Celebrating Excellence in Unique Experiences Spanning Hospitality, Architecture & Nature

We are honored to share that Aarunya Nature Resort was honored with two national awards and a prestigious Asia-Pacific nomination at the 2025 International Property Awards (IPAX) — selected from over 900 global entries this year.

✨ Best Leisure Architecture – Sri Lanka
Sol Sanctuary by NR Associates & Aarunya Nature Resort

✨ Best Leisure Development – Sri Lanka
Aarunya Nature Resort by Aarunya Nature Resort & NR Associates

🌏 Nominated: Best Leisure Development – Asia Pacific (Winners to be announced later this year)
Aarunya Nature Resort by Aarunya Nature Resort & NR Associates

Our Co-Founder & Director, Nath Rankothge represented Aarunya at this prestigious global platform — a celebration of design, innovation, and excellence in hospitality and real estate, founded in 1993.

These awards are judged by a highly experienced and qualified panel of professionals across the full spectrum of property disciplines and are recognised internationally as a mark of outstanding achievement in the industry.

The winning projects will be featured in an official Awards book, distributed to business and first-class passengers on Emirates and 50+ other global airlines, in partnership with International Property & Travel Magazine.

A heartfelt thank you to our dedicated team, beautiful guests, visionary partners, and the vibrant communities that inspire everything we do.

We’re proud to share that Aarunya Nature Resort has been featured on renowned US platform Luxury Travel Magazine following the unveiling of our newest addition – the Sol Sanctuary Wellness Villa in Sri Lanka’s breathtaking Central Highlands. This dedicated editorial shines a global spotlight on our continued journey to elevate transformative wellness experiences amidst nature.

We are excited to announce that Aarunya Nature Resort is a member of Pure and is participating in Pure Life Experiences 2025 in Marrakech. As valued members of this prestigious community, we look forward to connecting with the world’s leading travel pioneers, demonstrating our passion for sustainable luxury and immersive nature experiences.

Our private pool villas, nestled within vibrant tea and spice gardens, offer an unparalleled haven with breathtaking views of the UNESCO-listed Knuckles Mountain Range and unique local experiences.

In collaboration with Pure Life Experiences, we are forging a future where travel enriches lives and protects our planet. Join us in Marrakech to embark on this exceptional journey.

We’re excited to share another international feature of Aarunya Nature Resort, this time on Luxury Travel Advisor – a leading platform dedicated to luxury travel professionals in the US.

This article celebrates the unveiling of our new two-bedroom Sol Sanctuary Wellness Villa, designed to offer the ultimate in privacy, space, and holistic healing in the lush Central Highlands of Sri Lanka.

We’re delighted to share that Aarunya Nature Resort has been featured on leading Dutch architecture and design platform Archello, following the international press release on the unveiling of our newest villa – Sol Sanctuary.

Archello, which reaches over 130,000 monthly design professionals and enthusiasts, showcases the world’s most innovative and sustainable built environments. The platform shines a spotlight on projects redefining how we live, build, and experience space in harmony with nature.

The feature highlights how Sol Sanctuary embodies a shift toward low-impact, regenerative luxury. Tucked in the heart of Sri Lanka’s Central Highlands, the villa combines refined contemporary design, biophilic architecture, and authentic local craftsmanship – offering guests a deeply immersive wellness journey surrounded by breathtaking natural beauty.

We are delighted to announce that Aarunya Nature Resort is now an official member of Serandipians (formerly Traveller Made)—one of the world’s most prestigious luxury travel networks.

This recognition places Aarunya among an exclusive community of luxury hoteliers, dedicated to curating exceptional, seamless experiences for discerning travelers. Serandipians embodies the art of joy, surprise, and serendipity—values that align perfectly with our philosophy of hospitality.

Becoming part of this distinguished network marks a significant milestone for Aarunya, strengthening our presence in the global luxury travel landscape. We look forward to welcoming sophisticated travelers seeking transformative experiences in the heart of Sri Lanka.

🔗 Aarunya’s Serandipians Profile: https://lnkd.in/gp9u47t7
🔗 Learn More About Serandipians: https://lnkd.in/gBS7M6-W

The Aarunya Nature Pavilion is taking shape beautifully — a true harmony of design and nature, built sustainably with bamboo and timber.

Set amidst breathtaking biodiversity and overlooking the UNESCO-listed Knuckles Mountain Range, this Centre will be the heart of our journey towards becoming Sri Lanka’s first fully biodynamic hotel property. It will serve as a hub for cutting-edge research, supporting PhD students, specialist consultants, and naturalists in collaboration with the University of Peradeniya.

It will elevate the guest experience through immersive activities tied to habitat and ecosystem research, estate-based production, and community-led conservation initiatives—including environmental education programs for local schoolchildren—underscoring our deep commitment to sustainability, education, and authentic connection with nature. Stay tuned as we continue building a future rooted in sustainability and knowledge.

Aarunya is proud to contribute to the preservation of Sri Lanka’s unique biodiversity through our ongoing efforts to protect the critically endangered Moorer’s Shrub Frog (Pseudophilautus mooreorum), a globally threatened amphibian species endemic to the region.

This rare species has been identified within the grounds of the Aarunya Biodiversity Garden, a dedicated conservation space within our estate. By maintaining a protected natural habitat and minimizing ecological disturbances, we aim to provide a safe refuge for this delicate species.

Our initiative also includes educational outreach and collaboration with environmental specialists to raise awareness and ensure long-term sustainability of amphibian life in the Matale/Kandy and in particular the Knuckles Mountain Range and Aarunya ecosystems.

At Aarunya, we are deeply committed to ecological restoration and sustainable land management practices that protect and enhance our natural environment.

Our initiatives focus on reforestation, biodiversity conservation, and habitat enrichment to support the flourishing of native fauna. We are actively improving natural habitats and encouraging wildlife through strategic planting and environmental stewardship.

Through tea intercropping with vanilla and pepper, we not only diversify our agricultural output but also create layered ecosystems that benefit both flora and fauna.

Our soil and moisture conservation efforts emphasize micro-level improvements—including the use of biodynamic fertilizers, the enhancement of soil microbes and carbon levels, and nitrogen-fixing through natural leaf litter and fodder crops—as well as macro-level improvements such as supporting beneficial insect populations.

These holistic practices promote plant health, ecosystem balance, and the regeneration of natural resources, ensuring a thriving, resilient landscape for generations to come.

We are honored to be featured in The Hotel Journal, where our founder, Nath Rankothge, shares the story behind Aarunya Nature Resort & Spa, his vision for sustainable luxury, and what makes Sri Lanka such a unique and breathtaking destination.

A heartfelt thank you to The Hotel Journal and its founder, Sophie Cullen, for highlighting Aarunya and championing inspiring voices in hospitality and designer hotels.

We’re thrilled to be featured in The Standard UK as one of the best hotels in Sri Lanka! Nestled in the lush hills of Kandy, Aarunya offers a sanctuary of luxury, nature, and authentic Sri Lankan hospitality. From breathtaking sunrises over the Knuckles Mountain Range to personalized wellness and dining experiences, we invite you to immerse yourself in the beauty of our island home.

“Set within a soaring nine-acre jungle between the Sri Lankan cities of Kandy and Dambulla, Aarunya Nature Resort & Spa is a nature lover’s paradise found. Offering a modest eight villas, each one is nestled amidst a grove of trees with large leafy turrets looming overhead. Some have private pools facing the misty mountainous views and butlers are on hand to arrange nature walks around Aarunya’s tea estate, vegetable farm, spice gardens and rice field. The convenient, central location allows guests to easily venture further afield to explore neighbouring hotspots; in particular the UNESCO Knuckles Mountain Range and Royal Botanical Gardens in Peradeniya.”

We are thrilled that Aarunya Nature Resort & Spa has been featured for our latest addition—The Sol Sanctuary.

Designed as a spiritual retreat to reconnect with nature, this luxurious new villa exemplifies our dedication to crafting unforgettable guest experiences.

Learn more about The Sol Sanctuary here.

Sri Lanka’s resilient spirit and breathtaking beauty make it a must-visit destination. From misty tea plantations to majestic wildlife, there’s no better time to explore the magic of our island paradise.

We can’t wait to welcome you to Aarunya Nature Resort & Spa to experience Sri Lanka’s wonders firsthand. ✨

Aarunya is now proudly part of the Conde Nast Johansons collection!