Resplendent Ceylon reveals plans for treehouse-style accommodation at Tea Trails resort

Sri Lankanhotel group Resplendent Ceylon has unveiled plans to add treehouse-styleaccommodation at its flagship Tea Trails resort, in response to demand fromtravel agents.

Theproperty, set on a tea plantation in south-central Sri Lanka, is made up of fiveseparate bungalows comprising 27 rooms.

Theextension is set to be built on the ridge behind Dunkeld Bungalow, adding afurther 20 to 25 rooms in a treehouse style, designed to blend in with thelandscape. The development will also add a host of new facilities including aheated swimming pool, Spa and Wellness centre offering tea-focused treatments,and standalone restaurant, which would be available to other Tea Trails guests.

MalikFernando, managing director at Resplendent Ceylon, said: “With Tea Trails beingthe most iconic of our properties, and in such demand – because tea country isso appealing with no other tourists and stunning scenery, it’s a reallycharming experience – you get a huge scramble at busy times.

“We thoughtabout adding one more bungalow to make it six, but why not create a moremodern, contemporary idea?

“These willgive you a treehouse feel and they’ll be located on the top of the ridge withstunning views.

“It addssomething quite different to the mix. We have single-handedly established teatourism in Sri Lanka, so it’s important that we top and tail it for people orfamilies who want longer stays.”

Theextension is still in the planning stage, but Fernando said it would ideally becompleted by 2020.

This isamong a raft of new developments for the Sri Lankan hotel group, which openedits third property, Wild Coast Tented Lodge, on the edge of Yala National Parklast November, and is set for further openings in Sigiriya Resort, due by theend of 2020, and a Robinson Crusoe-style beach resort at Trincomalee thefollowing year.

Beachfrontresort Cape Weligama has also added a new adventure centre in partnership withspecialist activity operator Borderlands, adding whale-watching, mountainbiking, kayaking and white-water rafting, among other activities. Wild Coast isalso set to unveil Sri Lanka’s biggest leopard conservation station in July.