Plantation Villa

Ref. my calls to bookyogaretreats, with regards to what I had booked https://www.bookyogaretreats.com/plantation-villa/5-days-meditation-and-yoga-retreat-in-sri-lanka, described as providing:

Highlights

* Guided daily yoga and meditation

* Cookery classes and demonstrations

* Vegetable and fruit picking in some seasons

* Ayurveda doctor consultation and detox therapy treatment

* Rubber tapping and paddy harvesting in some seasons

* Meals prepared with organic ingredients

It states "Ayurvedic doctor consultation and detox therapy treatment".

Both were refused me on the first day and there was an awful attitude from the staff demanding extra money for the detox treatment which I had to pay. As I was walking to one treatment the staff followed me and demanded $20. I requested him to wait till I return to my room after treatment if he couldn't wait till check out. He kept insisting and demanding and wouldn't leave me.

In the above description it states both the Ayurvedic consultation and the detox package, that they demanded money for were included in my package. Yet, I had to spend 2 hours of my time since arrival convincing the staff I was entitled to this. I was informed the doctor was busy with appointments all afternoon, to find out later this was not the case.

Finally, the room I was put in for the 2 nights and "supposed" 3 days was actually less than 2 days as I was told I cannot check in till after 2pm on Thursday 23rd Feb and I was told to vacate by the staff by 11am on Saturday 25th Feb. Therefore I did not have 3 days at the Plantation villa with all the yoga classes. Also meditation classes were not daily as described.

The room I was put in was horrendously noisy as it was next to the dining room, with of noise of talking and dishes clanking at meal times (from breakfast time at 7.30am…till the end of dinner time) coming from the dining room. I was not able to rest or sleep at the times that suited me.

The food that was served, resulted in my being sick despite informing both the staff supervising the meals and the Ayurvedc doctor of my allergy to onion and garlic. On my last day, Saturday I couldn't eat as I was so sick -–attached is a picture of the resulting skin rash.

The overall attitude of the staff was confrontational and negligent.

By the end of my stay both the Ayurvedic doctor and the yoga teacher walked out.

Due to the above situation, I request you to refund my payment of $260 for the time I was at this “wellness retreat centre” due to the unnecessary suffering (sickness) I had to endure, the conditions and the mis-selling of the package.

Management Response from Plantation Villa

Dear Sonia

We are both saddened by your review. Your confirmed booking came through only an hour before your arrival and we had our last room available which was a Suite Room. We made an exception and offered you the Suite Room for no extra charge (you paid for a Standard Room) and allowed you to book for two nights (our standard minimum stay is for four nights). It is a shame you have noted that you did not enjoy the room as you were given a free upgrade to a Suite Room as this was the only room available and yours was a last minute booking. This is one of our most popular rooms.

The package advertised on BookYogaRetreats clearly note "what's included" and "what's not included". It clearly states that Ayurveda Treatments are not included. Additionally when you first inquired, a list of inclusions for the retreat was emailed to you. You had a number of email communications with us prior to booking and you were informed in writing what the inclusions on the package are. We know that you were aware of this because on arrival, you asked our Manager whether he could give you a free massage and stated that you are travelling on a budget. When he declined, you noted to him that the reservations office from our head office promised you a free massage. When this failed, you asked another guest to also come with you and demand a free massage and it was only after that guest walked away that you then agreed to pay for your massage which was $20.

Our manager and onsite team informed that you were almost assaulted by the taxi driver you had come with because you had not paid him what had been agreed. Our manager had to intervene and save you from this and calm the driver and convinced him to forgive you and not to go to the police against you. When you enter through our gates, you are our customer and we will try our best to protect you from outsiders.

Our policy for additional treatments is that all guests need to meet our Ayurvedic Doctor prior to any treatment and need to sign to confirm which treatment they confirm to receive. Even though you were clearly informed of the process and you promised to sign, you avoided doing this so when you walked in to the spa, you were asked to sign for it. Your arrived at our Villa soon after 2pm (this is our standard check-in time and this is an industry-wide standard...you might find that most other places have check in times after 3pm) and your massage was scheduled for 4pm. As you were advised, for guests who are not on a treatment package, if they want to take additional treatments, it is dependent on availability of the doctor and the spa. These are standard industry-wide practices and we still arranged your treatment within 2hrs of arrival.

Contrary to your note, daily yoga and meditation classes did take place and none of our staff walked out - our doctor has been with us since 2014 and now his wife will also be joining us from April 2017. Our yoga teachers rotate throughout the year to ensure we offer a varied experience specially for our repeat guests. The daily classes did continue although you did not attend these as on your first day you took your massage and stayed the rest of the time in your room and the second day you went to the beach after lunch.

You only mentioned about your food allergies only after dinner on your first day and therefore the second day, your food was separately cooked to your allergy requirements. Your photo you forwarded to us shows no allergic reaction on your skin. We also have an Ayurvedic doctor onsite and if you mentioned an allergic reaction on your skin, he could have treated you for it.

It is important to note here that on your last day with us (24th February), you wrote to our reservations team asking to extend your stay by a few more nights. We had to decline due to non-availability. If you were so unhappy, we are confused as to why you wanted to extend your stay?

We are very sorry that you did not enjoy your time with us and could not grasp and understand our concept. We wish you much happiness.

Warm regards

The Plantation Villa Team

I have returned from Sri Lanka after my 10 day stay at the villa. I met some wonderful people and enjoyed my time there. I particularly enjoyed the yoga - Gary and Raquel were brilliant and really supported me during my stay. They were great teachers and always listened when myself or other guests needed to talk. I am shocked to hear they have recently left as I know myself and others thought they were brilliant teachers and kindhearted people.

I also met Dr Nishan, who from the website I thought would be the main doctor but I learned he no longer works there but visits weekly. Maybe the website needs to be updated regarding staff? I found him to be extremely kind, wise and very approachable. He really took time to speak to people, including myself and gave great advice. It was a shame he wasn't there permanently. Unfortunately, although the other doctor was pleasant, there was a big difference in approach.

The staff members were also very friendly and kind and I met some wonderful people from around the world - all there for different reasons. I think the retreat works well for people who want a break from every day life or want to experience yoga or meditation and/or Ayurvedic treatments. However I feel it lacks a support for people who are there for reasons such as anxiety, depression, exhaustion or other deeper issues. I noticed (including myself) that emotional support came from the guests. I think I was very lucky to be around some great people but would be concerned for others who don't have that. It felt a little like you were "just another guest" especially in consultations. This is just something I wanted to merely point out as feedback. It would be great if there was a staff member who couple be approached for emotional support. I think this is something a lot of people mentioned when I was there.

Also, I had my room cleaned the day before I left and a travel towel which was on my bed has disappeared. In a rush to get my stuff together I assumed it must have been in my bag but I am yet to find it. This also goes for a couple of tops and a pair of leggings. I'm not sure what's happened but I just wanted to highlight it in case you hear of other things. Because this was on the last day I didn't think to report it as I believed they were in my case coz I'd only seen them the day before. I'm wondering whether things have got caught up in laundry?

Overall I had a pleasant time, enjoyed meeting new people, experiencing the treatments and improving my yoga in a beautiful place! I just thought it would be useful to give both sets of feedback in order to improve things for future guests.

Management Response from Plantation Villa:

Dear Sarah,

Thank you for your feedback. We are happy you had an enjoyable retreat with us. Thank you also for your feedback. You came to us during a time of transition in our yoga teachers and doctors. We are constantly in a state of change to respond to the needs of our guests, and to incorporate improvements to our retreats. Most of the time, our guests find joy and support from our staff team, our environment and also other guests. This is also a part of the retreat experience as unlike in a big resort, the benefit of a smaller place like ours is that the guests all blend together and become like a family along with our team members. This also helps each guest as it helps one understand how people from different parts of the world, in differing ages, lifestyles, income, culture, race etc still go through the same emotions. It helps us understand and accept that in the end we as all humans experience the same emotions. It also helps grow our compassion and empathy to understand the struggle of another and to feel for them and reach out to help them. The development of this compassion and empathy in turn improves our own wellbeing. This is one important aspect of your retreat with us!

Yes we are actually changing our doctors around a little! Dr Nishan is now our Chief Doctor and monitors all the guest treatments and visits for two days a week to oversee our guests. Given his medical research work and further studies, it was increasingly difficult for him to remain full time with us and we promoted him to be our Chief Doctor from beginning of February. From beginning of March, we will have three doctors: one very good resident doctor, Dr Nishan as our Chief Doctor and another Gynaecology Specialist due to increasing amount of guests coming to us with gynaecology issues. Our retreats are constantly evolving based on the type of guests we get and also the specialists that we meet. Yes our website changes are not as quick as we would like it to be but will definitely work on it! Thank you for the reminder!

As for emotional support, we did not have this request before as yoga teachers and doctors offers the emotional support needed. However, given this feedback and one guest we had last month who needed much more one-to-one support, we are now working with some trained coaches to join our team. From March, we will offer a package including coaching for those guests who might need more emotional support than what is currently offered.

We are so sorry to hear about your loss of clothing items. I wish you informed us before you left as we could have checked and done something. We maintain a record of which staff members clean which rooms which helps us identigy the staff member to locate any lost items and this also eliminates any potential theft. Please do drop us an email with the date when you noticed the loss and your room details so we can help locate these.

Thank you again for your feedback. We will start actioning them immediately (some are already in the pipeline). We are so happy that you enjoyed your time with us. This really is our main goal: to ensure our guest have a nice time and that they may incorporate some learnings in to their lives back home to improve your happiness and wellbeing. Wish you continued happiness and good health.

Warm regards and much love, The Plantation Villa Team

Plantation Villa offers a comfortable and authentic Ayurvedic and yoga experience. I booked a 7 day all-inclusive package which meant accommodation, meals, yoga, doctor's consultation, medicines and treatments were all pre-paid for what I thought was a pretty decent price.

There is a real warmth in which you are greeted, from smiling faces of management to a floral arrangement on your bed, spelling out your welcome. From there, depending on your time of arrival, you are taken to the doctor to diagnose your dosha (I'm overflowing with Pitta, in case you were wondering). Diagnosis is done with a few short questions, a feel of the pulse and a look at the coating on your tongue so nothing too invasive. The doctor is a quiet but friendly man whose knowledge seems broad and extensive. It can feel a bit awkward as you sit waiting for feedback but his prime concern is to initially get your digestive system working (and it does on those early doses of medicine- very much so) before he talks through what your dosha actually means.

Then you're off to the spa for your first treatment. A couple of things here: first, get ready to smell like that Ayurvedic oil for your entire stay, especially when they do the treatment that requires sticking it up your nose. Secondly, the services are provided by trained locals and it can feel hit and miss at times but it's almost always pleasant. You will receive oil massages, oil facials, oil scalp massages, mud packs and steam baths. It's about an hour of your day and always a lovely experience (except for that nasal violation thing!).

The food can get repetitive. Do not expect classic Sri Lankan, although it pays homage to it. This is Ayurvedic food so much less spicy, far more salty and no meat or dairy. Bitter herbal teas and warm water seem to fill any other gaps but there is no doubt that it all feels and tastes healthy so embrace it.

Plantation Villa is most advertised as a yoga retreat so let's spend some time unpacking that. Depending on your level of experience with yoga, this was going to be the determining factor in your level of enjoyment during your stay. Having recently changed teachers- our yogis had only been there two weeks before my arrival, they are yet to really understand and appreciate the varied clientele that walk through the door. Those with an advanced practice were pushed and most catered for; lots of poses that required lifting the body with the hands, back bends, etc. Newer yogis could often be seen waiting in class for a substantial amount of time for a pose they felt comfortable to do and it took a while for the teachers to understand that they had to offer gradients and levels for those in the class. No doubt they will find their rhythm but unless you are coming with previous yoga ability, this class may not be quite right for you, especially as some of the fundamental techniques that need to be taught weren't always present. Having said that, I quite enjoyed it but I was grateful for my prior knowledge.

Plantation Villa works closely with its community and the owner, Ishara, is geniunely interested in preserving the heart of the place and offering opportunities for the village to participate in being part of that. Events such as watching the local children do traditional dance, harvesting food on site, planting trees, cooking classes should all be embraced and enjoyed.

A word of advice: bring little items from home you can donate- exercise books, clothes, souvenirs, etc. These things are treasured by the locals and staff. Also, although one big tip is encouraged at the end, to be distributed to all staff, you may get cornered by individuals to tip so make a decision about what you want to do.

The pool is fantastic- do bring your swimmers but you are distance from the beach so if you want to experience it, be prepared to pay more than top dollar to get there. In fact all excursions come with a hefty price tag so you are better doing the majority of your sight-seeing before or after your time at Plantation Villa.

There's plenty of downtime but you're going to meet great people from all over the world and talk for hours. Do your best to stay open to it all, even the oil up the nose! I think for the most part, you'll have a good time at Plantation Villa.

I arrived at Plantation Villa with very few expectations having not done anything like this before. The staff were very welcoming and the other guests were very friendly. The rooms were clean and largely pest free (which for someone who is not a fan of bugs, is very important!). The setting was stunning and relaxing. The yoga and treatments were great and I definitely felt I could have stayed longer than my 4 days. My only negative was that due to the relaxed approach, it sometimes caused a bit of confusion. I had been asking about paying the driver since I arrived, and about booking a driver to take me to my next destination. I was told don't worry we'll sort it but then on the last day I was told the options weren't possible and told I'd have to go about an hour later. It could have been resolved without the stress if it hadn't been put off and they had planned properly as I prefer to do. After 4 days of relaxing, I ended up leaving a bit frustrated. That said, it did not take away form the great experience I had and I would definitely consider going again.

Management Response from Plantation Villa

Hi Sian, Thank you for your kind words and I am glad you enjoyed your stay with us. So sorry about the issue you faced. Unfortunately during our busy period, our manager who normally handles our invoicing and payments was suddenly unwell and admitted to hospital. There was an expectation that he will return the next day so the team was not processing your payment and instead waiting till he arrived. This is unacceptable and we will immedietly take corrective action to ensure this does not happen again. - The Management

I had a fantastic stay in the Plantation Villa. The room was comfortable, and nice. The food was very good -- I missed chocolate but I understand that was part of the diet program :). The nature was just amazing and very relaxing. Raquel and Gary (yoga teachers) were nice, competent and helpful. Last but not least, the staff in the Plantation Villa was warm, and very nice to us. They did all what they could to make us feel home.

Plantation villa provided an ideal location for a break from the demands from the outside world. It's lush and green and waking up to the beautiful bird song each morning was incredible. Accommodation was good, some rooms were a little dark and personally I preferred the lodge rooms although these were a short distance from the main facilities. Food is basic vegetarian which I enjoyed but some found a little repetitive. I signed up for the weight loss program and over 3 weeks list 8 kilos so was delighted. The personal trainer helped achieve these results and adapted exercises well to my fitness level and capabilities. The treatments were good and I suggest you try different therapists to identify the one that suits you. I had a few injuries and the team were really helpful in providing additional natural remedies to help these get better. The team were very friendly and helpful. Initially I thought the place could benefit from a little more finesses but as I relaxed l decided this was part of the charm of the place. I met some lovely people and they too definitely added to the great experience I had. I would definitely recommend plantation villa as a place to unwind and to rejuvenate yourself.

The staff were super attentive, the venue is magnificent, and the whole experience was perfect! Would definitely recommend and will definitely try go again.

Plantation Villa is a wonderful place to get to know yoga & meditation or to improve it. Its located in a very lush area. Birds, monkeys and other wildlife will show up regularly and it is a very good place to think about life and to get away from your stressful life. Yoga/meditation classes, nature walks, talks about Ayurveda/life, vegan food. The staff and teachers will go above and beyond to make you feel at home and if you need something, anything, they will try to make that happen. Also the rooms are very nice and comfortable. Will definitely come back!

This stay in Plantation Villa is one of the amazing experience in my entire life. This is something that I will never forget. If there is a place on earth that is close to be heaven from all points of view, this is it! First, the villa's staff is a family with open hearts that make you feel like a child again, whose wishes are fulfilled - half a word is enough. They are there for any question or concern you have. I felt pampered, taken cared of and loved. Second, the villa is decorated with so much of attention and love - designs and furniture show that every detail has been thought of and well organized. There is no strong internet connection in the lodge where I stayed, but this was just the right thing to do! Please do not put Wi-Fi there! This is the way to "switch off" the world around and get to know yourself, for a change. The surroundings of the villa are breath-taking - treas, plants, birds, monitors lizards, flowers, fruits; there is no better place for meditation. There is just no better place to make your eye forget how cars, trains, crowds, skyscrapers look like. Third, the treatments provided in the spa, medicines advised by the in-house doctor and food from plantations make you a completely new person. The health program used for each person individually cleanses up the body and the mind. You look great, you feel great. Food, there is no way to describe the tastes I have tried in the villa! There are so many different dishes, no vegetarian person would know how many recipes the two ladies in the kitchen know! If you watched the movie "Eat, pray, love" - then this is how you feel in the Villa, but not one by one as in the book/movie, all of it together. Great food, amazing meditations, lots of love! Yoga classes in the morning and in the afternoon make you feel even better - your blood circulates, body shapes itself, your mind is at peace, you learn so much - and this is all just for your own benefit! And I cannot skip how many amazing people I have met there, who will always be in my heart. This is my personal experience and I am sure every person is different and has own goals and expectations. I would recommend to visit this place - alone or with family, without any expectations. Just leave the world behind and get to know yourself and people around you. Eat, pray, love.

The Plantation villa was a welcoming home from the day I set foot in it. The food was fabulous, the guests are fantastic, happy people, thanks largely to a nice and caring staff, and daily treats (including massages and Ayurveda treatment. All of us, including myself, were traveling solo, but felt at home in just a few hours at the common dinner table. A Sri Lankan guest guided us spiritually and for a cultural tour to nearby temples during Buddhist celebrations. I also discovered the benefits of Ayurveda treatment, and the doctor, a young medical researcher, answered all my (many) questions about Ayurveda, from its origins to recent research. He was also an excellent meditation guide. Not mentioning the manager, who always makes sure you are having a nice stay. In sum, if you want to feel cared for, make friends and relax, this is just the right place. I highly recommend.

I stayed at this beautiful and wonderful place for 10 days for my first Ayurveda Detox Retreat and I was overwhelmed by this special place. It's located in a very quite environment where is not so much to discover when you don't want to, but of course there is lot to experience if you are up to. For myself I just wanted to clean my body and mind a get connected with my soul and the now. It felt like coming home to a family, all the employees and other guests seemed to be like a big family and as a new guest you where taken so lovely inside that. Everything like the treatments, the so nourishing food, the gentle yoga classes, meditations and the location itself has been suited perfectly together. Especially the doctor consultation and all the caring chats were outstanding. It was really special to me and I am so thankful to find my way to this wonderful place on earth. I recommend this to everybody who's looking for a mindful and loving Ayurvedic Retreat.

We wanted to say a big thank you for everything that we had during our stay at the villa. The place was very natural, clean, and comfortable; food was great. I actually liked all that was offered. The massage was relaxing and, on top of all of these, your staff was very kind and friendly and other guests were also very nice. People were one of the best parts of our retreat there. Thank you very much for the arrangement of meditation with Nanda as well. To be honest, I didn't mean to ask you to set up something special when I mentioned meditation, so it was quite a surprise that you asked him to teach us meditation, and I do appreciate that. We're feeling more comfortable and peaceful inside after learning technique as well as talking with him. We'll try to keep what we've learnt. Anyhow, long story short, we had really great time at the villa. With everything I mentioned above, the trip was way beyond our expectation and we both feel much healthier and peaceful. Thank you very very much again! Please say thank you to everyone at the villa from us. We will definite be back there sometime later. Lastly, we noticed that we didn't receive the chart, which shows what to eat or avoid, etc. It'll be great if you could scan and send it to us when you get a chance. Thanks again and hope to see you again.