Resplendent Ceylon, a Sri Lanka-based luxury hospitality brand operated by the Fernando family, is marking its 20th anniversary this year. The milestone coincides with the 40th anniversary of DilmahTea, founded by Merrill J. Fernando.
Since the 2005 opening of Ceylon Tea Trails—the world’s first tea bungalow resort on a working estate and the country’s first Relais & Châteaux property—Resplendent Ceylon has “redefined” luxury travel across the island. Today, its portfolio also includes Cape Weligama and Wild Coast Tented Lodge, forming a distinctive “tea, sea and safari” circuit.
To mark this milestone, Resplendent Ceylon is unveiling a limited-edition “Tea, Sea & Safari” 20th Anniversary Journey, priced at USD $20,000. This journey spans 10 nights across all three Resplendent resorts—Ceylon Tea Trails, Wild Coast Tented Lodge and Cape Weligama—on a fully inclusive basis.
Highlights include a private tea tasting hosted by the Resident Planter at Dunkeld Estate, a helicopter transfer to the Elephant Transit Home, a full-day safari experience, and a Southern Riviera culinary adventure. Guests will also receive bespoke memorabilia, including a limited-edition painting, an engraved anniversary badge, a personalised Dilmah tea collection and signed copies of three books.
Good to know: In December 2024, Cape Weligama debuted its refreshed look, anchored by the new Cove Beach Club.
Looking forward, Resplendent Ceylon is planning to open two new properties: Kelburne Estate in the hills and Canopy Lodge in Sigiriya.
