Haputale
This multistorey hotel feels a bit out of place in this low-key Tamil town, but its modern rooms with abstract art on the walls, thick mattresses, hot…
Must-see hotels in Sri Lanka
Ella
This little hotel is a short walk from the town centre down a country lane. Rooms, some with shared bathroom, are a perhaps little overpriced based on…
Tissamaharama
This large hotel enjoys beautifully landscaped grounds and is very popular with tour groups. Its 40 comfortable rooms are set around a palm-lined…
Yala National Park
This lodge offers bush-chic accommodation in individual luxe bungalows. The hotel runs on solar power, some of the waste water is recycled and there’s a…
The Hill Country
In a peaceful location just a short walk from the park entrance, this lodge has 12 rustic cabanas, which are a little tired and dark, and six smarter…
Arugam Bay
A tiny place 50m from the beach with three simple, clean, arty rooms and a very inviting porch-lounge area, complete with hammocks. Happy Panda promotes…
Dambulla
A small, hip hotel with spacious, stylish rooms, four of which have balconies overlooking the stream. The upper-floor rooms with high ceilings are best…
Galle
Set close to the ancient city walls on the quieter side of the Fort, this small guesthouse has a simple yet tasteful theme of white walls and dark wood,…
Ahangama & Midigama
An isolated guesthouse with two basic rooms; the upper room has the kind of oceanic views (including a small island) you can ponder for days. The modest…
Tissamaharama
Rooms here have high wooden ceilings, dashes of style, hardwood furnishings, hip bathrooms and balconies with views over the pool and rice fields…
The Hill Country
Rock View offers functional and airy rooms with balconies that have views over rolling hills of forest and tea bushes. It’s 2km east of Weddagala and…
The East
Initial appearances are a little deceptive here as the slab-like concrete design looks rather soulless from the outside, but the 16 spacious, neat rooms…
The South
Set on Goyambokka's beautiful main cove, the wooden cabanas and villas are hidden behind a veil of coconut palms and there's a fecund tropical garden and…
Weligama
Located close to the middle of the bay, this small traveller-savvy place is on the beach and has light and airy rooms (some fan-only). The better rooms…
Batticaloa
This new resort is near the northern tip of the peninsula. The land narrows here, so it has views of both the lagoon and the ocean. The 10 units have…
The Ancient Cities
Rooms at this slightly old-fashioned hotel are spacious and pleasant, but the real draw is the unmatched sunset view from the bar terrace – come for a…
The Ancient Cities
Tourists with an interest in Buddhism are welcome to stay in this comfortable monastery guesthouse. There are nine rooms of varying standards, including…
Colombo
This well-managed house has 15 clean and spacious rooms, some with balconies. There’s a large sitting room and a garden. Budget rooms are fan-only. Guests…
Ella
This five-room homestay is run by an endearing old couple who’ll bustle you in and sit you down for a nice cuppa and a chat. The house is filled with…
Mirissa
Accommodation at this two-storey guesthouse offers a hip vibe on a budget (those on the upper level have great balconies). The owners are local surfers…
Tissamaharama
This large lakeside hotel has 50 well-appointed rooms, all with a splash of colour and a piece of art. Most have unbeatable views over Tissa Wewa …
The Ancient Cities
This fresh, crisp white villa was new in 2017. The modern rooms come with colourful bedspreads and antique bed frames and there's a good rooftop…
Polonnaruwa
At the end of a side road and surrounded on three sides by rice paddies, this modern 10-room hotel is close to the centre but feels relaxingly rural. The…
The South
Rooms and chalets at this pleasant lodge have an attractive, natural feel thanks to the stone floors, hemp curtains, coir rugs, and walls decorated with…
Arugam Bay
This guesthouse has 12 rooms with comfy touches, all about 100m back from the beach. Recent expansions, however, have filled the site almost to bursting,…
Tangalla & Around
These large bungalows (some sleep up to four) have spacious verandas facing the sea or lagoon. It's a good spot for families, as the mangrove waters are…
Negombo
With latticework window frames, comfortably worn-in furniture and breezy balconies, this is a well-priced and friendly option with just four rooms set…
Nuwara Eliya
This 140-year-old tea planter’s bungalow certainly has bags of character with its antique furniture and colonial ambience. However, the heritage charm of…
Jaffna
All the rooms at this new hotel have large suites. There's a simple modern style. The tiled pool is large and there is a gym. Rooms are in two-storey…
The East
Moni is in the midst of things, but has a good family feel. The nine rooms are basic, but kept tidy, and the family owners prepare filling meals,…
The East
A welcoming family-run place with a selection of very clean rooms with mosquito nets and wooden furnishings; those in the new block are a bit smaller. The…
Unawatuna
The tranquil gardens here feature a pool, and the bright-orange tower of a guesthouse has equally colourful, though slightly dated rooms; furnishings are…
Galle
This place (with the timeless name) has beautifully presented, spacious rooms with creaky, polished wooden floors and lovely soft beds; all have satellite…
Nuwara Eliya
This historic residence was once a British governor’s mansion and has stunning gardens. Its plus points include a lovely lounge area and a fine old bar…
Mirissa
Offering good value, the pristine rooms here are set around a pretty, shady courtyard; each has a nice outside sitting area and hammock. It's just inland…
Colombo
Self-sufficient travellers will appreciate the large rooms and limited staff interface at this multistorey guesthouse, down a small lane. It's all spick…
Ahangama & Midigama
Set in pleasant beachfront gardens, the huge, well-appointed rooms here line a colonnaded terrace and recall bygone days; many do not have air-con. There…
Anuradhapura
This friendly, family-run guesthouse of just five rooms is a good budget choice. Rooms are simple and a bit dark, but all come with hot water (some with…
Jaffna
A good choice, located on a leafy plot on a quiet street, with eight spartan, white rooms. The family owners are helpful, offer tasty meals and can…
The Hill Country
Around 6km southwest of Kandy, this good-value hotel has a selection of very well-presented rooms (including air-con dorms with four beds) and very…
