by Where?
Amangalla is located on the southern coast of Sri Lanka in the 17th century Dutch fort town of Galle, a UNESCO World Heritage site. Galle is like nothing else in Sri Lanka, a small peninsula surrounded by thick rampart walls, lined with neat winding streets and gabled colonial houses and Dutch churches. Among them is the white-washed Grande Dame Amangalla, originally built as a private residence by the Dutch East India company way back in 1684.
In 1863, it opened as the Oriental Hotel, later renamed the New Oriental, which became a legendary stop for steam passengers passing through Sri Lanka. In 2004 it opened as Amangalla after a two-year renovation; The hotel is celebrating its 20th anniversary this year in a good place, with tourism in Sri Lanka on the rise again and recently the hotel was ranked 38th in the World’s 50 Best Hotels Awards – the any hotel in Sri Lanka made the list.
Style
There is a lot of sense here and Aman made the wise decision to let the building do most of the talking in relation to the interior design. Making the most of its 340-year history, the hotel is packed with original features such as the patterned verandah tiles and polished teak floorboards found throughout the property. The Great Hall and the dining room are full of antique tables, wooden chests, sofas, chandeliers, and large mirrors, with most of the pieces being original from the New Oriental, or carefully reproduced. Despite the old-school feeling, it’s all still glamorous and full of life, and guests are actively encouraged to explore and interact with the space so you won’t be ticked off if you prize open the 19th century safe ( made in Cannon London). Street no less).
Which room?
Amangalla has six categories across its 27 bedrooms and suites, as well as a detached two-storey house hidden in the garden grounds – the perfect choice for complete seclusion. Views and layouts vary, but all rooms offer an ensuite bathroom with freestanding tub as well as a king-size four-poster bed, writing desk, dining table, planter chair, wardrobe and Pettagama chest. The main difference between the rooms is the space and the views available, with ‘Verandah Chambers’ looking out over the lush gardens, and the grand upper level ‘Amangalla Suites’ which have a dedicated sitting room and direct views of the Dutch church from the 17th century. Next door. As you’d expect from a hotel of this type, there aren’t any bad rooms, and the entry-level bedrooms should keep couples more than happy, while families might appreciate more room in the rooms. .
Facilities
Although the hotel is located on a fairly busy street, its large back garden is a sanctuary that is not soundproof. Here, you will find a beautiful 21 meter outdoor swimming pool surrounded by palm trees and creeping tropical plants, as well as sun lounges and five shaded ambalamas (double bed cabanas). There are also a handful of tables set out on a sunny terrace and we prefer to have breakfast here in the morning instead of the main dining room or the veranda – it’s so peaceful and likely to have it to yourself.
Elsewhere in the gardens, the Yoga Pavilion hosts a free class every morning with the amazing resident Yoga instructor Amangalla – the Aman-branded mats and blocks are also a classy touch. The hotel’s relaxing spa facility offers five softly lit treatment rooms and hydrotherapy pools, which guests can book for 30-minute sessions. Massage therapies focus on Ayurvedic healing traditions and personalized Ayurvedic programs can be arranged with the resident physician. There is also a Barber shop if you want a traditional haircut, and the Salon offers manicures and pedicures.
Food & Drink
Amangalla offers a wide selection of international classics, but it’s the amazing Sri Lankan dishes that stand out. For breakfast egg hoppers and string hoppers are served alongside a range of curries and pola sambol (coconut and chilli relish). For dinner, we feasted on Jaffna crab curry (which the chef made for us after mentioning that we hadn’t found it so far on our trip – now that’s the service), fish cutlets, okra curry, dahl, beetroot and yellow rice. It’s worth straying from the local cuisine daily around 3pm, however, for afternoon tea, which is included in the room rate. The scones are amazing and topped with locally made strawberry jam and a strong selection of Sri Lankan teas.
In the evening, the upper level sunset terrace is the place to relax in an armchair and watch the sunset with a gin and tonic or Arrack Sour in hand. It is also worth mentioning that the restaurant is also open to outside guests, so it is possible to pop in for a meal even if you are visiting Galle for the day.
extra curricular
A one-hour guided tour of Galle is included with each stay, exploring the local streets, churches, and historic buildings on foot with Amangalla’s guide. There is more than enough within Galle and the hotel itself to keep you entertained for a few days, but there are also plenty of excursions further afield, from tea and cinnamon plantations to local beaches, safaris and whale watching. Sri Lanka’s small size means that a huge amount is always within easy reach. And if you want to go further, say north to the famous Sigiriya, Amangalla can arrange a helicopter tour in one hour and twenty minutes.
He prefers…
A grand dame, Amangalla deserves its place among the best hotels in the world and will cater to honeymooners as well as adventure families and hotel history buffs.
Details
Stays at Amangalla start from 700 USD per room per night, based on double occupancy, excluding taxes, daily breakfast for two and afternoon tea. aman.com
