It was 4.00am when we touched down in Colombo. Greeted by a sea of travellers fast asleep at their gates, we manoeuvred our way through the bustling airport terminal towards freedom and the first chapter of our journey. There was a sense of relief as we drew our first breath of fresh air; this was the start of a new and exciting adventure. 

We set off south on the pitch-black highway, cutting through the darkness for what seemed like hours — a welcome silence and window of opportunity to catch forty winks. As the golden light of dawn emerged, it revealed an ocean of lush green rainforest and sky-high palm trees bordering the endless roads. Continuing south, we approached the Pinnaduwa Interchange and suddenly Sri Lanka began to reveal itself. Boisterous motorbikes and tuk-tuks danced between trucks and buses as the locals began to go about their morning business.

As we reached the entrance to Galle Fort, time seemed to stand still. We’d arrived at Amangalla, a grand white colonial building with a vibrant terracotta roof on Church Street, a quiet road in the centre of the majestic Fort town. Two Sri Lankan guards stood to attention at the bottom of a wide staircase and welcomed us with a friendly and attentive smile.

Dating back to the 17th century, Amangalla is a romantic reminder of a bygone era, taking you back to a time it served as the famed New Orient Hotel for over a hundred years. As you step inside the majestic entrance, a grand veranda greets you; rich velvet fabric is contrasted against dark wooden antiques and vibrant patterned floor tiles. Come four o’clock, locals and visitors descend on the veranda to sit back, relax and sample Amangalla’s renowned afternoon tea, served up on vintage new oriental crockery. The veranda is also where you’ll do much of your dining, be it a fresh breakfast or a selection of vibrant Sri Lankan curries accompanied by candlelight and a side of jazz at dinnertime.

The colonial grandeur continues upstairs to the hotels 25 suites which boast views of the neighbouring 18th-century Dutch Reform Church from the grand shuttered windows. The bedrooms evoke old world elegance with antique four-poster beds and a mix of dark wood, crisp white linens and sophisticated freestanding bath tubs.

Outside in the courtyard, lush greenery and rustic sun loungers surround the spectacular jade-tiled pool. This was one of our favourite places to relax and escape the bustle of the Fort.

Perfectly located for both city, coastal and countryside adventures; temples, tea plantations and rainforests await you nearby.

AMANGALLA | 10 Church St, Galle 80000, Sri Lanka

www.aman.com