The best hotels in Sri Lanka: From Kandy to Colombo

Sri Lanka is a resplendent island with so much to offer: from vast jungle teeming with wild leopards and Asian elephants, to quaint beachside villages, great surf and hiking opportunities galore. And it has thousands of properties from which to explore. Having spent eight months travelling from the plains of Jaffna in the north of the country, to the southern coast and everything in-between, these are the hotels with sublime service, top-class design and captivating bedrooms where rest and relaxation come easily. There’s dreamy eco lodges, boutique city boltholes and smart architectural marvels. Some are ideal for honeymoons, while others focus on wellness, yet all are utterly charming and will elevate your trip.

Here’s our carefully picked edit of the absolute best hotels in Sri Lanka. Nestled high up in the mist-shrouded mountains north of Kandy, sits this hidden sanctuary where the natural world takes centre stage. Aarunya is close to endless hiking opportunities within the UNESCO-listed Knuckles Mountain Range, and is less than an hour away from Sri Lanka’s cultural capital, Kandy. It means it’s the ideal base for anyone wanting to really get away from it all.

While greenwashing phrases are bandied around all too often these days, Aarunya stands out from the crowd with solid commitments to sustainability through biodynamic farming, solar usage, and by supporting local communities. Environmentally sensitive in design, Aarunya’s villas feature floor-to-ceiling glass sliding doors, large open bathrooms and comfy four-poster beds that blend into the wholesome surroundings flawlessly.

Set within nine acres of lush jungle, with spice and tea plantations on site, the properties private villas have been designed to showcase the beauty of nature, making spotting Sri Lanka’s endemic birds, like the grey hornbill and yellow fronted barbet an almost daily occurrence. It’s also possible to spot common birdwing and blue Mormon butterflies directly from your very own private plunge pool or deep soak outdoor bahtub.

There’s no shortage of good hotels in Sri Lanka’s vibrant capital, but Maniumpathy takes the top spot on account of its charming, perfectly decorated bedrooms. Showcasing sumptuous fabrics, parquet flooring, and flawless marble bathrooms, there are just seven bedrooms housed within this grand, bright-white mansion in the trendy Colombo seven district. This place has it all: great location, charming staff, good food, pretty rooms and a calming pool to laze by. Some of the ground floor rooms have access to small private terraces, while upper floor bedrooms have a balcony overlooking the boutique hotel’s gorgeous garden.

Tucked away in the picturesque village of Polhena, down coconut tree-lined lanes where packs of stray dogs laze, sits the very pretty, perfectly manicured Meraki, brought to life by Iona and Kavishka. A real home-away-from-home appealing to solo travellers, couples and friends, this flawless hotel has been thoughtfully decorated with locally made furniture, lots of leafy plants and a whole lot of love.

Centering around a delightful swimming pool are eight bedrooms. Some come with an outdoor bathtub for relaxing under the stars. Yoga lovers will adore the rooftop shala where classes take place daily, while Meraki’s airy, open-plan cafe serves up an array of delicious treats such as cacao smoothies, tropical fruit bowls and good coffee. This boutique, mountain-set stay a couple of hours from the international airport is the perfect place for a calming start to your trip. Reached by a winding hair-pin road, edged by forest, you’ll feel as though you’re up in the clouds once you’re dropped at the stairs to the historic main house of the hotel.

With just ten rooms, there’s a choice of three beautiful suites in the original 18th century converted tea planters’ bungalow, or seven modern mountain-view villas. Choose a villa for palatial bathrooms, a private plunge pool and outdoor living area, as well as sundeck and balcony which overlook the views of cinnamon plantations or the forest. Or if pretty vintage colonial furniture and original features are more your thing, plump for one of the rooms inside.

On arrival you’ll receive an exceptional back, neck and shoulder massage to ease those knots from the plane or car, and the colourful local menu will delight anyone keen to sample authentic dishes with a fine dining twist. Staff are on hand via Whatsapp or in person to ensure you don’t have to lift a finger. And for wellness-seekers, packages for sleep, a detox and more, can be booked for a three to seven-night stay. Hayley Spencer.

The historical, once-riotous town of Galle Fort plays host to an eclectic mix of structures that span Portuguese, Dutch and British occupation, one of which is Amangalla, the second-ever hotel to open in Sri Lanka, after the Galle Face Hotel in Colombo. Surrounded by picture-perfect frangipani trees and dating back to 1684, a romantic air sweeps through the hotel, from the relaxing terrace where impressive breakfasts of freshly baked pastries and Sri Lankan string hoppers are served, to the truly wonderful spa where you’ll be treated to the best massage of your life.