Where to stay in Sri Lanka

i-escape's collection of favourite small hotels and hip hideaways

Click on the hotel name for a detailed independent review, with practical tips, feedback from other users, and a direct, secure booking service - all provided for free.
Sri Lanka
Tailormade Tours - Sri Lanka
Colombo
££ Specialist operator which can create customised itineraries to cater to your personal travel dreams
Kulu Safari
Based in Colombo, Sri Lanka
££ Luxury camping safaris in Sri Lanka’s major national parks: get set to spot leopards, elephants, wild buffalo and giant porcupines

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Colombo
Havelock Place
Colombo 5
££ An intimate and artistic oasis of green and calm in a mad, bustling city…

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Mount Lodge
Mt Lavinia
££ A quiet and friendly retreat close to the beach at Mount Lavinia, 45 mins from Colombo city centre

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Horathapola
Kurunegala, Nr Colombo
££ Lovely colonial mansion hidden on a working coconut estate, perfect for those wishing to avoid the bustle of Colombo


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The Park Street Hotel
Colombo 2
££ Classy boutique hotel and former colonial home with all the mod cons - an oasis of tranquility in the heart of hectic Colombo

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Galle and South Coast
The Beach House
Tangalle
£££ For those who know they've earned it, a private, fully staffed villa with its own stretch of tropical beach (sleeps 10)

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Taprobane Island
Weligama
£££ Your own private island a short wade from the coast - totally exotic, totally unique (sleeps 10)

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Apa Villas
Thalpe, near Galle
£££ Stylish, tranquil, beachside retreat with fabulous pool

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Illuketia
Galle
£££ A magnificently restored estate set amid palm trees, frangipanis and bamboo groves

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The Dutch House
Galle
£££ An old Dutch merchant's house beautifully restored with just four suites, in the hills above Galle Fort New!

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Aditya
Rathgama
£££ Luxury contemporary boutique hotel with excellent food and service, on blissfully secluded beach, midway between Galle and Hikkaduwa

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Claughton
Dikwella
££ The extravagant tropical villa you always promised to treat yourself to - one day (sleeps 8)

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The Sun House
Galle
££ Step back in time to when the British Empire ruled the world.... explore, relax and indulge in this beautiful, tranquil retreat

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The Last House
Tangalle
££ Peace, simplicity and elegance in this architect-designed villa right on the beach in Tangalle (sleeps 6-12)

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The Fort Printers
Galle
££ Cool, calm and collected: a restful retreat created from a historic building in the Unesco-listed Galle Fort

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Galle Fort Hotel
Galle
££ Tucked inside Galle's historic fort, this former merchant's home is now a gem of a hotel, with busy bar, restaurant and jovial hosts

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Eden Villas
Various locations
££ Collection of luxurious staffed villas in southwest Sri Lanka, from beachside boltholes to historic houses in Galle Fort (villas sleep 2-16)

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Secret Garden
Unawatuna
£ A basic but charming villa and 2 bungalows (sleeping 2-14), nestled in a leafy paradise across the road from Unawatuna beach

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Talalla Retreat
Gandara
£ Serene, laid-back hotel with yoga retreat and pristine beaches on Sri Lanka's southernmost tip

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Kandy & Hill Country
Ceylon Tea Trails
Hatton
£££ Four luxurious tea plantation houses set in stunning hill country and linked by a walking trail

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Helga's Folly
Kandy
££ Where Alice in Wonderland meets the Marquis de Sade …

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The Kandy House
Gunnepana, Nr Kandy
££ Striking historical manor house recently converted into a small luxury boutique hotel with pool on the outskirts of Kandy

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Villa Rosa
Kandy
££ Relaxing alternative to Kandy's large hotels, a small and friendly hotel with simple but stylish rooms and sublime views

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Stonehouse Lodge
Kandy
£ Set on a hill with magnificent views, this quiet guesthouse offers peaceful respite from the colourful town of Kandy

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Paradise Farm
Kitugala
£ Stop the world and get off in a lush, peaceful Garden of Eden, full of flowers and fruits, spices and wildlife, stunning views and clean air

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Rafter's Retreat
Kitugala
£ Step back in time, get lost in nature and shoot the rapids on the ‘River Kwai’ with Sri Lanka’s own Crocodile Dundee

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South East
Galapita Sanctuary
Buttala
££ A unique and beautiful jungle retreat and mineral spa, so remote that it doesn’t even have a proper address

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Tree Tops Jungle Lodge
Buttala
£ Take a walk on the wild side - in the jungles of Sri Lanka (2-3 night packages, or bespoke tours)

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Kudakalliya
Arugam Bay
£ Simple beach hut on one of the world's best surfing beaches, where you may spot wild elephants rather than other people.


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South West Coast
Saman Villas
Bentota
£££ Small luxury beach hotel - get married here and your union will surely be blessed for life...

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The River House
Bentota
£££ A luxurious addition to Sri Lanka's hotel scene: an exclusive riverside hotel set in 7 acres of tropical gardens, with access to a near-private beach

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Taru Villas - Taprobana
Bentota
££ A serene, pampering home-from-home hotel - the ultimate peaceful and private hideaway

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Sri Villas
Induruwa
££ Three boutique beach villas (each sleeps 4-8) with unrivalled views of the Indian Ocean, 3km from Bentota

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Club Villa
Bentota
£ Dutch colonial guesthouse – a beach paradise where all your needs are catered to …

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The Ancient Cities
Ulpotha
Nr Embogama
££ Paradise village offering tranquility, beauty, and luxurious simplicity as well as 2 week yoga courses (open June-August and late Nov-April only)

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Kaladiya
Dambulla
£ Simple rustic charm well off the beaten track close to the Golden Temple at Dambulla and the other sites of the Cultural Triangle

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