|
Overflowing with
colonial landmarks, in the heart of a 17th century Dutch fort,
rests a peaceful, and immaculately restored historic
hotel, Amangalla. Galle Fort,
recognised by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site, houses the most
charming and characteristic buildings in the ancient trading
port of Galle. In the 19th century horse drawn carriages
delivered parasol-bearing gentry to the famous doors of the,
then New Oriental Hotel. Today, the hotel portrays the complex
patina of its past in an exemplary setting, surrounded by the
rich colonial tapestry of Sri Lanka’s
exceptional Dutch fortress.
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
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.
Accommodation
The suites are decorated in
tasteful colonial style with glorious antiques, from Para
Mara four-poster beds to pettagama chests, and high quality
reproductions on polished Burma teak floorboards that shine on
after 300 years. The bedrooms, chambers and suites offer a
variety of views from Galle Fort itself to the hotel’s mature
gardens. The bathrooms, in hardwood and white, are genteel and
comfortable, with an ample armoire, twin vanities beneath
large wooden mirrors, free-standing bathtubs and shower rooms.
The two-storey Garden House, situated within the lush
frangipani scented gardens, is filtered with natural sunlight
and features a collection of the original antiques.
A large swimming pool,
surrounded by palms, is centred 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. The classical
hotel also offers remedial pleasures from ‘The Baths’, the
resort’s relaxing, holistic, and traditionally inspired Spa,
which creates bespoke programmes for guests, while
hydrotherapy pools, saunas, steam rooms and a cold plunge
pool, provide a sanctum for whole body rejuvenation.
Seven bedrooms are located
adjacent to Amangalla’s reception, on the ground level of
the Middle Street Wing. Views are either overlooking the
garden or the nearby historic Groote Kerk (Great
Church). The bedroom and separate bathroom are similar in
size with furnishings including a twin or king-size
four-poster bed, writing desk, dining table, pettagama chest
– all set within the original polished jack-wood floors. The
spacious bathroom offers twin vanities, free-standing
bathtub, separate shower and toilet. Three bedrooms are set
within the property’s gardens. French windows and doors open
onto the garden entrance of each room. The bedrooms offer a
combined sitting and sleeping area but are otherwise similar
to the those located adjacent to Amangalla's reception.
Six chambers are located
within the Church Street Wing and face the Fort ramparts.
The entrance leads into the open plan room, featuring first
the bathroom, followed by the bedroom and a separate sitting
area. The bathroom has a large shower, free-standing
bathtub, and toilet. A gracious and authentic
turn-of-the-century ambience is recreated with use of a
four-poster king-size or twin bed arrangement, a planter’s
chair, writing desk, dining table and a pettagama chest
perched atop gleaming teak floorboards.
There are four Garden Wing
Chambers, three with balconies and one with a twin porch –
all over-looking the treetops of the resort garden. The
large rooms feature the same furnishings as the chambers in
the Church Street Wing, these have the addition of either
antiques or reproductions which complement the highly
polished timber floorboards and the shuttered windows on the
balcony or porch.
There are eight suites, of
which six are located in the Church Street Wing and two in
the Middle Street Wing. The Suites look onto Para-rubber
trees, the ramparts of the Fort and the harbour, or the
mature well-tended tropical gardens. The spacious Suites
feature the original polished teak floorboards dating back
over 300 years. The entry hall leads to separate bedroom and
lounge area. Adjacent to the entry hall is the bathroom with
a free-standing bathtub, twin vanities, separate toilet and
shower. The bedroom has a twin or king-size four-poster bed
and arched, shuttered windows. The lounge is furnished with
a chaise longue, writing desk, dining table, planter’s chair
and pettagama chest. This furniture is either a property
original or careful reproduction.
Situated within the resort
gardens, this two-storey house features a private terrace
and balcony offering leafy, treetop views. The original,
antique furniture of the house has been restored. At the
entrance is a sitting room fitted with a chaise longue,
armchairs and coffee table. Double doors lead to the
bedroom, furnished with a king-size four-poster bed, writing
table and dressing cabinet. Adjoining this is a spacious
bathroom, bathed in light from the pool garden outside. It
offers twin vanities, a free-standing bathtub, toilet and
separate shower. An internal stairway rises from the sitting
room to the upper level, featuring a daybed and banquette.
Other facilities include a pantry serviced by a private
butler.
...Room View...
|
