Luxury Travel Advisor - November 2007 - (Page 32) ceiling fans and sea breezes. Rooms are in three categories: 10 Bedrooms, 10 Chambers with living areas and eight Suites with separate bedrooms and living rooms. The Garden House, beside the walled pool, has a 24-hour butler, three Bedrooms (29, 30, 31) and Suite 21 and Bedroom 20, which, being the only connecting rooms, are good for families. Book room 8 for the best views over the ramparts and the sea, although all rooms (8-14) on the top floor have great views. We liked the Garden Chambers (25, 26, 27, 28) with balconies overlooking old frangipani trees. All bathrooms have twin vanities, freestanding bathtubs and signature Aman toiletries. The most popular treatment in The Baths Spa is the Complete Ayurvedic massage (clients in the know ask for Susie). Contact Spa Director Natalie Rogers (nrogers@ amanresorts.com; 94-777-1600066) to book treatments. Manager Olivia Richli (orichli@ amanresorts.com; 94-22-333-88) says the resort’s signature dish is Rice & Curry and that no dining experience is as luxurious as Amangalla’s, although she recommends the Galle Fort Hotel (94-912-232-870) for Pan Asian, the Illuketiya (94-914- 381-411) for home-grown lunches and Kahanda Kanda (94-912-236499) for glamour. Office Manager Ruvindra Ganesha (rganesha@amanresorts.com; 94-912-233-388) and the Aman butlers organize car (four hours) and air transfers from Colombo to the Kigalla airstrip, 25 minutes away. Note: Private jets need military clearance in Sri Lanka. Butlers arrange babysitting, kite flying and cricket matches for kids, and seats at the annual Galle Literary Festival and Elephant Polo Tournament. Richli says to make December-January bookings six months ahead. Tip: Galle’s old churches and cathedral are perfect for fairytale weddings. Contact the general manager or front office manager. Driving up to the courtyard at Amanwella (www.amanwella.com) with its bright-red pebble surface, it’s clear how divinely architectural rigor and minimalist chic can blend into nature, a sentiment that’s all the more evident as guests view the 47-meter infinity pool, the coconut grove and ocean from ceiling-high windows in the dining room and sunken lounge. ALL SUITES at Amanwella feature private terraces. ACCESS: SUGGESTED DINING IN COLOMBO Lagoon Restaurant, Cinnamon Grand, 77 Galle Road; 94-11-2437-437. Broiled, steamed, grilled, baked or fried seafood served in various styles. Book ahead. 1864 Galle Face Hotel, 2 Galle Road; 94-11-254-1010. Colombo’s top address for fine dining. Reserve an alcove for the best ocean views. Beach Wadiya, 2 Station Ave., 94-11-258-8568. A must for those who appreciate simple surround- ings and great shellfish. The baked crab cakes and deviled crabs are unforgettable. Checkerboard, 2 Galle Road; 94-11-254-1010. This oceanview terrace in the Galle Face Hotel is the best place to enjoy the sunset and a selection of cocktails. Gallery Café, 2 Alfred House Road; 94-258-21-62. A trendy open-air restaurant with great Sri Lankan food. Try it in the afternoon for tea and coffee. Curry Leaf, 2 Sir C.A. Gardiner Mawatha; 94-11-249-2492. The buffet has specialties like hop- pers, crispy rice-flour-and-coconut pancakes with fried eggs; and kotthu roti, flatbread served with chicken or mutton curry. SUGGESTED NIGHTLIFE D’s, 31 Horton Place; 94-77-77-13313. Colombo’s hottest night spot, with the coolest décor. Bellagio, 430 R.A. de Mel Mawatha; 94-11-25-75-271. The “in” place for blackjack, baccarat, poker and roulette. Note: In Sri Lanka, no alcohol is sold or served in public places on the monthly poya, or full moon, Buddhist religious holidays. SUGGESTED SHOPPING Odel, 5 Alexandra Place; 94-11268-2712. Colombo’s number-one department store. Trunk, The Shopping Plaza, Galle Face Hotel, 2 Galle Road; 94-11-24-37-372. The place for indigenous Asian and contemporary Western fashion collections. Barefoot, 706 Galle Road; 9411-258-0114. Brightly colored woven fabrics for tables and beds, tableware and books. A shady courtyard café for light lunches and afternoon tea. 32 LUXURY TRAVEL ADVISOR | November 2007 http://www.amanwella.com
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