Recent experiences at Amanwella (Sri Lanka)? (October 2017)
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: May 2011
Posts: 323
Recent experiences at Amanwella (Sri Lanka)? (October 2017)
Does anyone have any recent experiences staying at Amanwella that they could share? Has been a while since we've heard from anyone on FT LH forum and I wonder if this is because the hotel as fallen out of favour with those in the know.
Reviews on TripAdvisor (I know, I know) and other sites are mixed and it sounds like the property has not aged as well as some other Amans - ie I thought that Amandari and Amankila have gotten better with age as the jungle has grown around them.
SeanF has been looking after the Sri Lanka Amans for a little while now so would think he'd be getting them into shape but would be great to hear from someone who has been recently.
Also - any true alternatives to Amanwella for beach destinations in Sri Lanka? The new Anantara is just next door and seems to be getting very good reviews but obviously it's not an Aman!
Reviews on TripAdvisor (I know, I know) and other sites are mixed and it sounds like the property has not aged as well as some other Amans - ie I thought that Amandari and Amankila have gotten better with age as the jungle has grown around them.
SeanF has been looking after the Sri Lanka Amans for a little while now so would think he'd be getting them into shape but would be great to hear from someone who has been recently.
Also - any true alternatives to Amanwella for beach destinations in Sri Lanka? The new Anantara is just next door and seems to be getting very good reviews but obviously it's not an Aman!
#2
formerly known as deathscar
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: Hong Kong
Programs: Virtuoso | Four Seasons Preferred Partner | Rosewood Elite | Hyatt Prive - and more
Posts: 2,096
Does anyone have any recent experiences staying at Amanwella that they could share? Has been a while since we've heard from anyone on FT LH forum and I wonder if this is because the hotel as fallen out of favour with those in the know.
Reviews on TripAdvisor (I know, I know) and other sites are mixed and it sounds like the property has not aged as well as some other Amans - ie I thought that Amandari and Amankila have gotten better with age as the jungle has grown around them.
SeanF has been looking after the Sri Lanka Amans for a little while now so would think he'd be getting them into shape but would be great to hear from someone who has been recently.
Also - any true alternatives to Amanwella for beach destinations in Sri Lanka? The new Anantara is just next door and seems to be getting very good reviews but obviously it's not an Aman!
Reviews on TripAdvisor (I know, I know) and other sites are mixed and it sounds like the property has not aged as well as some other Amans - ie I thought that Amandari and Amankila have gotten better with age as the jungle has grown around them.
SeanF has been looking after the Sri Lanka Amans for a little while now so would think he'd be getting them into shape but would be great to hear from someone who has been recently.
Also - any true alternatives to Amanwella for beach destinations in Sri Lanka? The new Anantara is just next door and seems to be getting very good reviews but obviously it's not an Aman!
#3
Join Date: Feb 2005
Programs: BA Gold
Posts: 1,068
I stayed in March, but you might have seen my review already?
Lovely beach, but rooms not cool enough and food disappointing. Service so so.
Friends of mine stayed at Cape Weligama and said the butlers went on strike! Also it didn't feel very Sri Lankan. Other friends said the Anantara felt very mass market.
Have a look at KK Beach for something smaller and more simple, but still nice.
Lovely beach, but rooms not cool enough and food disappointing. Service so so.
Friends of mine stayed at Cape Weligama and said the butlers went on strike! Also it didn't feel very Sri Lankan. Other friends said the Anantara felt very mass market.
Have a look at KK Beach for something smaller and more simple, but still nice.
#4
Join Date: Apr 2003
Location: YYZ
Programs: AC E75K, Amex Plat, NEXUS, Aman-user (not really a -junkie)
Posts: 1,721
Just got back from Amanwella last month... had a great stay although it was brief. Really liked the rooms. The room refresh also replaced the A/C so it was arctic cold as long as you close the dividers between the bathroom and bedroom. Nice dinner at Beach club... no spa but in-room massages were incredible. Great therapists.
Met GM at checkin but resident manager Ayantha was excellent.
Not much to do around the resort and it takes 3.5 hrs to transfer there from CMB, but a great stay !
Met GM at checkin but resident manager Ayantha was excellent.
Not much to do around the resort and it takes 3.5 hrs to transfer there from CMB, but a great stay !
#5
Original Poster
Join Date: May 2011
Posts: 323
Just got back from Amanwella last month... had a great stay although it was brief. Really liked the rooms. The room refresh also replaced the A/C so it was arctic cold as long as you close the dividers between the bathroom and bedroom. Nice dinner at Beach club... no spa but in-room massages were incredible. Great therapists.
Will check it out, kinda got my heart set on Aman though. Amanoi set such a high standard, hard to beat
#6
Join Date: Apr 2003
Location: YYZ
Programs: AC E75K, Amex Plat, NEXUS, Aman-user (not really a -junkie)
Posts: 1,721
No privacy concerns at all... we were upgraded to Ocean Hill Pool suite... wonderful view of ocean with palm trees. Ocean is everywhere...unobstructed view doesn't add much IMO. Short walk from main area. I would take the same room again without hesitation. We were in 105.
I would also throw Amangalla (once A/C fixed) into the mix for a few days unless you just want to relax without going around too much.
I would also throw Amangalla (once A/C fixed) into the mix for a few days unless you just want to relax without going around too much.
#7
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: Enroute to ? & likely flying in ' A ':)
Programs: TPPS, UA, EK ...; Marriott BONVOY , HH, GP, GC..
Posts: 4,208
Just got back from Amanwella last month... had a great stay although it was brief. Really liked the rooms. The room refresh also replaced the A/C so it was arctic cold as long as you close the dividers between the bathroom and bedroom. Nice dinner at Beach club... no spa but in-room massages were incredible. Great therapists.
Met GM at checkin but resident manager Ayantha was excellent.
Not much to do around the resort and it takes 3.5 hrs to transfer there from CMB, but a great stay !
Met GM at checkin but resident manager Ayantha was excellent.
Not much to do around the resort and it takes 3.5 hrs to transfer there from CMB, but a great stay !