Cape Weligama

Rooms

The impeccably presented rooms and villas are named after seafaring explorers, writers and navigators linked to Sri Lanka. With printed soft furnishings, coloured walls and bold timber bedheads, they are unmistakeably contemporary, yet their fine rattan panelling calls to mind the past, as do books, prints and maps representing their namesakes. All have furnished verandas, and bathrooms boast steam showers and freestanding tubs.

Four 2-storey villas encircle the kid-friendly Cove Pool, housing Master Suites and Junior Suites. These are the entry-level options, but they're still huge and all can connect as Two Bedroom Family Suites to sleep families of up to 6 in comfort. The larger freestanding villas are clustered around eight stone-walled wattas (gardens) sharing semi-private 15m pools. We loved our Premier Villa for its big bathroom and outside space, while Grand Villas get (partial) sea views in addition. The Cape Residence, each with 2 bedrooms and an outdoor verandah, are the resort's flashiest digs, and comprise an upper storey Pool Pavilion, which has its own infinity pool with ocean views, and a ground floor Prestige Villa, connected by an internal staircase.

Features include:

• Air conditioning
• Bathrobes
• Coffee / tea making
• Cots available
• Fan
• Hairdryer
• In-room treatments available
• Minibar
• Safe box
• Toiletries
• TV
• WiFi

Eating

The resort has four distinct dining experiences. The stepped terrace of indigo-hued Ocean Terrace offers gorgeous views of Weligama’s meandering coastline and serves international fusion cuisine, including day-fresh fish and seafood. Standing even closer to the cliff edge is scarlet-hued Tableau, an intimate chef's table restaurant. The Surf Bar honours Ceylon’s renowned tea heritage with its Ceylon High Tea experience; expect mouthwatering pastries accompanied by delicate savouries. You'll likely spend much of the day down at buzzy Cove Beach Club, which features cocktails and international bistro-style dishes.

We lunched at Ocean Terrace, starting with an artfully presented seafood terrine followed by marlin with puy lentil salad and then poached pears. In-room dining is encouraged, too, and private BBQs can be arranged. The veranda of our villa was amply equipped for meals, and it was here that we enjoyed an indulgent afternoon cream tea – you get a complimentary cream tea for booking through i-escape (excl 20 Dec-10 Jan).

Features include:

• Bar
• Kids' meals
• Restaurant
• Room service

Activities

• Marvel at the views relaxing by one of the pools
  
• Enjoy a massage using tea-based essential oils or a spice scrub or a herbal steam treatment at the Sanctuary Spa
  
• Head to Cove Beach for swimming and all-day dining; at dusk the fire pits at the Beach Club are lit
  
• Go on a sunset cruises, or try whale- and dolphin-watching (in season)
  
• Weligama’s wide sandy bay is one of the south coast’s best places to surf
  
• The resort is within striking distance of many southern Sri Lankan sights, including magical Galle Fort, Matara’s less well-known pair of Dutch forts, Dondra’s slim white lighthouse and Mirissa’s picture-postcard harbour
  
• Volunteer at the nearby MJF Centre, which holds educational sessions and creative workshops for children from local fishing villages. Classes range from maths, to singing and dancing. Afterwards, head to a fish market and finish off the day back at the hotel with a private cooking lesson
  
• Day trips to the leopard-filled national parks of Uda Walawe and Yala can also be arranged, and guides and private vehicles are on hand

Activities on site or nearby include:

• Birdwatching
• Boat trips
• Cooking classes
• Cycling
• Historical sites
• Private guided tours
• Safaris
• Shopping / markets
• Surfing
• Swimming
• Traditional cultures
• Well being
• Whale watching
• Wildlife

Kids

Children of all ages are welcome. There’s plenty of space for kids to let off steam, and the area around the 20m Cove Pool is very family-orientated, and close to the Beach Club. The Forest School kids club offers imaginative device-free play from storytelling to gardening; scheduled activities are complimentary. Kids under 2 stay for free.

Best for:

Children (4-12 years), Teens (over 12)

Family friendly accommodation:

All rooms and villas (except the Pool Pavilion) can accommodate baby cots and extra beds. Most suitable for families are Junior Suites and the Cape Residence (comprised of a Prestige Villa below and a Pool Pavilion above together), which have 2 double beds each. The Two Bedroom Family Suites are made up of a connecting Master Suite and Junior Suite, forming a large, private space for up to 6.

Cots Available, Extra Beds Available, Family Rooms

Distances:

• Airport: 2-2.5 hours (Colombo)
• Hospital: 15 minutes
• Shop: 15 minutes

For more family-friendly places, see our Kids Collection

Location

The resort is located on its own headland on the outskirts of Weligama, a small fishing village on Sri Lanka's south coast. It's a 30-minute drive from Galle.

By Air:
Colombo’s Bandaranaike Airport (178km) is the island’s main international hub and is served by flights from Europe, the Middle East and elsewhere in Asia. It's a 2-2.5-hour drive from the airport to the resort and staff can arrange transfers. Alternatively, you can take the Air Taxi service to Koggala Lake (20 minutes' drive) and arrange a pick-up from there.

By Car:
It you want to hire a car and driver for your entire trip, enquire through our Tailormade Tour Operator. Otherwise, resort staff can arrange cars, drivers and tuk-tuks for day trips and local journeys.

Detailed directions will be provided when you confirm a booking through i-escape.

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