What began as a quiet family dream in 2017 has evolved into Sri Lanka's newest luxury boutique hospitality brand: Aahaasa Collection. Rooted in the ethos of “Infinite Horizons, Transformative Journeys, Rooted in Nature” and elevating Sri Lankan hospitality to the world, Aahaasa presents the ideal circuit to experience Sri Lanka's natural and cultural beauty, the collection of independently owned properties invites travelers to journey across the island in three dimensions - mountains, coast, and tea country - with each property offering its own interpretation of design, culture, cuisine, and wellness within the brand ethos and vision defined by Aahaasa.

Each property within the Aahaasa Collection represents a distinct transformative journey, shaped by the rhythm of its landscape, from awakening in the mountains, to renewal by the sea, to reflection in the tea country.

FROM A FAMILY DREAM TO A BRAND WITH PURPOSE
The story of Aahaasa traces back to Aarunya Nature Resort, co-founded by Australian-Sri Lankan architect Nath Rankothge, his father Lal Rankothge, an environmentalist, and Nath's uncle K.R.G. Wijesundara, a Sri Lankan businessman and philanthropist. Though Nath and Lal lived in Sydney, their hearts never strayed far from Sri Lanka's hills and golden light. On frequent trips home, they carried a simple yet profound purpose: to give back to the land that raised them, and to its people.

The first step was a holiday home in Lal's childhood village, designed by Nath and built with the hands of local tradesmen who were trained and uplifted into artisans through the project. Under Lal's supervision and guidance, though he was not a trained builder, they achieved a deep understanding of quality and handcrafted luxury. What followed was Aarunya Nature Resort, created as a sanctuary “where mist meets mountain and soul meets silence.” Built with care, gratitude, and community, Aarunya became not just a hotel but a place of meaning, where each sunrise carries the promise of connection, presence, and peace.

THE BIRTH OF THE AAHAASA COLLECTION
The vision for Aahaasa was conceived and brought to life by Founder Nath Rankothge and the dedicated Aahaasa team. Aahaasa (meaning “to the sky” in Sinhala) reflects the brand's philosophy: to elevate the mind, body, and soul through immersive journeys rooted in nature, culture, and design. Its emblem of three ascending, cocoon-like lines symbolises growth, protection, and upward transformation - elevating mind, body and soul - an expression of the spiritual human connections the brand seeks to nurture.

This philosophy evolved into Aahaasa's signature framework of transformative odysseys - each sanctuary interpreting nature's rhythm in its own way: ascent, reflection, renewal.

THE AAHAASA EXPERIENCE PHILOSOPHY
Evolving beyond a collection of sanctuaries, Aahaasa represents a living philosophy: one defined by a constellation of branded experiences and support pillars that form the heart of its identity. Across every property, these experiences follow Aahaasa's signature “Aa…” language, with each name carrying deep meaning rooted in the heritage and culture of Sri Lanka and the wider region. This poetic thread unites the destinations while allowing each to express its own unique sense of place. Beyond design and rituals, these experiences act as gateways into each property's emotional journey - awakening at Aarunya, reflection in the tea country, and renewal at Aavya.

Guests can begin their journey with the ritual of arrival at Aarambha, the welcoming gateway that marks the start of reflection and renewal; rejuvenate at Aarogya (wellness concept), where Sri Lankan healing traditions meet contemporary wellness; dine at Aahaara, which reimagines Sri Lankan cuisine through locally sourced ingredients, music, and storytelling; or gather under the glow of Aaloka - the elemental dining experience that celebrates fire and light. Each concept is interpreted and explored in its own way across the Aahaasa Collection: within Aarunya's spice garden mountain sanctuary, Aavya Cove's ocean retreat, and the forthcoming tea estate property in Sri Lanka's highlands – ensuring that every property becomes an opportunity for discovery, depth, and harmony.

Supporting these experiences are Aahaasa's guiding pillars: Aayusha, its regenerative sustainability and community initiative devoted to life and longevity, focusing on community empowerment, children, nature conservation and awareness; and Aarivya, its experiential learning and cultural exploration programme. Together, they form the foundation for meaningful travel that nourishes guests, community, and the environment alike.

As the brand evolves, Aahaasa continues to collaborate with visionary chefs, designers, and creative partners whose artistry deepens its stories, whether through Aahaara fine-dining residencies, immersive wellness design through Aarogya, or collaborative craftsmanship in spaces and experiences that celebrate Sri Lanka's soul. This evolution is guided by Founder and architect Nath Rankothge, whose international experience across New York, London, Shanghai, Sydney and Colombo informs Aahaasa's design-driven approach and its mission to elevate Sri Lankan hospitality on the world stage.

Future ventures, including Aamudra, Aahaasa's ocean-borne yachting experiences concept; Aahaasa Branded Residences; and Aahaasa Private Travel experiences, mark the brand's next horizon: taking the essence of Sri Lankan soulful hospitality to the world, while preserving a cohesive and recognisable creative language uniquely its own – the first of its kind for a Sri Lankan lifestyle brand.

THE COLLECTION

Aarunya (Kandy) – The Awakening Journey
Aarunya Nature Resort (founded in 2018), the flagship property, is nestled in the heart of Sri Lanka's Cultural Triangle near Kandy. This mountain sanctuary is set amid its own lush spice and tea gardens, offering guests a tranquil and immersive escape into nature. The name “Aarunya,” meaning “first rays of the sun,” reflects the breathtaking sunrises that illuminate the villas and symbolize new beginnings, an awakening. Each celestial-aligned villa opens onto mist-laden vistas of the UNESCO-listed Knuckles Mountains, over which the sun gracefully rises. Aarunya's Aarogya Wellness Centre & Spa reimagines Ayurveda and traditional Sri Lankan herbal practices with a contemporary touch, featuring spice-based infusions and modern wellness rituals. The resort's culinary philosophy is deeply connected to its surroundings: Aahaara, the specialty Sri Lankan dining restaurant, celebrates estate-to-table experiences by blending contemporary techniques with produce sourced from the property's own gardens and local farmers. An immersive mud-house setting within Aarunya's conservation forest serves as a unique venue for an innovative eight-course tasting menu, narrating the story of Sri Lanka's culinary heritage, particularly that of the Kandy and Matale regions. This experience forms the foundation of Nath's vision: to elevate Sri Lankan cuisine onto the world stage through fine dining and immersive storytelling. The Aahaara signature dining concept, along with other Aahaasa-branded experiences, is thoughtfully adapted at each Aahaasa property, reflecting the unique culture, traditions, and cuisine of its region through live music, local ingredients, and engaging narratives. Drawing on the legacy and expertise refined through the success of Aarunya Nature Resort, Nath remains dedicated to infusing craftsmanship and excellence into every detail of the guest experience. His vision is to enrich and elevate Sri Lankan hospitality, sharing its spirit with the world.

Aavya (Balapitiya) – The Restorative Journey
Set beside the ocean, Aavya Cove Villas brings Aahaasa's philosophy to Sri Lanka's picturesque southwest coast, near the historic Galle Fort, a cultural icon of the island. Aavya embodies transformation through rhythm - where the movement of sea and garden delivers renewal and balance. Designed as barefoot coastal luxury, this sanctuary is nestled within a naturally sheltered cove in Balapitiya. The property features twelve contemporary Private Cove Villas, a vibrant three-bedroom Residence adorned with stimulating local art, and a Honeymoon Suite offering sweeping sea views, all surrounded by lush tropical gardens envisioned by the late Dooland de Silva, the celebrated landscaper and longtime collaborator of the renowned late architect Geoffrey Bawa. The result is a refined, European-inspired tropical modernist aesthetic uncommon in Sri Lanka. Aavya expresses the Collection's signature experiences in distinct ways: the Aarambha arrival ritual welcomes guests with vistas of the cove and beach; Aarogya's soon-to-open Luxury Spa and Wellness Centre draws on citrus and sea salt for its coastal-inspired treatments; and Aaloka's outdoor dining is private, firelit beach feasts. Aavya Cove's culinary philosophy, “Boundless Seaside Dining,” ensures each meal is a personal, unbounded experience, ranging from breakfast on a traditional boat along the Madu River to barefoot lunches beneath swaying palms and romantic, starlit dinners on the sand. Completing the experience, the signature Island Concierge makes every stay intuitive, personalized, and seamlessly attuned to the natural rhythm of the coast.                        

Aadya (Hatton) – The Reflective Journey
Completing the arc of the brand's journey, a new chapter unfolds with Aadya Tea Bungalows, a tea-country retreat. This reimagined retreat will feature contemporary private luxury bungalows set within a rehabilitated 200-acre tea estate, the largest tea revitalisation project of its kind in the nation. This property will embody Aahaasa's Reflective Journey - where the rolling tea hills invite stillness, grace, and rediscovery. The initiative empowers and employs underprivileged villagers from nearby communities, blending social upliftment with sustainable luxury. A private nine-hole golf course meanders through the estate bordering a UNESCO listed peak wilderness reserve, complemented by butler-style Appu service, a cherished Sri Lankan tradition passed down through generations. Guests will indulge in Aahaara's refined Sri Lankan dining, experience Aaloka's elemental fire-cooking with a personal chef in their own bungalow and rejuvenate through Aarogya wellness rituals infused with the fragrant essence of up-country fields of flowers and tea. Every moment invites immersion in the land's living heritage, its people, its produce, and its enduring spirit.

Together, the properties embody Aahaasa's belief that wellness and cuisine are as much about place as they are about practice. Whether through sea salt, spices, or tea, each retreat offers a distinct yet interconnected interpretation of healing—a seamless circuit where nature, wellness, design, and culture converge to elevate mind, body, and soul. Here, the experience of well-being is not only rooted in mindful practices and nourishing cuisine, but also in the unique character of each location, ensuring that every stay is both restorative and deeply connected to its surroundings.

At Aahaasa, luxury is not extravagance but presence. Every element, from celestial domes to tropical modernist villas, is rooted in place, crafted by local artisans, and in harmony with the land. Every moment is intentional: a sunrise tea ceremony, an ancient bathing ritual reimagined, a dinner of reinterpreted local cuisine.

“We envision Aahaasa not as performance, but as presence, a way of being that honours both guest and place,” says Nath Rankothge. “Our mission is to create sanctuaries where beauty is not taken but shared; where every detail is a love letter to Sri Lanka's spirit and beauty. We want our guests to experience this at home in Sri Lanka and take those memories with them. Our vision is to elevate Sri Lankan hospitality and take it to the world, so keep an eye out for what's next from Aahaasa”

Sustainability is not an initiative but a responsibility. Aahaasa's Aayusha sustainability and regenerative travel programmes, including the soon-to-be-built Aarunya Nature Pavilion for research and spice production, weave community, conservation, and education into every action, from reforestation and biodiversity projects to empowering artisans and sourcing locally. Each stay supports a cycle of giving back: to nature, to neighbours, and to future generations.

With two properties in operation, a third on the horizon, and the ongoing development of its poetically captivating branded experiences, the Aahaasa Collection represents a renaissance in Sri Lankan luxury: soulful sanctuaries that invite travellers to slow down, connect, and rediscover what truly matters. 

THE NEXT HORIZON
As the Aahaasa Collection grows, each future property will introduce a new mode of transformation shaped by its landscape, continuing the brand's framework of distinct emotional journeys. Beyond Sri Lanka, locations currently under exploration include a wilderness retreat that embodies The Grounding Journey through raw immersion in nature, as well as a Mediterranean coastal sanctuary inspired by culture, connection, and joy - envisioned as The Celebratory Journey. Each addition to the portfolio will expand the constellation of Aahaasa experiences while preserving the brand's defining ethos of harmony, refinement, and emotional depth.

For more information, please visit www.aahaasa.com.

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About Aahaasa Collection:

Aahaasa is a Sri Lankan boutique hospitality brand with an international vision and global sensibility. The Aahaasa Collection consists of independently owned properties, thoughtfully curated to connect travelers with the soulful landscapes and vibrant communities of Sri Lanka, with a mission to elevate Sri Lankan hospitality and share its warmth with the world.

Following the success of Aarunya Nature Resort (founded in 2018), Nath established the Aahaasa brand in 2025 with the launch of Aavya Cove Villas in Balapitiya, near the historic UNESCO World Heritage-listed Galle Fort and the region's hidden natural wonders. A new tea-country property, Aadya Tea Bungalows near Hatton is slated to open in early 2026, further expanding the collection's reach and experiences.

'Aahaasa', meaning “to the sky” in Sinhala, embodies the brand's guiding ethos of “Infinite Horizons, Transformative Journeys, Rooted in Nature”. This philosophy is brought to life through thoughtfully crafted architecture, wellness offerings, cuisine, and local experiences, all meticulously designed to engage with and harmonize alongside their natural surroundings. Each retreat blends private luxury with a deep sense of place, representing a distinct transformative journey, shaped by the rhythm of its landscape, from awakening in the mountains, to renewal by the sea, to reflection in the tea country. The properties invite guests to discover the soulful warmth and enduring wisdom of Sri Lankan hospitality. Aahaasa's vision is to celebrate and share the island's unique spirit, its generosity, artistry, and connection to nature, ensuring every guest departs with lasting memories, transformation, through nature and service, and a piece of Sri Lanka's heart.

Sustainability and regenerative travel are at the core of Aahaasa's development philosophy, embodied through its dedicated initiative, Aayusha, meaning “life” in Sinhala. Aayusha champions a holistic approach to hospitality that nurtures people and planet, actively engaging in grassroots community initiatives, cultural heritage conservation, and partnerships with local artisans to incorporate indigenous materials and handmade craftsmanship, Aayusha will be headquartered at Aarunya's Nature Pavilion, a soon to be completed bamboo pavilion with spaces for demonstration, education, spice production, and research for the naturalists and sustainability consultants. Its efforts extend to nature conservation, habitat restoration, reforestation, sustainable and biodynamic agriculture, coastal clean-up projects, and a landmark 200-acre tea estate rehabilitation, providing employment and skills development for underprivileged rural communities across Sri Lanka.

Focusing on conscious, experiential, and regenerative luxury travel, Aahaasa Collection offers immersive journeys through Sri Lanka's diverse landscapes, cultures, and traditions, while upholding a steadfast commitment to community empowerment and environmental stewardship.