Southern Coast

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At a Glance

Perched on a hillside overlooking beautiful Weligama Bay, this sprawling property comprises sizeable comfortable villas and is the sister hotel to Hill Country’s Tea Trails. 

Indagare Loves

• The personal butler service that comes with each villa
• The lofty location, a short drive from Galle, with sweeping views
• The excellent, local rice and curry options at dinner

Review

The sumptuous villa clusters that make up Cape Weligama, opened in 2014, are built into a terraced side of a hill that overlooks the waves rolling into Weligama Bay. The location, a 20-minute drive from Galle, makes this resort a great choice for travelers who want to visit the southern coast’s most famous colonial town but prefer to be based at a full-service resort, with several pools, restaurant options and a luxurious sense of space.

After a quick check-in, guests are whisked away via golf cart to one of eight villa clusters, each containing anywhere from two to four villas, which are surrounded by lush, sizeable gardens. All rooms, ranging from one-bedroom lodgings to multi-bedroom Residences, are spacious and include massive bathrooms with a freestanding tub, walk-in shower and double vanities. While the design is a mix of Thailand, Bali and Colonial England (so not super destination specific), the rooms are extremely comfortable and accessible: the mini bar is stocked with waters, sodas and the local beer (all included in the rate); there’s a coffee maker and a plate of cookies; the beds are oversized Kings; and the bath amenities include everything from after-sun to bug spray.

Bed- and bathrooms open up—via sliding door panels—to the shady patio, with day beds, couches and a coffee table laden with books about the region. At all villas, views of the Indian Ocean peak through the foliage, so some villas have more direct vistas than other (ask Indagare’s Bookings Team for help deciding which villa to book).

Best for uninterrupted views is the infinity Moon Pool (the property’s adults-only swimming pool), which gives guests a birds-eye view of the daredevil surfers tempting Weligama Bay’s waves. A “family pool” is located at the other side of the complex surrounded by the family villas that are grouped together in slightly closer quarters. There is a small beach, reachable via a steep climb down from the hotel’s lofty location, but the ocean here can be rough and there is no lifeguard and only minimal facilities, so most guests settle on one of the double-sized loungers by the pool instead.

Weligama has several dining options, with menus including Western, Indian and local options, and while the occasional buffet hails from a bygone hotel era, it’s all very good food, prepared with passion and gusto by the team of Sri Lankan chefs. (Weligama and Tea Trails both belong to the Relais & Châteaux portfolio.)

And here is where Weligama truly excels: at resorts and hotels throughout the country, the staff could not be nicer. But Weligama is owned by a local family and one that is deeply respected: the Fernando family of the Dilmah tea emporium, founded and developed by Merril J. Fernando. One of the first six Sri Lankans granted permission by the British to become a master tea taster, Fernando remains deeply committed to local causes, both social and environmental. Weligama and sister property Tea Trails is the brainchild of his son, Malik, and at Weligama, you can sense a particular pride in the employees who love sharing the property with guests.

Who Should Stay

Couples and families looking for space and such resort amenities as a gym, concierge, butler, different restaurants and several pools. Weligama has a great location about midway between Galle and Yala National Park and makes for a great conclusion to an activities-heavy itinerary coming down from the north.

Good to Know

Cape Weligama is built into a steep hillside so there are stairs and small hills up and down, especially if you’re walking from your room to the small beach. There are golf carts and butlers at the ready to shuttle clients from the villas to the pool or restaurant. But travelers with mobility issues should book elsewhere.

Ideal Length of Stay

Two to three nights (two if you are continuing on to Galle Fort, and three if you’re planning on seeing the colonial city of Galle as a day trip)

Getting There

Cape Weligama is a 45-minute drive from Galle Fort, making visiting the city an easy day trip. The property is a 30-minute drive from Kogalla, where guests coming from the Hill Country (Tea Trails) can land via sea plane.

Author

• Simone Girner