Review of Amanwella

Lying on Sri Lanka’s southern coastline, Amanwella is situated within 15 hectares of landscaped grounds, next to a crescent shaped beach on the Indian Ocean near Tangalle, 3.5 kilometres along the coast. 

The property is around a 2.5-hour drive from Colombo’s Bandaranaike International Airport and a one-hour drive from Mattala Rajapaksa International Airport. From the airport, the resort lies around a 50-minute air taxi flight away to Dickwella or a 70-minute helicopter ride to Tangalle. Road transfers can also be arranged. 

Aman’s other hotel in Sri Lanka, Amangalla, is located 80 kilometres east of Galle and 190 kilometres south of the capital, Colombo making it simple to combine a visit to each property. 

Excursions and experiences here abound and include visiting nearby Tangalle to take in the fishing town’s local market or strolling through nearby Wella Wathuara village through a winding path through the jungle awash with local wildlife. 

Alternatively, for nature lovers, head out on a boat trip from Mirissa Bay to watch whales, dolphins and turtles in season, an hour’s drive west; for culture vultures, climb the 500 or so steps up to Mulgirigala rock temple, a monastery perched on a rock or for safari fans, take a drive an hour northeast of Tangalle to visit Bundala National Park with its flocks of migratory birds mixing it up with elephants and crocodiles. A little further out, other parks include the enormous Udawalawe National Park famed for its birdlife and elephants and Yala National Park known for its beautiful leopards in the wild.

Designed by Kerry Hill who was in turn inspired by the “tropical modernism” of celebrated Sri Lankan architect Geoffrey Bawa, this contemporary resort features 30 hand-hewn stone walled villas or suites, all similarly designed and laid out for perfect indoor / outdoor warm climate living. 

Two glass and lattice panels slide open onto refreshing six by four metre plunge pools and large cool covered terraces with double sun loungers, outdoor banquette seating and a dining area overlooking the Indian Ocean. Spacious bathrooms have free-standing tubs, twin vanities and an ample dressing area. Amenities include personal bars, WiFi, safes and sound systems. The muted cool palette complements the pared back interiors, allowing the perfect views and the jungle scenery to be the star. 

There are three types of suite – all measuring 100 square metres of living space - the Garden Pool Suite with garden and treetop views; the Ocean Hill Pool Suite for views of the ocean over tree canopies and the Ocean Pool Suite with spectacular lower level views of the sea and the beach. Some of the suites can be combined to offer a larger footprint and living space.

The in-suite spa treatments at Amanwella take place either en plein air by the pool courtyard or in the air-conditioned living area. The massages, body and facial treatments are drawn from the Ayurvedic tradition, tailored to individual needs, and take advantage of Sri Lanka’s copious herbs, plants and flowers. For additional pampering, enjoy a foot massage on the beach whilst listening to the waves pounding onto the beach, champagne glass in hand. Kiddies can enjoy a specially devised spa treatment too if they are aged from five to twelve years of age. 

To offer those sun salutations, wake up with the birds and join a yoga instructor on the open-air yoga platform on the beach or in the gardens. Personal trainers are also on hand for al fresco training sessions individually designed to suit every individual. For guided meditation, join a local monk who will join you either in a peaceful glade or in-suite. Alternatively, meditation can be arranged at a local temple or the Buddhist Centre. 

For budding chefs, enjoy a cooking lesson by the chefs at Amanwella. Visit the local markets together to choose your favourite ingredients and turn it into an authentic Sri Lankan feast in the Coconut Grove’s outdoor kitchen. 

The beaches on the south coast offer a wide range of water pursuits including surfing and snorkelling or whale watching (from December to April) and fishing. The beaches nearby the resort are a natural lure for surfers and the concierge can help arrange one on one lessons with experienced locals. Alternatively, those early risers who love to fish can join locals to catch their own supper which will be prepared by the resort’s chefs. 

Further inland, there are ancient temples and holy caves to explore, tea plantations to visit and national parks to enjoy on safari. Excursions to the latter are undertaken in luxury vehicles accompanied by expert guides. Guests are invited to combine any safari with a visit to the elephant sanctuary where the calves are cared for and nursed back to health. 

For unique and stylish sunrises and sunsets, step aboard Amanwella’s floating lounge on Mawella Lagoon a ten-minute drive away, drifting into the tranquil waters and watch the local birdlife perform aerial acrobatics for your enjoyment.

As with all things Aman, this resort is a little special. Slightly apart from the world, villas scattered down a palm filled hillside onto a crescent beach, most days, it will feel that you are alone in the universe, service magically arriving on cue. Stress levels melt away to zero with such peace and tranquillity. 

The perfectly curated minimalist villas with their floor to ceiling sliding windows looking out onto the Indian Ocean, a plunge pool on the patio and privacy – a much valued Aman attribute – why would you want to venture out that much? 

Apart of course from going on safari, an unexpected treat, to see leopards, elephants and migratory birds a-plenty just an hour or two drive from Aman’s entrance. Or sailing off on the horizon to see whales, dolphins and turtles frolicking away. Or perhaps having a cup of tea with leaves plucked that very day from a nearby tea plantation. 

In a perfect world, a combined stay at this resort oasis and at sister resort Amangalla, an historic time capsule of a hotel just a short drive away, would definitely tick every box and more for a restorative and reinvigorating holiday.

There are three restaurants and bars featuring a mix of Sri Lankan, Asian and Mediterranean classics, open to both guests and non-residents. 

The Restaurant is open for all-day dining, with vistas overlooking the bay from the outdoor terrace which flows through floor to ceiling glass doors into an airy and spacious interior. The grassy inner courtyard is landscaped with frangipani trees and reflection pools for a peaceful outlook. The Lounge Bar is also open for all day dining and adjourns The Restaurant, sharing its terrace. Open on two sides with a central bar, this is the perfect venue for a sundowner and a cigar. 

The Beach Club meanwhile is set on the western end of the beach, shaded by coconut palms, for feet in the sand casual dining. Offering an array of Asian salads and Mediterranean classics, the Beach Club also offers grilled seafood served with local relishes and garden-fresh salads and for dessert, there are delicious homemade ice creams. 

For any romantics visiting, dinner à deux can easily be arranged on the beach under the stars, lit by Sri Lankan oil torches. Other dining experiences include visiting a local home by tuk-tuk for a Sri Lankan feast or picnicking in a rustic pavilion inland, surrounded by rice paddies.

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.