Newly opened Cape Weligama is Sri Lanka’s newest beach resort. The second hotel venture for Resplendent Ceylon, owned by the Fernando family of Dilmah Tea, Cape Weligama follows the success of iconic sister hotel Ceylon Tea Trails to offer the perfect complement of ‘Tea and Sea’.
Perched on a spectacular cliff-top site just south of Galle Fort on Sri Lanka’s south coast, Cape Weligama introduces an elegant 40-key resort overlooking the beautiful bay of Weligama, famed for whale-watching.
“Cape Weligama has turned out better than we ever expected” says owner Malik Fernando. “The combination of an amazing headland site, Lek Bunnag’s striking design and unique service offerings we’ve learnt from 10 years of Tea Trails should make for a timeless property. We hope to set a new benchmark for luxury tourism in Sri Lanka by creating a world-class resort that caters to the new breed of traveller being attracted to our country.”
Infinite 270 degree panoramas of the Indian Ocean are celebrated from every curvaceous corner of the resort which has been masterminded by Thai architect Lek Bunnag (whose former projects include: Four Seasons Langkawi, Maia Seychelles, Pangkor Laut and Ritz Carlton Phulay Bay). Generously sized villas and suites range from 130 to 300m2, set within 12 acres of beautifully landscaped grounds to offer some of the most spacious accommodation in the region – with contemporary interiors, exquisite custom-made furnishings, ocean-facing bathrooms, lush gardens and private butler service.
CEO of Resplendent Ceylon, Dominique Nordman, is a hotel veteran with over 20 years living and working in Asia for brands such as Taj and Oberoi, before settling in Sri Lanka ten years ago to launch the company’s first property Ceylon Tea Trails.
“Conceptualising Cape Weligama has been an amazing journey driven by a passion for crafting unforgettable experiences for our guests that maximise on this jewel of a location. We’re lucky to have nearly ten years of Tea Trails under our belt and to take all these learnings to Cape Weligama to offer seamless service alongside unique local experiences.”
Dining options include a cliff edge Teppanyaki pavilion, an alfresco Sri Lankan restaurant and an ocean view dining pavilion where guests interact with chefs to select fresh seafood at the “Pola” (Market). Other highlights include an iconic crescent shaped cliff-top infinity pool; in-villa spa experiences with bespoke products made from local teas and spices; a fully-equipped gym and beachside Dive Centre that also offers whale watching in Cape Weligama’s 10-passenger speedboat.
Residences are arranged in “Wattas” (Gardens) named after old Ceylon explorers. Suites are in Villas named after artists and writers who lived in Ceylon. Like the company’s first resort Ceylon Tea Trails, Cape Weligama will be part of Relais & Chateaux, the Parisian association of the world’s finest hoteliers, chefs and restaurateurs. Thanks to the new Southern Highway, Cape Weligama is less than two hours away from Colombo. A seaplane service will also connect Tea Trails and Cape Weligama in a scenic twenty minute journey across Sri Lanka’s stunning tea country.
