• A Colonial era adventure with contemporary luxury in a fascinating country
• The only real way to see the sights within the old city walls of Galle is on foot, and Amangalla is actually within the fortified city walls.
• Combine your stay with a few days at Amangalla’s sister property on the beautiful beach at Tangalle, Amanwella.
• The Baths (a spa) will help you relax, and restore body and mind.
The Whole Story
Without a doubt the most charming and charismatic of all colonial era hotels in Asia, Amangalla has benefited from a renovation that, for the first time in contemporary Asian history, has not ruined the very thing they are trying to preserve. Comfortable and classic, the hotel has nonetheless introduced luxurious contemporary flourishes that enhance its history rather than detract from it. The style of the interior architecture and decoration goes beyond the notion of being appropriate or sympathetic, and perhaps creates something more beautiful than ever it was.
Situated within the fortification walls of the old Dutch-built trading port of Galle, Amangalla is in the midst of a well preserved colonial town with views of the Indian Ocean and impressive age old banyan trees that provide shade for local children getting ready to go to school in their British era uniforms. In other words, it is in the heart of a beautiful colonial setting that remains charmingly unchanged.
The old New Oriental Hotel in Galle was one of the properties the Sri Lankan government had kept aside in the event of finding a property group whose views would be in line with that of the government i.e. to restore the jewels from colonial times in a manner that protects and gives insight into the culture and history of this island nation. As a journalist who worked all over Asia, Adrian Zecha was exactly the right person for the job, having a long standing love affair with Asia’s colonial relics.
High ceilings, wooden floors, colonial four poster and Lloyd Loom chairs. With funky bathrooms and loft-like spaces, the rooms at Amangalla are a clever mix of contemporary attitude to space and colonial decorative traditions.
Tucked away in a hidden courtyard, the pool is the hotel’s big surprise. You would never expect something of this scale. In a sense it is a metaphor for the entire project, a seductive mix of contemporary attitude and values with a sensitivity to colonial authenticity.
True to past traditions, the bar is wherever you want to have a drink on the ground floor, and the best place of all is the veranda, looking out over the banyan tree across the street – a perfect place for lingering over a Singapore/Sri Lankan Sling.
Part of the ground floor that does not constitute a place for a G&T is the dining room in grand Victorian style. Dark mahogany furniture, big silver bowls and lots of people in uniforms with shiny brass buttons create an ambience that has long since disappeared in the rest of Asia.
The view from the gallery spaces of the top floors is of the bay that was once filled with Dutch trading ships, and from the colonial veranda of the raised ground floor the view is of the city walls, banyan trees and more poignantly the traffic of people going about their daily lives.
The Rooms
The rooms all offer a wonderful variety of views from Galle Fort to the hotel’s lovely gardens. The bathrooms have twin vanities, free-standing bathtub and are decorated with utmost care. Facilities include a large four-poster bed and a spacious area in which to relax. Many have antiques that create the ambience of bygone times.
Suites benefit from an additional room and The Garden House also has a pantry serviced by a private butler.