Must-see hotels in Sri Lanka

  • Ging Oya Lodge

    North of Colombo

    The Belgium artist-owners of this place were inspired by the safari lodges of Africa and they've done a sterling job of replicating the rustic-chic luxury…

  • Saman Villas

    Bentota, Aluthgama & Induruwa

    We would love to tell you just how incredible this place is, but the simple truth is that there are no words to describe the sheer opulence of this hotel…

  • Blue Turtle

    Tissamaharama

    Offering exceptional value, this hotel sits in a large, tranquil compound with accommodation facing a stunning 20m pool and elegant lobby-restaurant…

  • Tea Trails

    The Hill Country

    Tea Trails comprises a collection of five stunning colonial-style residences built for British tea plantation managers. Completely refurbished, the…

  • Rice Villa Retreat

    The Ancient Cities

    A memorable place to stay, this beautifully located guesthouse enjoys an idyllic position overlooking an expanse of rice paddies, replete with the sounds…

  • Tree Tops Jungle Lodge

    The East

    The antidote to concrete resort hotels and national parks overrun with hundreds of jeeps, Tree Tops provides a true back-to-nature experience. Beautifully…

  • Hill Safari Eco Lodge

    The Hill Country

    Located in a tea plantation, this fine mountain lodge enjoys outstanding views – on very clear days you can even see the Dondra Lighthouse on the South…

  • Kelburne Mountain View

    Haputale

    Kelburne is a simply sublime spot to relax for a few days, with homely accommodation in immaculately renovated former tea-planters' bungalows and dapper…

  • Ranga's Beach Hut

    Arugam Bay

    A quirky, locally owned beachside place with loads of atmosphere and a loyal clientele of backpackers and surfers. There's a choice of 22 digs (all built…

  • Jim's Farm Villas

    The Ancient Cities

    In the misty, verdant hills north of Matale, at an elevation of 450m, this working organic farm (harvesting coconuts, mangoes, bananas and papaya) is…

  • Aditya Resort

    Hikkaduwa & Around

    This sublime place is crammed with Buddhist statues, tropical flowers and masses of high-quality antiques. The huge rooms have carved wooden headboards…

  • Shangri-Lanka Villa

    Bentota, Aluthgama & Induruwa

    The peaceful, rural setting of this intimate and beautiful British–Sri Lankan guesthouse, a kilometre inland from the main road and beach, means at night…

  • Riviera Resort

    Batticaloa

    Perched at the water’s edge with serene views of Kallady Bridge and the lagoon, the Riviera is a peaceful, relaxing place to stay. The accommodation has…

  • Heritance Tea Factory

    Nuwara Eliya

    High in mist-wrapped hills 13km northeast of Nuwara Eliya, this unique place has been built into and around a century-old tea factory. Blurring the line…

  • Ulagalla

    Anuradhapura

    Exclusive and stylish, the 20 villas in this remote rural retreat, 40km from Anuradhapura, are top of the line, with private plunge pools and relaxing…

  • Talalla Retreat

    The South

    One of the island's foremost retreats, many guests at this healthy sanctuary are on yoga, wellness or surf-instruction packages. The location is…

  • Rangala House

    The Hill Country

    Located at around 1000m, this gorgeous former tea planter’s bungalow enjoys a temperate, sometimes coolish climate on a steep forested hillside surrounded…

  • Sigiri Lion Lodge

    Sigiriya

    An outstanding place to stay, thanks to the genuine welcome and attention paid to guests by Ajith and Ramya, the owners. Rooms are divided between the…

  • Stardust Beach Hotel

    Arugam Bay

    This Danish-run place sits at the north end of the bay. There's a magnificent open-sided restaurant-lounge-terrace facing the ocean, perfect for languid…

  • Chill Ville

    Ella

    Totally renovated, this once supremely tacky hotel now has seven perfectly designed, sleek, modern bungalows, each with stupendous valley views from their…

  • Camellia Dwellings

    Hikkaduwa & Around

    The five rooms in this colonial-style villa are spacious and well tended, making it excellent value. Major pluses are the friendly owner and staff and the…

  • Cinnamon Red

    Colombo

    Hugely popular from the day it opened, this 26-floor hotel from the ubiquitous Cinnamon Group is its debut of a new concept in 'lean luxury'. The 242…

  • Coconut Beach Lodge

    The East

    Locally owned place with a blissful beachfront location. The garden compound is a delight; at its rear is an elegant villa-style structure for home-cooked…

  • Jaffna Heritage Hotel

    Jaffna

    A superb modern hotel where the 10 rooms tick all the contemporary design boxes, with clean lines, high ceilings and stylish fittings; the expansive hotel…

  • Kandy House

    The Hill Country

    Thanks to masses of exotic tropical flora, the air you breathe at this divine hotel, once home to a Kandyan chief, literally tastes perfumed. Now fully…

  • Rainforest

    The Hill Country

    On the edge of the Sinharaja reserve (very rare purple-faced langurs are regularly seen) this is one of the remotest hotels in Sri Lanka. Highly original…

  • Baramba House

    The Hill Country

    The Swiss–Sri Lankan owners of this idyllic little three-room guesthouse have created a small slice of bliss here. There are cool, high-ceilinged rooms…

  • Silent Bungalow

    Uda Walawe National Park

    A welcoming place offering good budget accommodation in simple, quite spacious fan-cooled rooms with cold-water private bathrooms. Breakfasts, indeed all…

  • Amanwella

    The South

    A true temple of luxury living, Amanwella's suites all have private plunge pools, preloaded iPods and gloriously tasteful and modish design touches…

  • Sandy Beach Hotel

    Arugam Bay

    This fine beachside two-storey hotel has 15 rooms – all beautifully presented and immaculately clean, and most boasting minibars, desks and attractive…

  • Fort Printers

    Galle

    In the heart of the Fort, this imposing 1825 structure once housed printing presses, and later school classrooms. Today it's divided into two sections:…

  • Mirissa Hills

    Mirissa

    One of southern Sri Lanka's most remarkable places to stay, this working cinnamon farm has a selection of fine accommodation, including a renovated estate…

  • Waterfall Homestay

    Ella

    A delightfully secluded homestay run by an Australian couple with a flair for art and design. The building melds into the hillside and offers views over…

  • Cinnamon Grand Hotel

    Colombo

    Colombo’s best large hotel has a central location well back from Galle Rd. It buzzes with energy as there always seems to be an elite wedding on or some…

  • Hilltop Beach Cabanas

    The East

    This gorgeous place gets rave reviews thanks to the kindness and cooking (most meals Rs 300 to 600) of owner Dilani. Of the cabanas, the one on stilts is…

  • Fort Bazaar

    Galle

    An outstanding nine-year renovation has transformed this 17th-century townhouse into one of Galle's most evocative hotels, with 18 gorgeous, commodious…

  • Villa Rosa

    Kandy

    Dotted with antiques, and with stunning views over a secluded arc of the Mahaweli Ganga, Villa Rosa is an inspiring place to stay. Spacious wooden-floored…

  • Clock Inn Kandy

    Kandy

    A lot of know-how has gone into this very well-set-up hostel, with its inviting air-con dorms (all with lockers, comfy bunks and reading lights) and…

  • Chamodya Homestay

    Ella

    One of the best homestays in the Ella region, Chamodya is run by a lovely couple who take very good care of their guests. Guests get to enjoy a glorious…

  • Ferncliff

    Nuwara Eliya

    Set in spacious lawned grounds, this colonial-era bungalow is straight out of a period drama – even the sprucely turned-out staff hovering in the…

More destinations you need to see