Amanwella
Near Tangalle, Sri Lanka
An exclusive and contemporary beach resort near Tangalle, offering upscale R&R
Few resorts can lay claim to 37 acres of coconut grove set along a
private 800m crescent beach. If you have several good books to
devour, a tan to top up, you relish anonymity, and are in danger of
overdosing on Sri Lanka’s cultural and natural highlights,
then a few days unwinding at the Amanwella are a must.
Modern, linear and expansive, this 26-suite hotel near Tangalle is
the antithesis of its older sister the Amangalla; while
the latter is seeped in colonial history and integral to the hustle
and bustle of Galle’s fort, the Amanwella is unashamedly
contemporary and reclusive. Its architecture emulates the style of
Sri Lanka’s acclaimed architect Geoffrey Bawa: a slick
juxtaposition between the spectacular natural environment - red
earth, green jungle, turquoise sea - and the orderliness and
symmetry of the manmade structures - beige concrete, vertical
lines, smooth dark timber and manicured lawns. The overall effect
is supremely restful - if there wasn’t so much to explore in
this beautiful part of Sri Lanka, you could easily kiss goodbye to
the outside world for your entire holiday and absorb yourself in
the beach, massages in the spa, lazy lunches and cocktails on the
terrace.
Reviewed by Meg Baber
Last updated 08 March 2012
Highs
- Enormous, exceptionally comfortable suites; we loved luxuriating in the quality of the soft white towels and linen
- Splashing around in your private plunge pool - each suite has one
- Soaring down the drive in the hotel’s gleaming tuk-tuk to go for fresh seafood at its beach club
- Gazing at the bay over a latte, a newspaper and a game of backgammon in the vast guest lounge
- Turtle-watching and long walks at nearby Rekawa, southern Sri Lanka’s most epic and unspoilt beach
Lows
- We found the quality and service fell a little short of Aman's usual supreme standards. If you’re combining it with a stay at the Amangalla, we recommend saving the latter 'til last
- Although stylish, the modern interiors feel a bit spartan
- You’ll wonder where everyone is, as the hotel can feel deserted even when full - but perhaps that’s exactly what you want
- The sea can be treacherous here (lifeguards hover over you when you go for a paddle), so sitting on the beach is like being presented with a delicious ice cream that you can’t actually eat
Tha Amanwella appears at the end of a dirt track, like a Zen temple set on the edge of the earth...
Marie ClaireAmanwella: Read more press reviews
