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Where to Stay in Sri Lanka: 9 Top Destinations

By Becky Griswold · Last updated on July 18, 2024

The island nation just off of the coast of India is a wondrous place for travelers. From dense rainforests and blissful beaches to ancient temples and amazing train journeys, Sri Lanka has a lot to offer – and that’s without mentioning the kindness of its people and the deliciousness of the food.

Vibrant and full of its own unique history and culture, Sri Lanka may have a strong connection to Southern India but with a rapidly developing tourist scene and alluringly diverse landscape, visiting Sri Lanka is becoming increasingly popular.

Knowing where to stay in Sri Lanka depends on what you want out of your trip. If you just want to enjoy a week or more in a luxury beach resort under the shade of palm trees, head to Sri Lanka’s popular beach resorts such as Unawatuna. If adventuring into hill-top towns with ancient relics is more your scene, Kandy is the place for you. Then there’s the modern vibrancy of the cosmopolitan colonial capital Colombo, with its huge selection of accommodation.

Whatever it is you’re looking for, Sri Lanka is sure to have it. Here’s our round-up of the best places to stay in Sri Lanka to get you dreaming of your next big trip.

Up in the lush green hills in central Sri Lanka, the country’s second city is a unique enclave of customs and culture. The last to fall to colonial rule, Kandy is a cultural hub boasting sights like the Temple of the Tooth – the most important shrine in Sri Lanka – and is host to the high-spirited Esala Peraher festival. Known as the Capital of the Ancient Kings, staying in Kandy means spending time soaking up the city’s unique music and architecture.

Being located high up in the hills means that Kandy has a much cooler climate compared to other big Sri Lankan towns. From the charm of the colonial buildings and the central lakes, modern Kandy has developed into an urban city complete with busy streets – but nothing compared to Colombo. Getting around the city on the local three-wheelers – or tuk-tuks – is cheap and easy.

Accommodation in Kandy is a mix of affordable boutique hotels and lovely central guest houses, as well as some truly stunning places to stay – think infinity pools in villas nestled among the treetops.

Where to Stay in Kandy

Earls Regency Hotel – With its sophisticated rooms, tropical gardens, three bars, three restaurants, multiple pools, as well as a tennis court, spa, and gym, this is a definitively 5-star option.
OZO Kandy – Just a stone’s throw from both Kandy Lake and the famed Temple of the Tooth, this hotel is well placed to explore the best that this hill town has to offer.
Hotel Casamara – This place features a terrace pool complete with sun loungers and a plethora of tropical plants, as well as an amazing rooftop bar and a sophisticated restaurant.

This southwestern Sri Lankan city is famous for its 16th Century Portuguese fort; it’s the best-preserved example of such in all of Southeast, Asia.

Much Portuguese architecture still dots the city, but it was mainly the Dutch who developed Galle; you can still see it plainly in churches, warehouses, and other repurposed architecture, like the National Museum of Galle, housed in an 18th Century Dutch building.

Tourists are drawn to the ambiance and history of this place, which is definitely helped by the charming buildings that line its streets, restored by locals and foreign residents alike.

Formerly known as Gimhathiththa before the arrival of the Portuguese, this harbor city is awash with cafes and shops, as well as hostels and boutique hotels. Cheap hostels are chic. The amount of effortlessly stylish heritage hotels means you’ll be able to stay in relative luxury on a budget (to an extent), but there are lots of pricey – and more lavish – options, too.

Where to Stay in Galle

Amari Galle – The stylish and polished rooms at this luxury offering have balconies with sea views and rain showers.
Parawa House – This is a perfect option for anybody wanting to stay somewhere that feels downright luxurious but without the high price. Coffee and meals are available at this guesthouse, with many places to sit and enjoy the surroundings.

The small, seaside city of Hikkaduwa is north of Galle, along the southwest coast of Sri Lanka. Well-trodden by tourists who are looking for a slice of sand and a chilled-out time, the town is packed full of cheap guesthouses, tourist shops, and many cafes and restaurants. It may have lost a little of its beauty since the tourists started arriving here in the 1970’s, but if you want to spend a few days near the sea, this might be the spot for you.

Connected to Colombo by rail and road, the town has become a hotspot for surfers, who turn up here between November and March, keen to hit the waves at Hikkaduwa Beach. There are also some good snorkeling opportunities; turtles can often be seen around the coral reefs just off the coast.

Where to Stay in Hikkaduwa

Hikka Tranz by Cinnamon – Beach fans will love this place; it’s set on a bit of headland surrounded by your favorite things – sea and sand.
L&D Lodge – The rooms at L&D Lodge may be compact, but they’re modern, clean, polished and tastefully decorated; each one comes with its own balcony, too.

Colombo is the largest city in Sri Lanka and its commercial center. Made the capital of the island nation by the British when it became part of their empire in 1815, it remained that way even after independence, until that title was taken by nearby Sri Jayawardenepura Kotte.

Today, the sprawling city has a fast-growing cosmopolitan side, with many art galleries and trendy cafes popping up in recent years. High-rises – including many hotels facing the huge coastal grassy area of the palm-lined Galle Face Green – are now beginning to create a new skyline. At ground level, British colonial architecture can be found in the form of the elegant Galle Face Hotel, as well as many others, including the General Post Office, Old Parliament Building and the National Museum of Colombo.

This ocean city boasts more than architecture – there’s also the huge Viharamahadevi Park to explore, as well as its many malls. Staying in Colombo has all the benefits of a big city; there’s something for everyone, from its many cheap hotels and hostels to more expensive offerings.

Where to Stay in Colombo

Galle Face Hotel – This indeed is a luxurious option. One of the reasons is because it’s set in a beautiful colonial building that dates all the way back to 1864.
Fairway Colombo – Historic and landmark buildings like the old Dutch Colonial Hospital (now a shopping district) and the World Trade Centre are a stone’s throw from here.

The small, seaside town of Negombo is located just 10 kilometers from the Colombo International Airport and is where many visitors to the island start their trip. A much more relaxed way to slip into Sri Lankan life than beginning in Colombo, Negombo is easygoing and friendly. The beach is attractive enough, although not the best in the country – it’s fine for some days chilling out and catching a tan.

A great introduction to Sri Lanka, the center of the town is abuzz with red and green tuk-tuks and locally run restaurants selling some traditional (but mainly Western versions of) food. There’s a good range of choice when it comes to accommodation, too. If you’re looking to travel cheaply, locally owned guesthouses offer low-priced beds, and whilst large resorts may cost more, staying there will mean added comfort and luxury.

Where to Stay in Negombo

Heritance Negombo – There’s an upscale rooftop bar, a seafood restaurant nestled in a grove of palm trees, and a large buffet restaurant with a selection of cuisines.
Camelot Beach Hotel – As you might be able to tell from the name, this 4-star offering is situated practically on the beachfront.
Leighton Resort – This modern, whitewashed hotel boasts a courtyard pool and simple but clean and colorful rooms.

Nuwara Eliya

Once a getaway for British colonialists who managed tea plantations – thanks to its elevated position in hilly Central Province – the green town of Nuwara Eliya does feel a little bit like the countryside.

It’s certainly retained its colonial past, making it popular with domestic tourists in the summer who want to escape the heat. There’s the stately Victoria Park, many golf courses, and 19th Century, Tudor-style country houses and hotels – like the Hill Club and the Grand Hotel. There’s also the Town Post Office – one of the oldest in Sri Lanka. Even the English-style lawns and gardens of private houses now owned by Sri Lankans have been immaculately maintained.

Incredible vistas of the hill country itself, including waterfalls and dramatic valleys, mean it’s also a great place to get in touch with nature.

This is a good place to splurge on a hotel, where you can really hark back to the days of old with some afternoon tea. Of course, this being Sri Lanka, there are several cheap guesthouses and hostels in town – plus some solid mid-range hotels – meaning you can stay affordably amid the luxury. But that’s no fun, is it?

Where to Stay in Nuwara Eliya

Queenswood Cottage – A unique, log cabin style building, Queenswood Cottage boasts rooms that continue the lodge theme, with wooden floors, and exuberant cushions and bedspreads.
The Grand Hotel – Set in a building that dates back to 1891 – and with plenty of meticulously manicured lawns to relax in – The Grand Hotel stays true to its name and offers refined things like afternoon tea.

For amazing views of unbelievable scenery, Ella cannot be beaten. Set in the mountains of the central highland, 1000 meters above sea level, the town is best reached by train. The journey by rail to Ella from Kandy is an iconic one and will take you chugging along in a colorful carriage up through the lush, verdant hills. Ella itself may be small, but if you enjoy hiking or just relaxing in the peace and quiet of nature, it’s definitely well worth your time.

The green slopes surrounding the village are laden with tea plantations and rice fields, and some of the best guesthouses in the area look out over these serene scenes. The accommodation here is good value and mainly run by local families, but there are some boutique hotel offerings too, for travelers looking for a little more comfort. The village itself isn’t packed full of activities, however, you can head out into the hills and discover gushing waterfalls and charming temples.

Where to Stay in Ella

Morning Dew Hotel – The rooftop of this hotel puts you in the perfect position to soak up the incredible views that Sri Lanka’s Hill Country offers up. Plus, this is where you get to eat your breakfast each morning!
The View Ella – Everywhere – from the rooms to the pool – you will view the jungle as far as the eye can see.

Located on the south coast of Sri Lanka, Mirissa is Sri Lanka’s chilled-out beach destination. Well, in the daytime it’s chilled out – in high season, the nightlife here has gained Mirissa a reputation as something of a party destination.

In addition to that, seriously cheap beachside accommodation, hostels, and inland guesthouses make this place very affordable indeed, meaning it’s popular with backpackers. If you want a little more luxury for a little more money (in a few cases, a lot more), there are quite a number of nicer hotels and even resorts.

Other than sitting on the beach in a hammock, splashing around in the sea or exploring to see what secret cafes and bars you can find dotted along the coast, this is actually a prime location for dolphin and whale watching. And not just any whales – blue whales, which migrate past the coast between November and June.

Where to Stay in Mirissa

Randiya Sea View – Just 300 meters from Mirissa Beach, the hotel lives up to its name: the rooms here feature balconies where you can lap up sea views at any time of day.
Triple O Six – Boasting a pool, garden, and restaurant, Triple O Six is just across the road from a beach, while Mirissa Beach is also within walking distance.
Peacock Villa – This hotel is set in lush tropical gardens where monitor lizards, monkeys, and even peacocks roam around.

The popular beach resort city of Unawatuna is well-known on the traveler map and for good reason. Glistening seas, yellow sands, and coral reefs are a big draw for people who want to spend a week or two unwinding. The town was hit badly by the 2004 tsunami and, although rebuilding was done in a bit of a rush, the accommodation around the beach ranges from shining resorts popular with international holidaymakers to smaller budget backpackers’ guesthouses run by locals.

Being the most famous beach in Sri Lanka, Unawatuna has all the amenities you would expect – sun loungers and beach-side bars and restaurants all eager to lure in tourists. Domestic tourists also enjoy breaks here and you can often see Sri Lankan families spending time together paddling in the sea. With fewer waves than other beaches in the country, the water here makes for a good swimming spot. As the sun sets, the town begins to liven up, with people enjoying dinner and cocktails. The road that makes up the center of town is busy with souvenir shops, and guesthouses.

Where to Stay in Unawatuna

Cantaloupe Levels – The spacious rooms are done in boutique style and feature colorful quilted furniture and wooden floors. There’s also a rooftop area for chilling out, and a panoramic restaurant.
Thaproban Beach House – Situated on Unawatuna’s main beach, the rooms at the aptly named Thaproban Beach House feature a rustic beach house feel.
Hotel J Unawatuna An excellent option for budget travelers and not so budget travelers alike, Hotel J comes with a range of rooms, including mixed dormitories.

Map of Sri Lanka

Map of the best places to stay in Sri Lanka

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July 29, 2019 at 8:43 pm

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