Inspiration
Destinations
Experiences
What to expect during a stay at Amanwella and Amangalla in Sri Lanka
Little Emperors Travel Advisor Marta Calarco visits these two incredible properties
If you’re thinking of visiting Sri Lanka, Aman has two excellent options, and they’re best experienced together. Amanwella gives you quiet, beachside simplicity while Amangalla delivers history, character and a bit more going on. A few days at each strikes just the right balance.
Let’s start with the obvious: Sri Lanka is gorgeous. This is one of those rare places where you can hike misty hills in the morning, stroll through centuries-old forts by lunch and be ankle-deep in turquoise surf before sunset. There’s a real sense that the land is looked after. It's lush and wild in the best way, with clean roads, kind people and a general respect for animals. Now, on to the hotels.
Amanwella
Amanwella is the sort of place where time seems to stand still. It sits on a peaceful beach in Tangalle, in the south of the island, surrounded by a coconut grove and a backdrop of dense green. It’s also rather stylish. The suites are minimalist and angular, with concrete, clean lines and dark wood, but softened by the constant sound of the ocean and the occasional monkey swinging by.
Each suite comes with its own plunge pool, a generous terrace and a bathroom so large you might lose your travel companion in it. The beach is ridiculously photogenic and empty enough that you could plausibly pretend it’s yours. The location is pretty quiet and isolated so I would suggest that a few days here is enough unless you’re really looking to switch off.
Just a heads up, you may also find yourself sharing a room with a few geckos, but that’s to be expected in a jungle-meets-beach setting.
Amangalla
Moving on to Galle, Amangalla is an entirely different experience. This is one for the history buffs, the culture lovers and anyone who enjoys being within strolling distance of a boutique shop or gallery.
Amangalla is inside the old Dutch Fort, which is a UNESCO World Heritage site, and it looks the part. The building dates back to the 17th century and was a hotel long before Aman arrived. Think high ceilings, creaky floorboards and a lot of white linen. The rooms are beautifully restored and the service is everything you’d expect and then a bit more.
The staff operate with the sort of intuition that makes you suspect they might be telepathic. One mention of wanting to explore the town and suddenly a car appears, your itinerary is planned, and you’re whisked off before you know it. The spa is excellent, the drinks are strong, and the rice and curry at dinner is a highlight. Genuinely delicious and, surprisingly, excellent value.
The library is a gem – cool and quiet, with some fascinating old travel books. Order tea and park yourself there for an hour or two. Also, don’t miss the breakfast string hoppers. You’ll be daydreaming about them for weeks.
Discover more spectacular hotels in Sri Lanka.
Some snapshots from my trip
