Plantation Villa

The local staff

From the moment I arrived, I felt welcomed and comfortable. I dont travel solo very often so this put my mind at rest immediatley. It felt like coming home. I was shown to my room which for this stay I chose a standard room wuth a fan. The room was clean, modern but still retaining the villas historic charm and the bed was very large and comfortable.

The timing of the meals were perfect and the food flavoursome and delicious. You can see the thought and care that has gone into planning every meal and for a stay of 10 days I cannot recall eating the same lunch or dinner twice!!

I chose the detox package which included 2 treatments a day and a facemask. All the oil massage I had were amazing, especially the full body massage. I was lucky enough to have the same therapist throughout my stay and she was respectful and receptive to my needs at all times. The yoga was a delight and Bernardo and Claire were both insightful expert teachers as well as humourous and full of good conversation throughout the days. Relaxing around the pool with a good book is a must to fully appreciate the peace and culture of your environment as well as going into the village to meet the locals. They were all very friendly and happy to speak to me.

Apart from providing a first class homely guest experience, it is important to note the work that the Metta Trust do in supporting projects in the community. This was very much evident and I hope Isharas work continues. I will be back! Erika X

The planned schedule. Thats from the meditation at 6am,Yoga 6.30-7.30am, meals, and then the Yoga again in the afternoon, and the group activity in the afternoon.

The place is quiet, all the staff were very very obliging to attend to anything to make your stay better, and very pleasant natured about everything too.

The two female Yoga teachers also were very competent, Grace and Alena, considering they were teaching Yoga to some people who had not done Yoga before they taught it well, and of a good standard. The treatments were good also, loved the steam bath, and how the treatment rooms are presented too, half inside and half outside. The young house boys ( I don't really like that name for them), they were so pleasant at all times along with the rest of the staff too.

A very quiet and peaceful place with very friendly staff and a great doctor. The villa and the rooms are also beautiful and comfortable.

I loved my stay at Plantation Villa. My aim was to reach a state of calm through yoga, meditation and relaxation treatments and it did just that. The activities are structured extremely well with plenty to keep you occupied as well as to give you enough time to relax. The food was absolutely delicious. The staff were delightful and the place was just stunning - immersed in the nature. The yoga lessons were great. There is the opportunity to take ayurveda medicine if you wish but it is not compulsory - I chose not to. Thank you for an amazing experience.

This place is absolute paradise. The yoga is very accessible and pure. Everything is very beautiful and there’s amazing wildlife to see on the grounds. The absolute star is definitely Dr Vidhya. She’s very kind and works super hard. She makes sure you get the best treatments with lots of attention and she follows up on everything. Very impressive.

The positives for me were the lovely setting, excellent food, the relaxing atmosphere, truly amazing massage treatments, and the fact that there is a flexible schedule.

I loved the evening sound healing meditation session and the morning yoga given by the same instructor.

Overall I enjoyed my stay. I hope the local staff are well paid for their incredible service, warm welcome and world class treatments.

A sanctuary! Wonderful experience.

J'ai été ravie de venir à cet endroit, le lieu est magique dans cette belle nature. C'est exactement ce dont j'avais besoin pour me ressourcer. Un lieu paisible, calme ou tout est organisé et on ne pense à rien, il y a juste à se laisser aller. La nourriture est excellente, les cours de yoga ont été adaptés selon les besoins, tout le personnel est adorable. Pour ma part j'avais besoin de calme, de m'isoler, de rester en silence et ce que j'ai apprécié c'est justement le fait qu'on m'ait laissée tranquille, tu vas ou pas au cours, manger etc. on ne te pose pas de questions, et la clientèle est respectueuse aussi, à l'image du lieu. L'endroit appartient à une famille qui a son histoire et qui est très inspirante. Respect à tout ceux qui participent au bien-vivre et au bien-être de leurs semblables. Merci.

Kitchen staff were nice

me encanto el retiro, el lugar apacible , tranquilo, mágico , perfecto para descansar, reponer energías, disfrutar del lugar, de los paseos, de los ruidos de los pájaros. Un sentimiento de bienestar durante toda mi estancia. el personal maravilloso, mi masajista Asha un amor de persona. La doctora encantadora. Me siento muy feliz y mucho mas equilibrada. En calma, y bien cuidada. Me han hecho sentir muy bien.

-The atmosphere was great for relaxing and enjoying the view.

- Food was a great chance to experience the local and the villa's own recipe foods. I loved the cook Pradma(I'm not sure of her name, sorry)

They are super kind people and really flexible. All of my extra requests have been solved.

The location is out of the town, that is what you need for a retreat. Guesthauses clean and comfy, food is also just perfect.

Peace & tranquility such a beautiful place staff cannot do enough to help you food is freshly prepared & traditional with local grown produce. Amazing atmosphere.clean friendly environment.

The atmosphere created by all the staff, instructors and guest in combination with beautiful nature just makes you want go there back again. The program was great, I believe there was something for everyone’s liking. Yoga sessions together with meditation surrounded by nature were just fantastic. Ayurveda treatments are a must try. Facilities are great, beautiful village with lot of greenery where everyone welcomes you with a smile. Overall, the place gives you feeling of belonging straight away. It allows you to effortlessly connect with nature and inner self. Big praise to the instructors, Ayurveda doctor and all the staff who made this place feel like home! Thank you!

My stay at Plantation Villa was simply excellent. The location is in the middle of the jungle, with beautiful plants and lots of animals (cows, monkeys, peacocks, etc.) right in front of your door.

Every single aspect of my stay was positive: the incredibly nice staff, the wonderful treatments, the amazing food and of course the yoga and meditation.

I would fully 100% recommend this place to everyone.

Everything was good.

I really enjoyed the positive ambiance there was at plantation villa. All the staff whether responsible for cleaning, cooking, the garden, the wellness or yoga/meditation classes were friendly and taking really good care of the guests. It made me feel at home very quickly, a peaceful place where there is harmony between the people and nature. After 22 days and many yoga lessons, meditations, treatments in the wellness centre and information sessions about ayurveda, I feel 10 years younger than when I arrived. A big thank you to all of the staff of Plantation Villa! Marjan

This place is almost heaven on earth, with lush plants and beautiful nature and it doesn't just come like this, the hard-working employees maintain it, to be clean and neat, and all the people there are extremely friendly and helpful.

The Yoga instructors are knowledgeable and keen to teach with a good attitude.

I don't think it is easy to teach new students every week or two, and yet Bernardo manages to get it done beautifully.

I stayed there for only 10 days, and it was enough to make me feel stronger, more flexible, and more peaceful (and I am not new to Yoga).

Overall it is something that I will recommend to everyone to do from time to time.

Thank you Plantation Vila Team.

Setting was beautiful and very peaceful. Excellent for the mind. The staff were exceptionally kind and caring - nothing was too much hassle. I thought Bernardo’s yoga classes were worth attending as they helped cultivate a stronger mind body connection. I even wrote down some of the sequences to practise at home.

The effort that was put into the food was clear. I did find it challenging to adjust to the new tastes and missed some comforts but I will say that I have lost some weight and my body does feel better after 14 days.

The massages aren’t as you would expect in Europe or US, the focus is the application of oil and preparation for other cleansing treatments (which may not be in your package - I had some upgrades). The treatments I had were well administered and professionally managed. The doctors consultations were educational and helpful in the application of Ayurveda to my life.

This experience did take some commitment but I have reaped the benefit of it for sure and I’m certain the habits particularly around meals will stick with me.

Die Lage war sehr schön, wenn auch weiter außerhalb und die Einwohner waren sehr nett und die Massagen super! Es gab eine kleine Gartentour und eine Kochstunde (die wir nicht genutzt haben, weil das Essen grauenvoll war).

Die Zimmer waren sehr muffig aber dafür groß und geräumig. Das Bett war allerdings sehr gemütlich! Die Poolarea und die Shala sind sehr schön!

The initial contact in the consultation set the stage for a more relational experience even though it was online. And the personalised feedback really helped. The yoga practice was very clear, sensitive and sensible.

Set in beautiful surroundings in the middle of nowhere is Plantation Villa. There are a selections of rooms at different prices, so there is something for everyone. The food is a complete delight and you are never left wanting for more. The steam baths look like a medieval torture device, however it was one of my favourite daily sessions along with the yoga.

The staff were accommodating and couldn't do enough to help. Early morning walks allow to experience the wildlife in Sri Lanka including monkeys. Peacocks, cows, goats and sadly mosquitoes. It's under an hours drive to a beach, so if you fancy a change of scenery for an afternoon it's easily organised.

I went into this retreat expecting to build better habits and focus with my yoga practice. What I got was much more then that. Aside from the yoga classes themselves, the wisdom talks and cookery classes were great. I’m honestly a little sad it’s over. I would definitely recommend this retreat to others. Even though this was a virtual experience I never felt like I was missing out. The only thing that could have made it better for me is if I was able to be there in person. Thank you everyone for all the work you put into making this retreat happen and I hope to be apart of it again in the future.

Plantation Villa is an amazing place! I have never been anywhere before where every single member of staff there genuinely cares about you and that you get the best experience possible. From the pick up from the airport, to a fuss free check in and refreshing drink ready and waiting for my arrival, nothing was too much trouble and most things were just there when I needed them without having to ask. I felt the most relaxed and stress free I have ever felt. Thank you.

The company of 15 other like minded people. The location was stunning . The bedroom was comfortable. Food was good but lunch and evening meal similar . Had been told main meal would be lunch which was very good . evening meal was supposed to be lighter but this was same format as lunch which was unnecessary. Did feel with a little more effort this would be a lovely place.

I spent the most wonderful few days at the retreat. It was enlightening and relaxing, a mind opener. Bernardo and Pinchal and the rest of the team were amazing. I can't wait to go back or even travel further afar to Sri Lanka. The food was superb (although I am not a vegetarian), I had one of the best massages and the yoga/mediation left me in awe.

Plantation Villa U.K. is a wonderful place in Herefordshire next to the river Wye with truly expert skilled yoga teachers and massage therapists from Sri Lanka. This is a new venture for U.K. and I count myself lucky to have it visited at its inception we will certainly be back. The back story and ethos of Plantation Villa is inspirational the energy and vibe are really very special. Treat yourself to this retreat in blissful surroundings come back refreshed and grateful. Thank you so very much Ishara for all that you do. I look forward to seeing you in Sri Lanka.

After a few hours at the villa I felt in a sense of deep relaxation. There were nice people to talk to but equally it was easy to be quiet. The atmosphere of the house was friendly yet mindful. The yoga classes were very comforting and enlightening. We had a different instructor Jo who was strong and insightful and really empowered me - brilliant classes. The setting is just beautiful with access to lots of walks and a river to swim in. The food was absolutely delicious.

I liked the quiet tranquil location and all the amazing people I met. It was definitely topped by having the opportunity to chat with a Buddhist monk. The building was stunning all very traditional and cosy I did definitely feel relaxed there. All the staff were very nice and knowledgeable.

The setting is idyllic; the team incredibly welcoming; the accommodation beautifully presented and the ayurvedic teaching/experiences generous and gentle.

Great yoga for all abilities. Lovely food. Filling and healthy. Beautiful location too. Five minute walk to a paddle in the river Found some great trails nearby on the 'alltrails' app which I loved following. Planning to return next year.

The whole team at Rustin Farm are welcoming and helpful and there is a good balance between personal time and structure during the days. The accommodation is comfortable and calm in a beautiful natural setting. The yoga practices, meditation and discussions with Bernardo were excellent: engaging, energising and helpful, especially in thinking about what/how to continue and integrate practices in “real life”.

Authentic healing retreat - Ayurveda cooking, afternoon lessons on meditation, Ayurveda cooking etc, incredibly relaxing, strengthening and nourishing yoga lessons, gorgeous location, beautifully clean and comfortable rooms - haven’t slept so well in years

I liked the venue & the chilled out kindness of all the staff. I was lucky to have a monk present for my stay which was amazing on a one on one session, so I recommend a private session with him. The yoga was a perfect mix of various practices which worked perfectly for me. Clearly he is very experienced in a lot of different yoga & zen bodywork. I am a very rigid & strict yogi but Bernardo taught me to mix it up a bit & that was some very enlightening advice. This advice I will use in all areas of my life.

Also the food is amazing ! Yum :)

So welcoming and inclusive, a very accessible program for anyone trying to meditation, yoga, or Ayurvedic wellbeing for the first time like me. A lot of insight and knowledge from Bernardo and like-minded guests. I'll be back :)

Still in its infancy - this will bloom into a fantastic retreat with an Aruyvedic approach. Fantastic Yoga and talks on the whole ethos of Aruyveda.

Yoga classes were good.

Guidance and knowledge for body and mind issues

I came with no expectations and was pleasantly surprised. The yoga is aligned with the breath and it didn’t belong to a particular style. You could say “models own” and I loved it. I learnt a little about Ayurveda and Buddhism and how it can positively impact my own health and well-being. There was a visiting Buddhist monk who was very wise and captivated us with his talks. I came alone and met lovely people (men and women)who had come for a relaxing break. The property is spacious and my double room was quiet, simple and comfortable. I enjoyed the delicious vegan food and I imagine the the portions are what we need(no seconds/ desserts!). Hard to resist wanting more when you’ve enjoyed it so much.

I was less keen on my shared bathroom, as there was a shower attachment only with a hose too short to shower standing up. However there was another bathroom in the main house that had a shower which I could have used.

I stayed for 3 days (2 nights) and I wish I’d stayed for a day or 2 longer to get more out of it.

Loved the yoga/ very different and relaxing

Monk was thought provoking

Interesting to learn about Ayurveda

The geographic spot, the atmosphere, the service, cooking, activities, staff.

From the moment I arrived and was greeted with a warm hug, this place felt like home. Everything and everyone was warm and welcoming.

The place itself is set in a beautiful old farmhouse with stunning gardens and views and there are easy walks to the nearby Hereford villages and churches.

The days peacefully follow the same schedule of yoga twice a day (with a gorgeous view over the fields), an Ayuvedic breakfast, lunch and dinner and an afternoon meditation session or talk. We even had group and individual sessions with the monk. We were lucky enough to have good weather all week and so were able to spend any spare time exploring, reading or chatting.

It is a great place to meet and connect with like minded people and everyone I met was curious and open minded and everyone was on their own unique journey. This made the atmosphere feel relaxed and supportive. There were lots of conversations, but there was also a lot of laughter!

From the instructors to the food to the ambulance. Everything was lovely. A good place to stay and heal. Learned so much about your body imbalances and how to fix it!

Tucked away in a beautiful, tranquil location Ruxton Farm, the food is out of this world and Miranda & Bernardo’s yoga style is absolutely amazing. The library holds some very relevant books which during my 3 day stay, I managed to read a few ( in the lounge and in beautiful garden with Percy!)

Beautiful jungle location. Caring staff, excellent doctors and therapists. The daily massages were incredible. Really healthy, delicious food, a lot that was totally new to me: banana flowers, jackfruit seeds, butter fruit and all prepared with lots of different spices and curry. Also loved the yoga shala surrounded by the garden and jungle.

Waking up every morning in nature, eating natural, local foods every meal was amazing.

The overall experience was incredible, left feeling refreshed, relaxed and rejuvenated. The staff were so kind and pleasant making the stay that little more special. They accommodated to any additional activities that were requested and tried to make everyone’s trip special. The food was really tasty, and was great that we got some cooking classes to see what goes on in the kitchens

Food was excellent. Yoga shala was beautiful.

Beautiful location in the jungle with lots of wildlife and nature surrounding. A very simple timetable daily with slow paced yoga sessions twice a day focusing on sustained static holds and breath work.

Selina Gullery war dabei, eine der besten Yogalehrerinnen, die ich in meinem Leben getroffen habe. Sie hat sich liebevoll und professionell um uns gekümmert, morgens, mittags (Meditaion) und abends. Durch ihre Arbeit wurde der ganze Aufenthalt aufgewertet und wir sind dankbar, dass sie die meiste Zeit unterrichtete. Wenn sie es nicht tat, wurde der Unterschied in jeder Hinsicht deutlich.

Die ayurvedischen Behandlungen und das Ärzte-Team waren sehr gut, da war nichts auszusetzen, nette Truppe. Überhaupt waren alle Mitarbeiter freundlich und offen, auch wenn etwas nicht klappte.

I had an amazing stay at Plantation Villa. The site is beautiful with lush greenery, daily sightings of monkeys, rabbits, colorful birds, etc. The vegan Sri Lankan cuisine that is served is flavourful and delicious - lovely meals to share with the other retreat attendees. The yoga classes with Selina were both varied, challenging and fun. I also took some day trips to Galle and to Udawalawe national park during my stay - two experiences I highly recommend. I wish I had more time at the Villa and in Sri Lanka! To the staff at the Villa, thank you for a memorable stay! I sure hope to be back soon!

This is just a magic Place! Pretty small and therefore so familiar. The whole concept, the treatments and the friendliness is amazing! And the Yoga teacher is the best I‘ve ever had, with so much knowledge and so inspiring. I just loved this place!

Highly recommended!! We arrived burnt out and feeling unhealthy and stressed and left feeling completely rejuvenated. The yoga sessions by Selina Gullery really inspired us and challenged us, as well as giving us a new understanding of meditation. The food was delicious - super healthy but also tasty and lovingly served every mealtime by the team at Plantation Villa. Every person working there is doing so with love - something extremely rare to find. The photos on this website and the villas own don’t do justice to how beautiful the grounds are - we spent hours just watching the birds and monkeys in the trees. Dr Chathurika was super helpful at making sure we got treatments and natural remedies for our minor ailments - all the Ayurvedic treatments are professional and left us feeling super relaxed. The housekeeper Ranjit was very nice to be around and took us on a great walk in the jungle. overall the whole place is just super relaxing, it felt like home very quickly and we will definitely be back!

I had some doubts about this retreat because I wasn’t a vegan and I didn’t do yoga regularly, but everything turned out great. What did I like the most?

1. Nature! The plantation is so lush! Such a pleasure to the eyes and ears! Be ready for some wild life though. Birds, monkeys, insects, and other creatures of our planet. All are peaceful and friendly ;)

2. People! Retreat guests and staff make this place particularly cozy. The staff are caring and welcoming, and retreat members are so Interesting and inspiring.

3. Activities. There are many activities offered during your stay. I attended 2 cookery classes, a village walk, and some talks. Also, the New Years celebration was unforgettable! I went to the beach myself a couple of times by tuk-tuk, and it was lovely too.

4. Pool. I spent so much time by the pool reading a book, chatting with other guests, tanning, and observing the nature. Swimming in the pool was refreshing and super relaxing.

5. Toga classes. The classes were affordable and focused a lot on breathing. I learnt how to control my breathing and align it to my body movements.

I stayed at Plantation Villa for 5 days in December and participated in the yoga and meditation retreat. The location of the retreat is about 2 hours out from Colombo, but is worth the trip. Very beautiful and relaxing surrounds. Cute little animals all about and you feel part of the jungle. A chicken even laid an egg in my room!!! The staff were all very lovely and helpful. The yoga classes were very gentle, and perfect for an injury laden lady like myself. The talks were also fantastic! I learnt a lot about the buddhist philosophies and feel able to apply these ideas to my own life.

The food was amazing I’m vegan anyway but it was sensational! The atmosphere and timetable made it sociable but also have you enough free time to be with your own thoughts. I was travelling around Sri Lanka but would come back again to do another week.

The food was a major highlight!!! The quality was incredible and the service was amazing. Loved the yoga classes and daily meditation. Didn't leave the retreat whilst i was there and was never bored! Always something to do and great people to talk to.

The weekend was wonderfully calm and transformative. The location was breathtaking and the accommodation was wonderful. Everyone was so kind and accommodating. The food was so flavoursome and wholesome, just wished there was a bit more of it! I learnt so much from Barnardo's inspiring talks on Ayurveda and his meditation and yoga classes were so relaxing. The whole experience was lovely and such good value for money!

Helen & Ann Marie made us feel really welcome at a gorgeous and perfectly placed country home. It was an added delight and surprise to meet Minnie, Babe, Chip and the other beautiful animals on site! Running the retreat, Bernardo & Ishara offered a great insight to Meditation, Yoga and Ayurveda traditions. Perfect for me at a beginners level. My sister and I loved the Ayurveda talks and Ishara’s walk through for making the most gorgeous curry! Not only an amazing cook, Ishara is such a friendly and caring person. We’ve both come away and introduced Ayurveda meals in to our everyday. Bernardo’s knowledge and passion was inspiring. He was fab, advising me on dizziness that interferes with my yoga practice, providing a few techniques which definitely help reduce the dizziness. I loved the yoga style, a steady pace with beginner friendly poses. I had an amazing Ayurveda massage, which worked wonders in relaxing and loosening the muscles in my back. The walking meditation was a new and relaxing experience... An alternative way to meditate that I find much easier. We also had the rare opportunity to attend guided meditation sessions and talks with a Buddhist Monk. Such an amazing, calm and relaxing couple of days, where I could just ‘be’... Thank you 😊

Enjoyed the yoga, food and location

Yoga sessions were good because the approach was simple for some difficult routines. There is an overall good balance of yoga, meditation, food and discussion sessions but suitable for beginners to low-mid levels of exposure.

Without a doubt a great investment on yourself, if even for just a few days. The plantation itself if beautiful and relaxing. The staff are very friendly, attentive, and make you feel right at home. Food is delicious and very healthy. The yoga and mediation is restorative and perfect for this setting. You can add in Ayurvedic treatments to your stay, which I highly recommend. The organization does amazing work for its employees and surrounding community and villages. Not only do you get time or yourself to relax, but you are apart of something bigger! Only wish I had more time to stay longer!

The Yoga teaching by MARIA and KATYA was excellent. The Treatments, delivered by Renuka and others were great; all the masseurs were warm, kind, and thorough.

The environment is beautiful, wild life in abundance and lush landscapes.

The phylosophy. It’s not a retreat center that you can rate by stars . It is beyond that. It was a very nice experience for me, I learned a lot.

Unforgettable experience. The place is amazing and the staff have been excellent. Thanks a lot to Bernardo and Teresa to be so kind and patience with us.Doctors are great and kind. Food is great and the place extremely clean. I would highly recommend this retrat to anyone. Thanks thanks thanks so much for all your love and kindness

Die Angestellten waren sehr lieb und die unterkunft auch

Tranquil setting,lovely people,just what the Doctor ordered!

Wish I could have stayed long,came away feeling "like a new person".....able to

"breathe " properly!

This is the first time I have ever gone on a retreat like this, and I actually hadn't done any yoga in years, so I was a little nervous. I needn't have been! Ann-Marie and Helen who own the White House in Welshpool where the retreat took place were really warm and welcoming, the house and grounds were amazing, and Inshara and Barnado from Plantation Villa who ran the retreat were extremely friendly, kind, professional and knowledgable. It has been a very long time since I last felt this relaxed and in touch with my body. I would definitely recommend this to others and will certainly try to attend one again in the future.

I liked the meditation and Bernardo’s step back slow approach to yoga asana, and meditation

The staff, accommodation,grounds and spa service were fantastic. Really lovely atmosphere and energy. Can't recommend it enough.

Das Personal war sehr herzlich.

Unkomplizierte Atmosphäre.

Ayurved.Behandlungen und deren Wirkung sehr gut!

Wunderschöne Lage mit vielen Tieren im Garten.

Sehr freundliche Menschen im Dorf.

Mein Zimmer war schön und die Umgebung z.B Natur ist sehr schön.

Staffs are so friendly and nice. They always make me feel like home. Doctors, therapists as well as the yoga teachers are all very professional and caring. The daily activities are very versatile, someday is tree planting, someday is cooking demo and a lot more, but they are not compulsory so you can always chill and relax on your own or making new friends in the retreat! Three meals per day and food is healthy yet yummy. Authentic Sri Lankan dishes with healthy twist like using rice flour instead of wheat flour, using honey instead of white sugar for dessert etc.

Like the place and all the kindly staff. Perfekt in all kind of ways!

Fabulous location. Lovely people. Two great yoga instructors. Lovely break.

Lady doctors especially resident Doctor Prasadi are amazing.

Staff also are amazing. But they need training.

Inspirational yoga teacher

Amazing food

Beautiful location

Very accomodating staff with an incredible towel designer . Everyday the towels were created into an art form.

Very relaxed and healing place.

Die Menschen vom Yogalehrer bis zum Zimmermädchen waren einfach super.

Fabulous yoga teacher and lovely surroundings... Interesting food