Jaffna
Set on a quiet suburban street, Lux Etoiles creates a good initial impression – there's a vintage Austin automobile in the lobby that makes an art…
Must-see hotels in Sri Lanka
Ella
Right beside the trail to Little Adam's Peak, this hotel is a horticultural paradise with blooming flower gardens. There are three classes of…
The South
From the outside this vast place, with its high walls, looks exactly like a prison and a formidable one at that. But inside you'll find it's all wide open…
Batticaloa
This welcoming guesthouse has eight spacious rooms named after birds, some of which have balconies with lagoon views. The family owners look after…
Tangalla & Around
Located close to town, this guesthouse is a designers' nightmare – the garish, clashing decor, dodgy murals and dated furnishings could not be more…
Kandy
This is one of those grand old creaky colonial-era properties, with 90 huge rooms and a lakeside location. It has lots of old-fashioned charm but is…
The East
This good guesthouse (in the old YMCA building) has four spacious rooms and a lounge, and is the best place to hook up with other travellers. Hikes to…
Hikkaduwa & Around
A smart midrange option with 28 spick-and-span rooms that are enlivened by pictures and wooden decorations. Piping-hot water gushes forth from the showers…
Colombo
High-rise casual comfort on Colombo's waterfront; this striking blue hotel has 158 rooms spread over 14 floors across from Wellawatta's beach (and train…
Unawatuna
This Italian-owned house has four intimate rooms that have been decorated in a Rome-meets-the-tropics fusion. It's got a large terrace that's great for…
Sigiriya
An old-school guesthouse owned by a family who have been hosting travellers for years and can provide lots of useful tips about the region. Rooms are…
Hikkaduwa & Around
Keeping passing travellers content for years, lovely Ritas has simple but tidy ground-floor budget rooms, while midrange cruisers will like the fancier…
Polonnaruwa
A good-value place (especially considering there's a pool with loungers) that straddles budget and midrange. It's 4.5km west of the centre of town, but…
Tangalla & Around
On a breathtaking stretch of near-deserted beach, this long-running place has rustic chic cabanas, some of which feature lots of twisted driftwood. All…
Batticaloa
A small, olive-green-walled compound some 100m from the beach. This is a convivial spot with some shared kitchen and grilling facilities. Rooms are basic,…
Negombo
This modern and fresh hotel has spacious split-level rooms that are all about sleek minimalism. The hotel doesn't have much natural light, but there's…
Galle
A popular budget inn that enjoys a superb position opposite Galle's landmark lighthouse. Accommodation is less inspiring than the view, but adequate: book…
Polonnaruwa
Right by the lake shore, this elegant two-storey hotel offers sublime views of the tank from its beautifully presented rooms, restaurant and pool area…
Haputale
This upmarket lodge, built into and around giant granite boulders, has great views over the burning lowlands. Large, very plush cottages are kitted out…
Kandy
The rooms here are quite ordinary, but the pool is a big plus and there are fantastic views out over the Knuckles Range. The proprietor, Mr Linton, is an…
Tangalla & Around
Despite its chain-hotel name, this rambling place is all local. Spacious rooms are filled with heavy wooden furnishings, four-poster beds and easy chairs…
The Ancient Cities
A simple, but hospitable, homestay with five clean rooms in a friendly local's house in a rural setting off the highway. A sumptuous dinner costs Rs 650,…
Tissamaharama
This traveller-aware guesthouse is just off Main Rd and has a variety of bright, refurbished rooms all with a balcony or patio and private hot-water…
The South
Set back from the beach, this hotel has a range of accommodation, including well-kept stone and wooden cabanas with tidy bathrooms. Rooms in the main…
Uda Walawe National Park
This large, resort-like place centres on an impressive pool complex; it's every tour group's favourite place to stay. Although it doesn't blend seamlessly…
The Ancient Cities
As Mihintale is so close to Anuradhapura, few people overnight here, but this attractive hotel has a classy open-sided lobby lounge and spacious, if…
The Hill Country
An ever-expanding collection of ageing concrete rooms with hot showers – you do have to climb up about a million steps to reach some of them. There's a…
Colombo
In a courtyard building just behind the noise of Galle Rd, this flashpacker special has 10 roomy, comfy rooms, and four- and six-person dorms. The common…
Galle
This former spice warehouse has been transformed into a fabulous small hotel. Each room exudes relaxed luxury, with furnishings that have a colonial feel,…
Tangalla & Around
In a very peaceful though isolated location surrounded by beach and mangroves, this complex has 25 smart rooms that feel just a little out of place in…
Unawatuna
This renovated 140-year-old house has a range of rooms that are colour coordinated with the flowers in the lovely garden. Choose from rooms, suites and…
Colombo
Standard rooms at the Pearl City are a little boxy and basic, but slightly better deluxe rooms are comfortable enough, although all are heavy on beige. It…
Colombo
Just east of Colombo's hub of activity, this gracious two-storey mansion is on a quiet side street. The open and airy interior is filled with light and…
Unawatuna
A shore-side hotel built in a vaguely traditional, but very tall, style. The twirling wooden window slats have an Arabic feel and the interiors of the…
Jaffna
A stylish converted heritage villa, with seven tastefully decorated rooms that feature handsome dark-wood furniture and ochre paintwork, and a lovely…
Tangalla & Around
Classic Robinson Crusoe–style beach hang-out with palm-thatch open-air cabanas (some have bedrooms open to the stars and sea breezes). Conditions can be…
Kandy
Ambience and location are the key reasons for checking in here. Expect old-school rooms with charming floral decor, sharply polished floorboards and some…
The East
This green villa is set well back from the road in beautiful gardens. Rooms vary – those on the ground floor are more traditional, while upstairs they're…
Colombo
This large international business-class hotel buzzes with activity around the clock. It has 382 rooms in regular- and executive-floor flavours, six…
Ahangama & Midigama
It's now a tad run down and the road noise is invasive, but the 15 rooms at this surfers camp are certainly cheap. It’s located just west of the 140km…
