Amangalla

We stayed 2 night here at Amangalla in a suite room (#21) as the conclusion of our Sri Lanka trip, and we wouldn't do it any other way. The hotel is steeped in history, it was more like living in a museum rather than staying at a hotel. We love hotels with a sense of place and history, and Amangalla certainly delivers on it. Arrival was a tiny bit chaotic, as far as Amans go, but it's not really a big issue. We were warmly welcomed by our fantastic butler, Bathum, and we did the oil lamp rituals. He then gave us a nice tour around the hotel before showing us our lovely suite (#21), which had a garden view only but it nicely tucked in a corner so it's very quiet and private, which we loved. He also did the galle fort tour and the cinnamon estate visit with us, both of which we would highly recommend. In terms of F&B, this is a stand out and possibly the best of the 9 Amans we have been to, which is quite something because food is normally not the strongest suit for Amans. Late check out and airport transfer were smoothly handled by our butler. We would definitely return to this property again, and will combine it with Amanwella next time.

Was here for one night only. Amangalla lies within the ramparts of Sri Lanka’s 17th-century Galle Fort, a Unesco World Heritage Site. With views of the Fort and harbour on one side and the hotel’s lush gardens and swimming pool on the other, the historic residence presents lofty-ceilinged suites, elegant dining and a tranquil experience. All rooms are gig size with high ceilings. Hospitality here is unmatched. Each room has a private butler who is available 24/7 for you. We are pure vegetarian and the chef made dosa and sambhar for us for breakfast and the in the evening tea also we had eggless scones and some nice sandwiches. The sitting are overlooking the street is the best place to enjoy your drinks and meals. Had a great experience

We visited the hotel for dinner on our last night in Galle. The atmosphere and quality of the food was excellent and the service impeccable. We were looked after by Sureka, whose service and attention to detail was without fault making her an asset to the team at the hotel. Whilst we can’t comment on the other services offered by the hotel, we would highly recommend the hotel to anyone looking for a fine dining experience within the Galle Fort precinct.

The negative reviews of this property make me question the sanity of some travellers. Service is great, from the first greeting at the door to the subsequent checkin and property tour by your butler, to every interaction. Simply sitting outdoors by the pool very early one morning doing some work on my laptop, I was immediately approached with cold water, the offer of coffee/tea or full breakfast brought poolside, etc. That attention is consistent. Rooms are large, airy and well equipped. My only complaint was that the shower did not have temperature controls. Meals were all of the highest quality, with higher prices you expect from Aman. The pool is large and welcoming. Most of the public spaces is not air conditioned, but the library offers a sanctuary of cool if you need it. The location is excellent, and offers an easy walk to anywhere in the fort city.

We recently stopped at the Aman hotel in Galle for lunch, hoping to enjoy a final moment of refinement before heading to the airport in Colombo. We had just come from Tangalle and thought this would be a serene midpoint. Instead, the experience was so appalling that it entirely disrupted the peaceful rhythm of our trip. Lunch was a complete let-down—shockingly expensive and served cold. The food lacked any character, finesse, or care, and the service was, quite frankly, horrendous. Staff were inattentive, disorganised, and appeared neither trained nor briefed on even the basics of hospitality. It was clear from the outset that this property is Aman in name only and I had to double check that we were in the right place. After a short walk around Galle Fort, we returned to the hotel to have a drink while waiting for our driver. We ordered a sparkling water with lime and a coconut water. What arrived was baffling: a glass of bitter, undrinkable lime juice that had clearly been blended into sparkling water—completely overpowering and unbalanced. The coconut water was served warm, which in tropical heat is both unrefreshing and unacceptable. When we questioned the delay and poor service, staff looked confused and tried to argue. I requested to speak with the duty manager, who simply disappeared. No apology. No follow-up. Just rudeness and a total lack of accountability. This hotel is not just below Aman standard—it’s below the standard of any respectable hospitality venue. Our visit was a stressful, frustrating end to what had been an otherwise tranquil holiday. I cannot emphasise this enough: do not waste your time or money here. The service will raise your blood pressure rather than soothe your soul.