Ceylon Tea Trails featured in BBC show ‘Amazing Hotels: Life Beyond the Lobby’

Monica Galetti and Rob Rinder 

Monica Galetti and Malik J Fernando 

Resplendent Ceylon’s first property, Ceylon Tea Trails was featured in the globally recognised BBC series, BBC Amazing Hotels: Life Beyond the Lobby in a one-hour program at prime-time. This is unprecedented positive coverage for Sri Lanka, directly to potential travellers.

Amazing Hotels: Life Beyond the Lobby is a highly respected documentary series created by BBC Studios and delivered to broadcasters, airlines and platforms globally. Each hour-long show explores the vision behind one incredible and unique hotel property - it uncovers ‘Life Beyond the Lobby’, from unique guest experiences, the extraordinary lengths that the staff go to keep things run smoothly for their guests, and often the landscape and culture in which the hotel operates. They explore everything from innovative architecture, incredible F&B experiences, multi-faceted team skills, unique cultural guest experiences and inspiring personalities, never forgetting the hidden ‘everyday miracles’ that enable the hotel to become a unique and memorable 

home to its guests.

Celebrity hosts, master chef Monica Galetti and barrister Rob Rinder go behind the scenes to work alongside staff members and discover what it takes to operate such unique and high-end establishments, rather than simply enjoying the luxury,. Tea Trails is all about the time-honoured traditions which Monica and Rob experience in plenty. Imagine roaring fires and the comfort of a single malt whisky while the mists roll in; or a stiff gin and tonic after a long day’s walk in the tea gardens. As always, the presenters also got hands-on, cooking and savouring traditional culinary favourites such as hoppers, tracking local wildlife to ensure its preservation and exploring the majestic landscape the property sits on. 

Ceylon Tea Trails was also recognised as the first Sri Lankan property on the Conde Nast Gold List which exemplifies the gold standard in hospitality as well as being on Robb Reports’ 50 Greatest Luxury Hotels on Earth.

Set up by the Fernando family — founders of Dilmah Tea, Resplendent Ceylon comprises five luxury boutique resorts across the island. The documentary also shines a light on the Fernando family’s dedication to the island of Sri Lanka through their extensive charity work, with 15% of pre-tax profits funnelled back into the community and the environment.

MJF Leisure Chairman Malik Fernando said: “After a tough few years, tourism is finally coming back to life and we could not be more excited to be representing the best of what our motherland has to offer through this iconic series. A full hour at prime time in the UK is unprecedented positive coverage for Sri Lanka, highlighting its beauty, wonderful people and culture.”