Amanwella February 2019 - finally !! Galla too :)

Hopefully this will be posted in the correct forum . The first attempt disappeared . Will post in parts just in case ..

Will be reviewing Amangalla along with Amanwella .

We are thrilled to be here after numerous attempts since opening . After the delay due to the regional unprecedented disaster 15 years this Boxing Day much has been done . That event , the tsunami , during Wella ‘ s pre opening and which affected the people here deeply saw AMAN help opening Wella in various capacities even as the property was affected . So being here now gives us an understanding of the grave situation and how the current team here was impacted .

As Sean is overseeing Sri Lanka AMANs , and not too soon either , us coming here to stay and catch up in person with an “ old “ GM & now friend , is good timing .

One of the tuk tuks at the porch , usually one waiting , thankfully as it is hot during the day

The main pool with sweeping views 

After a fairly smooth almost 2 hours drive from Galla on smooth roads , we turned into a laterite track which seems to be what it is in these parts . We were welcomed by Sean F who was here part of the day till night , new to Asia but not Aman Pantelis K ( GM ) , Guillermo V ( EAM AMAN Galla & Wella ) along with some team members here .

Had a quick look around mainly above before riding a tuk tuk to our suite for check in .

This way to the 3 series , where one suite was being used as a spa suite

Was as usual Aman smooth in suite . Shown around as layout is a bit different from our usual Amans .

Entry to our suite area was down a few steps towards our plunge pool , actually more wading if one is tall . Suggests one be alert when returning in the night or entering after one too many .

The Plunge pool

Entry is on the left , glass panels on the right are the shower & bath area 

If one is brave , try enter the pool from the bath tub area .

Reflection of the almost Super moon from the entrance 

From pool day bed area by suite sliding doors .

Super moon 

Plunge pool catching the sun . Leave the wood panels open and / or the glass doors , so that the views towards the ocean side , mainly the coconut trees can be seen .

Suite 

At night 

With mosquito net down for the night 

Enjoy the view during the day

With view of plunge pool day bed

Balcony / Terrace

Lovely to sit outside watching the waves , coconut leaves swaying , hearing them rustle and feeling the sea breeze  

Lounges & table / chairs to relax while admiring the predawn  / dawn & dusk colours 

Sunrise

It is worthy to note the AC is superb . A new system has since been installed since Londonjetsetter ‘ s stay a couple years back .

Very relieved , Sean had advised us to delay our visit because of my need for cool . We currently also have 4 / 5 buckets of ice in suite .. :)

Wish it ‘ s layout is more like Puri , Kila & even Nusa / Tokyo which has more room for hanging clothes . Somewhat impractical .

The shower is behind the door between the hanging bath towel and hat

The WC on the opposite side has a view through the floor to ceiling glass panel .

The area in between are the shared area where we hang our clothes .

Something more generous like in Amans mentioned would have been nice especially for longer stays ..

A luggage area is below that ..

There are 2 main dining areas - Terrace & Beach Club - light lunch & dinners .

The Terrace

Outdoors for breakfast or dinner 

View of other side

The sunken bar , note the Bawa influenced design 

 One view at night with full moon 

Part of the Beach Club , there were single guests staying 

Special meals / menus are held at the Beach Club with cultural shows weekly . A lobster special was on a couple weeks back .

As in all Amans , dining can be anywhere within reason on site ;)

We have been ensconced in the library as it has AC :)

Our meals have been surprisingly good . The current Chef , Shantha P , is enthusiastic and innovative . He has been meeting us daily and customising off menu meals - seems like his forte . Excellent curries , etc including desserts .

The only air conditioned parts in the main area are both the Gallery & Library - with similar elongated layouts .

The Gallery has a spectrum of  local as well as imported goods . Some items are produced by local women for a charity , also other local crafts and gems . Beautiful sarongs along with practical items for ones stay .. sneakers , swimwear , ..

Close up showing thehand woven sarongs , ..

Part of hanging brass humming bird 

The library has a range of reading material from coffee table books to some foreign language ones . Also board games .

At the far end in the photo , is a table which is not normally there but set up for our meals :) This also seems to be like a passageway to the Terrace , a cool alternative ;)

A rather comfortable spot to lounge in too & view the coconut trees through the glass door . Just beyond is where the musicians are in the evenings .

The onsite activities include complimentary sessions on most mornings .

These include yoga , mixed martial , water aerobics , etcetera 

The aqua aerobics is twice weekly and an hour long ! Seems that class size has ranged from 5 to one .

There were 4 of us on Tuesday and Friday / today ‘ s was like a private class ;)

Views during & after class , Wella beach lounges in the distance

Off site there are various options :

There is Wella ‘ s “ pontoon “ on Lake Mawella , nearby in Dickwella . Very shallow with somewhat brackish water .

This was an enjoyable way for birdwatching & spotting monitor lizards in the water .

The pontoon , spot the Wella one ;)

Some of our snacks

There is a monitor lizard swimming in the distance & note the huge flying foxes roosting - hanging from the branches , egrets , herons , pelicans , ..

Home to roost

Then there are various national parks within 2 hours drive to view elephants , birds & potentially leopards .

We had comfortable vehicle for our safari .

Our breezy picnic spot by this enormous watering hole

Thankfully no crocodiles but numerours water water buffaloes in the distance and numerous birds including eagles .

For birds , we saw changeable hawk eagles , chestnut / green / blue tail bee eaters , etcetera 

Then there were deer , 2 types of monkeys , ..

While the staff are all too ready to please , however language issues often fail them .. ( but you must have an idea what a demanding AMANjunkie I am / can be just to try service limits ;) ) ..

This can be hilarious or more likely frustrating .

Otherwise , there is a team around who really comprehend & will back these up :)

Attending English classes are now not an option , these have been conducted by Instructors brought in by Wella for years . The situation became rather dire through the years ..

This is the poorest part of the country and unlike rest of Sri Lanka , English is not taught in schools .

So while we applaud AMAN ‘ s stand to hire locally , the challenges posed are not to be sniffed at . Perhaps , PTSD too from the tsunami ?

Note the stack of towels as requested & unusual coconut tree trunk .

While the towels were correct , the milkshake ordered were not , wrong ones were presented twice so had them sent back so that the Chef or one of those with better English can understand what happened & correct one  brought to me .

Like by the pool .. see photo shown in activities section .

Just a couple of easier to illustrate examples . When it is not messed up , they do wonderfully .

The rather young and relatively new to the area management team passes with flying colours .

The team went over and above . What we have come to assume at AMANs really .. but seems less at many with new regime  .

There is no gym or spa / wellness centre - the latest AMAN fad ( never thought this term would be used at Amans :( )

With the activities offered , fresh air / sea breezes and the terrain , a gym is really unnecessary . Why come and be cooped up instead of relying on what is naturally available ? ;)

Just try walking on the beach , perhaps you are one of those ultra marathoners and choose to run it ..

Swimming in the large pool with a view or taking part in the twice weekly complimentary aqua aerobics sessions is highly recommended .

If you choose to swim in the sea .. the 4 / 5 life guards always on standby indicate something . Speaking from experience , they are professionals indeed :)

Think there are bicycles if you have time , but may want to walk up & down to your suite if into fitness ..

Now , the spa suite ‘ s location depends on occupancy levels . It is any one of the suites ‘ converted ‘ with a spa bed .

Treatments can also be enjoyed in the privacy of one ‘ s suite .

There is enough land for a Wellness Centre ! But getting villas built may take precedence .. we shall see .

Afternoon Teas

Served daily on the Terrace 

Ours were wonderful , enjoyed in the cool of our suite . An array of cakes , pastries .. even an all chocolate one especially for us . 

If only photos were permitted here ..

No AMANjunkie T shirts in Sri Lanka yet - one of the less pressing on the agenda .

As we know , AZ is intuitive and has an eye to choose the best spots in unexplored territory . A trail blazer who is appreciated and well respected by many of us . Where Wella is is no less .

This south coast position with sweeping views of the wide bay is rather spectacular . With the new road , is a pleasant less than 2 hours journey by comfortable AMAN SUVs from Galla , unless one is tempted to stop along the way ;) .

And see the moon setting over the Wella beach !

The well trained staff from the area often get poached by newer hotels in the area .

So at least , CSR albeit unintentional , is happening in this aspect too .

Not sand like Pulo but the sand is quite soft to walk on , sort of “ sink into “ type which makes walking very good exercise .

Not gently sloping like Puri ‘ s either , rather steep gradient .

Main Wella areas in the distance , so from the main pool and Terrace , this wide beach can be seen .

Best appreciate the beach & views rather than swim in the sea . Note the colour / colours of the flag , amber and red in the photo & during our stay .

Swim in the pool !

Roots of the coconut trees just in front of the loungers & provide some traction down a short drop to the beach proper .

Part of the beach from our suite , note the double sun loungers

Loved the swimmable pool with a view .

See the hawk ?  There was a brilliant kingfisher too watching us from above & at the edge of the pool .

Perhaps another one can be added . Kila has a few so there is potential for more here , higher up though !

Where new pools can be added upslope ?

Moonset

Sunset 

Ample options :)

This will a welcome addition to the pools in the suite , which are great for cooling off but not swimming . 

Pleased we heeded Sean F ‘ s advice on when to stay . We were excited when he moved from N’oi ! He had suggested we hold off especially since he has understanding of our idiosyncrasies including super cool AC - our suite did well - 16 C.

Not only is the new AC system in place :) , the laterite driveway was redone among other improvements . More will be worked on this summer .

If one is looking for a relaxing tropical beach holiday with spectacular scenery away from it all and wonderful service , this is the place to come .

From the warm welcome to fond farewell - proper Aman ways being upheld .

All reading this should make tracks to Wella ! - pair with Galla . The roads are decent now .

The stay has also been an eye opener to another Commonwealth country & her mores ..