Amangalla lies within the ramparts of Sri Lanka’s 17th-century Galle Fort, a Unesco World Heritage Site famed for its colonial architecture dating back to the 17th century. It is around 125 kilometres from the capital, Colombo.
Offering views of the Fort and harbour on one side and the hotel’s lush gardens and swimming pool on the other, the historic residence presents 28 Guestrooms and Suites, the two-storey, free-standing Garden House, a tranquil spa known as the Baths and gracious dining venues.
Combining the Sanskrit-derived word for ‘peace’ with galla, the Sinhalese word for the town of Galle, Amangalla reveals the Fort’s daily activities and rich legacy, its narrow streets lined with buildings from the Dutch and British colonial eras.
Amangalla Location
Amangalla is around 2 hours’ drive from Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA), Sri Lanka’s main airport, 30 kilometres north of Colombo.
Accommodation
Reflecting Galle Fort’s rich colonial legacy, Amangalla’s serene Rooms and Signature Rooms are housed within the historic hotel that has welcomed guests for over 150 years.
To jump to accommodation types at Amangalla, click here:
Bedrooms
Garden Bedrooms
Chambers
Verandah Chambers
Suites
Amangalla Suites
Garden House
Bedroom
Overlooking the Dutch-colonial Groote Kerk (Great Church), Amangalla's 40 square metre (430 square foot) Bedrooms feature jackwood floors and elegant colonial-influenced furnishings, inspired by the rich history of the Galle Fort.
A four-poster king-sized bed and a living area with writing desk and pettagama chest add opulence, while a bright, spacious bathroom with free-standing bathtub and twin vanity ensures consummate comfort.
Garden Bedroom
Amangalla’s 40 square metre (430 square feet) Garden Bedrooms is similar in configuration and size as the Bedroom, but features garden views as it opens directly onto manicured gardens via French doors.
Chamber
Reflecting the region’s rich colonial legacy and set in Amangalla's Church Street wing, 65 square metre (699 square foot) Chambers enjoy views over the treetops towards the ramparts of Galle Fort.
Providing consummate comfort and privacy, the rooms also benefit from a bathroom with large free-standing bathtub, twin vanities and a separate shower and toilet.
Verandah Chamber
Encompassing 65 square metres (699 square feet) of space, Amangalla’s Verandah Chambers feature elegant outdoor sitting areas which face manicured gardens, offering tranquil views.
For a restful night’s sleep, the bedroom features a king-sized four-poster bed while the living area has a writing desk and dining table, for evenings spent sharing stories of the day’s discoveries in the Galle Fort.
Providing consummate comfort and privacy, the rooms also benefit from a bathroom with large free-standing bathtub, twin vanities and a separate shower and toilet.
Suite
Amangalla’s 80 square metre (861 square feet) Suites enjoy views over the garden, or glimpses of fort ramparts and the harbour through the treetops.
Reflecting the character of the hotel’s 150-year history, arched and shuttered windows flood each suite with light, while a four-poster king-sized bed adds understated opulence.
A separate living room with writing desk, dining table and chaise lounge provides ample space to retreat following a day’s exploration, while a bathroom with free-standing bathtub, twin vanities and a separate shower and toilet ensure privacy and comfort.
Amangalla Suites
Extending to 80 square metres (861 square feet), Amangalla Suites overlook the fort ramparts and the harbour through the leaves of Para rubber trees.
Retaining the character of original hotel which has welcomed guests for over 150 years, the bedroom has a four-poster king-sized bed, alongside a separate living room with writing desk chaise loungue and a dining table.
Arched and shuttered windows allow natural light to flood the space, while the bathroom has a free-standing bathtub, twin vanities and separate shower and toilet, ensuring comfort and privacy.
Garden House
A private space set within Amangalla’s mature garden, the 152 square metre (1,630 square feet) one-bedroom Garden House offers a spacious living/dining room, as well as a wrap-around balcony overlooking an immaculate garden.
Ideal for couples seeking exclusivity and serenity, the house has a spacious bedroom with a king sized four-poster bed, and a separate living room with a writing desk and chaise longue.
Design features, such as a pettagama chest and planter’s chair, reflect the rich history of nearby Galle Fort, while a bathroom with a free-standing bathtub and twin vanities adds a touch of opulence.
Dining
From the elegance of candlelit silver service fine dining in the Great Hall to the indulgence of afternoon teas on the sunny veranda and long lazy lunches by the pool, Amangalla offers both guests and non-residents a sublime taste of Sri Lanka’s legendary cuisine in a host of atmospheric settings.
Dining Room
Furnished with period chairs and tables, crisp white linen and antique silverware, the high-ceilinged Dining Room rests at one end of Amangalla’s magnificent Great Hall, or Zaal, as it was known in Dutch times.
Soaring fin de siècle ceilings, overhead fans and chandeliers, and the veranda facing the tree-lined street create the perfect setting for exquisite Sri Lankan and international cuisine. A jazz pianist plays nightly.
Veranda
Running the length of the hotel along Church Street, the Veranda is open throughout the day. An ideal spot for a traditional hopper breakfast while watching Galle Fort awaken, it is equally suited to a light lunch escaping the midday heat or a candlelit dinner.
Pool Terrace
Resting alongside the resort’s serene swimming pool, in the shade of mature flamboyant trees, the Pool Terrace offers breakfast and light lunches with verdant views, far removed from the bustle beyond the 200-year-old garden’s walls.
Spot birds as they flit through the treetops, savour a delicious traditional hopper or continental breakfast, then plan your day over a perfect cup of coffee or Ayurvedic tea.
Sunset Balcony
Situated on the top floor with panoramic westerly views over the rooftops of the Fort, the Sunset Balcony is drenched in sunlight in the late afternoon, and the ideal setting for a peaceful gin ‘n tonic, cocktail or glass of wine to toast the end of the day.
Featured Dining Experiences
At Amangalla, guests can choose from a range of local Ceylon or fruit teas, then savour delicate cakes and dainty savoury morsels for an afternoon tea session while watching the sunset. For those who rather opt for private dining, experience a traditional roti dinner in Amangulla's rural ambalama pavilion with a personalised menu.
Spa and Wellness
With its candlelit recesses, lofty ceilings and dramatic archways, Amangalla’s Spa and Baths, recaptures a bygone era of taking the waters as restoration for body and mind.
The two hydrotherapy suites offer hot and cold plunge pools, steam rooms and saunas, while a range of therapies personalised by the spa’s Ayurvedic physician include massages, anointments, reflexology and scrubs.
Amangalla’s Ayurvedic physician is available to tailor wellness programmes including a range of personalised Ayurvedic therapies and an Ayurvedic nutrition plan. Amangalla’s signature treatment is an indulgent three-hour journey including a cleansing scrub and wrap of native cinnamon and lotus, followed by a full-body massage and a sandalwood facial.
The Yoga Pavilion rests in the garden’s green heart, but private yoga and personal training sessions are also offered on the ramparts at sunrise. Guided meditation is offered within Amangalla’s lush 200-year-old gardens.
Experiences
The ramparts of Galle Fort hold within a bustling time capsule – narrow streets lined with old houses, churches, boutiques and restaurants displaying their Dutch and British colonial heritage beneath terracotta-tiled rooftops. Simply step off Amangalla’s veranda to explore this world, or venture farther afield with an Aman guide to discover the region’s temples, beaches and blue whales on personalised journeys.
Discover a private cinnamon estate near tranquil Koggala Lake. After a private tour of the tea plantation, learn how this special spice is cultivated and its health benefits. Then enjoy a afternoon tea in a private picnic spot set within lush green rice fields. Tea tasting and tours in a private Handunugoda plantation can also be arranged.
Explore the secrets of 2300 year old Yatagala, Rhummasala and Nawamunisaya Temples with an Amangalla guide, all situated within a 30-minute drive of the hotel. Climb the steps of Yatagala at dusk and experience a candlelit blessing by a resident monk in its sacred meditation cave.
Tour the markets with the chef before taking a traditional cooking class in a beautiful garden nested in the rice paddy fields.
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