The Amangalla was built in 1684 to house the Dutch governor and officers. Later, as the New Oriental Hotel, it was the lodging of choice for 1st-class P&O passengers travelling to and from Europe in the 19th century. During much of the 20th century, it was in a decades-long slow decline and was run by the legendary Nesta Brohier, a grand lady who was actually born in room 25.
The hotel has a memorable and comic role in Paul Theroux's iconic The Great Railway Bazaar . It was massively restored and reopened as the luxurious Amangalla in 2004. Public areas like the bar, lobby and restaurants are open and worth a look.
