Amanwella
Tangalle

Amanwella is one of Ampersand's Top 10 Beach Hotels and Top 10 Aman Resorts in Asia. It also has one of our Top 10 Swimming Pools.

Tucked into a mature coconut grove overlooking a crescent-shaped beach, Amanwella lies along Sri Lanka’s stunning south coast near the tranquil fishing village of Tangalle. This contemporary beachside sanctuary offers an intimate retreat where understated luxury blends harmoniously with nature.

The resort comprises 30 suites, each designed as a private haven with its own plunge pool and terrace. All suites share an identical layout but fall into two categories based on location, pool or ocean pool, reflecting either serene garden views or breathtaking vistas of the Indian Ocean. The interiors are a seamless fusion of contemporary and Oriental influences, grounded in muted, sandy tones that echo the natural beachscape. Local materials, such as terracotta roof tiles and hand-built stone walls, lend texture and authenticity, paying homage to Sri Lankan craftsmanship.

Designed for effortless indoor-outdoor living, each suite opens on two sides to welcome cooling sea breezes and dappled sunlight. Floor-to-ceiling glass and latticed panels frame a private walled courtyard with a shimmering pool on one side, while the opposite side opens to a spacious terrace complete with a double sun lounger, alfresco dining for two and sweeping views of the bay’s azure waters and golden sands.

The resort’s architectural vision is inspired by Sri Lanka’s most revered modernist, Geoffrey Bawa. This influence is apparent from the arrival pavilion, a colonnaded, open-air structure that gazes over a manicured grass courtyard and a tranquil reflection pool encircling the freestanding library. Flanking the library are the Restaurant and Lounge Bar, both open-sided spaces designed to blur the line between indoors and out, offering guests uninterrupted views of the bay below.

Amanwella’s Restaurant welcomes guests throughout the day, serving a menu that celebrates Asian and Mediterranean flavours with a particular emphasis on fresh, locally caught seafood. The culinary experience is relaxed yet refined, pairing vibrant spices and delicate herbs with the freshest ingredients. Adjacent, the Lounge Bar is a serene retreat where guests sip sundowners, enjoy light snacks and sample a curated selection of cigars, all while watching the sun dip behind the horizon.

Just steps from these venues lies the resort’s crowning jewel, a spectacular 47-metre infinity swimming pool. Overlooking the lush coconut grove, sandy beach and endless ocean, the pool’s shimmering surface appears to merge seamlessly with the sea. The Pool Terrace, positioned behind the pool, is perfect for casual alfresco lunches or lingering afternoons bathed in tropical sunshine. For those seeking an even more relaxed vibe, the Beach Club on the western end of the shore offers an open pavilion with wooden decking, ideal for lounging and informal dining in the shade.

Amanwella’s setting ensures complete tranquility, with its quiet location providing a perfect sanctuary for relaxation and rejuvenation. Whether you spend your days wandering the beach, lounging by your private plunge pool or savouring exquisite cuisine with the ocean breeze as your backdrop, the resort offers an elegant yet effortlessly simple escape from the everyday.

To my mind, the greatest reward and luxury of travel is to be able to experience everyday things as if for the first time, to be in a position in which almost nothing is so familiar it is taken for granted.
Bill Bryson