Our Hotels in Sri Lanka

We have taken great care in the selection of our hotels in Sri Lanka. They range from larger beach hotels hotels such as the Goldisands at Negombo to the secluded and intimate The Planter's Bungalow boutique hotel with just 4 rooms. We have included many of our favourite hotels in our standard tour itineraries, and others can be included in your own tailor made holiday. All the rooms have ensuite facilities, and you can be assured that the staff at all our selected hotels are very attentive and helpful.

Hotels on the 15 Day Discover Sri Lanka Tour

VILLA ARALIYA, NEGOMBO (WEST COAST)
This small delightful hotel is situated in Negombo so is very convenient for the airport. The 12 rooms are all beautifully and individually decorated and range from double rooms to fully equipped apartments for 2 people. All have their own terrace or balcony which overlook a beautiful tropical courtyard garden which is very private. It is set in the quiet area of Negombo and whilst it has a fabulous 45ft long pool, you would only be 5 minutes from the glorious beach of Negombo. The pool bar and restaurant overlook the pool which is lit at night by candlelit which make this a magical place to dine.

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 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.

SKY GREEN, ELLA
This is a small modern hotel which is the highest hotel in this area so the amazing views down the valley towards the southern plains of Sri Lanka are unrivalled and can be seen in the photos below. The rooms have four poster beds, hot water and their own private balconies where you can sit and just take in the fabulous vista and enjoy the fresh mountain air. The staff are very friendly and the food is very good.

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 - it's 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!

CULTURAL TRIANGLE - ONE OF THE FOLLOWING:-
• 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.

• JAY'S HOLIDAY RESORT, HABARANA
This is quickly becoming one of our most popular hotels on the tours. It is a small hotel with 6 rooms in cabanas which are doted around the luxuriant grounds which are surrounded by jungle so has a very natural feel to it. Each cabana has its own verandah or you can sit there or on the verandah outside the restaurant which serves great food – both Sri Lankan and Western. There is a lovely pool to unwind in after a day of sightseeing in the Cultural Triangle. It is within 15mins of the elephant ride, 30mins of Dambulla Cave Temple and 40mins from the rock fortress of Sigiriya.

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.

ONE OF THE FOLLOWING HOTELS IN NEGOMBO:

• 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.

Hotels 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!

Hotels on the 15 Day Family Tour

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!

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.

• 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.

SKY GREEN, ELLA
!This is a small modern hotel which is the highest hotel in this area so the amazing views down the valley towards the southern plains of Sri Lanka are unrivalled and can be seen in the photos below. The rooms have four poster beds, hot water and their own private balconies where you can sit and just take in the fabulous vista and enjoy the fresh mountain air. The staff are very friendly and the food is very good.

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.

TANGERINE BEACH HOTEL, KALUTHARA
This hotel is located at Kaluthara, about 2 hrs south of the airport. It has a very relaxed feel so is perfect for families. It has 166 Deluxe and Standard rooms and 7 Suites including a Presidential Suite. All the rooms and suites have private balconies and fantastic views of the beautiful gardens and the Indian Ocean beyond. There are great facilities here to cater for every member of the family from the swimming pool with children's pool, Badminton, Tennis court, Squash court, Volleyball court, Table tennis, Beach activities, Pool table, Gymnasium, Beauty salon and a Spa with a variety of massages and beauty treatments available as well as being able to use the facilities of its sister hotel next door, the 5* Royal Palms Hotel. There is a choice for eating, from snacks at the coffee shop to the fine dining at the main restaurant all of which serve Eastern and Western dishes.All in all, a very good place to unwind after your family tour!

Hotels on the 15 Day Luxury Hotel Tour

HORATHAPOLA ESTATE
It is situated about one and a quarter hour's drive north of the Airport set in its own coconut plantation with rice, fruit, spices and hardwood trees also being grown. This grand mansion has been lovingly restored to its former glory and has been converted to a beautiful guesthouse perfect for unwinding from your flight. It is surrounded by lawns and shady trees such as willow, mangoes and frangipanis. You can relax in the 50ft rimless pool, the jacuzzi or just laze in the garden. There are 3 large suites and a two bedroomed family suite, all being very spacious and are furnished with ancestral Dutch period furniture. The dark, polished wooden floors contrast with the white walls giving a calm but sophisticated feel. Each room has its own verandah or balcony looking out on the peaceful surroundings. Many of the ingredients are grown on the Estate. You can eat wherever you wish, in the grand dining room, in your room, on your private balcony or under a shady tree in the garden. Should you have time, you can take a trip round the Estate, on a bullock cart. The husband and wife team will go out of their way to make sure your stay in their home is perfect, so much so, you won't want to leave.

VIL UYANA, DAMBULLA
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.

THEVA RESIDENCY, KANDY
This is a fabulous 10 bedroomed contemporary boutique hotel set up high in the hills with breath-taking views across Kandy. With only a 15 minute drive to the city centre, it is very convenient for exploring Kandy’s rich cultural heritage and yet being able to come back to peace and quiet after the hustle and bustle of the town.It's split over 4 floors – reception on the ground floor, with steps leading down to the swimming pool and 4 deluxe rooms. The superior rooms, suites and penthouse are on the upper floors. The 3 superior rooms are a little bigger than the deluxe rooms and all have individual barbecue facilities and an outdoor bathtub. The 2 Suites are set in a very private area of the hotel so when sitting in your Jacuzzi, you can enjoy the fantastic views. The Penthouse consists of a fabulous bedroom, living/dining area and butler service so would be perfect for a Honeymoon couple.

KAHANDA KANDA, GALLE
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.

JETWING BEACH, NEGOMBO
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.

Hotels on the 15 Day Small Individual Hotel Tour

ARALIYA HOTEL, NEGOMBO (WEST COAST)
This small delightful hotel is situated in Negombo so is very convenient for the airport. The 12 rooms are all beautifully and individually decorated and range from double rooms to fully equipped apartments for 2 people. All have their own terrace or balcony which overlook a beautiful tropical courtyard garden which is very private. It is set in the quiet area of Negombo and whilst it has a fabulous 45ft long pool, you would only be 5 minutes from the glorious beach of Negombo. The pool bar and restaurant overlook the pool which is lit at night by candlelit which make this a magical place to dine.

THILANKA SPA & RESORT, DAMBULLA
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.

SENANI HOTEL, KANDY
This is a small delightful hotel with 27 rooms that been recently totally renovated. It’s located on the side of the hill overlooking Kandy which means that the views are magnificent over the town and the lake. The open air restaurant in particular is really beautiful and also enjoys the fabulous views. There is also a lovely pool to relax by after all your excursions around the town.

THE PLANTER'S BUNGALOW
This is a beautifully converted 19th century Tea Estate Bungalow just outside Ella, with 3 individually designed bedrooms (Red, Yellow and Blue Rooms) within the main house which have been brought totally up to date but yet still retains its charm. These rooms have private verandahs which overlook the beautiful gardens. It also has a separate cottage – the Planters Cottage with a double bedroom with a four poster bed on the ground floor and above, an open-sided lounge area which can sleep two more guests. The cottage has its own private kitchen and dining area. There is a verandah restaurant where you can enjoy the fabulous food cooked by John, the owner – a very experienced chef! The grounds themselves consist of an estate of about 11 acres of organic fruit and veg. It is a really beautiful place and is worth staying longer than one night!

MANDARA ROSEN HOTEL, KATARAGAMA
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 and has it's own balcony or terrace. The pool is particularly nice and is one of the largest in that area and set in amongst a shady and tranquil garden.

VILLA KUSUM, HIKKADUWA (WEST COAST)
This fabulous small Villa is set on a beautiful quiet stretch of golden beach approximately 20 minutes walk (along the beach) from Hikkaduwa. The town, is about 20km north of Galle (and its world famous Dutch Fort),and has many restaurants and bars so you can sample the local cuisine, if you wish. The Villa has 2 rooms and 2 suites – the Ceylon Suite and the Colonial Suite – both of which have balconies and look out over the fabulous Indian Ocean. There is a beautiful garden with a lovely pool set amindst the swaying palms. The peacefulness and privacy of the Villa is remarkable, both of which go hand in hand with the fantastic service. This is a “real gem of a place” where you will indeed have the holiday of your dreams.

Other Hotels

JETWING BLUE, NEGOMBO
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.

GING OYA LODGE
This is a delightful small guesthouse that is about 15mins north of Negombo. They have 6 cabanas which are set in about 5 acres of gardens- the river winds its way down one side of the property. There is a great pool. It is run by Leo and Myrjam who take a great deal of care to make sure that your every wish is catered for. It is about 5mins walk to the beach. If you are looking for total peace and quiet, this is the place. They do require a minimum stay of 3 nights.

THE BLUE WATER, WADDUWA (WEST COAST)
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!

DICKSHON CAMPING SAFARI (YALA NATIONAL PARK)

This is a chance to stay within Yala National Park to experience real Sri Lankan life in a traditional Sri Lankan mud and straw house with 2 double bedrooms with mosquito nets provided (or if you prefer, camp under canvas). There is also a great treehouse which has 2 single beds (and a toilet!). It is situated some 300 metres inside the fencing that surrounds Yala. About 5 minutes walk away, there is a lake where water buffalo and deer come down to drink as well as many birds. The food is very good with a western style breakfast and a BBQ dinner. There is no power here but the campsite will be lit by lanterns at night. The peace and quiet is amazing and there is plenty of opportunity to relax at the campsite. Included would be an early morning safari as well as a night-time safari – this is extra special as whilst you wouldn’t see the animals as such, you would hear them and see their eyes in the dark.

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