In our many years of travel in Sri Lanka, we have had the opportunity to stay at countless hotels – big and small, grand and personal, new and heritage. In fact, we spend a lot of time each year travelling in Sri Lanka, visiting new properties and revisiting our favourites, to find the best hotels in Sri Lanka to include in your itinerary and ensuring that the properties we recommend for you meet our high standards. Sri Lanka offers a range of accommodation for every traveller, and in our experience, it’s not just the luxury resorts and heritage hotels that stand out in terms of quality, value, service and experience. There are smaller properties, boutique hotels of Sri Lanka and family-run homestays that can be highlight stays. On this page, you’ll find reviews of some of the many places we have stayed at in Sri Lanka, details about what you can expect from these hotels and some of the things we love about each property. This is not a definitive list of hotels we love in Sri Lanka. It is an ongoing list, and not all of our favourite hotels in Sri Lanka have yet been featured here. We will continue to refine and add to this list!
A visit to Sri Lanka’s lush green tea country is included in most visitors’ to do list. The cooler climate tea country is abundant with options for places to stay, and one of those is Ellerton Bungalow. Located....
Sitting pretty and silent at the far end of Nuwara Eliya, almost hidden away from the buzz of the town, is Ferncliff Bungalow. Built in the 1800s on two-and-a-half acres, this heritage hotel was built as a family....
Set in a picturesque rural landscape surrounded by lush green plants and vegetation, Notary’s House is a small boutique hotel that stands still and serene amid a coconut grove, with a large garden facing a natural lake. A....
A picturesque drive along Kandalama Lake leads you to Wild Grass Nature Resort, an upmarket-eco resort surrounded by nothing but nature. Ideally situated within 30 minutes of one of Sri Lanka’s top attractions - Sigiriya Rock Fortress – Wild Grass....
Nestled in a corner of Sri Lanka’s cultural triangle is The Other Corner hotel – a good example of the lesser-seen side of this popular tourist area. This hotel is tucked away and sits surrounded by the region’s beautiful natural....
Big Game Camp Udawalawe is rustic and modest with no frills. Nestled in the eastern border of the Udawalawe National Park, it is one of the places we love for a truly close to nature stay for wildlife experiences and....
Explorer by Mahoora is exclusive, private and completely isolated in Sri Lanka’s wilderness. Needless to say, it is one of our favourite places to stay during a wildlife tour in Sri Lanka.
At Ulagalla you wil find beauty, serenity and outstanding service. We've warned you - so don't blame us if you check in and never want to leave! This could be one of our top five hotels of Sri Lanka.
Nestled in a lush tropical garden, almost hidden away from the rest of the world is The Kandy House, a manor house built in 1804, now restored to an exclusive boutique hotel.
Ahaspokuna Bush Walks Camp is an upmarket safari lodge situated close to Belihul Oya with easy proximity to some of Sri Lanka's popular wildlife destinations including Udawalawe National Park. It is in every sense a true hideaway having no motorable road....
A restored plantation bungalow perched on the hills of a working tea plantation with stunning views of the mountains, Nine Skies is newly opened luxury tea plantation stay in Sri Lanka.
Ubuntu Beach Villas stand silently side-by-side against the backdrop of the Indian Ocean at Mirissa. This intimate beach-front property offers a villa-type stay with a homely touch.
A luxurious villa-style property located inland within easy driving distance of historic Galle Fort.
This beachfront hotel has just seven rooms, all with ocean views and is within a short drive of the charming UNESCO Heritage city of Galle.
The Last House is a unique beach hideout surrounded by nature with an unspoilt beach. It was the ‘last house’ designed by world famous Sri Lankan architect Geoffrey Bawa.
Boutique 87 is one of the magical creations of Geoffrey Bawa, the world-renowned Sri Lankan architect. It has just two rooms.
Centrally situated on Church in Galle Fort, Fort Bazaar is certainly one of our favourite places to stay in this charming and popular UNESCO Heritage city. It is a contemporary, elegant hotel.
Sri Lanka’s first Relais & Chateaux property, Tea Trails is a luxury tea plantation stay that should top everyone’s travel bucket list.
Located on 12 acres of lush tropical garden atop a singular promontory above Weligama Bay is the elegant Cape Weligama. A perfect stop over for a discerned traveller with a taste for luxury and opulence.
Like other hotels by UGA Escapes, Residence offers personalised services coupled with luxury. It is centrally located in Colombo.
Quietly located on the border of Yala National Park, 20-minute drive to the Katagamuwa entrance is the beautiful bespoke upmarket tented camp Leopard Trails. It is so close to the nature reserve that you can hear the growls of leopards,....
Water Gardens Sigiriya is large upmarket property with 30 stand-alone villas spread across 35-acres of land and having one of the best views of Sigiriya Rock Fortress (arguably Sri Lanka’s best known attraction and biggest drawcard) and Pidurangala Rock. The....