The best hotels in Sri Lanka: ten places to stay, from the tea hills to the south coast

Bawa's hotel in the jungle

Heritance Kandalama was designed by the architect Geoffrey Bawa and is built into a rock face by the Kandalama reservoir near Dambulla. The building is almost hidden beneath plants, and from the pool you look across the water towards Sigiriya in the distance.

This is our pick for architecture, and for anyone who wants to stay in nature in the Cultural Triangle. It is a large hotel, and the monkeys are curious, so close your balcony door. Read more in our own review of Heritance Kandalama.

A modern hotel near Dambulla

Jetwing Lake sits beside a small lake outside Dambulla, with modern rooms, a large pool and views of the mountains. The Dambulla cave temples are a few minutes away, and Sigiriya is about half an hour's drive.

It suits you if you want a modern, comfortable hotel right between the sights. It is a large hotel. Climb Sigiriya early in the morning, before the heat and the crowds.

Chalets on a tea estate near Ella

98 Acres is on an old tea estate outside Ella, with wooden, thatched chalets spread over the hillside. From the verandas you look at Little Adam's Peak and Ella Rock, and some chalets have their own pool.

This is our pick in the hill country, for anyone who wants to hike and enjoy the views. It is steep between the chalets. Walk up Little Adam's Peak from the hotel at sunrise, and take the train over the Nine Arches Bridge.

A hotel in an old tea factory

Heritance Tea Factory is in a 1930s tea factory high in the mountains at Kandapola, near Nuwara Eliya. The old machinery is still in the building, and the hotel makes its own tea, which you can watch being produced.

It suits you if you like history and want to see how tea is made. It is cold in the evening and a long way from town. Walk through the tea estate around the hotel early in the morning, when the pickers are out.

Inside the fort in Galle

Fort Bazaar is in an old merchant's house inside Galle Fort, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The rooms are arranged around a courtyard with trees and a pool, and you can walk to cafés, shops and the ramparts.

This is our pick in Galle, for anyone who wants to stay in town rather than on the beach. There are few rooms and little space. Walk the ramparts at sunset, when the whole town gathers there.

Villas on the cliff above the bay

Cape Weligama sits on a cliff above Weligama Bay, with villas in a large garden and a crescent-shaped pool facing the sea. It belongs to the same group as Ceylon Tea Trails and Wild Coast Tented Lodge, and many guests combine all three.

This is our pick for romance, for couples who want space, views and excellent service. There is no beach right below. Take an early boat trip from Mirissa to see blue whales between December and April.

A beach hotel in Mirissa

Sri Sharavi is right on the beach in Mirissa, with villas and a pool among the palms. Mirissa is a lively beach town with restaurants and bars, and the whale-watching boats leave from here.

It suits you if you want to stay on the beach with some life around you. It is less luxurious than the biggest hotels on the coast. Walk up Coconut Tree Hill for the view along the coast.

By the lagoon at Rekawa

Buckingham Place sits between the Rekawa lagoon and the sea east of Tangalle, far from the busy beach towns. The hotel is small, with large rooms, an infinity pool facing the sea and kayaks on the lagoon.

It suits couples who want peace and few other people around. The sea here has strong waves. Join a walk to the beach at night to watch sea turtles come ashore to lay their eggs.

Tents by Yala

Wild Coast Tented Lodge lies between the beach and Yala National Park, which has one of the densest leopard populations in the world. The tents are cocoon-shaped, made of bamboo and rattan, and the bar and pool sit under large domes.

This is our safari pick, for anyone who wants to see leopards and elephants and stay somewhere unusual. It is expensive, but safaris are included. Book the morning game drive, when the animals are most active.

Tents by the shallow bay

Karpaha Sands is on the beach at Pasikudah, with tents and villas among the palms. The bay is shallow and calm, and you can walk a long way out before the water gets deep.

It suits families and anyone travelling in summer, when the south coast has the monsoon. It is a long way from the rest of the island. Take a day trip to Trincomalee to snorkel at Pigeon Island.