20 Best Hotels in Sri Lanka

Our Favourite Stays

If you are short on time, these four cover the price tiers: Wild Coast Tented Lodge (luxury), Trebartha East (comfort), Moksha at Kitulgala (standard) and Villa Blu (budget). They come from research, not from stays of my own. The full list of 20, with prices, is further down.

Wild Coast Tented Lodge - Relais and Chateaux

(Luxury Hotel)

• Luxury Glamping
• Wildlife & Safari
• Eco-Conscious & Sustainable

Wild Coast Tented Lodge is near Yala National Park and offers a glamping-style stay in 28 cocoon-like tents that mix colonial design with the surroundings. The private decks look over watering holes that attract wildlife, and guests can go on guided safaris.

Accommodation ranges from suites to family-friendly units, all with Wi-Fi and handcrafted bath products. The restaurant serves creative Sri Lankan cuisine, and guests can take hands-on cooking classes. The Sanctuary Spa uses local ingredients like Ceylon tea and cinnamon in its treatments.

The lodge is recognized for its social and environmental projects across Sri Lanka. At 1281€ for two it has the highest rating among the luxury hotels here (9.7), and it costs less than Uga Chena Huts.

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Trebartha East - The Round House

(Comfort Hotel)

• Cinnamon Plantation
• Infinity pool & relaxation
• Farm-to-Table Cuisine

Trebartha East The Roundhouse is on a 12-acre cinnamon plantation near Ahangama, 10 minutes from beaches and cafes. It was designed by architect Dr. Narein Perera and has four rooms with views of rice paddies and jungle, each with indoor-outdoor spaces and an ensuite bathroom.

There is an 18-meter curved pool and a garden path, and the all-day kitchen serves Sri Lankan-inspired dishes made with locally sourced ingredients, with cocktails at sunset by the pool.

The plantation has been revitalized, and the hotel supports the local economy. It is close to nearby beaches and Galle Fort. At 294€ for two it is the cheapest of the comfort hotels, with a 9.7 rating.

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Moksha at Kitulgala - Rainforest Boutique Hotel

(Standard Hotel)

• Rainforest Escape
• Adventure Activities
• Organic Dining

Moksha Kitulgala is a rainforest boutique hotel in Kitulgala, described as Sri Lanka’s adventure capital. It has only eight rooms and uses eco-friendly materials in a design meant to protect the surrounding environment.

Meals come from the on-site greenhouse and local farmers. There is no fixed menu, and the chefs cook from seasonal ingredients and guest preferences.

Nearby activities include white-water rafting, canyoning, hiking and waterfall abseiling, and the property is by the Liyan Oya stream, with wildlife around. At 229€ for two it is rated 9.5, the lowest rating among the standard hotels.

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Villa Blu

(Budget Hotel)

• Beachfront Location
• Nature & Wildlife nearby
• Affordable Luxury

Villa Blu Tangalle is a beachfront 5-star hotel in Tangalle, with rooms that have balconies over the ocean, near Gurupokuna Beach and Kalametiya Bird Sanctuary. The air-conditioned rooms have flat-screen TVs and free Wi-Fi. The restaurant serves international cuisine, including American, Chinese and Dutch dishes, with vegetarian, dairy-free and halal options.

Nearby attractions include the Hummanaya Blow Hole and turtle conservation sites. The hotel has an indoor pool and an airport shuttle. At 151€ for two it is the most expensive of the budget picks, rated 9.6.

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Where to Stay in Sri Lanka?

Where you stay in Sri Lanka depends on what you want to see, from the capital and the beaches to the hills, wildlife parks and ancient sites. Here are the main areas and what each is known for.

Colombo: Best for First-Time Visitors

Colombo is the capital and where many trips begin. It has historical sites, modern attractions and markets.

• Fort Area: Close to major attractions like the Dutch Hospital and the Old Parliament.
• Galle Face Green: Known for sunset views over the sea.

If you’re starting your journey in Colombo, here are some hotels in the city to check out.

Kandy: Best for Cultural Exploration

Kandy is known for its Buddhist sites and history, including the Temple of the Tooth Relic, and it is surrounded by hills.

• Temple of the Tooth: Kandy’s best-known Buddhist site.
• Kandy Lake: A lake for walks, with local plants.

Thinking of staying in Kandy? Here are some hotel options here.

Galle: Best for History and Beaches

Galle’s historic fort is a UNESCO World Heritage site, and the town also has an arts scene.

• Galle Fort: Historic architecture and boutique shops.
• Unawatuna Beach: A beach for swimming, with local seafood.

Here are a few hotels in the area.

Yala National Park: Best for Wildlife Lovers

Yala National Park is known for its leopards and other wildlife, and it offers a range of safari experiences.

• Safari Lodges: Lodges near the park entrance, close to the wildlife viewing.
• Game Drives: Drives to see the park’s plants and animals.

Planning a safari? Here are some lodges and hotels near Yala.

Hatton: Best for Nature Enthusiasts

Hatton is in tea country and is a base for Adam’s Peak, a trekking destination.

• Tea Plantations: Views, and a chance to learn how tea is produced.
• Adam’s Peak: A well-known hike.

For a quiet escape in the hills, here are some places to stay in Hatton.

Ella: Best for Scenic Beauty

Ella is a mountain town known for its views and hiking trails.

• Nine Arches Bridge: A famous landmark and photo spot.
• Little Adam’s Peak: A short trek with panoramic views of the hills.

Here are some hotels with the best views.

Cultural Triangle: Best for History Buffs

The Cultural Triangle has ancient history and several UNESCO World Heritage sites, with temples and ruins.

• Anuradhapura: Ancient ruins and sacred sites.
• Dambulla Cave Temple: Known for its cave murals and statues.

Looking to stay close to Sri Lanka’s ancient wonders? Here are some hotels in the Cultural Triangle.

Beaches of the South Coast: Best for Relaxation

The South Coast is known for its beaches, used for sunbathing and water sports. Towns like Tangalle are on this stretch.

• Tangalle Beach: Sunsets and turtle watching.
• Hiriketiya Bay: Surfing and beachside dining.

Dreaming of a beach getaway? Check out these hotels along the South Coast.

Trincomalee: Best for Coastal Experiences

Trincomalee, on the East Coast, is known for its beaches and its history.

• Nilaveli Beach: Known for its clear waters and water sports activities.
• Koneswaram Temple: A significant cultural site overlooking the ocean.

For a stay by the coast, here are some hotels in Trincomalee.

Jaffna: Best for Cultural Immersion

Jaffna, in the north, has a strong Hindu culture and history, with temples and local cuisine.

• Nallur Kandaswamy Kovil: A temple that reflects the region’s culture.
• Jaffna Fort: Provides insight into the colonial history of the area.

Exploring the north? Here are some places to stay in Jaffna.

Price Comparison

Rooms for two people in EUR

Luxury Hotels

Uga Chena Huts

Uga Chena Huts sits next to Yala National Park, between the dunes and the greenery, and has 18 private cabins with views of the wilderness and the Indian Ocean. Each hut is 1,600 square feet and has its own plunge pool.

Guests can go on personalized safari tours led by rangers, and the area has leopards and elephants, so it suits a wildlife-focused stay. The restaurant, The Basses, serves a mix of local and international cuisine.

At 1424€ for two it is the most expensive hotel on this list, with a 9.4 rating, so it makes most sense if the Yala safaris are the main reason for the trip.

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Wild Coast Tented Lodge - Relais and Chateaux

Wild Coast Tented Lodge is near Yala National Park and offers a glamping-style stay in 28 cocoon-like tents that mix colonial design with the surroundings. The private decks look over watering holes that attract wildlife, and guests can go on guided safaris.

Accommodation ranges from suites to family-friendly units, all with Wi-Fi and handcrafted bath products. The restaurant serves creative Sri Lankan cuisine, and guests can take hands-on cooking classes. The Sanctuary Spa uses local ingredients like Ceylon tea and cinnamon in its treatments.

The lodge is recognized for its social and environmental projects across Sri Lanka. At 1281€ for two it has the highest rating among the luxury hotels here (9.7), and it costs less than Uga Chena Huts.

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Ahu Bay

Ahu Bay is a beach house on Sri Lanka’s southern coast, 40km north of Galle. It is a 5-star property with three private villas that have ocean views and a personal concierge service.

The Bay View rooms and suites have king-sized beds and outdoor spaces. The restaurant focuses on seasonal produce, with a mix of Sri Lankan and international dishes.

The Sanctuary Spa offers holistic therapies inspired by traditional healing practices, and the hotel arranges private whale watching and cultural outings. At 756€ for two it is the third most expensive luxury pick, and its 9.2 rating is the lowest of the five.

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Kayaam House

Kayaam House is a wellness retreat on the south coast at Tangalle, a few steps from the Indian Ocean. It has an outdoor yoga pavilion, an infinity pool and a Bawa-inspired restaurant. The rooms are Ocean Rooms and Palm Suites with private terraces or balconies, and the on-site spa offers Ayurvedic treatments.

Meal plans can be tailored to your Ayurvedic dosha, or you can order a la carte, and the hotel arranges private whale watching and cultural outings. At 558€ for two (rated 9.3) it is the second cheapest of the luxury picks, and the one to look at if the wellness side is what you want.

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Galle Fort Hotel

Galle Fort Hotel is inside the UNESCO World Heritage site of Galle Fort, in a restored Dutch mansion about 300 years old. It has 11 suites, each with its own theme, around a frangipani-lined courtyard, with original Dutch walls and antique furnishings. The Porcelain and Library Suites are two of them.

The hotel is home to Ropewalk, described as the world’s first arrack-speciality bar, where cocktails are made with local ingredients. It also runs guided arrack tastings and cooking demonstrations at the local market. At 492€ for two (rated 9.3) it is the cheapest of the luxury picks.

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Comfort Hotels

Halcyon Mawella

Halcyon Mawella sits where the jungle meets the sea and puts environmental work at the center, with beach clean-ups and an effort to cut plastic use that supports the local community. The spaces use reclaimed antique materials, and the buildings are topped with iluk grass roofing.

Activities include sailing, diving, yoga, turtle watching, kayaking in Mawella Lagoon and fishing trips, and day trips to Mulkirigala Rock Temple and Galle Fort are possible. The restaurant and bar use locally sourced ingredients. At 346€ for two it is the most expensive comfort pick, with the lowest rating in that tier (9.4).

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The Flame Tree Estate & Hotel

The Flame Tree Estate & Hotel is an art deco plantation manor house built on land once gifted by Ratwatte Adigar, the Chief Minister to the last King of Kandy. It overlooks the Galagedera Pass, the gateway to the historic Kandyan kingdom. It reopened as a boutique hotel in 2019 after a restoration and has been recognized as one of the island’s Top Ten 5-star hotels.

The estate covers 25 acres of organic spice plantation, with birds, civets, fishing cats, deer and toque macaque monkeys around. There are jungle walks, gardens and a 17-meter infinity pool overlooking the valley. At 306€ for two it has the highest rating among the comfort hotels (9.8).

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Riff Hikkaduwa

Riff Hikkaduwa is described as the first design hotel in Hikkaduwa, a five-star boutique hotel that mixes contemporary design with Sri Lankan hospitality. The rooms have ocean views and modern comforts.

The all-day restaurant serves local, Western and Asian dishes, with handcrafted pastries and coffee. The design uses Spanish marble floors and natural teak finishes, and the hotel has a saltwater infinity pool, a Balinese spa and a gym. At 305€ for two it is rated 9.6, the same price as Buckingham Place but rated slightly lower.

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Buckingham Place

Buckingham Place is a privately owned beachside hotel on the edge of Tangalle, run by host Nick Buckingham and his team. The building has classic architecture and stylish interiors, and the hotel describes itself as offering fair rates and a homely feel.

It has sixteen accommodations, including deluxe lagoon view bedrooms and suites, an Oceanfront restaurant serving Sri Lankan and international cuisine, two swimming pools, a games room and a lounge. At 305€ for two it is rated 9.7.

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Trebartha East - The Round House

Trebartha East The Roundhouse is on a 12-acre cinnamon plantation near Ahangama, 10 minutes from beaches and cafes. It was designed by architect Dr. Narein Perera and has four rooms with views of rice paddies and jungle, each with indoor-outdoor spaces and an ensuite bathroom.

There is an 18-meter curved pool and a garden path, and the all-day kitchen serves Sri Lankan-inspired dishes made with locally sourced ingredients, with cocktails at sunset by the pool.

The plantation has been revitalized, and the hotel supports the local economy. It is close to nearby beaches and Galle Fort. At 294€ for two it is the cheapest of the comfort hotels, with a 9.7 rating.

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Standard Hotels

The Sun House

The Sun House was the home of a 19th-century Scottish spice merchant who came to Galle and married a local seamstress known for her beralu lace. Together they filled the house with art, books and souvenirs from their travels.

The house is on a hill, a five-minute walk from the center of Galle, with large gardens and a collection of artwork, books and furniture. It has been restored and keeps its colonial look, with seven individually designed rooms and suites. The Gallean restaurant is in the original spice stores and serves Asian flavors with local ingredients, inspired by the merchant’s travels. There are sunset views too. At 257€ for two it is the most expensive standard pick, rated 9.7.

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Villa Thamburu

Villa Thamburu is a newly established boutique resort on Bentota Beach, about 90 minutes from Colombo. It has 15 rooms and suites, a large pool set in gardens, direct access to the beach and a restaurant called Tharinho.

The project brings together a Sri Lankan host family, a Swiss investor and a Portuguese architect. The menu at Tharinho, run by a team led by Chef Chaminda, uses local ingredients alongside international flavors. At 242€ for two it is rated 9.6.

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Moksha at Kitulgala - Rainforest Boutique Hotel

Moksha Kitulgala is a rainforest boutique hotel in Kitulgala, described as Sri Lanka’s adventure capital. It has only eight rooms and uses eco-friendly materials in a design meant to protect the surrounding environment.

Meals come from the on-site greenhouse and local farmers. There is no fixed menu, and the chefs cook from seasonal ingredients and guest preferences.

Nearby activities include white-water rafting, canyoning, hiking and waterfall abseiling, and the property is by the Liyan Oya stream, with wildlife around. At 229€ for two it is rated 9.5, the lowest rating among the standard hotels.

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Splendour Residence

Splendour Residence is a 5-star hotel in Balapitiya, 37 km from Galle International Cricket Stadium. It has an outdoor pool, a garden and a terrace, and the rooms have lake views, air conditioning, a flat-screen TV with satellite channels and free Wi-Fi.

Other services include a 24-hour front desk, airport transfers, room service, and a restaurant and bar. Cycling is popular in the area, and bike and car hire is available. Breakfast is a buffet or a la carte, with continental, vegetarian and vegan options. At 200€ for two it is rated 9.7, the second cheapest of the standard hotels.

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33 Lake Terrace

33 Lake Terrace is a villa in the jungle at Hikkaduwa, next to Hikkaduwa Lake and minutes from the beaches. It focuses on privacy, and each room has a theme based on Sri Lankan heritage and crafts, with furnishings that honor endangered art forms. There is an infinity pool overlooking the lake.

Experiences include sea turtle conservation projects and visits to working cinnamon plantations, and the dining mixes Sri Lankan flavors with global cuisines. The villa also highlights sustainability. At 172€ for two it is the cheapest of the standard hotels, rated 9.7.

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Budget Hotels

Villa Blu

Villa Blu Tangalle is a beachfront 5-star hotel in Tangalle, with rooms that have balconies over the ocean, near Gurupokuna Beach and Kalametiya Bird Sanctuary. The air-conditioned rooms have flat-screen TVs and free Wi-Fi. The restaurant serves international cuisine, including American, Chinese and Dutch dishes, with vegetarian, dairy-free and halal options.

Nearby attractions include the Hummanaya Blow Hole and turtle conservation sites. The hotel has an indoor pool and an airport shuttle. At 151€ for two it is the most expensive of the budget picks, rated 9.6.

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Uyana Boutique Hotel and Retreat Adults Only

Uyana Boutique Hotel and Retreat is an adults-only hotel designed around the owner’s travels. The furniture was co-designed by the owner and made in Sri Lanka from teak and treated mahogany, and the artwork reflects modern Sri Lanka. The garden has hand-picked flowers, and the pool looks over rice fields.

The rooms are suites with SPA CEYLON toiletries and percale bed linen, and breakfast is served at a private table. The garden covers 4000 m² and has birdlife and a 25-meter pool. Kabalana beach, known for surfing, and Galle Fort are nearby. At 129€ for two it is rated 9.8.

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Ginganga Lodge

Ginganga Lodge is just outside Galle, among native Sri Lankan trees. The rooms have open-style bathrooms and queen-sized beds, and there is a pool with monkeys and birds around.

An on-site chef prepares the meals, with a traditional Sri Lankan breakfast if you ask in advance and lunch and dinner available through the day. The riverside pavilion is used for massages. At 105€ for two it has a 9.9 rating, joint highest on this list with Plantation House.

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Atha Resort

Atha Resort Sigiriya is a village-themed lodge at the base of the Sigiriya Rock Fortress in the Cultural Triangle, surrounded by forest, with tree-lined paths, a pool and views up to the rock.

It has seven rooms that combine boutique comforts with traditional architecture, in an eco-lodge style. The restaurant serves local and international dishes, including five-course meals and candlelit dinners, and the resort has an outdoor pool, a 24-hour front desk and an airport shuttle. At 97€ for two it is rated 9.6, tied for the lowest rating of the budget picks with Villa Blu.

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Plantation House

Plantation House is a five-bedroom boutique guest house built in 2018. Each room is 27 square meters with air conditioning and a walk-in rainforest shower, and opens onto a wide terrace overlooking a garden with coconut, papaya and banana trees. There is a swimming pool and a yoga deck, and the beach is a short walk through paddy fields.

Breakfast is served on the terrace, and the free Wi-Fi is limited to texting and emails, which is worth knowing if you need to work online. The rooms have cotton sheets and large towels, and there are a Pool House and a nearby Buddhist temple. At 74€ for two it is the cheapest hotel on this list, with a joint-highest rating of 9.9.

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