About The Sevana
Created by a woman with a big dream, The Sevana is a nature and design-led boutique hotel on the southern coast of Sri Lanka, immersed in over three acres of tropical landscaping and paddy views.
Thoughtfully designed as a calm and intimate space to slow down, escape and experience the beauty of island life, The Sevana combines striking contemporary architecture with natural surroundings and a relaxed sense of privacy. Located just a short distance from beaches, surf breaks and local sights, we offer a balance of nature, design and relaxed, luxury experiences.
Open year-round as an adult-only hotel, The Sevana welcomes guests seeking peaceful tropical escapes, as well as retreat leaders looking for an exclusive and thoughtfully curated setting for intimate hosted experiences. With spacious cabanas, open-air communal spaces, gym, pool, yoga area, restaurant and private chef, the hotel is intentionally designed for both restorative stays and retreat hosting.
During the winter and spring months, The Sevana also hosts intimate women-only, women-led surf retreats created specifically for adult women learning and progressing in surfing. Designed with an attention to detail that goes beyond the surf itself, the retreats combine expert coaching, thoughtful hospitality and a supportive environment immersed in nature.
Every surf retreat also contributes towards organisations supporting the empowerment of women and marginalised communities through surf and community initiatives.
The Sevana Story
I'm Suzanne, founder and owner of The Sevana. Over 13 years in the making, The Sevana was created from a desire to follow my passions and to truly do something that felt more like me. Travel has always been close to my heart, but it wasn't until 2012, when aged 39 I tried surfing for the first time, that my dream began to take shape.
In 2013 and again in 2014, on surf trips to Sri Lanka, the seed was sown. I discovered not only a passion for surfing, but also an enduring love for the island itself. Sri Lanka felt like home and I knew almost immediately that it was where I wanted to create a space that combined nature, design and escape.. the perfect place to create idyllic and restful getaways as well as to share the joy of surfing.
So the idea for The Sevana was born.. from wanting to create the kind of place I had always searched for myself - a welcoming, stylish and thoughtfully designed space immersed in nature, where people could either progress their surfing or simply slow down, rest and recharge away from the pace and routine of everyday life.
In 2015 I took a job in Singapore, intended as the stepping stone to getting me closer to making my dream a reality. I travelled back and forth to Sri Lanka until January 2020, when I finally made Sri Lanka my permanent home. I spent the pandemic here, gradually putting my plans together and then in 2023 I bought a plot of land and began designing the hotel and building it from the ground up.
Every part of The Sevana has been intentionally considered, from the architecture and landscaping to the atmosphere, flow and feeling of the spaces themselves. The name Sevana comes from the Sinhala language, meaning “shade” or “protection”.
Today, The Sevana is home to thoughtfully curated women-only, women-led surf retreats, as well as adult-only stays and intimate hosted experiences designed for those seeking connection, nature, rest and meaningful travel experiences.
I hope you can join me on one of The Sevana's thoughtfully curated women-only, women-led surf retreats or as a unique escape to savour your precious holiday time and to experience some of the wonderful sights, tastes and sounds of this wonderful island.
To find out more about The Sevana, the story and who we are, join me on IG
