Wellness tourism gets big boost with Palm Garden Ayurveda Resort opening in Ahangama

Palm Garden Ayurveda Resort in Ahangama, down south, will be the newest addition to Sri Lanka’s wellness tourism proposition, slated for opening in the third week of December.

It also marks the first resort in the south to open amidst the COVID-19 pandemic.

The resort with an investment of $ 4.5 million has 40 luxurious rooms and suites including 8 serviced De Luxe master rooms, decorated by local artisans with an artistic and medical splash.

Promoted by PIN Lanka Group, investors of the resort are drawn from Russia, Germany and Israel who have a passion for wellness tourism especially Ayurveda.

PIN Group’s Stanislav Kanishchev said the opening of Palm Garden Ayurveda Resort is part of PIN Lanka Group’s foray into wellness markets and resort destinations across Sri Lanka.

“Sri Lanka is a very promising country with great prospects for wellness tourism. We are also exploring other new opportunities,” said Stanislaw who is part of the PIN Group in Russia which has diversified interests and investments internationally including in healthcare, ayurveda and spas.

The Palm Garden Ayurveda Resort was conceptualised about six years ago after two of the investors came for a holiday and fell in love with Ahangama and Sri Lanka and its wellness characteristics.  Construction of the resort began in 2018 with most of the material sources locally or within the community and owners are happy it is finally ready for opening.

“The resort features bold and playful design made richer through collaboration with local artists and community talent,” says Palm Garden Ayurveda Resort General Manager Julian Mones, a British citizen with over three decades of international hospitality experience.

“The experience begins with the hotel’s exterior: a striking modern design in a coconut and spices natural pre-existing small farm it celebrates the best of Sri Lankan medicinal treatments and hospitality,” he adds. With connection and wellness top of mind, yoga lessons are held at sunrise and sunset.

What’s more the resort also serves the brand’s own scented candles, soaps and shampoos and all rooms and suites are the epitome of design-led luxury, each with thoughtful details such as bespoke amenities and kimono robes designed by a well-known local master craft.

The lifestyle living and Ayurveda medical treatment centre – part of Palm Garden’s DNA – delivers memorable experiences; starting with a morning kick start fruit and vegetable smoothies and herbal teas, to yoga lessons with breath-taking views of the sunrise and garden and Palm Garden’s Social Evening Hour with the General Manager. 

Palm Garden brand’s vision is to enable human connections come to life as guests mingle with local artists (and four-legged friends) with complimentary mocktails in the evening.

Innovative culinary experiences is another promise by Palm Garden Resort with spices and herbs sourced from its own dedicated 3.5 hectare estate nearby. “Mocktail lovers will flock to the Upper Restaurant Terrace, a sophisticated open-air setting to enjoy signature canapes and exquisite lunch and dinner menus with our Resident Chef Gourmet,” says Julian who has a knack for “delivering amazing dreams” to guests.

Until borders are re-opened in Sri Lanka and international tourist arrivals resume Palm Garden Resort will lure expats in the country as well as wellness seeking Sri Lankans. Julian says internationally a growing new segment is those keen on biohacking whereby high networth individuals and corporate executives seek for rejuvenation of their mind and body.

Both Stanislav and Julian are insistent that Sri Lanka is an upcoming wellness destination and Palm Garden Resort will be a key attraction in this offering.