Resplendent Ceylon, Sri Lanka’s trailblazing luxury hospitality brand, marks a significant milestone this year with its 20th anniversary, coinciding with 40 years of Dilmah Tea, founded by Merrill J. Fernando. Together, the two legacies reflect a shared philosophy of excellence, purpose, and pride in Sri Lankan heritage.
Since the opening of Ceylon Tea Trails in 2005—the world’s first tea bungalow resort on a working estate and the country’s first Relais & Châteaux property—Resplendent Ceylon has consistently 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.
The brand’s properties have gained international acclaim, having been featured on BBC’s ‘Amazing Hotels: Life Beyond the Lobby’ and regularly spotlighted in Condé Nast Traveller, Vogue, Harper’s Bazaar, and Travel + Leisure. Each resort offers not only elevated hospitality, but also a commitment to sustainability, cultural integrity, and guest immersion.
In December 2024, Cape Weligama introduced its refreshed look, anchored by the new Cove Beach Club, bringing curated coastal dining and elevated beachside experiences to the forefront of the southern coast’s luxury offering.
To mark this extraordinary milestone, Resplendent Ceylon is unveiling a limited-edition “Tea, Sea & Safari” 20th Anniversary Journey, priced at USD 20,000. This curated experience offers an unforgettable 10-night stay 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 accompanied by Malik J. Fernando, 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 iconic books. Crafted to commemorate two decades of luxury with purpose, this exclusive journey is a celebration of heritage, storytelling, and Sri Lanka’s extraordinary natural and cultural beauty.
Looking to the future, Malik J. Fernando, Chairman and Managing Director of Resplendent Ceylon and son of Dilmah’s founder, shares:
“Sri Lanka is a small island with immense richness—of culture, landscapes, and people. Tourism has the power to not only sustain our economy, but also to share our story with the world. At Resplendent Ceylon, our focus is on meaningful growth. With upcoming properties like Canopy Lodge in Sigirya and Kelburne Estate in the hills, we’re committed to expanding our footprint thoughtfully, while keeping purpose, community, and authenticity at the heart of all we do.”
Guided by the Dilmah ethos of business as a matter of human service, Resplendent Ceylon integrates local collaboration, environmental care, and social upliftment into its operations—creating travel that is as enriching for guests as it is empowering for Sri Lanka.
As it celebrates two decades of excellence, Resplendent Ceylon looks ahead with a clear vision: to continue raising the bar for luxury tourism in Sri Lanka, and to help place the island firmly on the global map as a destination of substance, sustainability, and soul.
