Originally Posted by Pausanias

aa213bb - I can't tell you how grateful I am for your continuing report. I hope you won't be disappointed when I tell you that I was on the very brink of booking flights, Tea Trails and both Amans when your report made me change my mind. Completely. It's the effort in getting there, the transfer and mainly the look of Amanwella - now I know why Aman-people don't rate this place very highly. The rooms are derivative, those dipping pools simply ugly and the views are not what one expects of an Aman hotel - and I've stayed in 8 of them over the years. The beach looks great, though, but nothing special for Sri Lanka. These Sir Lankan Amans were originally half the price of, say, Amandari but the price has crept upwards so I just don't feel forking out top dollar for a mediocre hotel, whatever name it has on the front door. Thank again!

Originally Posted by Pausanias

I'm thinking of doing this trip - one thing that slightly puzzles me is the sea at Amanwella. Is there ever a time of year when swimming is possible? I once emailed the resort and didn't get a clear response . . . every report I've read and every photo I've seen shows quite heavy waves which make swimming either impossible or merely dangerous.