I first came to Barberyn Resorts in January 2012, trying to help my then-partner recover from the lasting effects of malaria. I didn’t know it then, but I was about to discover what would become one of the most sacred places in my life. The healing was so profound that I went every year—sometimes twice a year—to all four resorts.
In 2014, I returned after enduring several months of intense chemotherapy. I needed to cleanse, heal, and restore. And Barberyn did just that.
Since then, I’ve returned over thirteen times, staying for up to a month at a time. Each visit helps me shed the weight of the world and step back into myself. Barberyn is more than a resort—it’s a sanctuary of healing, where my soul sings.
The Pace That Heals
One of the greatest gifts Barberyn offers is time.
The pace here is slow, steady, and intentional. You move through your day gently—between treatments, yoga, meditation, meals, and rest—with no rush, no noise, no expectation. It allows me to detach from the world—to walk on the wonderful ground, the beach—and most recently at The Beach and Waves—a great functional gym.
That slowness is healing. It allows your nervous system to reset, your breath to deepen, and your mind to calm. It’s the opposite of burnout. It’s balance.
Ayurvedic Wisdom, Delivered with Compassion
Each stay begins with a consultation from their incomparable doctors—everyone has a favorite. For me, it’s Dr. Pushpa, who has healed me time and time again. Her care is attentive, wise, and intuitive. She creates a full treatment plan tailored to your needs—herbal medications, daily therapies, and dietary guidance.
There’s a perfect rhythm to it all—structure with flexibility. You’re supported to follow the program, but never pressured. The process flows—nurturing, not rigid.
The therapists are kind, consistent, and deeply skilled. Many have treated me for over a decade. Their hands, their presence—it’s all medicine.
The Four Barberyn Resorts – Each a Unique Portal to Healing
Barberyn Reef (Beruwala)
The original resort—warm, cozy, oceanfront, with a village-like intimacy. The natural seawater pool is a daily ritual of bliss. The reef creates a barrier that makes swimming calm and meditative. This place is great for those who want proximity to life outside of Ayurveda—the town is close and walkable. Temples are plentiful in Sri Lanka, and here they are within reach.
Barberyn Beach (Weligama)
This is my favorite and where it all began for me. It sits atop a hill with breathtaking views of the Indian Ocean. There’s a profound stillness here—you feel elevated, literally and energetically. The architecture invites reflection, and everything is open and light.
And here, I met Mily, the serene and powerful manager of Beach. Her presence holds the resort with grace and quiet authority. She’s one of the many reasons I return.
The gym here is also a highlight—spacious, clean, with sea views that elevate your movement into something deeply connected. It’s part of the healing I never expected to love so much.
Sands at Barberyn Beach
Sands is the hidden jewel. Located adjacent to Reef but operated as a separate, smaller, and ultra-intimate retreat, it offers everything Barberyn is known for—authentic Ayurveda, nourishing food, and spiritual grounding—but in an even more peaceful, private environment.
This is where I go when I want utter stillness. It’s ideal for solo healing, reflection, or quiet creative work. I sometimes hesitate to even talk about it—it’s that special.
Barberyn Waves (Weligama)
The newest resort—modern, light-filled, and grand in design. Waves offers contemporary architecture and elevated energy, yet remains deeply rooted in Ayurvedic tradition. If you’re looking for a sleek, inspired, and expansive experience, this is it.
Nature: The Ever-Present Companion
Barberyn is not just surrounded by nature—it’s part of nature.
You walk through tropical gardens alive with butterflies, dragonflies, birdsong, and blooming flowers. Monkeys play in the trees, and colorful lizards sun themselves as you stroll to treatment. Everything is alive. You wake to peacocks singing.
Even the air smells healing—jasmine, lemongrass, ocean breeze.
Mindfulness as a Daily Practice
Mornings begin with yoga and meditation. There are also activities for those who want to go out and about. I love when they celebrate Buddhist holidays and pujas—it makes the experience even more special. There’s no “spiritual performance”—just an invitation to return to your center.
You’re allowed to slow down, to listen inward, to breathe. That’s the real gift here.
Food That Heals and Delights
Meals are Ayurvedically designed, but never restrictive—unless you choose that path with your doctor. You eat to nourish, not to deprive.
From warm soups and red rice to vegetable curries, homemade chutneys, and healing teas, every meal is thoughtfully prepared and full of flavor. It’s the kind of eating that resets your relationship with food and your body.
The People Who Hold the Space
What makes Barberyn truly unforgettable are the people.
Dr. Pushpa: My guiding light in every phase of healing.
Mily: Elegant, poised, and quietly powerful—she stewards the Beach resort with care.
Samanmalie: A master of details and logistics—responsive, intuitive, and deeply kind.
Lalith: Leading me around and giving me insights into this magical island.
From the chefs to the therapists to the gardeners to the room attendants, everyone is rooted in care and intention. They don’t just work here—they live the mission.
Barberyn Is My Constant
Over thirteen visits across twelve years, I’ve come to think of Barberyn as part of my life’s rhythm.
It’s where I go to heal, to shed the weight of the world, to return to myself. When I’m overwhelmed, burnt out, or disconnected—Barberyn brings me back.
It’s where my body heals, my mind softens, and my soul sings.
And I will keep returning. Again and again. It is truly my foundation.
Jamie Pizzorno
United Kingdom