Amangalla

Amangalla provides a tranquil and period styled base from which to explore the fascinating culture and tumultuous history of Galle Fort and Galle, the capital of the Southern Province. Amangalla’s history is born out of the early Dutch colonial period, and is located right in the heart of the preserved Dutch fort, offering guests a memorable and appropriately stylish stay in architectural splendor.

It is surrounded by antiques, old prints, polished aged-floors, crisp white linen, pristine walls, rich mahogany, wood and rattan planters together with a gracious hospitality. Gentle strolls directly from the hotel unravel the unique history of this magnificent 36-hectare hexagonal stone fort, revealing colonial buildings still in use, bustling narrow streets proffering the crafts of many generations, as well as the ramparts and seawall where locals and visitors gather to fly kites, play cricket or simply inhale the wonders of the maritime legacy.

A large swimming pool, surrounded by palms, is centered within the resort’s established gardens, a cool respite from exploring. The pool courtyard has several wooden sun loungers and five serene shaded ambalamas, or rest pavilions.

Garden House

A private space set within Amangalla’s mature garden, the 151.5-square-meter one-bedroom Garden House offers a spacious living/dining room, as well as a wrap-around balcony overlooking an immaculate garden.

Chambers

Set in Amangalla's Church Street wing, the 65-square-meter Chambers enjoy views over the treetops towards the ramparts of Galle Fort. Chambers are equipped with king-size four-poster beds, living areas with writing desks, dining tables, bathrooms with freestanding bathtubs, and twin vanities, separate showers/toilets, and personal bars.

Amangalla Bedroom

Overlooking the Dutch-colonial Groote Kerk (Great Church), Amangalla's 40-square-metre bedrooms feature jackwood floors and elegant colonial-influenced furnishings. In-room amenities available include king-size four-poster beds, living areas with writing desk, pettagama chests, dining tables, bathrooms with freestanding bathtubs and twin vanities.

Amangalla Suite

The 80-square-meter suites enjoy views over the garden or glimpses of fort ramparts and the harbour through the leaves of Para rubber trees. Each suite features kingsize four-poster beds, living rooms with writing desks, chaise longues, Pettagama chests, dining tables, ached shuttered windows, and bathrooms with free-standing bathtubs and twin vanities.

Garden Bedroom

Opening directly to the gardens via elegant French windows, the 40-square-metre garden bedrooms feature jackwood floors and elegant colonial-influenced furnishings.

Verandah Chamber

Encompassing 65 square meters, these garden-facing chambers feature elegant outdoor sitting areas, three have balconies and one has a twin porch, king-size four-poster beds, living areas with writing desks, dining tables, bathrooms with freestanding bathtubs, twin vanities, and personal bars.

The enchanting grounds of Amangalla are spread across nearly 9,000 square meters on the Galle peninsula, defined by the 400-year-old fort. The resort’s mature garden dates back to the building’s construction in the 1860s, and the UNESCO-protected fort is the best-preserved colonial fortification in Asia. The peninsula offers boundless opportunities for discovery, as does the surrounding city, countryside and ocean, from temples and tea plantations to blue whale watching.

Whale Watching

Sail from nearby Mirissa harbour to spot blue whales off the coast of Sri Lanka between December and April. Board a restored Indonesian fishing trawler and observe these graceful giants as they cruise past Weligama Bay. There might be an opportunity to enjoy a picnic in a coconut-fringed cove along the way

Galle Fort

The daily Passeggiata on the fort’s ramparts takes place in the late afternoon, just as the sun begins to set. An opportunity for the community to gather and catch up on the happenings of the day, this centuries-old ritual is best begun from the lighthouse, walking clockwise round the temple.

Mask Carving

A short way along the coast from Amangalla is the town of Ambalangoda, the centre of Sri Lanka's mask-making tradition. Here, families have passed down the unique artisanal trade from generation to generation, creating the wooden masks at the heart of one of the world's most atmospheric folk rituals .

Yatagalla Temple

Twenty minutes' away from the fort are Yatagala and Rhummasala. One of the most serene spots on the island, Yatagala is a rock temple with a beautiful image room, a 1,000 year old Bo tree and a meditation cave.

Cooking Class

Explore the markets with one of Amangalla’s chefs before a cooking lesson in our garden pavilion. Create dishes using traditional clay pots in a thatched-roof pavilion and enjoy your delicious handiwork surrounded by luxuriant gardens in the pool courtyard.

Shopping Trip

Allow Amangalla’s experts to guide you on a shopping tour of Galle’s vibrant offerings

Visit some of the island’s top jewelers in the fort, the bustling spice and food markets of Galle Town and the antiques shops dotted along the coast.