Our Hotels in Sri Lanka
All our hotels have been chosen with care. All the rooms have ensuite facilities. You can also be assured that the staff at all these hotels are very attentive and helpful.
On the 15 Day Discover Sri Lanka Tour
GOLDISANDS, NEGOMBO This Hotel is set on the fabulous beach in Negombo where the golden sand stretches as far as the eye can see. Negombo itself is only 30 minutes from the airport and is therefore very especially useful for arrivals when you are tired after the long flight and also departures from Colombo Airport so avoiding Colombo itself. There are a number of hotels and restaurants along this stretch of beach, so it would give you the chance to sample those as well. It has a beautiful freshwater swimming pool which is set just behind the palm trees and overlooks the beach. Each room has its own balcony or verandah overlooking the beach.
KITHULGALA REST HOUSE, KITHULGALA It has a magnificent location set on the banks of the Keleni River. It is an old colonial building which was used as the HQ when the film “The Bridge over the River Kwai” was filmed here with David Lean. This quirky hotel will give you an insight into what colonial life was like. It has a fantastic view of the river and the virgin rainforest on the other side of the river. There is no pool but you can swim in the river if you swim where the locals swim.
PRIYANKARA HOTEL, TISSA This is a small delightful hotel of which we have had very good reports with fantastic views across the paddy fields. It has a cocktail bar and restaurant opening onto the garden and swimming pool. The rooms are really nice and all have their own balcony or terrace area.
VIEW POINT VILLA, ELLA This is a stunning small and intimate boutique hotel set in amongst its own small tea garden. It has 5 well appointed and designed rooms in cabanas. Each double room has a balcony with views to die for out over the Ella valley and the southern aspect of Sri Lanka beyond. There is a small restaurant with equally fabulous views but if you want you can have all your meals served on your own balcony. Once you arrive here, you won’t want to leave!
NUWARA ELIYA - ONE OF THE FOLLOWING:- • ST ANDREW’S HOTEL, NUWARA ELIYA
This is a wonderful Colonial Hotel set near the dating from the Victorian era with its own quirky charm. You will probably be met with a welcome drink of soup served in tiny coffee cups – which really is often very welcome due to the chilliness outside. The rooms are lovely with ensuite facilities often with a bath. A really nice touch at night would be your own hot water bottle. The breakfasts here are truly magnificent.
• THE TEA BUSH HOTEL, NUWARA ELIYA
The Tea Bush Hotel is a charming hotel set on the hillside overlooking Nuwara Eliya. The dining room and the rooftop garden have particularly magnificent views of the surrounding mountains and together with the delicious food that is served make dining a most enjoyable occasion. The hotel itself offers a glimpse of the old colonial past. Overall this is a real gem of a place.
THILANKA HOTEL (NEW WING), KANDY I love this hotel. It is set on the hillside above Kandy with magnificent views over the lake. The rooms in the new wing (we only use these) are extremely spacious and well decorated. All have balconies which look down towards the lake. In the mornings, you will often see monkeys scampering across the balconies or sitting on the railings-its really good to see nature that close. The pool is lovely and the terrace around it has views of the lake and the hills beyond – it’s a great place to have your early evening G & T!
PELWEHERA VILLAGE RESORT, DAMBULLA Another of my very favourite hotels. This is a lovely small hotel nestling in the countryside in the Sigiriya area. All the rooms are spacious and well decorated. All have their own balcony or terrace area which look out over the gardens. The gardens are a real delight with many trees and plants and also a lovely swimming pool. There is a great cocktail bar and an open air restaurant serving good food.
ROYAL LOTUS, GIRITALE This lovely hotel is situated in a great location overlooking the tank at Giritale (man-made lake) with a verdant landscape all around. Sometimes, if you are lucky, in the evening, you will be able to see the odd wild elephant coming down to the water's edge. All of the rooms are spacious, nicely decorated and all have balconies that overlook the tank. The sitting area at the back of the foyer is especially nice, with steamer chairs that overlook the lovely pool, both having great views of the tank beyond. The pool itself is great with a large spacious area around it with lots of seating so you can really relax after having had a dip. The pool is set up high to take advantage of the magnificent views of the lake and the green hills.
On the 8 Day Highlights Tour
GOLDISANDS, NEGOMBO This Hotel is set on the fabulous beach in Negombo where the golden sand stretches as far as the eye can see. Negombo itself is only 30 minutes from the airport and is therefore very especially useful for arrivals when you are tired after the long flight and also departures from Colombo Airport so avoiding Colombo itself. There are a number of hotels and restaurants along this stretch of beach, so it would give you the chance to sample those as well. It has a beautiful freshwater swimming pool which is set just behind the palm trees and overlooks the beach. Each room has its own balcony or verandah overlooking the beach.
PELWEHERA VILLAGE RESORT, DAMBULLA Another of my very favourite hotels. This is a lovely small hotel nestling in the countryside in the Sigiriya area. All the rooms are spacious and well decorated. All have their own balcony or terrace area which look out over the gardens. The gardens are a real delight with many trees and plants and also a lovely swimming pool. There is a great cocktail bar and an open air restaurant serving good
THILANKA HOTEL (NEW WING), KANDY
I love this hotel. It is set on the hillside above Kandy with magnificent views over the lake. The rooms in the new wing (we only use these) are extremely spacious and well decorated. All have balconies which look down towards the lake. In the mornings, you will often see monkeys scampering across the balconies or sitting on the railings-its really good to see nature that close. The pool is lovely and the terrace around it has views of the lake and the hills beyond – it’s a great place to have your early evening G & Ts!
VIEW POINT VILLA, ELLA
This is a stunning small and intimate boutique hotel set in amongst its own small tea garden. It has 5 well appointed and designed rooms in cabanas. Each double room has a balcony with views to die for out over the Ella valley and the southern aspect of Sri Lanka beyond. There is a small restaurant with equally fabulous views but if you want you can have all your meals served on your own balcony. Once you arrive here, you won’t want to leave!
PRIYANKARA HOTEL, TISSA This is a small delightful hotel of which we have had very good reports with fantastic views across the paddy fields. It has a cocktail bar and restaurant opening onto the garden and swimming pool. The rooms are really nice and all have their own balcony or terrace area.
0n the 15 Day Family Tour
GOLDISANDS, NEGOMBO This Hotel is set on the fabulous beach in Negombo where the golden sand stretches as far as the eye can see. Negombo itself is only 30 minutes from the airport and is therefore very especially useful for arrivals when you are tired after the long flight and also departures from Colombo Airport so avoiding Colombo itself. There are a number of hotels and restaurants along this stretch of beach, so it would give you the chance to sample those as well. It has a beautiful freshwater swimming pool which is set just behind the palm trees and overlooks the beach. Each room has its own balcony or verandah overlooking the beach.
PELWEHERA VILLAGE RESORT, DAMBULLA Another of my very favourite hotels. This is a lovely small hotel nestling in the countryside in the Sigiriya area. All the rooms are spacious and well decorated. All have their own balcony or terrace area which look out over the gardens. The gardens are a real delight with many trees and plants and also a lovely swimming pool. There is a great cocktail bar and an open air restaurant serving good food.
THILANKA HOTEL (NEW WING), KANDY I love this hotel. It is set on the hillside above Kandy with magnificent views over the lake. The rooms in the new wing (we only use these) are extremely spacious and well decorated. All have balconies which look down towards the lake. In the mornings, you will often see monkeys scampering across the balconies or sitting on the railings-its really good to see nature that close. The pool is lovely and the terrace around it has views of the lake and the hills beyond – it’s a great place to have your early evening G & T!
KITHULGALA REST HOUSE, KITHULGALA It has a magnificent location set on the banks of the Keleni River. It is an old colonial building which was used as the HQ when the film “The Bridge over the River Kwai” was filmed here with David Lean. This quirky hotel will give you an insight into what colonial life was like. It has a fantastic view of the river and the virgin rainforest on the other side of the river. There is no pool but you can swim in the river if you swim where the locals swim.
NUWARA ELIYA - ONE OF THE FOLLOWING:- • ST ANDREW’S HOTEL, NUWARA ELIYA This is a wonderful Colonial Hotel set near the dating from the Victorian era with its own quirky charm. You will probably be met with a welcome drink of soup served in tiny coffee cups – which really is often very welcome due to the chilliness outside. The rooms are lovely with ensuite facilities often with a bath. A really nice touch at night would be your own hot water bottle. The breakfasts here are truly magnificent.
• THE TEA BUSH HOTEL, NUWARA ELIYA
The Tea Bush Hotel is a charming hotel set on the hillside overlooking Nuwara Eliya. The dining room and the rooftop garden have particularly magnificent views of the surrounding mountains and together with the delicious food that is served make dining a most enjoyable occasion. The hotel itself offers a glimpse of the old colonial past. Overall this is a real gem of a place.
• WINDSOR HOTEL, NUWARA ELIYA This hotel is conveniently set in the middle of Nuwara Eliya. It is a modern comfortable hotel, all rooms having heating and extra blankets which is pretty essential for Nuwara Eliya.
VIEW POINT VILLA, ELLA This is a stunning small and intimate boutique hotel set in amongst its own small tea garden. It has 5 well appointed and designed rooms in cabanas. Each double room has a balcony with views to die for out over the Ella valley and the southern aspect of Sri Lanka beyond. There is a small restaurant with equally fabulous views but if you want you can have all your meals served on your own balcony. Once you arrive here, you won’t want to leave!
CENTAURIA HOTEL, EMBILIPITIYA This is a very comfortable modern hotel situated conveniently for Ude Walawe National Park. It has a slightly rambling feel to it but the facilities are good. There is a nice peaceful conservatory in which to have tea or your early evening drink. The restaurant serves good food. All the rooms are well equipped and of a good size and each has a balcony that looks over the lake and the National Park beyond. The pool is lovely and has great views out across the lake too.
LIHINIYA SURF HOTEL, BENTOTA (LUXURY WING) It is set on a magnificent stretch of beach with fantastic golden sands as far as the eye can see. The hotel gardens are set amongst the swaying palm trees at the back of the beach where the swimming pool also is. Other than the palm trees, there are uninterrupted views of the blue waters of the Indian Ocean. The atmosphere at the hotel is very laid back and relaxing but the staff are extremely attentive and helpful-nothing seems to be too much trouble for them. The rooms are spacious and spotless. The restaurant serves good food and overlooks the fantastic beach. All in all, a very good place to unwind after your family tour!
Other Hotels
Negombo • BLUE OCEANIC This hotel is situated in a lush tropical garden backing onto the golden sands of the Negombo shoreline. All the rooms are comfortable and have spectacular sea views from their large private terraces. The beach outside is cleaned regularly. The pool is especially nice and is a real feature of this hotel. There is plenty to see and do in Negombo such as a boat ride, a half a day's excursion to Negombo fish market, visiting a Hindu temple and the Portuguese fort and some shopping as well as a day’s excursion to Colombo.
• JETWING BEACH This is the only 5 star hotel in this area and is one of the best small luxury hotels of the world. It is a very chic and stylish hotel based on minimalist lines. All the rooms (other than the 3 suites) are Deluxe and are of a very high standard and have their own balconies that look out over the fantastic beach. The food is superb with an excellent array of foods in the buffet and the other restaurant being a fine dining restaurant. There is a luxurious Spa where you can be pampered to your heart’s content. The beach outside is cleaned daily. There is plenty to see and do in Negombo such as a boat ride, a half a day's excursion to Negombo fish market, visiting a Hindu temple and the Portuguese fort and some shopping as well as a day’s excursion to Colombo.
Dambulla • VIL UYANA This amazing hotel is in the Cultural Triangle and has Sigiriya “the rock fortress” as it its backdrop. There are 25 individual luxurious dwellings set in three distinct habitats – water, paddy and forest:
Water dwellings: The 3 water dwellings (each 1,240 sq. ft) are built over a waterway and each has a timber deck that juts out over the water. There is a separate dining deck for that ultimate privacy.
Paddy field dwellings: These 6 dwellings (each 1,240 sq. ft) are built over paddy fields and have small plunge pools on the deck.
Marsh dwellings: These 6 dwellings (each 1,240 sq ft.) are situated over the marsh area. Two have plunge pools on the decks.
Forest dwellings: These 10 luxurious Forest dwellings (each 2,110 sq. ft.) are two storey villas and have a 22 ft x 10 ft. private swimming pool.
They are all connected by walkways which then link up with the main building which houses the restaurants, bars, pool and library. There is also a fabulous Spa where you can try out any number of treatments including Ayvurveda. This must be one of the best hotels in Sri Lanka.
• THILANKA SPA & RESORT This is a small 12 bedroomed boutique hotel that is set in a 25 acre estate where they grow all the fruit, vegetables and spices that they use in the hotel. All the rooms are deluxe and are designed in a contemporary manner with the use of vibrant colours. All have fabulous views of the surrounding mountains. The open sided restaurant is upstairs and has brilliant views of the 50 ft long infinity pool and the beautiful countryside. If you wish, you can try any of the numerous treatments including Ayurveda at the Spa.
Kandy • THE MANOR HOUSE This magnificent hotel is a Waluwa (Manor House) that was once the home of the Nugawella family, the chief custodians at one time of the sacred tooth relic in the Temple of the Tooth and was therefore obviously an important building. In the past few years has been lovingly restored to its former glory. It is about half an hour from Kandy so you can be guaranteed of peace and quiet. There are only 10 rooms each individually designed and reflecting the colours of an indigenous flower. All the rooms have either queen size beds or twin beds. The living room has a fantastic beaten copper ceiling whilst the dining room has all the grandeur of a bygone age. The gardens are lovely and have a pool and a Ayurveda Spa where you can treat yourself to something relaxing if you wish. This Hotel is very convenient for visiting all the sites in the Kandy area and yet being able to come back to peace and quiet after the hustle and bustle of Kandy.
Kataragama • MANDARA ROSEN This stylish, medium sized hotel is situated in Kataragama and is therefore very convenient for Yala National Park. All the rooms are spacious and well decorated. The pool is particularly nice and is one of the largest in that area and set in amongst a shady and tranquil garden.
Ahangama (south coast) • KABALANA BOUTIQUE HOTEL & SPA This charming small boutique hotel is on the south coast of the Island. The architecture is based on a Waluwa (old manor house) with some intricate detailing. The accommodation is in either bungalows, cabanas or in the main part of the hotel. All are beautifully designed with wooden flooring throughout and four poster beds. Each has it own private balcony or verandah with sea views. There is a beautiful garden amidst swaying palms which leads onto a fantastic golden stretch of quiet beach. It’s a really idyllic spot. There is a lovely Spa where you can be pampered and rejuvenated.
• KAHANDA KANDA This is a luxurious 5 bedroomed boutique hotel set in its own tea plantation about 15m minutes inland from the world famous Unawatuna beach on the south coast of the Island. It is about 10km from Galle, the UNESCO World heritage Site. It is set on a hill overlooking Koggala Lake. The 5 suites are accommodated in 4 separate pavilions. The open sided sitting and dining pavilions are truly magnificent and the pool is spectacular. The food is fantastic using fruit, vegetables and spices grown on their own estate. This is a truly fantastic place where you can be assured of the best of everything.
Wadduwa • THE BLUE WATER The Blue Water is located on a sublime stretch of the Wadduwa coastline about an hour south of the capital, Colombo. The hotel itself was designed by Geoffrey Bawa, the famous Sri Lankan architect. The hotel offers a spectacular view of the sea, and stands amidst a cluster of coconut palms throughout the whole garden. It has one of the biggest pools (and nicest) that I have ever seen which wends its way through the garden and the plants. All the rooms are beautifully and simply decorated and each has its own verandah or balcony. There is fantastic Spa set away to one side of the garden with every treatment that you can think of. Nothing is too much trouble for the staff here and you will be thoroughly spoilt!
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