The Resort
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. Galle is acclaimed for its Dutch Fort, intricate Galle lace, ebony, woodcarvings and polished gems. Persians, Arabs, Chinese, Malays, South Indians, Portuguese, Dutch and English appear to have stamped their mark on Galle, deeming this historical and multi-cultured melting pot one of the world’s remaining historical treasures.

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 splendour. 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, 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.

Location
Colombo’s Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) is the sole international airport in Sri Lanka and is located about 30km north of the city. Travel time between the airport and the city centre varies between ¾ hour and one hour.

All flights arrive into Colombo's Bandaranaike International Airport in the daytime and the car transfer to Amangalla takes about four hours. Cost of the car transfer is US$125++ per car per trip.

Deccan Aviation's helicopter flights from BIA to Galle take one hour and costs US$1,875 nett, while the flight from BIA to Tangalle is 1¼ hours at a cost of US$2,344 nett. The helicopter takes a maximum of four passengers with a baggage allowance of 15kg per person.

Amanresorts recommends that guests combine their stay at Amangalla with a visit to Amanwella. The two hour car transfer between Amangalla and Amanwella is US$50++ per car per way.

Airport Assistance
Guests will be met by an Amanresorts representative upon clearance through customs and escorted to a vehicle for transfer to Amangalla or Amanwella.

For departures, guests will be met by Amanresorts’ airport representative upon arrival at BIA’s departure area. The Amanresorts’ representative will organise a trolley and porter and take care of all porter charges.

Facilities
Cuisine
The Zaal – the Great Hall – as it was known in Dutch times, is the entry point to the resort and has a wonderful colonial feel with high ceilings, overhead fans and chandeliers. There is relaxed seating within as well as on the veranda facing the tree-lined street. The menu 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.

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. Complimentary afternoon tea with home-made scones, cream and jam and Ceylon tea is served on the Library veranda.

The Baths
The Baths (our name for 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. The traditions of the past continue in the Barber Shop and Salon providing gentlemen's shaving, and manicures and pedicures sedately done from original planter's chairs overlooking two hundred year old gardens. These also become a source for quiet contemplation and peace for those who wish to join daily yoga and meditation sessions in the Garden Pavilion. A stylish old-fashioned elegance complements a simple yet thoughtful healing approach focussing on individualised treatments that are effectively relaxing, distinctively powerful and specifically designed. From the Massage to the Foot & Facial (a classic facial and pedicure combined) to the Ayurvedic Massage using herbs from the Ceylon cornucopia, chanting and sound, each treatment bestows the honest gifts of caring therapists, whose unique nurturing and instinctive passion is at the heart of The Baths.

Swimming Pool
The Swimming Pool is 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.

Travel  Information

Climate
The finest weather in southwest Sri Lanka coincides with the dry season and runs from November through April. During this time days are warm with temperatures rising to a daily maximum of 30°C. Evenings although cool, remain quite balmy. From May to July, the south-west monsoon, or Yala, brings rains to the west and south-west coastal region and central highlands. August and September are drier months marking the end of the south-west monsoon. In October and November, the north-east monsoon brings intermittent rain but the cooler, drier winds also herald the start of the winter season’s calm seas and turquoise waters.

Language
Sri Lanka has two national languages: Sinhala and Tamil, although English is widely spoken.

Currency
The national currency is the rupee. It is divided into 100 cents. Traveller’s cheques are easy to cash and some banks in larger towns have ATMs.

Immigration Requirements
Most nationalities receive a 30-day tourist visa on arrival. Enquiries should be directed to the nearest Sri Lankan embassy or consulate prior to travel.

Health
The closest medical facility is in nearby Galle, while more extensive medical facilities are available in Colombo, a three-hour drive. Reasonable precautions should be taken against hepatitis A, malaria, cholera and typhoid. Drinking bottled water is often an adequate precaution against water-borne illnesses. Using an effective mosquito repellent is advised to minimise the risk of contracting mosquito-borne diseases. Guests should consult their doctor and arrange travel insurance prior to departure.

Travel Tips
Electricity is 230-240 volts/ 50 cycles. Sri Lanka is five and a half hours ahead of Greenwich Mean Time (GMT). During the winter months of December and January a light pullover might be required in the hills, particularly in the mornings and evenings. During the hot summer months when the mercury can approach 35°C it is recommended that guests wear light, yet conservative attire. Guests should at all times travel with comfortable walking shoes and a wide-brimmed hat and drink plenty of bottled water during the hotter times of the day.

The fort
Amangalla is an integral part of the 400 year old Galle Fort. Here the narrow streets are lined with old houses, displaying their Dutch heritage with their pillared verandas. The Government offices from the Dutch and English period remain in use, in varied states of repair. The community within the Fort is a bustle with daily life. Along with the bullock carts and bicycles, the three-wheelers and food carts, people socialise and shop, collect their children from school and stop to eat. Laughter, chatter, gossip and smiles abound within the rampart walls.

The most enjoyable way to experience the Fort is by walking. A leisurely walk leads past the old Dutch Church, the Governor’s house, the spice warehouses, Court Square, the Kacheri (town hall), the lighthouse and on to the sea wall and ramparts. Visit the mosque and meander down streets leading to cricket fields, the temple, and the old District Judge's house surrounded by ancient frangipani trees.

Climb higher to enjoy views across Galle - St. Aloysius Cathedral, the Galle International Cricket pitch, and the Port. The Clock Tower faithfully marks the hour as you return to sit on the Amangalla veranda, and gaze at the world going by.

Later in the day, business done, the townsfolk gather on the ramparts to promenade, talk, play cricket, fly kites, and kiss under umbrellas as the tropical sun goes down.