Galle
One of the Fort's most famous buildings, this Aman hotel boasts lashings of colonial opulence. Its reception rooms (all polished teak floors and period…
Must-see hotels in Sri Lanka
Habarana
A classy and professionally run hotel, Cinnamon blends Portuguese colonial design with traditional Sri Lankan stone architecture that takes its…
Sigiriya
The aptly named Hideout is indeed a real escape, tucked away at the end of a dirt road surrounded by paddy fields and with viewing platforms for spotting…
Sigiriya
This well-run place 9km outside Sigiriya (12km from Dambulla) has five stylish rooms in a leafy, rural compound south of the Kimbissa junction. Rooms vary…
Dambulla
The attention to detail at Kalundewa Retreat is impressive, with six suites that feature polished-concrete floors, modern art and stylish wooden furniture…
The Hill Country
Brothers Palitha and Bandula Rathnayaka are both certified forest guides, so staying here makes it easy to maximise your time. The rooms at their home are…
The Hill Country
Definitely glamping not camping, this upmarket lodge's luxe tents are scattered around a verdant hillside, and are all equipped with commodious beds,…
The East
This intimate, secluded beachfront villa hotel, 5km north of Arugam Bay, is managed by Jetwing, the well-regarded Sri Lankan hotel group. It's perfectly…
Trincomalee
Vakarai, about 20km north of Passekudah, is the idyllic home to this unplugged, off-the-grid very rustic beachfront retreat. There’s only electricity at…
Polonnaruwa
With 14 luxurious rooms, this former government guesthouse has a superb location on a peninsula beside the Topa Wewa, right next to the Heritage ruins …
The Hill Country
Around 90 years ago, they wisely stopped updating the furniture at this venerable tea planters’ club. Now, in the 21st century, this hotel is a jolly fine…
Habarana
Harmoniously built in a forest setting from recycled materials, this serene ecolodge is perfect for wildlife enthusiasts, with nature (outstanding…
Colombo
The grande dame of Colombo faces Galle Face Green to the north and the sea to the west. The sweeping staircases recall the hotel's opening in 1864…
Negombo
With its imposing entrance and high ceilings, this place feels like a temple – a temple to minimalist luxury, that is. The rooms are luxurious, with sea…
Polonnaruwa
Good vibes are guaranteed at this fine guesthouse thanks to the efforts of genial owner Upali and his family. Rooms are well-priced and sparkling clean,…
Sigiriya
For natural-world immersion – crocodiles in the pond, monitor lizards in the grass and occasional visiting elephants – the Jetwing is a great choice. The…
Anuradhapura
For sheer colonial class this Raj-era relic (formerly a British governor's residence) can't be matched. It's been beautifully and respectfully restored –…
Ella
A wonderful guesthouse where the rooms have enormous glass-panel windows and terraces strewn with hammocks and chairs. Eating breakfast on the sunny…
Haputale
For a unique experience, check into this monastery, which has only recently permitted outside guests. There are nine clean neat rooms with private hot…
Sigiriya
Set in over 80 hectares of unfenced grasslands, this high-end hotel is a terrific place to spot wildlife. Iguanas, monitor lizards and mongooses are all…
Nilaveli
Nilaveli Beach Hotel definitely has the best grounds – sprawling, shady groves with hammocks and a gorgeous pool area – of any hotel in the area, as well…
Ella
Ten clicks south of Ella, this converted tea-planters' bungalow is fringed by blossoming, beautiful gardens carefully cultivated by the owners (one of…
North of Colombo
Down a maze of confusing tracks from Kalpitiya town, this place is aimed squarely at kitesurfers. Rooms vary from basic tents and dorms (US$40 per person)…
Dambulla
The Amaya Lake complex has 100 stylish villas set in magnificent landscaped grounds on the north shore of Kandalama lake. The scale of the place will suit…
Negombo
The three air-con rooms above this family house are modern and spotless, even if prices are at the top end of good value. It's a five-minute walk from the…
Uda Walawe National Park
This safari camp has comfortable canvas tents strung along the river bank with attached (cold-water) bathrooms and proper beds (with mossie nets). It's a…
Kandy
This stunning villa was once the home of Sir Cudah Ratwatte, the first elected mayor of Kandy. Today, it's been lovingly converted into a beautiful hotel,…
Haputale
This orderly, well-run family guesthouse in a tranquil location (with no views) has been in business for decades. There are five new rooms with a…
Negombo
The spacious private villas here are excellent value, with minimalist yet luxurious furnishings. The bathrooms are the real highlight and soaking in one…
Wilpattu National Park
This is safari the old-fashioned, decadent way. Mahoora offers a luxury tented camp on the edge of Wilpattu Park. Whatever safari tent type you opt for…
Ella
Located above the restaurant of the same name, this hotel's accommodation is immaculate and ideal for families. Many of the offerings are mini-apartments…
Weligama
Take a dated concrete hotel on the seafront, pimp it up with backpacker-geared appeal (yoga deck, rooftop bar-resto, surfboard racks) and end up with the…
Dambulla
The 12-roomed Lake Lodge lacks the scale of the big Kandalama resorts, but makes up for it with personalised service. Rooms are fresh and modern, with the…
Nuwara Eliya
This huge mock-Tudor edifice has immaculate lawns, a reading lounge and an impressive partly open dining terrace. Rooms are comfortable and well-equipped,…
Nilaveli
This ecostyle resort built from natural materials (timber and thatch) enjoys a wonderful location just off a truly spectacular beach. All the rooms have…
Bentota, Aluthgama & Induruwa
This beautifully maintained hotel is split into a beachside building and a land-side villa. The smaller inland building is our favourite, with a gorgeous…
Kandy
Run by Thomas and Mani, a very welcoming couple, this slightly bohemian place is a great escape from the city, a Sri Lankan cottage tucked away in a…
Bentota, Aluthgama & Induruwa
For the ultimate in gracious and exotic Sri Lankan living come to this outstanding boutique villa, 3km inland from the beach, where egrets wander the…
Ahangama & Midigama
Overlooking a lagoon-like cove beach, right on top of the waves, this excellent little place has six immaculately presented and spacious rooms (and two…
Kandy
This small hilltop place is one of Kandy’s longest-established hotels and it has excellent views and scrupulously clean rooms decorated with Sri Lankan…
