The doctors and staff come from generations of practitioners in Sri Lanka to ensure that what is on offer here is not a half-baked trendy addition to the spa, but a genuine therapy for individual needs.

Ayurvedic treatments start with a consultation with the doctor, who prescribes your personal 5 daily treatments and then follows up with twice weekly further consultations. This Panchakarma therapy is a co-ordination of massages, oil treatments, purification, inhalation of herbs and baths of herbs and flowers.

Diet is a key part of the treatment and is adjusted to your specific requrements, as defined by the doctor. It is, as you might expect, entirely vegetarian.

The village itself is a good copy of a rural South Asian scene, with each room a separate rustic cottage. Although these cottages do come with air conditioning, a minibar, personal safe and a tea and coffee machine.

Although separated from the main resort, the village does enjoy its own beach and sea views. Yoga and meditation can be practised on the beach or inside in the dense tropical vegetation.

As is the manner of Ayurvedic treatments, the courses are long and should be strictly adhered to for maximum benefit. Short treatments are available but guests are recommended to take up either the 12 day or the 18 day therapy set.

The Sri Lankan owners of Meedhupparu and its three separate resort offerings have had to make some cuts in this present economic downturn, so I don't know how matters stand today. If you have specific recent experience here, do write something up in the 'join in' section.