Mirissa
Set back from the road, a short walk from Mirissa's east shoreline, this attractive hotel has nine well-appointed and inviting rooms, and three more in a…
Must-see hotels in Sri Lanka
Arugam Bay
Set back from the west side of the main road, the Danish Villa has a lovely, peaceful garden (except when the odd troop of monkeys whoops by) and a classy…
Tissamaharama
This compound of nine rustic bungalows is in a serene setting surrounded by rice fields. All have been built from natural materials – mud bricks, palm…
Galle
This gracious old villa, built in the 1860s by a Scottish spice merchant, is located on the shady hill above the new town. The eight rooms vary in size,…
Unawatuna
Set well back from the busy road, these very comfortable units (rooms, suites and a three-bedroom bungalow) all have a homely ambience thanks to rugs,…
Nuwara Eliya
For the ultimate luxury 'homestay', try this offering from the Amaya chain. It's a converted old colonial building set, of course, in a tea estate, around…
Tissamaharama
Family-run riverside guesthouse blessed with a huge covered terrace where an array of tables with chairs, comfy loungers and hammocks await the weary big…
Unawatuna
Located down a tiny lane on the beach side of the Matara highway, Srimali's has a convenient location and offers fine value. Rooms are bright and airy,…
Bentota, Aluthgama & Induruwa
Shady gardens, traveller-savvy staff, easy access to the northern part of Bentota Beach and an array of colourful rooms make this a very popular place to…
The South
A stylish, upmarket guesthouse with six rooms (some open-sided, so expect some noise, others enclosed and air-conditioned) and there's a spacious chill…
The East
Slightly smaller than its luxe brethren, the Anantaya is at the northern end of the strip and is fairly isolated from any crowds. The 55 rooms are…
The Hill Country
For something very different, check out this brilliantly designed ecoresort. There are 10 rustic rooms – two of them in actual caves – built among…
Ahangama & Midigama
Long-time owners Jai and his wife Sumana offer 19 very different rooms, from hot concrete cubes with shared bathrooms to pleasing individual cabanas and…
The Hill Country
A well-managed lodge, this cheery hillside place has spectacular views of a forested mountain valley. Rooms are clean, plain but showing their age a…
Unawatuna
A charming – and yes, a bird-loving – family run this guesthouse. It's simple, clean and close to the beach, with both old rooms and better modern rooms…
Tangalla & Around
Everything you need to know about Cinnabar is that one of its rooms is a treehouse. If you're bored it wouldn't be much effort to find driftwood on the…
The East
Around the bluff from the main strip, this tasteful beachfront resort offers modern styling tempered with thatched roofs and natural materials. All…
Kandy
Fine new villa hotel with modern, spacious rooms that have been finished to a high standard, with air-con, luxe bedding, satellite TV and contemporary en…
The East
This well-run property has tasteful and no-surprises rooms all with dark-wood furniture and little porches, though bathrooms are cold-water and mattresses…
Weligama
Located in Weligama's most attractive and peaceful location, this villa complex enjoys a delightful ocean-front situation and its air-conditioned villas …
Jaffna & the North
Offering beachside accommodation on Mannar, this resort, 6km south of Pesalai, offers comfy octagonal wooden cabanas with terraces and attractive rooms…
Unawatuna
Offering character and charm, this attractive buttercup-yellow villa was built in 1900 and has a lush garden to enjoy (where you may spot monkeys, monitor…
The Hill Country
Operated by friendly locals, this lakeside place's rooms are well kept and have bright bedspreads and en suites. The restaurant/tea centre serves a fine…
Tangalla & Around
This smart three-storey hotel has nine very attractive rooms featuring stylish modern furniture; book one on the upper floor for full-frontal sea views…
Jaffna & the North
Offers five tasteful, colonial-style rooms in a custom-built two-storey building with wide, shady porches. It's in a tranquil location around 12km…
Unawatuna
A sociable hostel run by helpful crew with four mixed dorms, all with shared bathrooms, and a double room with an en suite. There's a nice roof terrace, a…
Wilpattu National Park
This reliable family-run hotel is an appealing base for visiting Wilpattu, especially as it has its own safari jeeps. Choose from the quiet and immaculate…
The East
On a huge beachside plot in the middle of the resort strip, this luxury hotel offers beautifully finished rooms and suites (all with sea views) that…
The East
A bustling, attractive place set around a central garden, there are 11 large, clean and comfy rooms here in a two-storey block. The restaurant features…
Batticaloa
This modern four-storey colonial-style place enjoys a serene lagoon-side setting 1km northeast of the centre, with fine views over the water to Kallady…
Mirissa
Formerly a dated concrete hotel, this place has been reinvented as a contemporary abode thanks to a successful renovation. The bright rooms are very…
Kandy
This well-designed hotel boasts a stunning location, its large pool located right by the riverbank. Designer-chic rooms in chocolate tones and grey slate…
Ahangama & Midigama
This attractive family-run surf inn has a pretty garden and five fan-cooled rooms, two with en suite bathrooms and one which can sleep up to four people…
Tissamaharama
In a quiet and remote location about 3km west of central Tissa, this small hotel has a grand lakeside setting on Wirawila Wewa. There's nothing other than…
Colombo
Part of the well-regarded Indian chain, this vast edifice has elegant public areas and a lovely 11-acre garden, as well as myriad restaurants and bars,…
Colombo
This very professionally managed hotel and hostel has an ideal location just east of the Dutch Hospital. In its renovated four-storey building there are…
Bentota, Aluthgama & Induruwa
Head inland a couple of kilometres and you'll find this hidden villa in a lush, green lakeside setting of utter tranquillity. The five good-value rooms…
The Hill Country
This hotel enjoys some of the most spectacular views in the entire Kandy area from its ridge-top perch, with astonishing vistas across the Mahaweli river…
The South
Five small artistically decorated rooms in a guesthouse known for its good vibes and chilled atmosphere; you'll pay extra for air-con. The rooms are a tad…
Yala National Park
Only 4km from the park entrance, this posh resort is set amid the dunes near the beach. Its modish rooms boast stunning views from their balconies, or…
