Within the ramparts of 17th century Galle Fort, a UNESCO world heritage site, sits Amangalla. This is a beautifully restored property that captures the rich history of Sri Lanka, featuring an incredible blend of styles and traditions of the Persians, Arabs, Chinese, Malays, South Indians, Portuguese, Dutch and English throughout the décor. Stay in well-appointed rooms filled with lovely period style antiques and feel like you’ve stepped back in time, without sacrificing modern amenities. Slow down and take a leisurely walk through the lush but well manicured tropical gardens, have a refreshing swim in a large pool surrounded by picturesque palms, or spend an afternoon on a relaxing boat ride and watch the majestic blue whales off the coast. A visit to “The Baths,” the property’s luxurious and rejuvenating spa, is a must with hydrotherapy pools, saunas, steam rooms and a cold plunge pool at your immediate disposal, as well as, an array of Ayurveda treatments, a system which uses a natural approach to healing, which aims to cleanse and detoxify the body and balance the doshas.
Beyond Amangalla, visit the verandah of the Planters Bungalow for tea and cakes with the planter of this local tea plantation himself or explore the Hiyare rainforest, a beautiful virgin rainforest that surrounds a 51 acre lake, with a wildlife guide from the reserve.