Sigiriya
This bungalow set back off the road has three spacious, quiet rooms next to a creek, with air-con and solar-heated hot water. It was just starting up at…
Must-see hotels in The Ancient Cities
Dambulla
This smart midrange resort is within a short stroll of the caves and museum. The grounds aren't exactly spacious, but staff (some Swedish) are attentive…
Anuradhapura
There are two distinct options at this hotel. The stylish, modern new building is all sleek lines and white walls, with a swimming pool and modern…
Anuradhapura
This neat little guesthouse enjoys a near-rural location with peacocks strolling the surroundings in the mornings (and fireflies lighting them up at night…
The Ancient Cities
An elegant, if somewhat threadbare, colonial villa with a veranda overlooking the lake in a leafy part of town. Its four rooms have been renovated and…
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…
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…
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…
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,…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
Anuradhapura
This excellent-value guesthouse has nine spacious rooms in a huge Spanish-style villa. Rooms aren't exactly stylish, but come with air-con and a fridge,…
Sigiriya
This centrally located guesthouse is cheered up by plants and canary-yellow walls. The nine rooms at the rear are a little chintzy, but fair value, and…
Dambulla
This family-run shoestring place, halfway between the caves and bus station, has five basic, clean-if-spartan rooms that have mosquito nets and a piece of…
Polonnaruwa
Basic budget rooms (the cheapies have fans and cold water) are pretty good value in this rambling old house, though the owner is often not around – call…
Habarana
An aging structure that still has some charm, but is really starting to show its (40) years. The seven rooms, all with mosquito nets and fans, are clean…
Polonnaruwa
With a flashy lobby, well-tended grounds and an idyllic setting, the tour-group-dominated Sudu Araliya would be a good option if it weren’t for the bland…
Anuradhapura
Close to the New Bus Station, this two-storey villa-style guesthouse is well set-up for travellers. Its seven rooms are clean, if a little old-fashioned,…
Dambulla
The three simple rooms at this sound little guesthouse have private hot-water bathrooms, mosquito nets and fans. Yes, it's close to the road, but the cave…
Polonnaruwa
Very central, this established hotel has an older block with overpriced rooms and a better new wing offering modern, spacious, inviting rooms set around…
