Winter Aman Trip (French Alps and Sri Lanka)
#16
Join Date: Sep 2018
Posts: 2
Amanwella is located on the East side and is secluded from the city area with a beach, makes a nice quiet retreat. Surrounded by coconut palms and golden sandy beach. The areas diverse attractions include: tea plantations to treks to temple visits. It is a full-on secluded holiday resort.Only 3 hour drive from Colombo, artistic lay-out with a majestic swimming pool. One of the most gorgeous oceanfront properties.
- The resort does not have a gym or spa
- It can get difficult to sleep after sunrise, take shades if you are a light sleeper
- Plunge pools doesn’t come with a view
- The sea can be rough and best suited for experienced swimmers
- The beach is not private
- Doesnot have an elevator
- The rooms do not have TVs
#18
Join Date: Jan 2014
Posts: 1,265
FWIW the 17°C I was referring to was during our stay mid March (!). Even the average for January is a bit higher (I think 19 tot 20). But for sure it's not a hot destination in January.
#19
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
Also wary about Wella - Cape Weligama next door is about 2/3rds the price so definitely worth considering. Not sure Amanwella is the best Aman to really splurge at when that difference (by staying at Cape Weligama) could be saved for something else in the future/on the same trip.
Have heard good stuff about Amangalla though.
#20
Original Poster
Join Date: Sep 2018
Posts: 167
Amanwella is located on the East side and is secluded from the city area with a beach, makes a nice quiet retreat. Surrounded by coconut palms and golden sandy beach. The areas diverse attractions include: tea plantations to treks to temple visits. It is a full-on secluded holiday resort.Only 3 hour drive from Colombo, artistic lay-out with a majestic swimming pool. One of the most gorgeous oceanfront properties.
- The resort does not have a gym or spa
- It can get difficult to sleep after sunrise, take shades if you are a light sleeper
- Plunge pools doesn’t come with a view
- The sea can be rough and best suited for experienced swimmers
- The beach is not private
- Doesnot have an elevator
- The rooms do not have TVs
I looked at that Private Jet Expedition and there aren't enough stops at places I haven't been to for me to even consider it. If the trip was Tokyo > Yangyun > Dayan > Kora > Taka > Sara > Pulo I would have said yes in a heartbeat.
Also wary about Wella - Cape Weligama next door is about 2/3rds the price so definitely worth considering. Not sure Amanwella is the best Aman to really splurge at when that difference (by staying at Cape Weligama) could be saved for something else in the future/on the same trip.
Have heard good stuff about Amangalla though.
Have heard good stuff about Amangalla though.
For Galla, we'll likely stay in the Amangalla Suite.
For Wella I'm deciding between Ocean Hill Pool Suite and Ocean Pool Suite. Any reasons to pick one over the other?
We are definitely going to whale watching and would love to visit Yatagala. Does anyone know if there are good snorkelling/SCUBA opportunities at either Galla or Wella? Furthermore, are there any other "must-do" activities in Sri Lanka, either in Colombo or while at Galla and Wella?
#23
Moderator: Delta SkyMiles, Luxury Hotels, TravelBuzz! and Italy
Join Date: Oct 2001
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Posts: 26,543
Thread Open. Keep posts civil
Thread is open again. Reminder: Keep the posts civil. I have deleted posts because they rudely questioned the OP's integrity.
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Obscure2k
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#24
Original Poster
Join Date: Sep 2018
Posts: 167
We're now thinking of doing a 13 day (no flying safari) or 18 day (with flying safari) Sri Lanka trip rather than the original 9 day trip we had in mind. The idea on the table right now is:
Fly ZUR (via DXB) to CMB
3d/4n in Colombo (Shangri-La Colombo)
5d Flying Safari through cazenove + loyd departing from Colombo, ending in Galle (Tentative)
2d/3n in Galle (Amangalla)
3d/4n in Tangalle (Amanwella)
5d/5n Horton Plains National Park and surrounding area (Ceylon Tea Trails)
Return to Colombo and fly CMB (via HKG) to YYZ
---
Thoughts? Suggestions?
#25
formerly declinespecificinformatiom
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: USA
Posts: 1,140
The only thing that you might want to change is
CMB - KHI - YYZ on Pakistan International Airlines - BCN on Air Canada.
Since there aren't many reviews online of PIA, a nice review would be helpful.
CMB - KHI - YYZ on Pakistan International Airlines - BCN on Air Canada.
Since there aren't many reviews online of PIA, a nice review would be helpful.
#26
Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: UK
Posts: 1,644
MicSanToro - We stayed five nights in Summerville Bungalow, mainly because of the photos we could take of the pool and the lake. We lunched at Dunkeld which has higher views and we also went to Castlereagh. They all seem fairly wonderful. If we went again we'd probably stay six nights dividing our time between Dunkeld and Tientsin which has a strange chinois design but lacks a lake view. We had a car and driver from Colombo to Kandy, then took the train to Hatton. From Tea Trails we took a seaplane transfer down to Galle. The seaplane service is excellent and I think you can get one direct from Colombo. The roads are fascinating - but slow and fairly hair-raising.
#27
Community Director Emerita
Join Date: Oct 2000
Location: Anywhere warm
Posts: 33,743
Here are some Tea Trail reports:
Trip report - Sri Lanka
https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/16872080-post35.html - old, but I found elsie's knowledge of Tea Trails very helpful
Tea Trails, Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka Trip Report: Tea Trails, Amanwella, Amangalla
These threads are old, but so are the bungalows. Where they are sited and their room configurations won't change with time. Thus, you will find useful information in these threads. We loved our stay at Tea Trails. I'd happily return.
Trip report - Sri Lanka
https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/16872080-post35.html - old, but I found elsie's knowledge of Tea Trails very helpful
Tea Trails, Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka Trip Report: Tea Trails, Amanwella, Amangalla
These threads are old, but so are the bungalows. Where they are sited and their room configurations won't change with time. Thus, you will find useful information in these threads. We loved our stay at Tea Trails. I'd happily return.
#28
Original Poster
Join Date: Sep 2018
Posts: 167
She says we’re either flying a) CMB to ICN to YYZ Korean First Class (never flown Korean before) or b) CMB to HKG to ORD Cathay Pacific Business/First (then ORD back to YYZ on American).
#29
#30
Original Poster
Join Date: Sep 2018
Posts: 167