Take a touch of traditional luxury, a splash of Sri Lankan flair and a whole lot of tropical charm and you get one of the best luxury hotels on the teardrop-shaped island of Sri Lanka: Cape Weligama is what vacation dreams are made of.
Cape Weligama is owned by Dilmah Tea (maybe you’ve heard of it?), a quintessentially homegrown Sri Lankan brand that is no stranger to luxury and prestige. Set atop of a craggy headland on the fringe of Weligama town, Cape Weligama offers wall-to-wall views and is one of my personal favorite places to watch the sunset in south Sri Lanka. Read on for what to expect from a perfect stay at Cape Weligama!
Visiting Sri Lanka? Click here for the full list of 12 things you should know before your trip!
The Rooms at Cape Weligama
Cape Weligama features 39 suites and villa across a number of categories ranging from the “basic” pool view junior suite to the massive 2-bedroom duplex cape view pool villa. The villas are named after famous explorers and writers who visited Sri Lanka when it was still known as Ceylon: we stayed in the mid-range premier ocean villa, which provided nearly 2000 square feet of space for us to enjoy, not to mention our very own private outdoor deck and pool.
The amount of space we had access to was beyond expectations: the villa was nearly 3 times the size of my apartment in Hong Kong! The premier ocean villa featured a large bedroom complete with king-sized bed, sofa and desk, TV with free on-demand movies and music, a work desk and mini fridge/coffee maker. Swing past the entrance to the villa and you’ll find the bathroom on the other side: it offered a bathtub, separate toilet area, huge walk-in closet and its very own steam room/shower.
The decor at Cape Weligama is traditional yet effortlessly chic, and the colour tones are warm with a splash of bold and vivid jewel tones. You’ll also notice a common theme throughout this Cape Weligama review: privacy. The suites and villas are spread across 12 acres of land, and it’s not uncommon to feel like you’re the only guests who have checked in thanks to the incredible spaciousness and thoughtful hospitality.
Ready to book your stay? Click here to check current rates and availability at Cape Weligama!
The Facilities at Cape Weligama
Let’s talk about what is quite probably Cape Weligama’s architectural crown jewel: the iconic half moon-shaped infinity pool that wraps around the point of the headland.
The 60-metre long pool is one of the best pools in Sri Lanka, hands down, thanks to its unique shape and the panoramic view from end to end.
For children and families there is a separate pool known as the “Cove Pool”, or you can also access 2 public beaches from Cape Weligama. Just so you know, all beaches in Sri Lanka are public – there are no private beaches. The West and East beaches are quiet and hard to access from outside of the hotel so you’re still afforded tons of privacy, though the Indian Ocean can be rough and pick up more swell around this part of the coast.
When we were there in November, the ocean was glassy and fairly flat further towards the southernmost point of Sri Lanka, but the West beach at Cape Weligama was not entirely pleasant to swim at and much of the shoreline had disappeared from the high tide. I recommend sticking to the glorious Moon Pool instead!
For those looking to stay active during the holiday there is an on-site fitness centre as well as daily fitness and Yoga classes, or take your pick from dive courses, fishing or whale watching cruises organized by the hotel’s Adventure Centre. Children will also love the aptly named “Jungle Nook” kid’s club equipped with plenty of toys and books.
Looking for more boutique and luxury hotels in Sri Lanka? Click here for a list of some of the best boutique and luxury hotels in Sri Lanka!
Dining at Cape Weligama
Even when we aren’t staying at Cape Weligama we regularly venture over for the fantastic cocktails and exquisite dinner service. The hotel has a number of world-class restaurants and bars serving up some of Sri Lanka’s best fare.
For sun-downers head to one of their sunset viewing platforms, before moseying over to the Cape Club for more cocktails crafted by their award-winning mixologists. When you’re ready for something more substantial, head over to the Ocean Terrace for dinner and take your pick of Western or Asian culinary delights. There is also a separate vegetarian menu if you’re on a plant-based diet.
For even more options you can check out Tableau, a chef’s table-style dining experience, or ask the staff to set up a private dining experience at one of the sunset viewing decks or in the comfort of your own room. The food at Cape Weligama is exquisite and you will be spoiled for choice; the best news is that the alcohol prices are extremely reasonable at the hotel’s bars and restaurants.
For breakfast, head to the Ocean Terrace for their à la carte menu for a hearty and healthy start to the day, or order a floating breakfast in the comfort of your own pool – just let Cape Weligama know the day before so that they can get everything ready!
The Service at Cape Weligama
Don’t expect cookie-cutter, bare-minimum service at Cape Weligama. The staff are warm and the training is impeccable, yet nothing is plain or robotic about the hospitality. Each and every member of staff we interacted with was doing more than just being pleasant, and allowed us to get a sense of their personalities while maintaining the utmost professionalism. Ask the staff about the island, where they’re from, local history and mythology and more: everyone is happy to share!
Things to Do in and Around Weligama
Aside from the hotel’s in-house activities, you can venture out for a number of day trips and excursions. Head to Udawalawe or Yala National Park for a wildlife safari, tour a tea plantation, spend a leisurely afternoon in the UNESCO-listed Galle Fort, sail on a luxury catamaran for whale watching or visit the Peace Pagoda in Unawatuna.
Southern Sri Lanka is one of the most beautiful places in the country. Click here for more ideas for what to do in Sri Lanka’s deep south!
Getting to Cape Weligama
Cape Weligama is about 30 KM away from Galle, or about 170 KM from Bandaranaike International Airport: the drive to and from the airport should take approximately 2.5 hours. This is the fastest and most direct way to get to and from the hotel. I recommend either starting or ending your trip in south Sri Lanka – you can check out my 2 week Sri Lanka itinerary or this shorter, express 1 week Sri Lanka itinerary for more planning ideas.
It is also possible to take a train to/from Colombo Fort station to Weligama.
We are big fans of Cape Weligama and this stay could not have been more perfect. Staying at Cape Weligama may be a bit of a splurge, but it is worth every penny. Ready for an unforgettable stay at Cape Weligama? Click here to check current rates and availability at Cape Weligama!
You might also want to read these guides:
- Visiting Sri Lanka? Here are some important things you should know before your trip
- Southern Sri Lanka is one of the most beautiful places in the country. Click here for more ideas for what to do in Sri Lanka’s deep south
- Get inspired for your trip with this list of the best places to visit in Sri Lanka
- Sri Lanka has a wide range of luxury and boutique properties on offer. Here are some of my top picks around the teardrop-shaped country
- Head on over here for even more Sri Lanka travel tips, hotel recommendations and destination guides
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Just so you know, I stayed at Cape Weligama as a paying customer and this article contains affiliate links. If you choose to book using these links, I will earn a small commission a no extra cost to you. Thank you for supporting my website& by using these links, I only recommend products or services that I have personally used & hotels I have visited and loved.
