More C-suite luxury meetings at Resplendent Ceylon

Sri Lanka’s leading luxury hotel group, Resplendent Ceylon, whose strong heritage is linked to Dilmah tea, is ready to welcome C-suite corporate meetings in its Resplendent Ceylon resorts, alongside Reverie, a newly launched sister brand.

Chamindra Goonewardene, VP – sales and marketing, Resplendent Ceylon, said: “The outlook for business is very encouraging - July had been the best month Sri Lanka has seen in a long time and we expect each month to outperform the previous. The beginning of next year will prove to be a game-changer for Sri Lanka.”

Resplendent Ceylon has distinctly different segments. One key segment consists of family gatherings and celebrations for anniversaries and milestone birthdays. In this case, they would book out resorts for special occasions and would consist of 20-40 rooms per group. Another is the C-level suite corporates looking for curated off-site programmes. The group size would be smaller, and the stay would be more experiential in nature.

Recommended for meeting planners is Ceylon Tea Trails, with five restored historic tea planter bungalows in Sri Lanka’s hilly tea region. Period furnishings, butler service, and gourmet cuisine have set the ambiance of Tea Trails as the gold standard for luxury in the country. The venue has a total of 27 rooms and suites.

Another venue, Wild Coast Tented Lodge, located between the jungle and the ocean, has 28 cocoons.

Cape Weligama, located on the south coast, has an unrivalled view of the Indian Ocean, with 39 villas and suites.

Newer brand, Reverie, consists of Ahu Bay and Kayaam House, which are smaller, more intimate coastal properties which embrace the slower pace of island life, affording meeting executives time to explore mindfully, relax and connect with Sri Lanka’s unique culture and food.

As a haven for those searching for peace and quiet, Ahu Bay, on the western coast has 13 rooms and suites, whilst Kayaam House, in the deep south has nine rooms and suites.

Said Goonewardene: “Between the five properties, a number of different group sizes can be accommodated. All the Resplendent Ceylon properties are part of Relais and Chateaux, with flawless hospitality being a unifying factor across all stays. Each of our resorts puts its own unique spin on Resplendent Ceylon’s world-famous service – but gourmet cuisine, refined interiors, incredible locations, and immersive adventures are guaranteed.

“The variety of terrain and experiences whilst in a relatively compact space is something that no other country can offer. Guests can go whale watching in the morning and for an elephant safari in the evening. Alternatively, they can drive through tea estates, rubber estates, paddy fields, and the wild jungles of Yala in a single day.

“The warm hospitality of all Sri Lankans is something that sets our country apart from other counterparts, while at Resplendent, we pride ourselves on taking it to the next level. The combination of these factors, along with the variety of accommodation offered, makes this a great option for meeting and incentive planners.”

Recommended deals

A five-day stay at Ceylon Tea Trails where guests hop every couple of days to experience different styles each bungalow offers is recommended.

Alternatively, a three-night stay at Cape Weligama, which captures the wild coastal beauty of Sri Lanka's Southern Coast, followed by a two-night stay at Wild Coast Tented Lodge which combines wildlife attractions with a bespoke, luxurious safari is another choice. Guests can explore Yala National Park to view elephants, sloth bears and leopards.

Rates for the five-day Ceylon Tea Trails start from US$919 per day, whilst Cape Weligama and Wild Coast Tented Lodge rates start from US$614 and US$1,135 respectively per day. Rates are fully inclusive including meals and the signature “Tea Experience" tea fields and factory tour. Also included in the Tea Trails deal are English or Sri Lankan breakfast, three-course lunch or Sri Lankan rice & curry (gourmet packed lunch if on excursion), traditional afternoon cream tea (scones, clotted cream, jams, cakes, sandwiches), pre-dinner cocktails, four-course gourmet dinner, wines, premium spirits & liqueurs, beer, juices and soft drinks, laundry, Wi-Fi, and all taxes and service charge.

How to get to Tea Trails

· ​Ceylon Tea Trails is situated south of Hatton in the Dickoya and Bogawantalawa region of the hill country in south-central Sri Lanka. Most guests come by private car.

· There is a railway station in Hatton with services to Colombo, Kandy and Nuwara Eliya & Ella. The train journey is picturesque.

· Rapid floatplane or helicopter transfers are available.

· Colombo Airport 160 km, 4.5 hours; Colombo 130 km, 4 hours; Nuwara Eliya 48 km, 1.50 hours; Kandy 68 km, 2.5 hours.