Recommended Hotels

Sri Lanka boasts a plethora of accommodation in all price ranges, and the following listings represent only a small selection of the very best of what’s available. Reservations are pretty much essential at the more upmarket places, while the better budget guesthouses can also get booked up at busy times of the year, so it’s always worth phoning a couple of days in advance to make sure of a room. Prices in most places vary according to season and demand; establishments along the west and (to a lesser extent) south coasts generally hike their prices up from November through to April. Rates at many places can be negotiable, especially if business is slow and you’re planning on staying for a few days. Rooms in more expensive hotels are usually quoted in dollars, though they are payable in rupees at the daily exchange rate. Many more upmarket places levy a 10 percent service charge and a 15 percent government service tax on top of the basic room rate (2 percent NBT and 1 percent TDL may also apply), adding a nasty twist to the final bill if you’re not expecting it.

As a basic guide to prices, we have used the following symbols (for a standard double or twin room in high season):

$$$$$ over $200

$$$$ $100–200

$$$ $60–100

$$ $30–60

$ below $30

Colombo

Cinnamon Grand $$$$ 77 Galle Road, tel: 011-243 7437, www.cinnamonhotels.com. Colombo’s grandest hotel, with plenty of five-star glitz and style, although rates are surprisingly affordable. In-house facilities include a superb spread of restaurants and the lovely Angsana Spa, while rooms are attractively furnished, and come with great views over downtown Colombo.

Colombo Court Hotel & SPA $$$$ 32 Alfred House Ave, Colombo 3, tel: 011-464 5333, www.colombocourthotel.com. A tranquil haven in the middle of bustling Colombo, this elegant hotel has well-appointed rooms and a relaxed atmosphere. There is a rooftop café/bar for evening drinks with a view and a good restaurant, Amber, as well as a Spa.

Galle Face Hotel $$$$ 2 Galle Road, Colombo 3, tel: 011-254 1010, www.gallefacehotel.com. Famous old colonial hotel and Colombo landmark, with lots of period charm and an unrivalled oceanfront setting at the south end of Galle Face Green. Rooms in the old (‘Classic’) wing are somewhat faded, though they retain a certain old-fashioned aura, while those in the new Regency Wing offer colonial style combined with modern international-standard luxury. There is also an attractive spa and a romantic seafront bar and restaurant.

Havelock Place Bungalow $$$ 6–8 Havelock Place, Colombo 5, tel: 011-258 5191, www.havelockbungalow.com. This peaceful, low-key boutique hotel is tucked away in the southern city in a pair of stylishly converted colonial bungalows which combine period character and modern comforts.

Maniumpathy $$$$$ 129 Kynsey Road, Colombo 7, tel: 011-233 3861, www.maniumpathy.com. First built as a family home, the building has been well converted into this luxury hotel. Rooms are stylish and modern with splashes of its heritage still visible, creating a homey feel.

The west coast

Bentota

Avani Bentota Resort and Spa $$$$ Hotel Road, Bentota, tel: 034-494 7878, www.avanihotels.com. Unpretentious but stylish beachfront resort located on one of the nicest stretches of Bentota beach. Rooms are simple but good value, and the whole atmosphere is pleasantly low-key compared with other nearby resorts – and there is a beautiful spa to dive into if you need to unwind. A very laid-back atmosphere compared to the busier resorts further up the beach.

Paradise Road The Villa Bentota $$$$ 138/18–138/22 Galle Road, Bentota, tel: 034-227 5311. This stunning, boutique hotel has private villas, all designed by the renowned Sri Lankan architect Geoffrey Bawa. There are 15 stylishly decorated rooms and suites, two swimming pools, an onsite restaurant, gift shop and art gallery.

Saman Villas $$$$$ Aturuwella, Bentota, tel: 034-227 5435, www.samanvilla.com. Stunningly situated on a bluff high above the ocean with sweeping views up and down the coast, this ultra-chic boutique hotel has luxurious rooms filled with every conceivable mod-con, a gorgeous spa and one of the most spectacular swimming pools in Sri Lanka.

Balapitiya and Hikkaduwa

Aditya Resort $$$$$ 719/1, Galle Road, Devenigoda, Rathgama , Hikkaduwa, tel: 091-226 7708, www.aditya-resort.com. Aditya is a luxury boutique resort and spa, which has been operating since 2006. It features 16 spacious suites which are uniquely decorated with exotic art and antiques as well as lavish amenities. Some feature private plunge pools and jacuzzi’s.

Hikka Tranz by Cinnamon $$$$ A2 Hikkaduwa, tel: 091-227 7188, www.cinnamonhotels.com. Turtles love to hang out along the strip of beach where this hotel is located. Hotel is perfectly located at the stripe of the beach, where giant turtles love to hang out. Hotel offers fewVarying room categories are available from deluxe to family rooms. Rommsare well-appointed with modern facilities and balconies, some with an ocean view.

Kumu Beach $$$$$ 670/5, Galle Road, Balapitiya, tel: 077 363 8381, www.teardrop-hotels.com/kumu-beach. Beneath gently swaying coconut palms on a serene boulder-sprinkled seafront sits Kumu Beach, a contemporary beach hotel, home to 10 indulgent rooms. Open air lounge and dining areas are scattered around the property and an infinity pool reside among the immaculately kept gardens..

Negombo

Heritance Negombo $$$$ 175b Lewis Place, tel: 011-230 8408, www.heritancehotels.com. Large and attractive resort which rambles for a considerable distance along the beach, but manages to feel cheerful and surprisingly homely despite its size. There’s also a huge pool and plenty of other facilities.

Jetwing Ayurveda Pavilions $$$$ Porutota Road, Ethukale, tel: 031-227 6719, www.jetwinghotels.com. The premier Ayurvedic resort in the country, situated in a quiet and tranquil neighbourhood close to Negombo, with expert staff providing a wide range of rejuvenating Ayurveda treatments.

Jetwing Beach $$$$$ Porutota Road, Ethukale, Negombo, tel: 031-227 3500, www.jetwinghotels.com. Negombo’s most upmarket resort option, with stylish and superbly appointed rooms, excellent food, a pleasant beachfront setting at the quiet north end of the beach and a beautiful pool, part of which winds underneath the hotel itself between strategically placed frangipani trees.

The south

Galle

Amangalla $$$$$ 10 Church Street, Galle Fort, tel: 091-223 3388, www.amanresorts.com. Occupying the sensitively restored premises of Galle’s famous old New Oriental Hotel, this establishment remains wonderfully faithful to the period character of its colonial predecessor, combining old-world colonial chic with the last word in contemporary luxury – a compelling combination, though not cheap it’s worth every penny.

The Fort Printers $$$$ 39 Pedlar Street, Galle Fort, tel: 091-224 7977, www.thefortprinters.com. Located in the historic Galle Fort, the 18th century building traces its origin back to the Dutch period. It was the former house of a printing company which has been restored into an elegant, small luxury hotel. They also have an excellent restaurant as well.

Galle Fort Hotel $$$$$ 28 Church Street Galle Fort, tel: 091-223 2870, www.galleforthotel.com. Stunning hotel set in a magnificently converted old Dutch warehouse – like the nearby Amangalla, it manages to combine colonial charm and contemporary luxury, though at a far more affordable price. It also dishes up some of Sri Lanka’s best foreign cuisine, with a predominantly Southeast Asian slant – a pleasant change if you have had one too many rice and curries.

Jetwing Lighthouse $$$$$ 433 A Dadella, Galle, tel: 091-222 3744, www.jetwinghotels.com. Set on a breezy stretch of seafront a couple of kilometres outside Galle, this Geoffrey Bawa-designed hotel is one of the great Sri Lankan architect’s defining creations, with a simple, serene exterior, gorgeously designed rooms and splashes of local colour (such as the remarkable wrought-iron staircase depicting the Portuguese invasion of Ceylon). Excellent food and heaps of facilities too.

Unawatuna

Thambapanni Retreat $$$ Unawatuna, tel: 091-4381 722, www.thambapannileisure.com. Set a few minutes’ walk from the beach, up against the lush, jungle-covered flanks of Rumassala (the huge rocky outcrop behind Unawatuna village), this place has more the atmosphere of a rainforest eco-lodge than a beach hotel. Rooms are comfortable, with neo-colonial furnishings and all mod-cons. Offers yoga, meditation and Reiki treatments.

Koggala

The Fortress $$$$$ Koggala, tel: 091-438 9400, www.thefortress.lk. Striking five-star resort, designed to resemble a supersized version of one of Galle’s old colonial-era Dutch villas, magnificently framed between superbly landscaped grounds, a vast infinity pool and the sea. The luxurious rooms boast all mod-cons, while facilities include a top-notch spa and a string of excellent restaurants, including the fine-dining Wine3, with walls stacked high with international vintages. The Fortress ranks among the most extravagant and expensive hotels on the island.

Tangalla

Amanwella $$$$$ Boddhi Mawatha, Godellawela, Tangalla, tel: 047-224 1333, www.amanresorts.com. Set on one of the south’s most beautiful beaches, this sublime hotel offers some of the finest beachfront accommodation anywhere on the island. Rooms are sumptuous little masterpieces of chic modern interior design, and the overall concept is a serenely simple and artfully understated exercise in low-impact contemporary architecture, whose minimalist lines merge gracefully with surrounding palms.

Kandy

Ellerton $$$$ Ellerton Bungalow, Nawa Gurukelle, Doluwa, Gampola, tel: 081-241 5137, www.ellertonsrilanka.com. A boutique hotel in the hills above Kandy (30 min from Kandy) is ideally situated for exploring the island. Set in beautiful gardens, it has nine comfortable bedrooms, four of which have connecting rooms which make them ideal for families, all with en-suite facilities.

Hunas Falls by Amaya $$$$ Elkaduwa, 27km north of Kandy, tel: 011-476 7888, www.amayahunasfalls.com. Located 27km (17 miles) north of Kandy in a sublime position, up in the rugged hills of the Knuckles Range, this eco-oriented retreat is one of the nicest hotels around Kandy, with comfortable modern facilities, and plenty of walks and wildlife in the surrounding countryside.

The Kandy House $$$$$ Amunugama Walauwa, Gunnepana, 5km (3 miles) west of Kandy, tel: 081-492 1394, www.thekandyhouse.com. One of the island’s most magical boutique hotels, occupying a wonderfully atmospheric old traditional manor house tucked away in peaceful countryside 5km (3 miles) from Kandy. Rooms are beautifully furnished in traditional style but still offering all modern amenities, and there’s good food and a picture-perfect infinity swimming pool in the lovely landscaped gardens.

The Hill Country

Ella, Bandarawela and Haputale

Ambiente $$ 2km (1 mile) from Ella Village, tel: 057-222 8867This low-key modern guesthouse is in one of the best locations in Sri Lanka, high on a hilltop above Ella village with superb views over Ella Gap. Rooms are modern and simple, if on the small side, and the food is good, too.

Thotalagala $$$$$ Dambatenne Road, Haputale, tel: 076 762 7433, www.thotalagala.com. Thotalagala overlooks the Sir Thomas Lipton estate which makes for stunning views. Seven individually designed suites reflect the areas rich history, comprising antique furniture, wooden floors and oversized bathtubs. Guests can explore the Lipton Tea Factory and hike to Lipton’s Seat, from which the views stretch across the vast, verdant tea country.

Nuwara Eliya

Grand Hotel $$$$$ Grand Hotel Road, tel. 052-222 2881-7, http://grandhotel.tangerinehotels.com. This iconic hotel is one of the best heritage properties from the British colonial era. There are 156 deluxe and superior rooms, all elegantly appointed and offering comfort and charm. Perfectly located in the heart of Nuwara Eliya, with close proximity to the top attractions in the area.

Heritance Tea Factory $$$$$ Kandapola, tel: 052-5555 000, www.heritancehotels.com. Stunning hotel set in an ingeniously converted tea factory – the factory exterior has been perfectly preserved, but the interior has been magically transformed into a sleek modern five-star. The stylish design combines futuristic architectural lines with lots of old tea-making memorabilia and machines, while the setting high up in the hills and surrounded by miles of tea plantation – is another major attraction.

The Hill Club $$$ 29 Grand Hotel Road, Nuwara Eliya, tel: 052-222 2653, www.hillclubsrilanka.lk. Set in a rugged old granite and half-timbered building close to the town centre, this famous hotel offers a real taste of colonial Ceylon. The time-warped interior includes a musty billiards room, library and an atmospheric restaurant (for more information, click here), plus assorted stuffed stags’ heads, cracked leather furniture and shelves of yellowing novels. Accommodation is in neat, slightly chintzy rooms with creaking wooden floors – like a rather superior British B&B.

Jetwing St Andrews $$$$ 10 St Andrew’s Drive, tel: 052-222 3031, www.jetwinghotels.com. Nuwara Eliya’s smartest hotel, occupying a beautiful colonial country club surrounded by graceful lawns running down to the golf course. The oak-panelled bar and restaurant are pure Edwardian period pieces, while rooms are cosy (some with four-poster beds) and comfortable.

The Cultural Triangle

Anuradhapura

Tissawewa Grand $$$ Old Puttalam Road, tel: 025-222 2299, http://tissawewa.com. The most memorable place to stay in Anuradhapura. This atmospheric old colonial rest has lots of period charm and an unbeatable location right at the heart of the old ruined city (though this also means that no alcohol is served).

Dambulla

Heritance Kandalama $$$$$ Kandalama Lake, 10km (6 miles) from Dambulla, tel: 066-555 5000, www.heritancehotels.com. One of Sri Lanka’s most original hotels, this Bawa-designed establishment presents the ultimate marriage of architecture and nature, clinging to the side of a huge rocky outcrop and almost completely buried by layers of tropical vegetation. Stunning views of Sigiriya and the Kandalama lake, plush rooms, and one of the island’s most spectacular swimming pools all add to the allure.

Sigiriya

Jetwing Vil Uyana $$$$$ 3km (2 miles) east of Inamaluwa Junction, tel: 066-228 6000/3, www.jetwinghotels.com. Half hotel and half nature reserve, Vil Uyana sits amidst a beautiful artificial wetland created using ancient Sri Lankan irrigation techniques. Accommodation is in sumptuous villas scattered amidst wildlife-rich areas of marshland, paddy fields, forest and around the central lake, with facilities including a stunning infinity pool plus superb restaurant and spa.

Wild Grass Nature Resort $$$$$ Kumbukkadanwala Farmhouse Road (Govigammana Main Road), Kumbukkadanwala, tel: 066-493 5577, www.wildgrass.lk. Situated in the heart of an enchanting forest, this is an eco-retreat between Sigiriya and Dambulla. Choose from five villas with different layouts. Swimming pool and variety of activities on offer.

Polonnaruwa

The Deer Park $$$ Giritale, Polonnaruwa, tel. 027-777 7777, www.deerparksrilanka.com. Beautifully located just in front of Girithale Lake, this is the perfect base to explore Polonnaruwa Ancient City which is located 13km away. Surrounded by peaceful jungle scenery, this hotel offers stylish accommodation and a beautiful outdoor swimming pool.

The east coast

Trincomalee

Nilaveli Beach Hotel $$$ Nilaveli, tel: 026-223 2295, www.tangerinehotels.com. Unpretentious, long-established resort hotel right on Nilaveli beach opposite Pigeon Island, with a range of comfortable rooms of varying prices and standards and a decent range of facilities.

Arugam Bay

Hideaway $ Arugam Bay, tel: 063-224 8259, www.hideawayarugambay.com. Attractive and excellent-value small guesthouse set a few minutes inland from the beach. Rooms are simple but attractively furnished, while the owner’s striking photos of elephants from nearby Lahugala National Park decorate the corridors and verandah.

Rocco’s Hotel $$ Main Street, Arugam Bay, tel: 077-664 2991 071-810 9999. Located midway along the bay, this small hotel offers comfortable rooms. The open bar/restaurant is an excellent place to chill out.