Lying within the walls of the 17th century Dutch Fort is Amangalla, a fabulous boutique hotel offering a wonderful escape for those wanting the highest possible luxury in intimate, interesting and historic surroundings.  The property provides an amalgamation of buildings dating back over 400 years. Collectively the buildings have been used as headquarters for the Dutch commander and his officers in the 17th century and later as a billet for British soldiers. In 1865 the buildings were combined to create the New Oriental Hotel.  In the 1980s and 1990s the hotel suffered from a lack of investment and slowly fell into a state of disrepair until the arrival of Aman Resorts, the leading luxury hotel development company in Asia. A long, sensitive and complete refurbishment followed and in 2005 Amangalla opened for business.  Amangalla now offers excellent old-world luxury, superb food, arguably the best spa in the island and exceptional service.

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Accommodation
There are four categories of accommodation at Amangalla: Bedrooms, Chambers, Suites and the Garden House.

• Bedrooms:  Bedrooms are located adjacent to Amangallas reception, on the ground level overlooking the garden or the nearby historic Groote Kerk (Great Church). The bedroom and separate bathroom are similar in size with furnishings including a four-poster king-size bed, writing desk, dining table and chest, all set within the original polished jackwood floors.
  
• Chambers:  Chambers are located within the Church Street Wing, facing the Fort ramparts. The entrance leads into the open plan room, featuring first the bathroom, followed by the bedroom and a separate sitting area. The bathroom has a large shower, freestanding bathtub and toilet.
  
• Suites:  Suites look onto the ramparts of the Fort, the harbour or the mature well-tended tropical gardens. All feature the original polished teak floorboards dating back over 300 years. The entry hall leads to separate bedroom and lounge area. Adjacent to the entry hall is the bathroom with a freestanding tub, twin vanities, separate toilet and shower. The bedroom has a king-size four-poster bed and arched, shuttered windows.
  
• The Garden House:  The Garden House is a two-storey house featuring a private terrace and balcony offering leafy, treetop views. The original, antique furniture of the house has been restored. At the entrance is a sitting room fitted with a chaise lounge, armchairs and coffee table. Double doors lead to the bedroom, furnished with a king-size four-poster bed, writing table and dressing cabinet. An internal stairway rises from the sitting room to the upper level, featuring a daybed and banquette.

Facilities
There are several dining options including The Zaal (the Great Hall), as it was known in Dutch times, is the entry point to the resort and has a wonderful colonial feel with high ceilings, overhead fans and chandeliers. There is relaxed seating within as well as on the verandah facing the tree-lined street front. Adjacent is The Dining Room that provides an intimate setting for dining with a colonial accent, furnished with period chairs and tables, crisp white linen and antique silverware. The spa is located within the lower level of the Middle Street building. There is a small relaxation area at the entrance to each of the five treatment rooms. Each contains a small number of lockers and a dressing area leading to a hydrotherapy and water massage pool, sauna, steam and cold plunge pool. There is also a beauty treatment area and a traditional barbers shop. Adjacent to the Baths is a combined yoga and meditation pavilion. Located beyond the reception hall is the Library with an attached reading terrace. There is an extensive range of reference books on the history, arts, culture and communities of Sri Lanka as well as a selection of novels, magazines, newspapers, audio CDs and board games. Two computer stations are provided for guests to access the Internet.
 
  
Excursions
Amangalla sits within the ramparts of the 17th century Galle Fort, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The resort reveals the Forts daily activity and its rich legacy, the narrow streets lined with Dutch and British colonial era buildings still in use. Aside from exploring the historic Galle Fort, its sturdy ramparts looking out to sea and a growing collection of art galleries, antique shops and restaurants, you can explore some of the fine beaches in the area, including Wijeya, Unawatuna, Mirissa and Hikkaduwa.