From mountains to beaches, quaint tea estates to bustling markets, surfer beaches to calm bays – SriLanka has it all and some more. Here are some of the best places to stay while you enjoy this country.
Negambo/ Close to the Airport: For the time when you’re just arriving/leaving and want a good night’s rest.
Vivanta Airport Garden Functional & Basic. That’s how I’d describe it! It’s super close to the airport, had three restaurants and bars within it, a large pool + all amenities of a big hotel. The rooms need to be updated and are a little dated but if you just want some place to sleep for the night before you head to another city/back home – it makes for a good stay.
Jetwing Blue for when you want a little more out of your stay. All Jetwing properties in SriLanka are quite nice and this one is no exception. With a gorgeous outdoor pool and sea front, it makes for the perfect start (or end) of your SriLanka trip.
Nuwara Eliya:
The Grand Hotel is one of the best places to stay for a few nights. It’s close to the golf course and that makes for some great views. The staff and restaurants are amazing but the highlight is their gorgeous all weather indoor pool. It’s perfect for those early morning dips, lazy brunches and more. It’s an old hotel so some facilities need to be updated but all in all it’s a beautiful hotel.
Jetwing St. Andrews is right on the golf course and is a quaint little hotel. Much smaller than most Jetwings and makes for the perfect place if you want a lazy stay full of afternoon teas and comfort food. Again, being an older property, some rooms are a little dark/dated so make sure you pick the right one.
Ella:
The Echo Ella is by far the best I’ve come across in this gorgeous town. It’s close to the train station as well as the restaurants- you will still need to walk a bit.
The Mountain Heavens is another gem in the hills of Ella but is a little off from the Main Street and town so you should be prepared for a bit more of a walk to get to the nice restaurants.
Ahangama:
Dreamsea Surf Camp is right on the beach with all the chill vibes you may ever need! It’s a hotel with mixed hostel vibes which include a lovely open bar, limited food options and a helpful staff. However, if you’re looking for all hotel comforts, you may be a little disappointed. The gorgeous rooms and views more than make up for the lack of facilities. The best part is that it’s an eco conscious hotel and that sold it for me!
The Sandhya is a gorgeous beach property with every single hotel luxury you may need. With gorgeous views from their rooms and a lovely bar, it makes for the perfect spot to slow down. Best part, it’s located on Kabalana beach which is one of the few swimmable beaches down here without those pesky rocks.
Mirissa:
Three Gables Boutique Villa is a dream for someone who wants a quiet vacation and enjoys their own space. Equipped with just 4 rooms, a pool and some beach chairs – this place has all the joys of impeccable hospitality minus the noise and clutter of other guests. Run by a team on 5-6 people, they ensure you always have the freshest and yummiest food customised to your taste. Whatever you need is sourced by them from the market so you pretty much never have to leave this little villa! Make sure you pick one of the two front rooms.
Sri Sharavi Beach Villas is another great option in Mrissa and is super close to Three Gables on the quieter stretch of the beach. It’s a 10 minute tuk-tuk ride from the main restaurants of Mirissa beach.
Ubantu by Lantern are along the same stretch of beach as well and quite nice. They offer all the luxuries of a hotel while still managing to stay peaceful and giving you your own space. The rooms are updated and quite nice.
Galle:
The Fort Bazar at Galle Fort is one of the nicest hotels in the area. Rooms are updated while maintaining the old world charm of the area. The open courtyards make for a great spot for taking a break. However, it’s good to note that they don’t have air-conditioned common areas/ restuarant and sometimes in the SriLankan heat- that’s exactly what you need.
The Heritage is one of those iconic Galle hotels which everyone has heard of! In the heart of bustling Church street, this one is a keeper. True to it’s name, the rooms remind you on old-world Lanka and are quipped with all your modern needs. The food is impeccable and the staff is warm and welcoming. You can’t go wrong with this one!
Make sure you check rates on booking.com before you book any of these! It’s good to note that prices in SriLanka triple in season time and around Christmas and drop quickly soon after, so plan wisely. Drop a note with your favourite Lanka hotel.
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