Image: The new hotel will overlook Weligama Bay

Marriott International has signed an agreement with Weligama Hotel Properties - a wholly-owned subsidiary of East West Properties - to open its first property in Sri Lanka.

The 200-bedroom Weligama Bay Marriott Resort and Spa is due to open in 2014 and is to be operated under the company's flagship Marriott Hotels and Resorts brand.

A spa, a fitness centre, a swimming pool with pool bar and three restaurants will be featured among the facilities at the hotel, although further details have yet to be confirmed.

East West Engineering Services will be responsible for constructing the hotel, which will be housed within an 11-storey building and offer a beach frontage stretching 115m (377ft).

East West Properties chair Nahil Wijesuriya said: "We are among the first companies in Sri Lanka to sign up with an international branded hotel company and to open as early as 2014.

"We have direct control of every aspect of the construction of the resort and are confident that it will be of the highest standards and quality."

Simon Cooper, president and managing director for Marriott, Asia Pacific, added: "Sri Lanka is a destination that has great potential and opportunity and we hope to capitalise on that and establish a strong presence in the country."

Details: www.marriott.com

Image: indi.ca/flickr