Must-see hotels in The South

  • Blue Turtle

    Tissamaharama

    Offering exceptional value, this hotel sits in a large, tranquil compound with accommodation facing a stunning 20m pool and elegant lobby-restaurant…

  • Talalla Retreat

    The South

    One of the island's foremost retreats, many guests at this healthy sanctuary are on yoga, wellness or surf-instruction packages. The location is…

  • Amanwella

    The South

    A true temple of luxury living, Amanwella's suites all have private plunge pools, preloaded iPods and gloriously tasteful and modish design touches…

  • Fort Printers

    Galle

    In the heart of the Fort, this imposing 1825 structure once housed printing presses, and later school classrooms. Today it's divided into two sections:…

  • Mirissa Hills

    Mirissa

    One of southern Sri Lanka's most remarkable places to stay, this working cinnamon farm has a selection of fine accommodation, including a renovated estate…

  • Fort Bazaar

    Galle

    An outstanding nine-year renovation has transformed this 17th-century townhouse into one of Galle's most evocative hotels, with 18 gorgeous, commodious…

  • Cape Weligama

    Weligama

    Perched on a promontory above the Indian Ocean, this astonishing hotel has stunning vistas and a sublime 60m crescent-shaped infinity pool (should you get…

  • Chill

    Tangalla & Around

    This beautiful new place is owned by a Hungarian–Sri Lankan couple who've worked in hospitality for years and run a tight ship. Their two huge detached…

  • My Village

    Tissamaharama

    A very stylish three-bedroom guesthouse, My Village is actually the modernist dream creation of a local designer. There's a stylish open-plan cafe and…

  • Ganesh Garden

    Tangalla & Around

    A very well-run place with an array of different cabanas. There are mud-walled abodes next to the lagoon at the rear, while others near the beach are…

  • Talalla Sunshine Beach

    The South

    The incredibly hospitable owners really make this budget-friendly place, located just behind the beach. All four rooms have partial sea views, mosquito…

  • Dickwella Beach Hotel

    The South

    This family-run place has two blocks, a modern structure with a prime beachfront location where the rooms have dreamy sea views, and budget rooms by the…

  • Antic Guesthouse

    Galle

    This historic property has been sympathetically converted into an inviting guesthouse by the friendly, artistic hosts who have a keen eye for design…

  • Lonely Beach Resort

    Tangalla & Around

    While the planet is not lonely, this corner of the beach near the lagoon certainly is – indeed it's perfect for those in search of a tranquil beachside…

  • Pilgrim's Hostel

    Galle

    Virtually opposite the Sudharmalaya Buddhist temple, this excellent new hostel has two good-quality mixed dorms; each bed is equipped with a private…

  • Suduweli Beauties of Nature

    The South

    Accommodation at this rural idyll consists of basic but clean rooms in the main house and a handful of comfortable, vaguely alpine-style cottages in the…

  • Frangipani Tree

    The South

    Cement, of all things, is the basis for this starkly modern vision of contemporary architecture on the coast. There are nine suites in three houses: all…

  • Villa Malena

    Unawatuna

    On a quiet road off the main Galle–Matara highway, this fine modern guesthouse has immaculately clean and inviting rooms with high-quality furnishings and…

  • Villa Naomi Beach

    Ahangama & Midigama

    In a gorgeous shore-front location, with ocean views through a strip of coconut trees, this beautiful colonial villa has whitewashed rooms with antique…

  • Goyambokka Guest House

    The South

    This excellent property has recently expanded and now has a good choice of accommodation, from fan-cooled rooms to sleek units in two-storey villas and…

  • Rose Blossom

    Mirissa

    This cute little place has smallish but well-decorated rooms and wonderfully charming owners, who take real care of their guests, love chatting and…

  • Amangalla

    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…

  • Hang Ten

    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…

  • Wadiya on the Beach

    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…

  • Seagreen Guest House

    Galle

    A simple elegance defines this fine guesthouse. Its five whitewashed, air-conditioned rooms feature colourful Indian textiles and a splash of artwork,…

  • Bedspace Guesthouse

    Unawatuna

    A superb guesthouse run by two expat mates (one from the UK, one from New Zealand), located down a quiet lane set back from the beach. Rooms are spacious…

  • Tamarind Hill

    Galle

    This 19th-century former British admiral’s mansion is now a terrific boutique hotel with 10 luxurious rooms, fine service and a jungle-fringed pool. Rooms…

  • Galle Fort Hotel

    Galle

    Following a Unesco-commended renovation, this former 17th-century Dutch merchant’s house is now a breathtaking boutique hotel. The rooms are all different…

  • Sunil Rest Guest House & Restaurant

    Matara

    Run by Sunil and Ureka, a charming local couple, this fine guesthouse is about 150m from the beach. Rooms in the main building are simple and clean, or…

  • Buckingham Place

    Tangalla & Around

    This gated compound holds a very secluded luxe resort set back from the beach on a slim sandbar. Rooms boast a contemporary look, with polished concrete…

  • Lion's Rest

    Ahangama & Midigama

    Directly opposite the Coconuts break, this attractive hotel draws surfers and yogis for its daily classes. Its has eight pleasant, modern rooms set in a…

  • Mrs ND Wijenayake’s Guest House

    Galle

    The wonderful Mrs Wijenayake and her family have been hosting grateful backpackers since 1968 and their hospitality shows in this comfy guesthouse. The…

  • Gem River Edge

    Kataragama

    A riverside ecolodge that offers a special, rural location 2km northwest of the centre. Take one of the bikes and explore the countryside, have a dip in…

  • Maggie Garden Hostel

    Galle

    This new hostel is 3km inland from the Fort, but it's an easy ride by bus or three-wheeler, or there are bicycles for hire. The detached building is…

  • Spice House

    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…

  • Gaga Bees

    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…

  • Sun House

    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,…

  • Sergeant House

    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,…

  • River Face Inn

    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…

  • Srimali's Residence

    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,…