Amangalla
Galle, Sri Lanka

Name: Amangalla
Address: 10 Church Street, Galle, Southern Province, 80000, Sri Lanka

About the hotel

Style

Boutique

Rooms

"Allow the oh-so-gracious and elegant Amangalla to pamper you to the nth degree in style. Expect a gracious sojourn with fabulous meals, rooms and facilities; romance is in the air."

The Aman hotel group’s penchant for picking run-down properties of diamond standards in unfashionable spots, fixing them up and then soliciting a strong and loyal following is unsurpassed in the industry, and that’s exactly what has happened here in Galle. The former New Oriental Hotel had an illustrious career as the grande dame of southern Sri Lanka, but it fell into disrepair – as so many dames do – until Aman rode up and restored it to its former glory.

Travel back in time to an age of grace, where you can live in the tranquil heart of a still bustling and ancient fort city. From the outside, the colonial architecture with its white walls and huge shutters is reminiscent of a French town hall. A lovely terrace with beautiful baked floor tiles adorns the entrance, and walking up the steps to the hotel is like stepping back in time. The navy blue, cream and rattan of the atrium is too elegant for words, complemented by the smiles and pressed uniforms of the staff. Even in the hottest months, high ceilings and wafting fans offer a cool retreat.

A slow staircase leads to most of the rooms on the lower floors. Others, situated towards the rear of the building, overlook the luscious gardens. Rooms are elegant and done up with dark wooden floors and matching furnishings. Choose from four-poster king or twin beds; bathrooms have walk-in showers and freestanding tubs. Entry-level rooms in the Middle Street Wing are small yet some have supreme views of the Dutch Reformed Church. If you’re a light sleeper, ask for a room in the Chambers in the gardens; you’ll also get a terrace or balcony. Coffee machines, meanwhile, are not part of the set-up in Sri Lanka. But ask for a latte, and you’ll be rewarded with one of the best cups of joe ever.

The enormous pool is a popular venue, as are the hotel baths, reminiscent of a hammam. And although there are only a few treatment rooms, they are spacious, calming and smell divine. A variety of treatments are on offer, but the focus is on Ayurveda. There is also an elegant barbershop where beauty and wellness treatments are available.

Romantic dining choices abound. Start at Zaal where local dishes are the stars of the show. Cocktail hour is sacrosanct here at Amangalla, and the bartender makes a delicious, refreshing gin fizz.