12 May 2015
13 May 2015 - The Fernando family – Sri Lanka's most prominent tea producers and founders of Dilmah Tea – are delighted to announce the formation of a new collection of hotels. Resplendent Ceylonhas been formed to create and manage a collection of small, luxury resorts offering a unique 'trail' across Sri Lanka. They will offer the upscale traveller a range of authentic experiences linked to Sri Lanka's history, culture and nature. Like Dilmah, they will have a passionate commitment to quality, authenticity and sustainability.
The family's first venture into hotels was the opening of Ceylon Tea Trailsin 2005 which remains Sri Lanka's first Relais & Chateaux property. It comprises four luxurious colonial era tea planters' bungalows, restored to impeccable taste and connected by walking trails through the Fernando's own tea plantations. Built between 1888 and 1950, these bungalows offer a taste of gracious living thanks to butler service and period furnishings, accompanied by gourmet meals. Follow the Tea Trail from one unique bungalow to the next, staying a night or two at each or just laze in one. Thanks to unprecedented popularity, Tea Trails will be extended this year to include an additional bungalow. 'Dunkeld' is a historic century-old tea planter's bungalow situated at an elevation of 5,000 feet and overlooks Castlereagh Lake. When completed in November 2015, it will offer five bedrooms including an 'Owners Cottage' privately located in the midst of a tea field.
To add to this, the company's first beach resort, Cape Weligama, opened its doors in October 2014. Situated along Sri Lanka's spectacular South Coast, only 30 minutes from Galle Fort and with magical views over the Indian Ocean, Cape Weligama is fast becoming the country's most sought after beachside address. The design has been masterminded by renowned Thai architect, Lek Bunnag (projects include: Maia Seychelles, Ritz Carlton Phulay Bay, Oberoi Mauritius and Four Seasons Langkawi), and introduces 40 villas & suites to a dramatic headland site perched 36m above the beautiful bay of Weligama. Infinite 270 degree panoramas of the Indian Ocean are celebrated from every curvaceous corner of this clifftop resort. Generously sized villas and suites ranging from 130 to 300m2 are 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. Dining options include a cliff edge Teppanyaki pavilion, an alfresco Sri Lankan restaurant and a spectacular ocean view dining pavilion where guests interact with chefs to select fresh seafood at the “Pola” (Market). Other highlights include a spectacular 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 Tea Trails, Cape Weligama is part of Relais & Chateaux, the Parisian association of the world's finest hoteliers, chefs and restaurateurs. The signature Resplendent Ceylon “no bills to sign” rates start from $605 per room per night and include breakfast, lunch or dinner (offering the option of a meal in nearby Galle or Mirissa), all beverages around the clock, including spirits and wines, snacks, room service, laundry, taxes & service charges.
Thanks to the new Southern Highway, Cape Weligama is less than two hours away from Colombo. Alternatively, a seaplane service also connects Tea Trails and Cape Weligama in a scenic twenty minute journey across Sri Lanka's stunning tea country.
In addition, two luxury tented camps are currently underway; Wild Coast Lodge will open inmid-2016 on a secluded beach in the Yala National Park, a Leopard hot spot in south-eastern Sri Lanka. Red Rocks Beach Camp will follow, located on a pristine sandy beach in Kuchaveli, near the famed seaport of Trincomalee on the North Coast of Sri Lanka. Both camps will feature 28 custom designed air-conditioned 45m2 tented suites with 25m2 decks, offering the experience of a jungle camp with the luxury of a deluxe hotel room.
Malik J Fernando, Managing Director of Resplendent Ceylon says “We have two further locations at concept stage. When complete, we will be able to offer a trail of six distinctive properties around Sri Lanka that will pamper guests in a residential, non-hotel atmosphere with gourmet dining and authentic local experiences.”
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For additional information and images, please contact Daisy Bird at BIRD Luxury Travel PR
Email: hello@birdtravelpr.com
Telephone: +44 207 112 8824
Editor's Note:
Dilmah Tea is a family-run Sri Lankan tea company founded by Merrill J Fernando. His sons Dilhan and Malik share Merrill's passionate commitment to quality, authenticity and ethical business practice. The company is a global leader in tea that is also well respected for its philanthropic work; with a significant part of the profits funding humanitarian and environmental projects in Sri Lanka.
