Amanwella, Tangalle

If you are looking for the Amanwella review, you are perhaps already familiar with Aman Resorts; maybe even you are a fellow “Aman Junkie” — which the brand aficionados like to call themselves. Enough said that as we trailed Sri Lanka’s southern coast on our way from the Yala National Park to Galle, we could not miss the opportunity to stay at Amanwella.

Tropical modernism

Surrounded by swaying coconut palms and sculpted into a hill that tumbles down to a golden-sand beach, this modern-looking property represents a singular vision from the Australian architect Kerry Hill.

Hill looked to the celebrated Sri Lankan architect Geoffrey Bawa for inspiration, the author of the “tropical modernism” movement. These inspirations can be found in the sharp angles and almost monumental proportions of Amanwella, so prevalent in the architecture of the past century.

In stark contrast to the resort’s organic setting, where wild palms sway in the wind, and waves crash on the wide beach below, the lines of architecture show the clearest evidence of the quasi-monumental modernist influences.

Amanwella review: the suites

Spread out amid a mature palm grove, Amanwella’s contemporary suites enjoy a secluded jungle setting, and some benefit from beautiful views towards the sea.

The pleasant interiors are set in sand-and-teak tones and finished with pared-down furniture. They feel exclusive and inviting. Thanks to the floor-to-ceiling sliding doors, the open-plan bedroom and bathroom spill onto a spacious balcony in front and an enclosure at the back, filled with a plunge pool.

The private vibe of our suite made it our preferred place to hang out, but this atmosphere is present in the entire resort. With only twenty-seven rooms spread across a wide area, it never feels crowded here. This is fundamental to the Aman experience, and Amanwella does it well.

Beyond the resort

Taking a stroll on one of the prettiest beaches we’ve seen in this part of Sri Lanka is a pleasure on its own — even better if there is a good destination on the far end. The club, on the other side of the bay, provides an alternative venue for chilling out, and it’s a good place for a light lunch. It’s just one more thing that makes Amanwella’s location such a nice beach retreat destination.

That said, there is much to explore outside of the resort’s luxury bubble. With the location near the remote town of Tangalle, the hotel is not far from a couple of National Parks. Safari drives can be easily organized, and the experienced guides can track elephants, crocodiles, and birdlife — and at the Yala park, guests can hope to spot the elusive leopard. Then, out in the sea, between December and March, there is a chance to see blue whales, sperm whales, and spinner dolphins.

in our opinion

The name Amanwella takes its inspiration from the Sanskrit word meaning “a peaceful beach.” This quite aptly reflects the vibe of this elegant, minimalist resort located on the southern edge of Sri Lanka.

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What we love

• The beach is really lovely — wide, quiet, picturesque. It's one of the definitive selling points of Amanwella (did you see our photos on Instagram?)
• The arresting sea views steal the show, especially from the beautiful main swimming pool and the restaurant area, facing west. The place provides a beautiful venue for breakfasts and afternoon cocktails, and is the best spot from which to admire the sunset spectacle
• The guest suites are in some ways the best thing about this hotel — especially the ones looking out to the beach. We loved the airy interiors, with floor-to-ceiling sliding windows, shaded by rattan panels. The open plan makes the living room feel one with the beautiful bathroom, in which a standalone bathtub is a centerpiece
• Faithful to Aman's toned-down aesthetic, both exteriors and interiors here are designed to be simple and uncluttered. This contributes to creating an exclusive atmosphere and is exactly what we want from a beach holiday
• Delicious à la carte breakfasts (served until 11 am) in the restaurant overlooking the beach — or even better, in the privacy of our suite's terrace
• In comparison to other Aman beach resorts, Amanwella is among the least expensive Amans. While still not exactly cheap, the resort lets to try out the Aman experience for everyone with a tighter budget
• A good idea is to combine Amanwella with a stay at its sister property in Galle, which we also stayed at. Amangalla, set in a heritage building in the heart of the Galle Fort, is essentially a city hotel that offers an experience entirely different from that of a beach resort. Highly recommended!

What you should know

• Only some rooms have sea views from the front terrace. The private plunge pools, while beautiful, are positioned by the suite entrances at the back and are surrounded by tall concrete walls
• Amanwella doesn't have health and fitness facilities. Spa treatments can be provided in the guest suites, though
• Some things here make the resort difficult to recommend over other Aman Resorts — the quality of service in particular
• Apart from breakfasts, which were lovely, we did not much care for the food. Maybe we were just unlucky, but the dishes we were served were uninspiring — especially at the beachfront restaurant, where the meals tasted as bland as they looked
• All beaches in Sri Lanka are public, but the one at Amanwella still feels very secluded and tranquil. However, the beach is not exactly pristine. We felt the resort could put more effort into keeping its stretch of sand clean
• It takes about three hours by car to get here from Colombo airport. A good alternative to driving is a helicopter service or an air taxi. The closest airstrip is only fifteen minutes from the hotel