Cape Weligama - Relais & Chateaux

Sri Lanka suffers from no shortage of fine hotels, but thanks to a quirk of architectural history, most of them, stylistically speaking, are variations on the “tropical modernism” of the Geoffrey Bawa school. Cape Weligama, on the island’s south coast, a few miles from Galle, blazes its own trail — and what’s unique about it is that it finds its identity by looking to the past. Here the Thai architect Lek Bunnag took inspiration from Sri Lanka’s long history as an explorers’ waystation, incorporating countless elements from the island’s pre-modernist history in this classic-contemporary resort.

Then again, it’s not just the architecture. Cape Weligama’s setting is extraordinary as well. It’s set on 12 acres of terraced clifftop real estate, a hundred feet above the Indian Ocean, which, as you may well imagine, is not at all bad for the views. The freestanding villas cluster around private pools, while the larger ones are divided into multiple suites, which means they’re perfect for families or larger parties. All of the units are outfitted to five-star standard, and they also share a pair of swimming pools — the kid-friendly Cove and the cliffside, crescent-shaped, adults-only Moon Pool.

Other enticements include a spa, a pair of beaches, and ample opportunity to explore the surrounding waterways by boat or kayak. The Surf Bar is set on a clifftop with a spectacular view over the Indian Ocean. And the restaurants serve a variety of upscale fare in a variety of settings, from the panoramic views of the Ocean Terrace to the chef’s table atmosphere of Tableau.

How to get there: Cape Weligama is located approximately 175 km by car from Bandaranaike International Airport via Southern Expy/E01. Alternatively, chartered seaplane service is available between Tea Trails and Cape Weligama.