Ceylon Tea Trails first Sri Lankan Relais & Chateaux resort

Sri Lanka has entered the exclusive world of Relais & Chateaux for the first time with Ceylon Tea Trails as the first member.

CEO of Forbes & Walker Leisure Dominique Nordmann attended the 36th Relais & Chateaux International Congress held in Cape Town, South Africa from 6-8 November for the formal induction of Ceylon Tea Trails into this prestigious association of top end resorts and restaurants.

Relais & Chateaux, established in France in 1954, is the hallmark authority when it comes to selecting the finest and most unique establishments the world over such as the Bushmans Kloof Wilderness Reserve & Wellness Retreat South Africa, Kauri Cliffs New Zealand, or UK’s Amberley Castle. Its mission is to spread its unique ‘art de vivre’ across the globe by selecting and representing outstanding properties with a truly unique character, personality, and vision. The Relais & Chateaux mark represents nearly 500 of the world’s most exclusive resorts and gourmet restaurants, many of them Michelin starred, across some 58 nations, whose dedication to customer experience and product quality is unparalleled.

Relais & Châteaux prides itself on being a family of hoteliers and Grands Chefs from all over the world who share a genuine passion for and a personal commitment to ensuring that their guests are privy to moments of exceptional harmony. In fact, to choose Relais & Châteaux is to experience an unforgettable celebration of the senses.

Ceylon Tea Trails is a scenic four hour drive from Colombo, perched in the heart of Ceylon Tea country, replete with rolling green hills, colonial plantation bungalows, high tea and exquisite service. Here in solitude, at an elevation of 4,000 feet above sea level, are four traditional tea planters’ bungalows, infused with a new and decidedly gourmet vibe. Each Ceylon Tea Trails villa, built between 1890 and 1939, offers butler service and authentic period furnishings, accompanied by gourmet meals.

The bungalows offer the upscale traveller both traditional and modern comforts in a “non-hotel” atmosphere. Each bungalow has a manager, chef, butler and support staff to welcome guests as at a planter’s home. The discreet Butler is always at the guests’ beck and call.

Rates at Ceylon Tea Trails are inclusive of meals and drinks including spirits and wines, and the special Tea Experience with its tea planter-in-residence. Meals are based on fresh produce, cooked to order and range from western fare, to traditional Sri Lankan classics, and tea inspired dishes such as Earl Grey tea infused cured Atlantic salmon. Tea Trails has crafted a series of innovative gourmet menus for this Christmas, in keeping with its newly acquired Relais & Chateaux status.

A unique aspect of Ceylon Tea Trails’ cuisine is the use of fresh, home grown vegetables, herbs and teas from the surrounding gardens. Fresh home-grown herbs such as basil, rosemary, thyme, tarragon, sage, parsley and mint inspire and enliven the chef’s menus every day with tantalising creations such as herbed apple and nuts stuffed spiced roast turkey with honey glazed baby carrots, and baby beetroot relish and rosemary foie gras jus.

Desserts are both unashamedly luscious and exotic at Ceylon Tea Trails with delights such as chocolate and pistachio semifreddo with raspberry champagne jelly and dragon fruit salsa. Traditional English afternoon tea is an intrinsic part of the Ceylon Tea Trails experience. High Tea comes replete with a traditional tea service, dainty cucumber sandwiches, scones, fresh cream and homemade strawberry jam.

The highly stringent selection criteria imposed by Relais & Chateaux upon its member establishments ensures that there is absolutely no stone left unturned regarding quality when a property is admitted into its fold.

The signature of the group, ‘all around the world, unique in the world,’ speaks about more than just being a unique property, but also that this level of exclusivity carries with it a tremendous level of dedication and commitment to qualify and sustain. In 2010, of the 86 officially registered candidates only 31 new hotels and gourmet restaurants were selected.

One of the unique aspects of Relais & Chateaux is its evaluation scheme along the 5Cs, namely caractère, courtoisie, calme, charme and cuisine. All of these qualities must be harmoniously woven together in order to create the magical experiences that Relais & Chateaux properties are renowned for.

Relais & Chateaux declares that one of the best ways to experience the wonder of the world is to hop from one Relais & Chateaux property to the other. Discover the beauty and magic of Sri Lanka by staying at Ceylon Tea Trails, the newest Relais & Chateaux member.