This was my third trip to Sri Lanka, the second time to Galle but the first time that I would stay there. Amari has recently opened a seaside property in the heritage fort town of Galle on the southern coast of Sri Lanka. IndiTales collaborated with Amari Galle to explore the things to do in and around the lovely new property on the Sri Lankan Shores.
I landed in Colombo around 2 PM. A chauffeur was waiting for me with a placard. I sat in a comfortable car and slept off only to wake up two and a half hours later when we reached Galle.
Amari Galle Experience
As I stepped into the lobby, my eyes naturally turned toward the coastline across the lobby. Everything else faded and the blue waters playing with the narrow strip of sand was all I could see. Well, it lasted for a few seconds until I was handed over a Papaya based welcome drink.
Public Spaces at Amari Galle
This beachside property with a lovely panoramic view of the Indian Ocean is oriented in such a way that wherever you are in the property, you are never away from the sea. The lobby overlooks the pool area that is separated from the sea by a narrow piece of sand.
A bay has been created with the water flowing in through the artificial stone wall, with a solo coconut tree.
The Spa rooms overlook the sea but being at the ground level you cannot really leave the curtains open while you are taking a spa treatment.
The best view is from the Voyager’s Lounge. It is a lovely lounge – perfect for tea-time conversations as you see the sea waves hitting the shore. I would later discover that this lounge is an Innovation by the hotel. This space is for guests who arrive early or who need a late checkout. Cool! Early check-ins and late check-outs have always been hoteliers Achily Hill. A lovely lounge that lets people keep their luggage and relax in the comforts of the hotel will definitely earn them a lot of brownie points with frequent travelers like me.
For the night views – Bommu – the hotel’s rooftop bar is the best place. A lounge-like setting overlooking the big blue swimming pool is the best place.
Rooms @ Amari Galle
A walk-in wardrobe coupled with a bathroom space is the best feature of the rooms at the hotel. You can spoil this area by dumping your stuff and your room stays clean.
Every room has a fantastic view of the Indian Ocean. Yes, all 172 rooms have a fantastic view of the sea. The best view is from the suites that are located on the edges. Here you can have an uninterrupted view of nothing between you and the ocean.
In fact, from your bed, you can sit and watch the ocean in peace. Else, you look at a two-wing wooden fan, that looks like a piece of art.
An Aqua-colored theme continues from the inner walls of the rooms to the outer walls of the rest of the rooms around you. A fisherman on stilts never lets you forget you are in Sri Lanka and that too on its coast.
Food options
Aahara Gourmet Gallery – Ahara is a Sanskrit word for nutrition. This market-style restaurant is the primary food place at the hotel. With huge open kitchens serving Indian, Sri Lankan, Asian and Continental cuisines, you have ample food options to choose from. This is the default place for breakfast and Buffet lunches and dinners. I tried their hoppers and string hoppers for breakfast – my default choice in Sri Lanka. We had one Indian dinner and a buffet dinner here. I would not say the food is great but the choice is vast.
Shoreline Beach Club – closer to the shoreline is a small outlet serving drinks and light snacks. It is a great place to dine under the stars unless the rain plans to play the spoilsport like it did the evening we decided to sit out and eat.
Bommu Rooftop Bar – It is the most beautiful place to sit and watch the sunset. Post sunset, the views are limited to the lit-up area of the hotel. I missed dinner at Bommu due to bad health.
Remember alcohol is not served on full moon days and some other official days like Sri Lankan independence day.
Activities at the hotel
Swimming hands down is the most favorite activity at the hotel swimming pool. You would find the huge swimming pool full of guests almost around the clock. I really liked their sit-out in the middle of the pool, though for some reason no one was seen using it for all 3 days that I was there.
Visit the Galle Fort which is just a few km from the hotel.
On this trip, I again visited Galle Fort and thankfully it was not raining this time. We also visited Jungle Beach, Peace Pagoda at Rumassala Forest, and Marissa Beach. Unawatuna Beach – another very popular beach is also located close to the hotel.
You can treat yourself to mood-based therapy at Breeze Spa. It is a kind of contemporary Spa – fit for general rejuvenation and relaxation.
My Experience
My personal experience at the hotel happened when I fell sick on the second day. Ama – a young Amari host took care of me personally. She ordered the food I needed and made sure I took the medicine even the next day when I was fine. She would even make sure I had food on my return journey. Thank you, Ama so much for what you did for me.
Tania – another Amari host took us around the Galle fort where my fellow travelers went around the fort on cycles and I walked around on my two feet.
I like the concept of a host who can show you around the place and also be your personal contact at the property.
Overall, it was a nice 3 nights stay at a popular hotel. Do check out their website for more details. For the latest rates, you can try this link.
Thank you, team Amari Galle, for being lovely hosts. Wish you loads of fun and success as you create the new landmark of Galle City.
Pictures are amazing
Thank you, Kiran.
I’ve always wanted to visit Sri Lanka. The food looks soooo good.
Sri Lanka is a lovely country, and so is its food.
Looks like a great property for a stay in Galle- I especially love how it’s beachfront, and that there’s also a pool option. Nice to hear they took such great care of you when you got sick!
nice
We really want to visit Sri Lanka and it has been on our wish list for the last couple of years. This looks a great place to stay especially with those wonderful views. Just need to avoid full moon days, will we cope without an evening cocktail.
Marcus & Mel – if you can not do without your alcohol, you should avoid full moon days and Sri Lankan independence day.
I looked everywhere for a photo of that two-wing wooden fan that looks like a piece of art! But Amari Galle must be heavenly with sea view in every room, Aahara for food, and lots of spa and mood therapy!
I will try and share a picture of that fan. Views from each room at Amari are wonderful, the best part of the property.
I love such sea facing hotels. What a view to wake up to!
The food spread is amazing, it will be hard to leave anything untouched. The color theme is so soothing. Great place.
Best part of Amary Galle is its sea facing views and the lovely swimming pool to compliment it.
This has gone on my Pinterest board. Thank you for sharing.
Thanks, Samanvay.
We really like Galle and for sure can be visited again. Earlier we had always stayed at Apa Villa Illuketia and Apa Villa Thalpe. But for next visit, it can be Amari Galle. The sea facing rooms will be amazing and Yes, in particular, we loved rooftop cafe and Voyagers lounge.
May you get to travel to Galle again soon enough 🙂
Beautiful. Would love to see Sri Lanka someday.
May you get to visit Sri Lanka soon enough.
The Amari Galle looks like a beautiful and comfortable hotel to stay in and explore the treasures of Galle. I was really bowled over by the spectacular views from the rooms as shown in your photos. Another thing that really pleased me was the wide vegetarian spread. That is something we are gonna love.
Oh, I did not know that you guys are vegetarian too. Great to know that. Views are the best part of Amari Galle.
I wish I could have stayed in Amari during our last visit to Galle, Srilanka in 2017. It looks like a magical hotel – so luxurious. And next time, we definitely are sorted for our options!
Harsh – they opened very recently, so you have to go back to Sri Lanka to enjoy Amari Galle.
Looks like a great choice for place to stay in Galle. Unfortunately on my trip to Sri Lanka I missed visiting Galle though I was in Bentota and it was only a day trip away from Galle Fort. I had to choose between bentota and Galle and due to less time I chose bentota. The hotel looks great because of the view of the ocean from the room and the rooftop bar also looks pretty cool. Hope I’m able to return to Sri Lanka sometime, will definitely make it to Galle and will bookmark this hotel for stay, thanks for the review !
During my first trip to Sri Lanka, I also stayed in Bentota, the last trip I stayed at Hikkaduwa and this trip Galle. I must be in love with Sri Lankan coast.
Good choice of hotel. Thanks for the review. It’s good to know that the staff looks after you well.