Description: Amangalla is situtated in the historic port of Galle, housed in the ramparts of the 17th-century Galle Fort, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Named after the Sanskrit word for ‘peace’, and galla, the Sinhalese word for the town of Galle, the resort reveals the Fort’s daily activities and its rich legacy, the narrow streets lined with buildings from the Dutch and British colonial eras. Offering views of the resort’s 200-year-old gardens and of the Fort and harbour beyond, Amangalla provides for the leisurely exploration of this historic trading port and the surrounding countryside. Amangalla is surrounded by antiques, old prints, polished aged-floors, crisp white linen, pristine walls, rich mahogany, wood and rattan planters together with a gracious, welcoming and warm staff. Gentle strolls directly from the hotel unravel the unique history of this magnificent 36-hectare hexagonal stone fort, revealing colonial buildings still in use today, bustling narrow streets proffering the crafts of many generations, and the ramparts and seawall, where locals and visitors gather alike to fly kites, play cricket or simply inhale the wonders of its maritime legacy.
Rooms:
Guest bedrooms:
7 x Bedrooms are located adjacent to Amangalla’s reception, on the ground level of the Middle Street Wing. Views are either overlooking the garden or the nearby historic Groote Kerk (Great Church).
- Bedroom and separate bathroom are similar in size with furnishings including a twin or king-size four-poster bed, writing desk, dining table, pettagama chest – all set within the original polished jack-wood floors.
- Spacious bathroom offers twin vanities, free-standing bathtub, separate shower and toilet. Three bedrooms are set within the property’s gardens. French windows and doors open onto the garden entrance of each room. The bedrooms offer a combined sitting and sleeping area but are otherwise similar to the those located adjacent to Amangalla's reception.
Chambers:
6 x Chambers are located within the Church Street Wing and face the Fort ramparts. The entrance leads into the open plan room, featuring first the bathroom, followed by the bedroom and a separate sitting area.
- The bathroom has a large shower, free-standing bathtub, and toilet.
- Authentic turn-of-the-century ambience is recreated with use of a four-poster king-size or twin bed arrangement, a planter’s chair, writing desk, dining table and a pettagama chest perched atop gleaming teak floorboards.
There are four Garden Wing Chambers, three with balconies and one with a twin porch – all over-looking the treetops of the resort garden. The large rooms feature the same furnishings as the chambers in the Church Street Wing, these have the addition of either antiques or reproductions which complement the highly polished timber floorboards and the shuttered windows on the balcony or porch.
Suites:
There are 8 suites, of which 6 are located in the Church Street Wing and 2 in the Middle Street Wing. The Suites look onto Para-rubber trees, the ramparts of the Fort and the harbour, or the mature well-tended tropical gardens. The spacious Suites feature the original polished teak floorboards dating back over 300 years. The entry hall leads to separate bedroom and lounge area. Adjacent to the entry hall is the bathroom with a free-standing bathtub, twin vanities, separate toilet and shower. The bedroom has a twin or king-size four-poster bed and arched, shuttered windows. The lounge is furnished with a chaise longue, writing desk, dining table, planter’s chair and pettagama chest. This furniture is either a property original or careful reproduction.
Garden House
Situated within the resort gardens, this two-storey house features a private terrace and balcony offering leafy, treetop views. The original, antique furniture of the house has been restored. At the entrance is a sitting room fitted with a chaise longue, armchairs and coffee table. Double doors lead to the bedroom, furnished with a king-size four-poster bed, writing table and dressing cabinet. Adjoining this is a spacious bathroom, bathed in light from the pool garden outside. It offers twin vanities, a free-standing bathtub, toilet and separate shower. An internal stairway rises from the sitting room to the upper level, featuring a daybed and banquette.
Other facilities include a pantry serviced by a private butler.
Dining and Bars:
The Zaal – the Great Hall (Dutch name)
This restaurant offers a colonial feel with tall ceilings, overhead fans and chandeliers. There is relaxed seating within as well as on the veranda facing the tree-lined street.
The Zaal provides light meals and snacks in the morning and afternoon tea is served daily. The veranda is the ideal place to escape the heat of the day, enjoy a tall drink and watch the world pass by. Adjacent is The Dining Room that provides an intimate setting for dining with a colonial accent. The Dining Room is furnished with period chairs and tables, crisp white linen and antique silverware, with many of the original pieces being returned to their rightful place in the room. The Dining Room serves breakfast, lunch and dinner and provides a choice of traditional Sri Lankan curry and home-cooked dishes.
Facilities and Services:
Library:
Located beyond the reception hall is the Library with an extensive range of reference books on the history, arts, culture and communities of Sri Lanka as well as a selection of novels, magazines, newspapers, audio CDs and board games. There is also an eclectic collection of memorabilia drawn from the archives of the New Oriental Hotel, which provides an interesting perspective into the history of the buildings, the Fort and the town of Galle. A desktop computer is available for Internet access.
Spa:
The Baths (The Spa) recapture memories of a bygone era of 'taking the waters', restoring the body and soothing the mind. The five softly lit treatment chambers lead off a descending arched hallway. Gentlemen's and Ladies' dressing rooms lead to a hall containing a sauna, steam room and hydrotherapy pools whose specifically placed jet massage and stimulate the entire body. With candlelit recesses, tall ceilings and traditional archways, the hydrotherapy area is an experience in ancient indulgences.
Facilities include:
- Barber Shop and Salon - provides gentlemen's shaving, manicures and pedicures sedately done from original planter's chairs overlooking two hundred year old gardens.
- Daily yoga and meditation sessions in the Garden Pavilion.
- Massage to the Foot & Facial (a classic facial and pedicure combined) Ayurvedic Massage using herbs from the Ceylon cornucopia, chanting and sound.
Swimming Pool
Centred within the resort’s gardens and measures 21m by 10.5m. Bordering the pool, the Pool Courtyard contains five shaded ambalamas (rest pavilions) on one side and a number of sunloungers shaded by palm trees. Poolside service is provided and a variety of light meals and snacks are available.
Babysitting
Amangalla offers a complimentary babysitting service.