For luxury travellers seeking more than beautiful surroundings, Sri Lanka and India offer something increasingly valuable: the chance to slow down, connect with place and experience centuries of culture in a deeply personal way.
Aman recently invited members of the Connections Travel Group travel consulting team to experience three of its distinctive properties across Sri Lanka and India. The journey offered first-hand insight into how Aman combines privacy, meaningful experiences and understated luxury, while allowing the history and character of each destination to lead the story.
Amangalla, Galle, Sri Lanka
Set within the ramparts of the 17th-century UNESCO World Heritage-listed Galle Fort, Amangalla offers the rare opportunity to stay within a living piece of Sri Lankan history.
The hotel’s high ceilings, original wooden floors, antique furnishings and elegant verandahs recall another era. Step outside and Galle Fort’s narrow streets invite exploration, with historic churches and houses sitting alongside boutiques, galleries and restaurants.
Guests can balance cultural discovery with restorative time at the Aman Spa, enjoy afternoon tea overlooking Church Street or explore the wider region’s coastline and countryside.
“Amangalla is not just a hotel, it is part of the history of Galle itself. Walking through the property feels like stepping back in time” – Tina, Connections Travel Group.
Amanwella, Tangalle, Sri Lanka
From Galle’s rich history, the journey continues to the calm of Sri Lanka’s southern coast.
Meaning “peaceful beach”, Amanwella is tucked between coconut groves and a secluded stretch of golden sand near Tangalle. Its contemporary suites have private plunge pools and sea-facing terraces, creating a strong sense of space, privacy and connection with the landscape.
Travellers can spend their days swimming, surfing or practising yoga by the ocean. For those looking to explore further, revered temples, tea plantations and wildlife-rich national parks are within reach. Local cooking experiences and authentic Sri Lankan dining add another layer of connection to the destination.
“What stood out most was how seamlessly the resort blends into the coconut groves and natural landscape” – Tina, Connections Travel Group.
Amangalla and Amanwella can also be combined into one considered Sri Lankan itinerary, bringing together the country’s heritage, cuisine, wildlife and coast.
Amanbagh, Rajasthan, India
Hidden within the Aravalli Hills, Amanbagh is a peaceful garden oasis surrounded by the rugged beauty and historic landscapes of rural Rajasthan.
Once used as a staging ground for royal tiger hunts, the property has been reimagined as a rose-hued retreat inspired by Mughal architecture. Domed ceilings, vaulted entrances, gardens and orchards create the feeling of a private palace, while suites and pavilions offer secluded terraces, courtyards and, in selected categories, private pools.
Beyond the property, immersive experiences reveal a quieter side of Rajasthan through local villages, historic forts, nature and regional traditions. Back at Amanbagh, yoga, Ayurvedic therapies and thoughtfully designed dining experiences encourage guests to reconnect with themselves as well as their surroundings.
“Amanbagh translates to ‘peaceful garden’, which perfectly reflects its calm atmosphere and strong focus on wellness, yoga and Ayurvedic traditions” – Tina, Connections Travel Group.
One unexpected famil highlight was camel polo, an experience that captured the character, humour and sense of place that made the journey so memorable.
Aman-i-Khás, Ranthambore, India
Set on the threshold of Ranthambore National Park, Aman-i-Khás brings understated luxury to one of India’s most spectacular wilderness regions. Open from October to May, the intimate camp features just 13 spacious, Mughal-inspired guest tents, offering exceptional privacy amid the reserve’s striking green and gold landscape.
Twice-daily guided safaris take guests into the national park in search of Bengal tigers, leopards, sloth bears, hyenas, crocodiles and chital deer. Back at camp, the experience slows down with spa treatments, relaxed dining and time beside the stepwell-inspired swimming pool. For travellers seeking meaningful wildlife encounters without compromising on comfort, Aman-i-Khás offers a rare and beautifully considered way to experience Rajasthan’s wild side.
For leisure or business travel, Aman combines luxury with a genuine sense of place
Across all three properties, Aman’s approach is consistent without feeling uniform. Each retreat reflects its own setting, history and culture, supported by discreet service and carefully considered experiences.
“The in-house experiences are carefully selected and meaningful, with a true connection to nature that we can easily forget in our busy lives” – Tina, Connections Travel Group.
For travellers looking beyond conventional five-star luxury, this is what makes an Aman journey so compelling. It is not simply about where you stay, it is about gaining a richer understanding of where you are.
