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Best Luxury Spas & Wellness Retreats in India & Sri Lanka
Whether you’re looking for some solo downtime, a girly getaway or quality time together as a couple, India and Sri Lanka offer some of the best spa hotels and wellness retreats catering to mind, body and soul. From ancient healing traditions in the Himalayas to modern wellness therapies on the Sri Lankan coast, we’ve compiled a list of 10 of our favourite wellness escapes across India and Sri Lanka.
Hotel Spas and Wellness Retreats in India
Six Senses Vana, Uttarakhand
One of Ampersand’s Top 10 Hotel Spas, Six Senses Vana is an idyllic wellness retreat located a short drive from Dehradun in India’s northern state of Uttarakhand. Combining modern wellness with ancient healing wisdom, each retreat is bespoke and explores every aspect of wellbeing - physical, mental, emotional and spiritual - through the practice of Ayurveda, yoga, Tibetan medicine and natural healing therapies. Based on our personal experience and our client’s feedback, Six Senses Vana’s stand-out feature is that everyone has unanimously been touched by the warmth, kindness and enthusiasm that the team demonstrates throughout their stay.
A beautiful 14th century fort located 30 minutes drive from Ranthambore National Park, this historic property has been lovingly restored and converted into a 48-suite resort and wellness sanctuary. Highlights include two swimming pools, a meditation temple, sunset/sunrise yoga and an expansive spa offering traditional Ayurvedic treatments and personalised wellness programmes blending Eastern medicine and Western influences. We recommend trying the Tiger's Eye treatment, in which expert therapists use a powerful crystal throughout a full body massage to release fear and anxiety and restore an inner sense of peace.
Ananda in the Himalayas, Uttarakhand
Nestled in the Himalayan foothills, Ananda is an award-winning spa that, over the years, has become a destination in its own right. Surrounded by nature, the retreat offers morning yoga classes, Ayurveda and Vedanta sessions, alongside a range of holistic therapies, alongside spoiling rooms, suites and villas, some with private pools. In the evenings, it’s worth venturing down to the town of Rishikesh, an important pilgrimage site where temples line the banks of the River Ganges and devotional prayers are performed.
The Oberoi Sukhvilas Spa Resort, Chandigarh
Located outside the Northern Indian city of Chandigarh, this luxury spa resort is surrounded by over 8,000 acres of protected natural forest within the foothills of the outer Himalayas. The spa occupies a secluded space surrounded by forest; a wonderfully relaxing environment in which to experience massage therapies, personalised Ayurveda treatments, hydrotherapy, saunas and Turkish baths. This is the perfect place for a digital detox - and there’s even a dedicated three-night program for it.
The Leela Palace Udaipur, Rajasthan
Another one of Ampersand’s Top 10 Hotel Spas, Leela Palace Udaipur is situated within a tranquil setting on the edge of Lake Pichola. With stunning views towards the Aravali Hill and world-famous Lake Palace, the award-winning tented spa offers a serene spot for wellness and relaxation. Guests can enjoy Ayurvedic therapies, treatments by ESPA, a steam room and sauna and the largest swimming pool in Rajasthan! In addition to thoughtfully crafted wellness programmes, yoga and meditation sessions, there are also traditional temple rituals and visits to spiritual abodes available.
Suggested itineraries:
A Week at Six Senses Vana - India’s Ultimate Wellness Retreat
Taj Palace Tour - The Ultimate Indian Indulgence
Himalayan Odyssey… North India’s Finest Monasteries, Temples & Spas
Leela Palaces: Gems of North & South India
India with Aman: A Sophisticated Journey of the Senses
Hotel Spas and Wellness Retreats in Sri Lanka
Voted in Ampersand’s Top 10 Hotel Spas and Top 10 Boutique Hotels, Amangalla (meaning ‘peace’ in Sanskrit) is a stylish hotel situated within the 17th century Galle Fort, a UNESCO World Heritage site. Oozing sophistication and old-world charm, this historic residence offers romantic suites, stunning gardens and a tranquil spa known as The Baths. With its candlelit recesses, lofty ceilings and dramatic archways, Amangalla offers one of the best spas in Sri Lanka with two hydrotherapy suites, hot and cold plunge pools, steam rooms and saunas and a range of personalised Ayurvedic therapies including massages, anointments, reflexology and scrubs.
Santani Wellness Resort & Spa, Kandy
Nestled amidst beautiful mountains outside Kandy, Santani (meaning ‘harmony’ in Sanskrit) focuses on sustainable wellness and wellbeing. The site was carefully chosen to provide a sense of seclusion, tranquility and proximity to nature, whilst also being easy to get to. The resort features 16 mountain-facing chalets and an impressive spa and wellness center with all hydrotherapy facilities (steam room, cedar wood sauna, open-air thermal salt soak pool). Using Ayurveda practices, they provide various packages for their guests including a personal wellness consultation with their resident doctor, a tailored diet of raw and vegetarian food for total cleanse and detox and group Hatha yoga sessions. An extensive range of treatments and activities include fitness, meditation, cooking classes and excursions.
This simple but elegant eco-retreat is situated within a vast expanse of luscious green paddy fields and woodlands, and offers stunning mountain views. Surrounded by nature on all sides, this is the perfect place to relax and rejuvenate in complete serenity and seclusion. The retreat maintains a commitment to ecological balance and helping its local community with thriving fruit and vegetable gardens, plus a natural spring that provides over 50% of the property’s electricity usage. Activities include bird watching, scenic walking trails, private yoga and meditation classes from the resident Yogi, guided local village visits, cycling tours and Sri Lankan cooking lessons.
If you're looking for the ultimate Sri Lankan beach wellness getaway, look no further than KK Beach, near Galle. With 10 ocean-gazing rooms, this stylish, art-filled hotel promotes wellness - and is perfect for travellers seeking absolute tranquility. When not relaxing by the pool, guests can partake in one-on-one fitness and yoga sessions designed to enhance wellbeing, whilst the chefs can create personally designed weight-loss and detox menus using only the best local, organic ingredients.
Another popular Aman Resort, Amanwella lies on Sri Lanka’s palm-fringed south coast, close to the fishing village of Tangalle. A contemporary beach resort designed by the late Kerry Hill, Amanwella is comprised of 30 suites, each with a private plunge pool and sea-facing terrace, an elegant restaurant and lounge serving local cuisine and a unique 47-metre infinity pool with idyllic sea views - voted one of Ampersand’s Top 10 Swimming Pools. Designed as much more than just a beach resort, guests can enjoy private yoga and personal training in the coconut grove, guided meditation with a local monk and spa treatments that can take place on the beach or in the privacy of your own guest suite.
Suggested itineraries:
Sri Lanka’s Sublime Aman Experience
Three Little Tastes of Heaven in Sri Lanka
Are you looking for a holiday to leave you relaxed and rejuvenated? Explore our Top 10 Hotel Spas or give us a call to arrange your own tailor-made wellness escape.
