The East
The antidote to concrete resort hotels and national parks overrun with hundreds of jeeps, Tree Tops provides a true back-to-nature experience. Beautifully…
Must-see hotels in The East
Arugam Bay
A quirky, locally owned beachside place with loads of atmosphere and a loyal clientele of backpackers and surfers. There's a choice of 22 digs (all built…
Batticaloa
Perched at the water’s edge with serene views of Kallady Bridge and the lagoon, the Riviera is a peaceful, relaxing place to stay. The accommodation has…
Arugam Bay
This Danish-run place sits at the north end of the bay. There's a magnificent open-sided restaurant-lounge-terrace facing the ocean, perfect for languid…
The East
Locally owned place with a blissful beachfront location. The garden compound is a delight; at its rear is an elegant villa-style structure for home-cooked…
Arugam Bay
This fine beachside two-storey hotel has 15 rooms – all beautifully presented and immaculately clean, and most boasting minibars, desks and attractive…
The East
This gorgeous place gets rave reviews thanks to the kindness and cooking (most meals Rs 300 to 600) of owner Dilani. Of the cabanas, the one on stilts is…
The East
Beautifully designed hotel that makes the most of its prime beachside plot, where all rooms face the ocean. Colour schemes – whitewashed walls and cobalt…
Trincomalee
Management couldn't be better at this two-storey gem with a great spot right on the beach. It doesn't look like much from the front, but head inside and…
Galaxy Lounge Beachfront Cabanas
Arugam Bay
A sociable place where many of the 11 spacious cabanas are raised on stilts and hammocks abound between the shore-side trees. Galaxy has charm and…
The East
Right at the northern end of Kalkudah Beach, this sprightly hotel is very well run. There are only eight rooms; all have terraces and views of the ocean …
Arugam Bay
This very large site spans the sandy ground from the road to the beach. There are seven rooms, in wood and stucco cabana-style units. Some have 2nd-floor…
The East
The cottage-style rooms here are dotted around a pretty, peaceful garden. All the units boast high ceilings, terraces and good-quality beds and mattresses…
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…
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…
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…
Nilaveli
The convivial ringmaster Sameera has organised one big party at this beachfront collection of huts. You can't get any closer to the surf and not get wet…
Arugam Bay
Highly popular with travellers thanks to its gregarious vibe, guest kitchen and communal dining. The eight rooms here have bamboo frames topped with a…
Arugam Bay
A fine place with atmospheric, boho accommodation scattered around a huge, shady garden plot. Stylistically, think hand-painted window shutters, tribal…
The East
These eight rustic cabanas sit easy in their rural surrounds right by the break. Kanthan, the owner, worked in Arugam Bay for years, and is well versed in…
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…
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 East
Around the bluff from the main strip, this tasteful beachfront resort offers modern styling tempered with thatched roofs and natural materials. All…
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…
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…
The East
Upscale surfers' digs right on the beach. If the water seems too far, there's a big pool. Rooms are in bungalow-style units with thatched roofs. The…
The East
Offers good rates for its 10 remodelled rooms, which have little front porches for lounging. Various rooms here sleep from two to four people and are…
The East
Back from the beach, but with its own private path to the sand, this professionally managed hotel has clean and comfortable rooms in two-storey blocks…
The East
First the good points: it's cheap, sociable and the beachfront location is superb. Prepare yourself, however, for the fearsomely ugly concrete…
Arugam Bay
Surfer favourite, right next to the main point, allowing you to tumble out of bed and land in the line-up. Offers isolated but attractive fan-only rooms…
Arugam Bay
Deservedly popular place on the west side of the main road that definitely wins the 'garden of the year' award, with a lush, verdant Eden complete with…
Nilaveli
This blinding-white-outside hip hotel ticks all the right contemporary boxes, with sleek accommodation finished in subtle shades of cream: all with…
Arugam Bay
Inviting modern four-storey hotel with a prime beachfront location (you can watch the fishing boats come and go from the sea-view rooms). The minimalist…
Nilaveli
This beachside hotel has attractive rooms in a long two-storey building, though only suites have sea views. It's worth a visit for lunch or dinner as a…
Nilaveli
Set just off the beach, the inviting Seaway offers a wide choice of accommodation in a huge grassy compound. There are three classes of rooms, from…
Batticaloa
This welcoming guesthouse has eight spacious rooms named after birds, some of which have balconies with lagoon views. The family owners look after…
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…
