Ambalama
Style A shore thing
Setting Divine Dalawella Beach
Tucked into the postcard-worthy Galle coastline on Sri Lanka’s southern sands, bijou beachside hotel Ambalama tantalises its guests with its simple take on luxury. Easy-breezy interiors by Australian architect Bruce Fell-Smith frame blissful sea views, a fab chef ensures you’re well fed and discreet staff attend to your every whim.
Need to know
- Rooms Four, all with ensuites.
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Rates
Double rooms from $643.00, excluding tax at 1 per cent. Ambalama is unable to accept payment by credit card.
Prices have been converted from the hotel's local currency ($643), via XE.com, using today's exchange rate.
- More details Ambalama is an exclusive-hire property. Meals aren't included in rates, but there's a chef on hand and food and drink are charged at cost price.
- Facilities Free WiFi in common areas, iPod dock, stainless-steel kitchen. In rooms: local toiletries.
- Poolside Textured stone slabs encircle an infinity-edge swimming pool that’s finished in deliciously tactile Balinese green stone. Perch on its shallow ledge and peek past palms to the sultry sea beyond.
- Check-out Noon; check-in, 2pm, both flexible subject to availability.
- Children Welcome. Baby cots are free, as are window seats which double as extra beds for kids. Babysitting is available from US$10 a session. More...
- Eco-friendly Food at Ambalama is sourced locally, including fresh catch-of-the-day fish and seasonal fruits.
- Also Smoking is allowed.
Food and drink at Ambalama
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Hotel restaurant
A fusion menu is served atop the circular dining table indoors under a whirring ceiling fan or out on the sunny poolside veranda. Chef Roshan takes great pleasure in cooking and can turn out innumerable waist-enhancing treats including moreish breakfast pastries, sumptuous steaks, curry feasts, barbecued meats and grilled seafood along with salads and roasted veg. Personalised menus are created every morning to suit each guest’s individual taste.
- Dress code Informality reigns; wear your coolest comfy threads.
- Top table Ask the staff to set up a table for two on the lawn as close as possible to the crashing waves. By night, the glowing embers of fishing boats lighting up the darkening sky will complement your romantic candlelit meal.
- Last orders At flexible Ambalama the staff’s rhythm reflects that of the guests. Food is generally served until 11pm, when and where you want it, and drinks are poured until the last guest heads to bed.
- Room service Ambalama is an intimate abode so the staff are never more than a few footsteps away should you need a snack or drink anytime.
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Hotel bar
Ambalama isn't licensed to sell alcohol, but bring your own booze and the staff will concoct your favourite drinks and cocktails, with no corkage charge. Sri Lankan spirits and beers can be bought locally and the staff will happily mission out to buy it on your behalf.
Ambalama Dalawella, Galle
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Smith extra at Ambalama
A bottle of wine
In the know
Our favourite rooms
Each room is almost identical – lofty four-poster beds dressed in the crispest linen gaze deliciously through timber-louvered doors directly out to sea – and all come with private garden-side terraces. If we had to pick a favourite, though, we love the slightly larger two Double Rooms with outdoor bathroom for their exotic, open-to-the-sky showers in secluded tropical walled gardens.
Packing tips
The hotel has a docking station so bring your own iPod to set the holiday mood.
Also
There’s no doubting the chef’s abilities, but with a fully-equipped stainless-steel kitchen at your fingertips, budding gourmets might fancy whipping up a few culinary creations of their own.
