…and so much more
Sri Lanka is an interesting mix of potential tourism opportunities. It’s renowned as a good place to learn surfing (because of tides and currents), and the beach life is actually very strong. It’s also one of the most important parts of the world for tea production, so you can go and learn how to ride waves — or sip tea in the late afternoon. Sacred pilgrimages are an option, as with most of SE Asia.
Tourist Visa for US Citizens: U.S. citizens visiting Sri Lanka must have either an Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) or a visa to enter Sri Lanka.
► US Department of State Sri Lanka Information
The main international airport serving the region is CMB Bandaranaike International serving Columbo.
Flying Private: There are several FBO options available.
► Wikipedia information on CMB Bandaranaike International
The best source to check which airlines are servicing the airport.
The Sri Lankan Rupee is the currency of Sri Lanka. Credit Cards are accepted at many shops, but Cash is highly suggested for most local Transactions.
Historical Galle Fort
Size: 31 rooms and suites
Style: Colonial
Year Opened: 2005
Designer/Architect: Kerry Hill
Loved my stay at Amangalla, I always enjoy the older Colonial Hotels when they are kept up. If posible, get into the Garden House.
Amangalla derives its name from aman, or “peace” in Sanskrit, and galla, the Sinhalese name for the town of Galle. The resort provides the perfect base for exploring the Fort and the historic town of Galle. It offers a twin experience of the island’s southwest coast in conjunction with sister property, Amanwella.
There are four categories of accommodation at Amangalla. Seven bedrooms are located adjacent to Amangalla’s reception, on the ground level of the Middle Street Wing. Six chambers are located within the Church Street Wing and face the Fort ramparts. There are eight Suites, of which six are located in the Church Street Wing and two in the Middle Street Wing. Situated within the resort gardens, the Garden House is a two-story, 140 square metre house featuring a private terrace and balcony offering leafy, treetop views.
2023 #38
I AM AN AMAN PREFERRED PARTNER
You get additional Amenities when I manage your reservation.
• Upgrade on arrival, subject to availability
• Daily breakfast for up to two guests per bedroom
• $100 USD F&B or Spa Credit
• Early Check-In / Late Check-Out, subject to availability
• Complimentary Wi-Fi
and more
Tangalle
Size: 30 rooms and suites
Style: Contemporary
Year Opened: 2005
Most Recent Renovation/Update: 2015
Designer/Architect: Kerry Hill
I spent an amazing week here, and never wanted to leave.
Amanwella is situated amidst a mature coconut grove fronting a crescent shaped beach close to the village of Tangalle in southern Sri Lanka. The resort derives its name by combining the words, aman, or “peace” in Sanskrit, and wella, the Sinhalese name for beach.
All 30 suites of this beachfront resort feature their own private swimming pool and terrace. All suites are identical in layout and design and fall into two categories based on their location and views. The suites and ocean suites are contemporary in design yet blending local material and styles like the distinctive terracotta roof tiles and hand-hewn stone walls. The suites open on both sides letting in cooling sea breezes. Suites, linked by pathways, are interspersed along the hillside to the west of the public areas. Most are within comfortable walking distance and a small resort vehicle is available for transport to the more elevated levels. There are sweeping views of the ocean and the beach, flanked by two rocky headlands.
I AM AN AMAN PREFERRED PARTNER
You get additional Amenities when I manage your reservation.
• Upgrade on arrival, subject to availability
• Daily breakfast for up to two guests per bedroom
• $100 USD F&B or Spa Credit
• Early Check-In / Late Check-Out, subject to availability
• Complimentary Wi-Fi
and more
Dambulla
Size: 162 rooms and suites
Dambulla, in central Sri Lanka, is home to a number of ancient Buddhist temples, many comprising an underground cave complex — and just outside of Dambulla is a man-made lake, and on its shores a more contemporary architectural wonder, nestled into a cliffside: Heritance Kandalama. This unique situation is the handiwork of the famed Sri Lankan architect Geoffrey Bawa, who personally selected the site with an eye to the dramatic possibilities. The building itself is low-slung, unassuming, unspectacular, stretching for a kilometer along the shore, difficult to take in all at once; the view that counts, of course, is the view of Kandalama Lake from the hotel’s balconies.
PART OF MY MICHELIN PARTNER PORTFOLIO
You get additional Amenities when I manage your reservation.
east of Galle
Size: 39 rooms and suites
Where trade winds carried legendary explorers like Marco Polo, Ibn Battuta and Fa-Hsien past Sri Lanka’s soaring southern cliffs on some of history’s most celebrated nautical journeys, Cape Weligama has become the most celebrated among Sri Lankan Beach Resorts, along this fabled island’s palm fringed shores. Thirty minutes east of Galle, Cape Weligama inhabits 12 manicured acres atop a singular promontory rising 40 metres above the Indian Ocean. Stunning panoramas await you, naturally complementing the 39 private retreats designed by one of Asia’s most celebrated architects, Lek Bunnag. The hotel offers an array of international dining venues captures Weligama’s iconic sunsets, as does the 60-metre crescent-shaped infinity pool that appears to flow seamlessly into the shimmering sea, while those timeless breezes ensure elegant swells unfurl onto the sun kissed sand. Book direct to enjoy the best rates available online!
PART OF MY RELAIS & CHATEAUX PARTNER PORTFOLIO
You get additional Amenities when I manage your reservation.
Yala National Park
Size: 28 rooms and suites
Where the Indian Ocean meets the Jungle… Resplendent Ceylon’s latest creation is Wild Coast Tented Lodge, adjacent to the world famous Yala National Park, renowned for its dense leopard population. This spectacular luxury tented camp is situated in a stunning location where the jungle meets a rugged, empty beach, overlooking the Indian Ocean. Wild Coast Lodge’s unique design, masterminded by Nomadic Resorts, a consortium of Dutch, English and Sri Lankan designers, sees the man-made structures blending seamlessly into the surrounding landscape thanks to the use of carefully selected natural materials. The use of arched fabric structures allows each of the 28 tents to take on the shape and colour of the rocks and boulders that lay scattered nearby, whilst a clever layout in the shape of a leopard’s paw print alludes to the area’s most famous resident. While our main buildings, made of bamboo, blend in with the distinctive rock formations of Yala, our uniquely shaped tents, called Cocoons & Urchins, truly represent a luxury five star resort room under canvas, offering state-of-the art amenities including air-conditioning. The open-air bamboo-clad Ten Tuskers bar and Dining Pavilion – designed to mirror the boulders scattered across the golden beach beyond – wrap around the resort’s enormous free-form swimming pool. Guests can enjoy creative daily-changing menus of authentic Sri Lankan cuisine in the restaurant, as well as sundowner cocktails and picnics al fresco on the sand dunes, watching dusk settle over the Indian Ocean.
PART OF MY RELAIS & CHATEAUX PARTNER PORTFOLIO
You get additional Amenities when I manage your reservation.
CLASSIC SRI LANKA
Duration: 10 days / 9 nights
Interests: Heritage
Destinations: Sri Lanka
Experience the highlights of this emerald island nation on a luxury 10-day Classic Sri Lanka journey. Criss-cross the island from the historically-rich central province to the verdent mountains in the heart of the island and finally to the southernmost palm-fringed shores. Soak up the culture, history, and landscapes of Sri Lanka as you visit Colombo, Dambulla, Kandy, Bogawantalawa Valley, Tangalle, and Galle, all while staying at some of the most luxurious hotels the country has to offer.
This itinerary is an example. All trips are 100% bespoke.
► My Virtuoso Sri Lanka Information Page
Here is a good place to start for some additional information on quality Hotels, Water Adventures and Activities.
► WIKIVOYAGE: Sri Lanka Page
A great resource for all the basic information you need for Sri Lanka.
or leave a comment below
page updated: October 2024
images courtesy: Wikimedia Commons, Sri Lanka Tourism Board
Please Note: All Hotel / Resort / Cruise / Services Amenities are subject to availability and may have changed since the date of this being published.
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