Review of Amangalla

Now a UNESCO World Heritage Site, Galle Fort was once Sri Lanka’s largest stronghold, known for its colonial architecture dating back to the 17th century. Galle lies on the country’s south coast, around 125 kilometres from the capital, Colombo. 

Around Galle itself, explore the fort with one of Amangalla’s guides. The Fort, dating back to 1588, is best seen on foot whilst the neighbourhood is also interesting with its colourful fruit market and narrow passageways lined with old houses, warehouses and buildings, all with a story to tell. Alternatively, visit the local market with chef before taking a cookery class in the gardens. 

A little further out, about a 30 minute-drive, there are numerous temples to visit including the ancient Yatagala, Rhummasala and Nawamunisaya Temples or perhaps discover a local tea plantation nearby. A cycle ride around the local villages will allow you to see the landscape change into rice paddies and for nature lovers, from December to April, blue whale watching is possible from nearby Mirissa Harbour. 

For cinnamon lovers, discover a private cinnamon estate near Koggala Lake or visit Sigiriya by helicopter. Over 1,500 years old, the remains of Sigiriya are now a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the site is surrounded by beautiful gardens – it’s around an hour and 20 minutes flight. 

Amangalla is around a two-hour drive from Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA), Sri Lanka’s main airport which is around 30 kilometres north of Colombo. Seaplanes fly daily from Colombo to Koggala, a 25-minute drive from Amangalle or a helicopter flight from the airport to Galle takes about an hour. 

Just over an hour’s drive away, there is Aman’s second property in Sri Lanka, the 31-room Amanwella, a contemporary beach resort near the town of Tangalle.

Featuring 31 delightful rooms & suites, the accommodation is based in the historic hotel which has welcomed guests for over 150 years. The accommodation starts with the 40 square metre Bedrooms (with views of the Groote Kerk Great Church), moves on up to the 65 square metre Chambers (with views towards the ramparts of Galle Fort) and 80 square metre Suites (with views of the gardens, fort ramparts and the harbour) whilst the premier accommodation is the 152 square metre Garden House (with views over the mature gardens).   

Every room enjoys a four-poster bed or twin beds, Pettagama chests and planter’s chairs for that colonial touch, Jackwood floors, writing desks, dining tables and in the spacious bathrooms, freestanding tubs and twin vanities. Crisp white linens, whitewashed walls and arched louvered windows complement curated antiques and elegant colonial style furnishings which, combined, lend a sense of elegant simplicity and peace. Even if the furnishings are traditional, contemporary services include Wi-Fi, sound systems, safes and minibars too. 

The gorgeous Verandah Chambers feature a wall of floor to ceiling louvred windows with spacious outdoor seating areas to while away the day or to enjoy the sultry nights whilst the Amangalla Suite offers the luxury of space with separate living and sleeping areas and an elegant chaise longue for those afternoon naps. 

The premier accommodation is the Garden House, a private space hidden away in Amangalla’s gardens. Perfect for romantic idylls or for those who crave privacy, this one-bedroom home offers spacious living and dining areas, a wrap-around balcony and plantation shutters.

For pampering, head to the serene ambiance of Amangalla’s spa complex known as The Baths for treatments aiding mind, body and soul. The spa offers five treatment rooms and two hydrotherapy suites with hot and cold plunge pools, steam rooms and saunas. The suites recall the allure of a bygone age with high ceilings and traditional archways lit by recessed candle lights. For looking your best top to toe, head to the Hair and Nail Salon or the traditional barbershop. The Spa Menu offers treatments personalised by the spa’s Ayurvedic doctor including massages, anointments, reflexology, Asian pressure point therapy, body scrubs and wraps. The signature treatment is the Spa Indulgence, a three-hour cleansing scrub and wrap followed by a full body massage and a sandalwood facial. The treatment ends with taking Afternoon Tea on the Veranda. The doctor is also able to create custom wellbeing programmes and Ayurvedic nutrition plans on request. 

There is also a 21-metre outdoor swimming pool set in the gardens beneath leafy palm trees, surrounded by loungers with service offered by the Pool Terrace. Group, private yoga and training sessions are available in The Yoga Pavillion, set in the lush gardens, together with guided meditation sessions. 

For those who want a quiet moment, head to The Library, decorated with memorabilia from the archives of the New Oriental Hotel.

With polished teak floors, ceiling fans, antique furnishings and artefacts dating back to the New Oriental Hotel era, the history of the property comes vibrantly alive in the modern era. 

Beautifully curated and pared back, the building decorated in restful neutral tones in line with contemporary living, the serene space offers peace and tranquillity with the history of the building retold with memorabilia taken from the archives and now adorning the walls. The more modern spa, The Baths, offers every desired amenity yet retains its traditional feel with furniture complementing the facility’s clean lines. 

A bygone age has been revisited and celebrated with impeccable design discipline coupled with inimitable style, as only an Aman property can do. It is quite a feat and succeeds magnificently.

The signature restaurant of The Dining Room is housed at one end of the spectacular Great Hall – a high ceilinged space of overhead fans and glittering chandeliers. It also features a shady Veranda running the length of the hotel looking out onto Church Street, for that cool breeze and al fresco feel. The menu features Sri Lankan classics and international fare, to a backdrop of a jazz pianist. The Veranda offers a traditional hopper breakfast, light lunches and candlelit dinners. 

The Pool Terrace in the heart of the gardens is handily placed for breakfasts, treats and lunches throughout the day if you can drag yourself up from the loungers whilst the Sunset Balcony is the perfect spot for a sundowner. Decorated with rattan furniture, leafy plants and floor to ceiling windows, it has the feel of a balmy Victorian conservatory. 

The Chef and team will also arrange special dinners under the stars with personalised menus on request or a traditional roti dinner in Amangalla’s rural ambalama pavilion or the Library Terrace.

Aman as a brand is highly aware of, and sensitive to, the sustainable well-being of its guests, staff, suppliers, the environments and communities that surround their properties, society in general and the planet. Their sustainability strategy encompasses all the projects of their hotels and resorts around the world and sorts them into four tenets - local heritage, local culture, environment protection and social responsibility, as recommended by the Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC). 

Their Environmental Protection plan respects and preserves native milieus and ecosystems with tree planting, protection of mangrove, coral and sea turtles, clean beach initiatives, and preservation of open lands. They are also committed to waste management by reducing, recusing and recycling rubbish; composting food waste; preserving water with low flow equipment and use of grey waters; using LED lighting in all properties for energy efficiency; eliminating single use plastics; providing education programmes for young guests at Aman’s Nature Discovery Centers and growing organic producing within kitchen gardens at resorts.

With local heritage, 15 UNESCO World Heritage sites are on or close to an Aman property and the group supports them actively either in kind or financially and well as protecting man-made, natural or spiritual landmarks and supporting them.

With local culture, all the hotels support local artisans through purchasing and encouraging guests to do the same. They also celebrate local cuisine in at least one restaurant in every property with cooking classes dedicated to the local cuisine; activities for guests in the kitchen gardens and at local farms where they choose the produce to cook and then eat.

Their social responsibility programme promotes gender equality and diversity; protects children; have programmes to tackle issues for women, children, against poverty and hunger. All properties support local school programmes and orphanages and offer support for female led businesses to create economic independence. Hotel employment priority is given to locals, supporting local agriculture in culinary art, purchase of local products, fair trade and using only cage free and free-range products. All properties offer healthy, sustainable, organic, seasonal food for guests and staff as well as proving the healthcare of employees and local communities.