The Sri Lankan family behind Dilmah Tea and the Resplendent Ceylon collection of hotels has revealed further details and visuals of its third property, Wild Coast Tented Lodge, to open in October 2017. Situated along a pristine beach on the fringes of the renowned Yala National Park, the lodge will combine the comforts of a luxury hotel with the back-to-nature excitement of a wilderness safari camp.
The 28 tented cocoon suites will boast soaring vaulted ceilings, offering panoramic jungle views from the double-height glass facades. The interiors will fuse colonial expedition chic with contemporary design innovations, from freestanding handmade copper bathtubs to four-poster beds. Teak floors and canvas walls complement dark leather touches and re-purposed metallic hardware for an eclectic and design-led aesthetic.
The four secluded beach-facing suites will offer private plunge pools, while a further 16 suites will cluster around water holes, attracting a variety of local wildlife which guests can view from the comfort of their private deck. The family cluster comprises eight cocoon suites with adjoining ‘urchins’ – small cocoons perfect for little twitchers-in-making, and offering privacy and space for parents and children alike.
The open-air bamboo-clad bar and restaurant – designed to mirror the boulders scattered across the golden beach beyond – will wrap around the resort’s enormous free-form swimming pool. Guests can enjoy creative daily-changing menus of authentic Sri Lankan cuisine in the restaurant, as well as sundowner cocktails and picnics al fresco on the sand dunes, watching dusk settle over the Indian Ocean.
A nature-lover’s paradise, Wild Coast Tented Lodge will offer exceptional wilderness experiences, allowing guests to immerse themselves in some of the richest biodiversity in Sri Lanka. Vehicles will whisk guests to the quietest corners of Yala National Park, while expert naturalist guides will be on hand to talk guests through the incredible diversity of flora and fauna, including wild elephants, sloth bears and illusive Sri Lankan leopards. A variety of lectures and workshops, with focuses ranging from wild elephant behaviour to bird watching and nature walks, will offer an insight into the fascinating natural surroundings.
All Resplendent Ceylon properties are underpinned by an unwavering commitment to sustainability and ethical business practice and Wild Coast Tented Lodge will exemplify this ethos, with a wide variety of eco initiatives. Grey water will be recycled from guest rooms and public areas for use in landscaping, while a solar plant will meet 40 per cent of energy needs and garbage will be composted for use in the landscape. The hotel will also boast a conservation station dedicated to monitoring and protecting vulnerable wildlife within the surrounding area, including the Sri Lankan leopard.
(Latte Luxury News)
