PALM Sri Lanka
Nestled in Paddy Fields, Only 10 Minutes from Bustling Ahangama, I read about PALM back in Blighty on a grey, wet afternoon. We had originally booked to go to Hiritekinya after our four-day stay in Mirissa.
However, the allure of the write-up, with wellness as paramount at PALM, was the deciding factor in changing our booking. We love to mix our travels with wellness—enjoying good food, yoga, swims, massages, and anything else wellness-related peppered in.
Firstly, the design and décor of PALM is outstanding. Think black industrial shipping containers with smooth, polished concrete lines. You can choose from a double ensuite, cabana, or beautiful villas in the same style that sleep up to eight.
Arriving at PALM is an experience—especially the last part of the journey, where expert tuk-tuk and taxi drivers navigate the unmade road and huge potholes, avoiding what must be a regular occurrence of tyre punctures for the uninitiated!
Food
The food is excellent. Breakfast is a mix of Sri Lankan and Western fusion, which continues through lunch and dinner. Expect anything from a bacon and egg chapati wrap with sambol to chicken tenders, salads, and coconut dhal curries.
Staff
The staff are super friendly and cannot do enough for you, which we’ve found to be generally true in Sri Lanka.
Ok, here comes my first-world problem moan…(Roll your eyes, good people of the UK, enduring a cold, wet January.)
There are very limited wellness classes on offer here. As they promoted yoga, I thought there would be at least one style of yoga or meditation session a day—but sadly, no. You can book 1:1 yoga sessions in your room, which for me isn’t quite the same and meant hubbie had to put up with my yoga 1:1 as I wasn’t doing that solo.
Massages were the same. My friend had recommended a masseuse who practiced here, but they were unavailable as they were fully booked. Again, the massage therapists are booked via a QR code and come to your room.
There is a gym here, but in my opinion, it’s a smelly boxing affair that had no appeal for me—not even to try the Muay Thai class they offered one morning. That sweaty gym smell combined with the humidity was just not inviting.
What Could Be Better
It’s a shame because PALM has the most beautiful grounds and plenty of space for maybe a yoga studio or a dedicated therapy area rather than offering these services in-room. I just feel a little misled about what PALM has to offer on the wellness side.
Who Is PALM For?
If you’re looking for a beautiful getaway, PALM ticks the boxes. Kids are welcomed and actively encouraged with the gorgeous family villas. It’s also perfect for a romantic escape or even a solo visit.
You can’t beat waking up to the resident peacock displaying his finery—it makes a delightful change from the garden robin back home!