Some holidays centre around exploration, adventure, and site-hopping. And others are more about staying still and taking things in. And Sri Lanka, being the getaway powerhouse that it is, offers both. The Sunday Morning Brunch recently visited Sun Siyam Pasikudah to explore its new wellness and relaxation experiences through ‘Island Soul,’ a curated three-day wellness and cultural retreat.
Designed as a mindful escape for modern travellers, ‘Island Soul’ was an invitation to slow down, breathe in, and savour island living. The event offered a series of curated experiences focused on reconnecting with nature, self, and community. It attracted wellness seekers, food lovers, and eco-conscious travellers from across the region and offered a glimpse into the various wellness experiences Sun Siyam Pasikudah has to offer.
Whether you’re stretching into sunrise yoga, sipping a botanical cocktail by moonlight, or simply watching the light change over the ocean from your veranda, Sun Siyam offers a kind of luxury that’s quietly immersive, deeply grounded, and beautifully self-contained.
The facilities
Earlier this month, Sun Siyam was named one of Tripadvisor’s ‘Travelers’ Choice Awards Best of the Best’ for 2025, placing it among the top 10% of resorts worldwide. As the world’s largest travel guidance platform, Tripadvisor has unparalleled authority with travellers and diners.
This award is based on genuine feedback from anyone in the community who has visited and left an authentic, first-hand review on Tripadvisor over a 12-month period, making it a valuable and trustworthy designation of travellers’ favourites.
This accolade reflects the resort’s commitment to exceptional guest experiences, sustainable practices, and community engagement, and this comes through in the property itself. From the moment you arrive, the attention to atmosphere is clear. The property is cocooned in tropical greenery, with canopied walkways and water features that add to the sense of calm.
Its recent renovation has infused the hotel with an updated sense of style; earthy tones, polished cane detailing, and contemporary furnishings give the space a clean, elegant, and eco-conscious aesthetic. Every room feels private, spacious, and well-appointed, blurring the line between indoor comfort and outdoor serenity.
A warm welcome sets the tone. Ours included a refreshing ambarella-based drink made with produce grown right on the property, a subtle but telling sign of the resort’s commitment to sustainability and wellness.
Beyond its beauty and indulgence, Sun Siyam Pasikudah also demonstrates a firm commitment to sustainability and community integration. Around 90% of its staff are recruited from nearby areas, with ongoing training programmes to ensure both guest service and staff development are top-tier. Key decor elements of the hotel, from light fittings to statement furnishings, are regionally produced either at the hotel itself or by craftsmen in the area.
There’s a clear respect for the environment as well; solar lighting, water conservation measures, and a comprehensive waste reduction policy reflect the brand’s eco-forward ethos. The kitchen leans into locally sourced, garden-fresh ingredients, many of which are grown on-site or from local communities. This not only keeps the offerings seasonal and sustainable but ensures vibrant, clean flavours as well.
Mindful indulgences
A lot of thought has gone into designing the Sun Siyam experience. Over the course of our visit, it became clear that you don’t need to leave the resort to feel like you’ve had a full, rich experience. That’s part of its charm; it’s a retreat in the truest sense.
Each day unfolded with intention. Our first morning saw a sunrise yoga session led by an international wellness expert, followed by a nourishing breakfast buffet with a focus on local food and ingredients balanced with international breakfast staples.
Afternoons flowed into beach-side lunches or lunch at the main restaurants, spa consults, or quiet journalling. The Sun Siyam spa is small but well equipped with masseuses trained in a variety of massages. There is also a wellness store that stocks wellness products specially made by Sun Siyam.
Even the structured activities managed to feel casual and relaxed. A functional training session on day three, for instance, which was also led by an international wellness expert, took a gentle, low-impact approach that felt accessible even to non-fitness types. The ‘Island Soul’ functional training was led by international health coach Shane Seery, and moving forward, the hotel will offer similar experiences led by their in-house staff.
There are also other experiences for guests, from kayaking in the calm shallows (a very tranquil exercise) to cooking classes led by Sun Siyam’s head chef, who takes you through traditional recipes using heirloom techniques, showing how Sri Lankan food can be flavourful and healthy.
Food and fun
While Sun Siyam has bolstered its wellness offerings to move the resort towards becoming an all-inclusive escape from the world, this doesn’t mean there is nothing casual to do.
Evenings at Sun Siyam are all about flavour and ambience, and there are a variety of evening activities to take advantage of, from tapas and cocktails under the stars to fireside teas by the beach bonfire to musical performances by moonlight. Sun Siyam also has its own karaoke room if you are particularly adventurous.
Our favourite evening activity was enjoying canapes on board Sun Siyam’s beach raft, a comfortable floating pavilion where guests can enjoy the unique experience of an east coast sunset – all the colour minus the flaming ball of light.
Also worth noting is The Cellar, the largest wine cellar on Sri Lanka’s eastern coast, offering guests a rare selection to accompany their meals, and The Tea House, a serene nook celebrating Sri Lanka’s rich tea heritage.
Slow living
Sun Siyam Pasikudah is the perfect place to hit pause. Take in the waves and let the stress slip away with the tide. Stretch, sip, swim, and repeat.
The resort offers an interesting breadth of experience, from wellness to food to culture, and plenty of activities around the area as well. It is perfect for couples, solo travellers seeking stillness, or groups of friends craving a recharge in a gently luxurious setting.