Cape Weligama

The Fernando family, of Dilmah Tea fame, have officially opened Cape Weligama, a new luxury property in Sri Lanka.

The opening follows the success of iconic sister hotel Ceylon Tea Trails to offer the perfect complement of ‘Tea and Sea’.

Perched on a 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 well heeled 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).

Cape Weligama

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.

The resort’s timeless interiors have been envisioned by JPA Design’s Singapore studio and have been designed to celebrate three distinct themes, the island’s prominent maritime heritage, its diversity of fauna and the renowned Ceylon tea.

Resplendent Ceylon CEO, 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 10 years ago to launch the company’s first property Ceylon Tea Trails.

Cape Weligama

“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,” Nordman said.

“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 an intimate cliff edge Teppanyaki pavilion seating just twelve guests; an alfresco Sri Lankan restaurant set under the canopy of a giant Kumbuk tree; and a festive dining pavilion where guests interact with chefs to select fresh seafood at the “Pola” (Market). Dining in the pavilion offers guests’ insight into the produce of Sri Lanka’s unique cuisine with seafood displayed on stylised boat hulls in reclaimed wood and on traditional street foot trollies, all warmly lit by antique lanterns and festoon lamps.

Other resort highlights include an iconic crescent shaped cliff-top infinity pool; in-villa spa experiences with bespoke products made from local teas and spices; private butler service; 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 whilst suites are in villas named after artists and writers who lived in Ceylon. Carefully sited in clusters of two or three around generous swimming pools, the design of the villas has been tailored to the site’s natural topography and coastal views meaning no two clusters are the same.

James Wilkinson

Editor-In-Chief, Hotel Management