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…
Must-see hotels in The South
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 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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
Yala National Park
This lodge offers bush-chic accommodation in individual luxe bungalows. The hotel runs on solar power, some of the waste water is recycled and there’s a…
Tissamaharama
This large hotel enjoys beautifully landscaped grounds and is very popular with tour groups. Its 40 comfortable rooms are set around a palm-lined…
Ahangama & Midigama
An isolated guesthouse with two basic rooms; the upper room has the kind of oceanic views (including a small island) you can ponder for days. The modest…
Galle
Set close to the ancient city walls on the quieter side of the Fort, this small guesthouse has a simple yet tasteful theme of white walls and dark wood,…
Tissamaharama
Rooms here have high wooden ceilings, dashes of style, hardwood furnishings, hip bathrooms and balconies with views over the pool and rice fields…
Weligama
Located close to the middle of the bay, this small traveller-savvy place is on the beach and has light and airy rooms (some fan-only). The better rooms…
The South
Set on Goyambokka's beautiful main cove, the wooden cabanas and villas are hidden behind a veil of coconut palms and there's a fecund tropical garden and…
Mirissa
Accommodation at this two-storey guesthouse offers a hip vibe on a budget (those on the upper level have great balconies). The owners are local surfers…
Tissamaharama
This large lakeside hotel has 50 well-appointed rooms, all with a splash of colour and a piece of art. Most have unbeatable views over Tissa Wewa …
The South
Rooms and chalets at this pleasant lodge have an attractive, natural feel thanks to the stone floors, hemp curtains, coir rugs, and walls decorated with…
Tangalla & Around
These large bungalows (some sleep up to four) have spacious verandas facing the sea or lagoon. It's a good spot for families, as the mangrove waters are…
Unawatuna
The tranquil gardens here feature a pool, and the bright-orange tower of a guesthouse has equally colourful, though slightly dated rooms; furnishings are…
Galle
This place (with the timeless name) has beautifully presented, spacious rooms with creaky, polished wooden floors and lovely soft beds; all have satellite…
Mirissa
Offering good value, the pristine rooms here are set around a pretty, shady courtyard; each has a nice outside sitting area and hammock. It's just inland…
Ahangama & Midigama
Set in pleasant beachfront gardens, the huge, well-appointed rooms here line a colonnaded terrace and recall bygone days; many do not have air-con. There…
The South
About 250m from the beach, this guesthouse has rooms split between humble bungalows (best) and a rather looming three-storey main building. Decor is…
Galle
The ever-beaming owner of this guesthouse offers decent, basic rooms and a perfect people-watching balcony. Economy rooms are somewhat cramped, but you…
Tangalla & Around
This older property has rooms in cement bungalow-style units. The site is nicely shaded with mature plants, while the open-front cafe has a good water's…
Weligama
The ocean is your pool at this beachside hotel. Facilities are aging a little, but the rooms are comfortable enough, and some have air-con, those upstairs…
Unawatuna
This bright three-storey guesthouse is close to the beach and has pleasant communal balconies for chilling. The tidy and spacious rooms are well…
Tissamaharama
This modern, architecturally pleasing hotel has a contemporary feel and there's a choice of accommodation: air-con rooms are inviting and well presented,…
Kataragama
This cheery little guesthouse is right on the main drag of the quiet strip that passes for Kataragama's centre. The 10 rooms are brightly painted and all…
Tissamaharama
Just 100m from the bus station, the functional, decent-value rooms here are divided between the main building and quieter block out back. All have air-con…
The South
Offering clean tiled rooms with fresh linen, mosquito nets and cold-water en suites, this is a good choice located just 200m from the beach. The owners…
Tangalla & Around
Run by a bunch of energetic and music-loving young guys, this guesthouse has large, airy, tidy rooms and is popular with backpackers. This is a good place…
Tangalla & Around
Right on the beachfront road, east of the centre, this budget-friendly place has basic (a bit dark, but clean) fan-cooled rooms with mosquito nets, and…
Mirissa
'Palace' is pushing it, but this hotel certainly has a fine position on the headland at the western end of the bay. The raised cottages have Hindu accents…
Tissamaharama
About 1500m from the landmark Debarawewa clock tower, this is a very friendly hotel. It’s worth checking out a few of the 10 high-ceilinged rooms as…
The South
This aging hotel has a wonderful elevated location above the waves and the owners are helpful. However the accommodation has not been renovated for years…
Ahangama & Midigama
Somewhat faded, this small guesthouse has two large (but overpriced) rooms, one of which has good views of the pounding waves. There's very little beach…
