As Eid approaches, what better way to mark the end of the Holy Month than a well-deserved break to Sri Lanka’s healing wellness resort, Plantation Villa – set within an enchanting former coconut, cinnamon and pepper farming estate?
Just a few hours flight from the UAE, but worlds away, the sprawling eco resort offers a combination of ancient, traditional Ayurvedic treatments, yoga, mindfulness and fitness activities to suit everyone. Plantation Villa offers the perfect foil to all the stresses and strains of modern life, and a chance to reboot our minds and bodies.
Sri Lankan is now firmly open to UAE tourists, with the current rules clearly laid out.
In brief, travellers must hold a visit visa, COVID-19 local travel insurance cover, and have a pre-booked stay arranged with a COVID safety certified venue, such as Plantation Villa. Those with both vaccinations only have to stay between 24-48 hours at the first booked venue. Unvaccinated visitors or those with only one vaccine jab must remain at a COVID safety certified venue for 14 days.
Those vaccinated must take a PCR test on arrival. Unvaccinated visitors must take one PCR test on arrival, and one on departure. However, if the stay is less than five days, no exit PCR test is required.
Plantation Villa is one of a handful of tourist destinations on the island nation to have earned government-sanctioned COVID ‘Safe & Secure Level 1 hotel’ status. This means the rural retreat has proved it is fully compliant with national and international COVID-19 health and safety regulations – and is now bringing global guests a blissful range of stress-busting treatments.
Founder and owner of the ethereal island spa and wellness centre, Ishara de Silva explains: "Ramadan is a time when we all have the opportunity to fast, to reflect and pray. Having set such good practices in motion, why not continue healthier living under the auspices of our professional, caring team here at Plantation Villa?"
Set among more than 30 acres of prime Sri Lankan rain forest, Plantation Villa – once home to the local village chief – combines natural, rustic charm with modern facilities.
Less than 50 miles from Sri Lanka’s main international airport, (Bandaranaike) the resort offers airport pickup*, instantly enveloping visitors in comfort and safety from the moment of arrival.
A patchwork of charming bungalows dot the property, along with treatment rooms and areas, a peaceful restaurant and an outdoor swimming pool.
Ishara says: "Eid is a very special time, especially this year, given the fact that the world is recovering from the pandemic, and more people are once again free to enjoy the privilege of travel. Our guests can simply choose to rest, relax and enjoy the chance to be among nature. There’s also the chance to take part in nature walks, explore the surrounding lakes, temples and beaches. Many villa visitors come to get deeply into healing, Ayurvedic health treatments, yoga practice, mindfulness and weight loss."
Ishara’s deep experience of holistic hospitality extends into the kitchen, where meals are prepared according to Ayurvedic guidelines to ensure health of body and mind. Much of the nutritionally-balanced food is from Plantation Villa’s own organic garden.
A chance to recharge your energy and invigorate your soul, the sanctuary offers 24-hour loving care, and free Wi-Fi. It’s not a place that makes demands on guests; everyone is free to create their own experience, coddled in peaceful luxury.
Plantation Villa offers traditional Ayurvedic treatments for a variety of modern ailments, alongside the healing power of nature and ancient indigenous Sri Lankan medicine.
The villa follows the principle of minimum stress and energy in balance, which lead to good health.
Underpinning the medical practices are mindfulness classes, led by a team of global leaders in the fields of yoga and meditation, from the west and the east. Resident teachers deliver daily yoga classes, suitable for those at every level of practice, along with meditation sessions.
A loose daily timetable can be followed for those who wish to follow a routine, and a range of activities are offered. These include walks in the plantation and paddy-field; seasonal fruit and vegetable picking; watching authentic rubber tapping or paddy field harvesting in season, cookery demonstrations, meditation and talks. Talks revolve around yoga and Ayurveda philosophy, improving daily habits, incorporating Ayurveda into daily life and mindfulness.
Plantation Villa is simply a haven of tranquillity. A place to relax, to grow, to transform. You will be visiting a sanctuary to wellness, kindness, mindfulness and nature, with few interruptions and interferences, allowing you to wholly focus on what your body, mind and spirit need to relax and rejuvenate. You will find serenity amongst the calming greens of fruit trees and bird song by day, and fall asleep to a breath taking starscape and the gentle glow of fireflies.
Those who cannot wait to visit the sanctuary can take part in a number of different ‘online retreats‘ from the comfort of home. Offered as 3-, 5- or 7-day packages, the objective of the retreats is to better understand the mind, and gain happiness and wellness.
You can also contact Plantation Villa for a virtual or telephone consultation with one of the doctors, a chat with one of the yoga or meditation teachers, or reach out for counselling or life coaching.
To book a package at this most extraordinary sanctuary, simply visit all good travel booking sites, or to take advantage of the current 40% discount at the Plantation Villa retreat centre, visit https://www.srimalplantation.com/ to book directly.
*Airport transfers available at a surcharge