included.
'From' prices depend on room type.
All prices are seasonal and subject to change. All pound prices depend on the exchange rate.
i) Summer offer: up to 50% off accommodation for stays from 24 Apr to 7 Nov 2010
Minimum 7-night stay; applies only to full board accommodation for those taking Ayurveda (the Ayurveda treatments cost Euro 60 per person per day which is included in the prices given below):
• 7-day package prices from only Euro 780 (approx £670) for a single room.
• 10-day package prices from Euro 1050 for a single room.
• 14-day package prices from Euro 1470 for a single room.
• 21-day package prices from Euro 2250 for a single room.
It works out even cheaper for two people sharing a room, eg
• 7-day package prices from only Euro 660 (approx £567) per person sharing a dbl/twin room.
ii) Winter prices from 8 Nov 2010 to 23 Apr 2011
• 7-day package prices from Euro 1050 (approx £902) for a single room.
• 10-day package prices from Euro 1500 (approx £1289) for a single room.
• 14-day package prices from Euro 2100 (approx £1805) for a single room.
iii) Normal prices for full board only (from 8 Nov to 23 Apr)
Single ensuite rooms: One week from Euro 630; Two weeks from Euro 1260.
Double ensuite rooms: One week from Euro 875; Two weeks from Euro 1750.
*plus Ayurveda Package: plus Euro 420 per person per week. The Personalised Ayurveda Treatment package includes consultations with an Ayurvedic doctor, daily massages, wraps, herbal baths, steams, optional acupuncture, freshly prepared herbal remedies, etc.
iv) Room types - normal full board prices not incl Ayurveda Treatments (from 8 Nov 2010)
- All rooms have their own balcony and sea or garden views.
- The Deluxe and Deluxe Studio are slightly larger than the Classic.
| Single | Double | |
| Classic Room | 90 Euro | 125 Euro |
| Deluxe Room | 110 Euro | 145 Euro |
| Deluxe Studio | 120 Euro | 155 Euro |
Child policy
Children over 12 years of age welcome; no special facilities provided.
Green footprint
What is being done for the environment and the local community?The resort runs regular yoga fundraising yoga where the proceeds go towards bringing the benefits of Yoga to Sri Lankan village children.
It also supports the Sudana Rodrigo Sahana Foundation which continues the community development work that evolved as a response to the tsunami that touched the lives of countless people in the coastal areas of Sri Lanka on 26 December 2004.
Local villagers are encouraged to take ownership and contribute their skills in implementing the Sahana projects. Resort staff supervise the projects and ensure that the projects are implemented in the most cost effective and efficient manner. At the core of every project lies the goal of sustainability and self-reliance.
The Sahana Foundation is now also collaborating with the Breath of Hope Foundation to empower at-risk children and communities through therapeutic interventions and educational programs of Yoga, that can help heal children and communities from natural disasters and other trauma. Breath of Hope’s mind-body programme of yoga helps to engender resiliency in the child, creating a ripple effect from the child of the family, school, community and beyond. In this way, hope and peace are rekindled one child at a time. The programme has recently been successfully extended to a school for deaf children, in Rathmalana.
Guestbook
"The highlights for me were: The beautiful birds and butterflies, the location, the service, the treatments, the atmosphere, the people. Tai chi at dawn on a hill looking out over the stilt fishermen as they start their days, with the amazing surf of the Indian Ocean crashing around them. The beautiful sunsets. The huge monitor lizard parading around the resort! ... The evening of monks chanting at the pavillion was quite magical... I felt like a new person. Calm and relaxed, glowing in health, lighter in weight, freer in mind... The people are very kind and gentle with a lovely sense of humour. Give in and let others look after you for two weeks and you will feel like a new person." Jacqueline Taylor, magistrate, Mar 10
"The whole experience was thought provoking and in my case life changing. I just wish I could have stayed for two more weeks. I've been back for six weeks now and am still putting much of what I learnt into practice and feel all the better for it. To get the most from the experience go with an open mind and do as you are told! I lost 3 kilos in 10 days and have kept it off since I returned to the UK." SS, Dec 09
"The environment is deeply relaxing and I love the food!" Kate C, Sep 09
"I had a really lovely holiday thank you, it’s such a beautiful place and atmosphere and I felt utterly fabulous on my return, still do actually a couple of months later. I'll definitely go back, maybe for 10 days or 2 weeks next time, it was such a treat to just relax completely and have no pressure at all on you and be pampered by all those lovely people. And the food was amazing. And I lost 3 kilos in 8 days which was brilliant. So thanks very much! I have been telling everyone I know to go so hopefully they will, and I'll be back next year." KF, May 09
"We had a great holiday. I have travelled many times to India for Ayurvedic treatments at many different resorts/spas and hotels etc and I have never experienced such wonderful care and attention, plus such expert treatments, that I received here. I was very impressed with the doctor and her team - she took great care of us both and her findings/analysis was very interesting. The staff - whether the Room Boys/Reception/Dining Room - were so kind and charming, nothing was ever too much trouble for them. ... Absolutely great Ayurvedic treatments and the food was excellent (we were both on the control diet [to lose weight] and never felt we were, as the food was all so fresh and delicious)." Liz L, Mar 09
"What a beautiful place, and the treatments are excellent. We are so enjoying it here we might become regulars! Really good place, thank you." AW, psychotherapist, Dec 08
"My holiday was profoundly relaxing, the treatments were fantastic and the food was the best I've ever eaten. Being so entirely taken care of - from treatments to diet (they note your allergies and a doctor comes up to you at the buffet to let you know if there's anything with that ingredient in).
It is the best service I've had in any hotel, ever (and I'm including some of the 5-star supposedly 'best hotels in the world'). I felt a great sense of inner tranquility. I felt I had had the first valuable 'me time' in years. It is extremely good value - everything is included and they even throw in a lot more for free so you feel that you are being treated as opposed to ripped off (as in so many other places). I am going to book to go back there asap!" Kate J, Dec 08
"The accomodation and food at the South Coast Ayurveda Resort were excellent. I enjoyed the privacy of the room with its balcony and it made a huge difference having a lovely pool. I would definitely go back. The highlights for me were the complete rest and relaxation, the gorgeous food, and being so well looked after. On my return I felt totally rested and refreshed, much calmer and healthier." Ania S, Dec 08
"Just wanted to say I had a great time. Picked up loads of life enhancing techniques from the Ayurveda principles. Thanks for arranging it for me. ... The staff were excellent and the holiday has left me feeling great. For someone who is always doing things, the holiday gave me an important lesson on pacing myself (as distinct from slowing down). Not only does it give you better health, you also get more done that away. Obvious I know, but it often takes an outsider to point out the obvious. Thanks for all your help." Legal journalist, Apr 08
"I had the most amazing holiday at the South Coast Ayurveda Resort in Sri Lanka. It was a fantastic time and I feel 5000 times better. Thank you so much. It was absolutely wonderful." Susan Morris, Apr 08
"A wonderful trip I'll always remember." Gillian, Aug 06
"I have had a wonderful relaxing 10-day stay. I found I especially enjoyed the staff. They are so pleasant and obviously so well trained. I will recommend the Resort to others." Brenda Morgan, Jul 04
"This hotel is not only beautiful in its setting but also the people. I will never forget the friendliness, your smiles, and how at home I felt here. May you all be happy and healthy for a long time!" Regina Mervis, Jul 04
"Thanks a lot for your hospitality. All your friendly smiles, wonderful massages, delicious meals, beautiful rooms, and caring all the time. I'll take back a lot of wonderful moments and new thoughts – thank you all! If one should describe paradise – that's the way it must feel like here, at your place." Nicole Landsgesell, Jul 04
"Thank you very much. It was again a great time. Thanks for the good service and the unbelievable treatment. You are all doing a great job. Buddha should hold his hands over this paradise." Tobias Loewe, Jun 04
"Thanks for your kind hospitality. It's a fantastic stay here, REALLY. Nice Rooms, nice service, and nice traditional herbal healing treatment too!" Eva Liu, Jul 04
"The staff here is extremely friendly and helpful. It made our stay here more enjoyable. I am leaving feeling much healthier as well as 4 kilos lighter." Vicky Hampson, Jul 04
"Thank you so very much for a real 'Get away from it all' holiday. I can't believe how lovely everyone is here – they really made the holiday special. I also lost 5 kg, so I'm very happy." Catrin Lee, Jul 04
"This is the second time for me to be here. And again, Perfect treatment, excellent kitchen, wonderful staff. Could be my second home here. Again thank you very much for the wonderful stay." ARP Andreas, Jun 04
"An Oasis within 'Paradise'. Thank you to all for making this an Unforgettable Moment. The hotel is absolutely fantastic, the staff and the people of Sri Lanka are so warm and friendly. Thank you again for everything. Will see you next year." Nicole Maier, May 04
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