Meet Cape Weligama Resort, the Sri Lankan spa with a difference

When on holiday you want to relax to the absolute maximum – so what could be more suiting than treating yourself to an incredible spa day with tea inspired treatments amongst lush tropical jungle at the renowned Cape Weligama Resort.

Words: Sarah Barnes

Perched on the coastal cliffs of southern Sri Lanka, Cape Weligama Resort is a 5 star luxury hotel cocooned by the Indian Ocean (see our full review of the resort here). The grounds are shaded by coconut palms with a cobbled path leading up to the resorts colonial spa villa. Here, the art of relaxation is blended with traditional Sri Lankan tea for spa treatments like no other. Get ready to truly unwind.

The spa

Spent the day being tumbled over by surfer waves and left with sandy hair and a salty body? Cape Weligama’s Spa is the next natural stop off to relax those tight muscles and aching limbs.

The main spa villa is a sanctuary of natural wood and green leafy walls, all set to make you feel lost in the jungle. Known for its use of native Ceylon tea and cinnamon, which are used richly in the oils and scrubs, the spa also uses Parisian beauty brand Themae within all treatments, which celebrates the health benefits of tea. Each formula containing a precious 4 Tea Extract, (regenerating white, stimulating black, soothing red and antioxidant packed green) proving tea is not just for drinking…

The vibe

Tranquil sounds of the ocean are the welcome background noise at Cape Weligama’s Spa Villa. Leave your worries at the door, slip on a fluffy white robe and pad barefoot along the breezy wooden halls to one of the candlelit rooms.

Post-treatment and feeling like jelly, head out to the resting outdoor lounge and recline under the shady palms, sip on a cup of Ceylon tea and listen to the waves and they lap softly on the sand below. If you prefer the comfort of your own room you can have treatments in-suite or on your veranda – your bed just steps away so you can collapse post massage into crisp white sheets for the nap of dreams.

Treatments

From soothing facials, express manicures to deeply relaxing massages, the spa menu has treatments to suit every guest’s needs; we'll take one of everything, please! Our recommendation? Well, we have two. First, start off with the Themae Signature Journey, the crème de la crème of spa treatments. You're treated to a relaxing scalp and back massage to relieve tension at your most sensitive pressure points, followed by the ultimate hydration facial that works to replenish dry sun-soaked skin. Finally, an invigorating leg massage using local oils to calm tired limbs and get the blood reflowing to improve circulation. You're guaranteed to feel recharged.

Need something more hard-core? The Hot Lava Shell Massage is a new innovative treatment that uses warm shells, creating pressure to ease and release muscle and joint pain. Working over your feet, legs, back and shoulders, the therapists target knots and stress points, blocked energy flows and toxin build up. Normal massage will never feel the same again..

Book now

To book, visit the website above or email reservations@resplendentceylon.com.

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Sarah Barnes

Sarah Barnes is Junior Beauty Writer and Production Assistant at Marie Claire UK.

After attending a military school growing up (we are talking camo print, crawling through the mud) Sarah craved a creative outlook with fashion and beauty always being a huge draw. With a degree in Fashion Journalism from The University For The Creative Arts, Sarah was introduced into the world of beauty, health and print after publishing her own university magazine, which was an investigative project into the world of Paleo and Primal Wellbeing. Her love for production came after moving to Vancouver Canada, working on the sets for Toyota commercials as a production assistant.

Four years later, she is now Marie Claire UK’s Junior Beauty Writer and Production Assistant. Combining both her love for writing and production, having worked her way up from intern. With each day being different Sarah can be found writing beauty features, reporting backstage at Fashion Week on the latest beauty trends and working on Marie Claire’s various beauty awards and video content. Always on her face beauty wise; Urban Decays 24/7 Eyeliner in Roach, Elemis Daily Defence Shield SPF 30 and Estee Lauders Radiant Double Wear Concealer.

Sarah’s job also allows her to travel the world for Marie Claire’s beauty shoots, working on the shoot production and assisting with booking the best models and photographers. Highlights include shooting at sunset in the Lanzarote desert, from a speedboat in Mauritius and along the wild beaches of Sri Lanka- maybe that army training was useful after all?