THE FIRST HOTEL ESTABLISHED

On this now popular stretch of Beruwela beach. Barberyn is also the name of the reef itself which, running close to the shoreline here, creates a delightful natural swimming pool. It's a fine place for a sun and sand holiday, yet this hotel offers much more than just that. Barberyn Reef was the first resort in the country to offer the benefits of ayurveda: the ancient all-natural method of restoring and maintaining the body's balance of energies.

Ayurveda is now the hotel's raison d'etre and almost everyone who comes here (some ninety percent are European) takes up a course of treatment. Short stays are accommodated but two to three weeks is recommended to reap the benefits of a complete course.

Although the requirements of the Ayurvedic Center dictates the rhythm of the day (up at six a.m for the first treatment) there are a number of other activities organised for the enjoyment and education of the guests. Afternoon lectures include talks on the theory of ayurveda, the Sri Lankan horoscope and Buddhist meditation. Short tours are available by boat or car and, of course, the beach and sea are always just a few metres away.

A narrow strip of trees and a path are all that separate the Beach Cottages from the sand and water. These are the most sought-after rooms, though the hotel now has a very varied collection of rooms built at different times and in different places around the property. In keeping with the philosophy of the place, there is no television or music in the rooms and the layout and furniture are simple and straightforward. In the same way, the food in the restaurant is varied, simple and healthy.

This is a resort for the stressed and over-worked to rediscover the charm of simplicity to benefit from ancient Eastern knowledge.