The Amanwella, a super-luxury resort, sits among 37 acres of coconut trees next to a picture-perfect crescent of golden sand, right at the bottom of the “teardrop”, on Sri Lanka’s southern shores. Combining modernist and indigenous designs (aka tropical modernism), the suites were inspired by Sri Lankan architect Geoffrey Bawa.
Our splendid suite at Amanwella opens on two sides, one to a private plunge pool and the other to a large terrace overlooking the Indian Ocean, an escapist’s dream come true. The lofty space, complete with floor-to-ceiling windows, features beautiful modernist and minimalist decor, perfectly complementing its earthy stone walls and terrazzo floors. It was just our cup of tea, we wished we could have uprooted the whole suite to ship it back home to London with us.
The resort lives up to its name, Aman junkies will know the brand means “peace” … and combined with the local Sanskrit “wella” (which means beach), it epitomises the resort’s crowning feature: a striking, 800m long sandy beach, backed by a dense coconut palm forest. Here, those like us who are sweet for the shore will enjoy its private beach club, where we spent an entire day. If you prefer waterside activities with no sand in your toes, Amanwella boasts a 47m – just under Olympic-sized (but what are three metres between friends?) – sized swimming pool.
But just like any Aman property (by the way, while you’re in the country, you might as well make it to the completely juxtaposed Amangalla in Galle), what makes the Amanwella truly spectacular is the round-the-clock, on-point service afforded by its team of amazing, perfectly-poised staff. They anticipated our needs daily, going the extra mile time and time again to make our stay magical. We especially adored our nightly treats, each a wonderful post-dinner surprise.
| Perfect for | Fly into | Right on time |
| The Escapist | CMB | GMT +5.5 |
| While you’re Out There |
| Birdwatch to a whole other level on the serene waters of Mawella Lagoon. At sunrise or sunset, you’ll drift the lush shoreline and spot pelicans, kingfishers and colorful waterfowl as the water reflects the vibrant sky. |
Photography courtesy of Aman Resorts
At OutThere, we believe in boundless travel. But we understand that some destinations can pose challenges to travellers that complicate visiting them. We advise all visitors to inform themselves about local legislation and customs, and to work with a trusted travel provider in order to ensure a safe and pleasant holiday.
