Sri Lanka is a pearl-shaped island country in South Asia. It lies in the Indian Ocean, southwest of the Bay of Bengal, and southeast of the Arabian Sea, separated from the Indian subcontinent by the Gulf of Mannar and the Palk Strait.

The best 5 star luxury hotels in Sri Lanka. All are handpicked. We put our effort to find the best offers, discounts and deals at luxury hotels and resorts in Sri Lanka.

 Amanwella Tangalle

This luxury, boutique hotel is arranged on the palm-shaded hillside of a secluded, private 800-meter crescent-shaped bay, partially shared with the local fishing community.

Local sights include Mulkirigala Rock Temple, Rekawa’s turtle beach and crafts villages.

Location

Beachfront
5mi/8km from Tangalle

Suites

There are 27 spacious suites, all with private plunge pool and terrace.
All are similar in design, with sleeping, living and sumptuous bathing areas partitioned by floor-to-ceiling sliding doors.
Most have at least partial ocean views, and all of the suites face a mature coconut grove.

The ocean suites are larger, perfect for families.
The bathrooms are well-appointed with free-standing bathtubs.

Food and drink at AMANWELLA

There is one main restaurant here. The cuisine is Asian and Mediterranean, with an emphasis on fresh seafood from the Indian Ocean.

The Beach Club offers simple Asian salads, Mediterranean classics, grilled seafood with local relishes, and freshly churned ice-cream. Seafood is cooked over a coconut charcoal barbecue.

Amenities and services

The main pool spans a spectacular 47 meters.
There are two spa suites.
A beautifully-conceived library, with books and games, sits just behind the bar.
Activities include snorkeling expeditions to the eastern end of the bay, bodyboarding to the west, surfing, whale and dolphin watching and fishing.

Nature guides take guests to discover hidden villages.
There is a hillside spa suite offering a range of body treatments.
A personal yoga instructor is also available, or guided meditation sessions with a local monk or at nearby temples.

Distance to the airport

146mi/235km from Bandaranaike International Airport

* Compare prices from several booking engines and pick the best deal at this luxury hotel in Sri Lanka.

 Amangalla

This hotel is located within Galle’s 17th-century Dutch fort, which is a collection of colonial buildings covering thirty-six hectares that have been awarded UNESCO World Heritage Site status.

It is classy, elegant and historic, and the décor reflects the original New Oriental Hotel.

Location

City center
72.1mi/116 kilometres south of Colombo.

Rooms and suites

There are 28 rooms and suites.
All rooms are elegant with dark jack wood floors, four-poster king-size bed, writing desk, dining table, planters chair, and a pettagama chest. The spacious bathrooms feature a free-standing bath, twin vanities and a separate shower and toilet.

Upper floor suites are enormous, with large, light-filled living areas.

Food and drinks at Amangalla

There are two restaurants to choose from here, using the freshest ingredients sourced from local markets.

The Zaal, or Great Hall, is a colonial-style bar that spills onto the veranda and offers light meals and snacks.

The Pool Terrace offers breakfast and light lunches with verdant views.

Amenities and services

The pool basks in a foliage-fringed courtyard that feels far removed from the center of the fort.
The Baths, the resort spa, consists of five candlelit treatment room. There are plunge pools, steam baths and saunas, and Hydrotherapy Rooms.
There is a Yoga Pavilion in the garden.

Amongst the experiences available here are guided tours of Galle Fort, private tours of a cinnamon estate near tranquil Koggala Lake, tea-tasting tours, temple blessing by candlelight, and helicopter flights to Sigiriya.

Distance to the airport

Three and a half hours’ drive from Colombo International Airport.

* Compare prices from several booking engines and pick the best deal at this luxury hotel in Sri Lanka.

 Harding Boutique Hotel

This luxury boutique hotel is set on Ahangama’s pristine white sandy beach on the south coast.
Ahangama is a relaxed, unspoilt fishing village on the picturesque South Coast of Sri Lanka.

Location

Beachfront – private beach area
900 metres from Kabalana Beach

Rooms

There are six rooms that all offer views of the Indian Ocean and sunset views from private patios or balconies.
They have been designed to offer well-ventilated, open spaces that provide an uninterrupted view of the surrounding landscape.

Food and drinks at Harding Boutique Hotel

Mr. M Rooftop offers an a la carte menu of Asian and international cuisine for lunch and dinner.
Candlelit dinners and long lunches are also available.

Amenities and services

There is one swimming pool here.
The hotel is situated between the popular towns of Unawatuna and Mirissa, at the heart of the surfing scene, and world-class surfing is available right on the doorstep.

Private cooking classes are also available.

An array of tailor-made yoga and meditation classes are available on the breath-taking rooftop overlooking the Indian ocean.

A variety of bespoke massages and therapies are also available.

Experiences include watching the Stilt Fishermen perched on a cross bar called a “petta” tied to vertical poles as they fish, a trip to the Handunugoda Tea Plantation, home to the world famous “Virgin White Tea”, the Sea Turtle Hatchery, dolphin and whale watching at Mirissa.

Distance to the airport

2-hour drive from Bandaranaike International Airport (Colombo)

* Compare prices from several booking engines and pick the best deal at this luxury hotel in Sri Lanka.

 Heritance Kandalama

* Best Rate Guarantee for this hotel

This 5-star hotel is a tranquil retreat perched on hills on the edge of Lake Kandalama and offers panoramic views of the Sigiriya Rocks.

It is an iconic property designed by Sri Lanka’s most prolific and respected architect, Geoffrey Bawa.
It does indeed have a unique design with spectacular architecture, integrating the rock face it nestles against.

Location

1.9mi/3.1km from The Forgotten Temple Kaludiya Pokuna
4.2mi/6.8km from Dambulla Cave Temple

Rooms and suites

There are 152 spacious, rooms and suites located in one of two wings, one with views of Dambulla Rock and the other overlooks the Sigirya Rock Fortress.
The rooms are beautifully designed and fitted with rattan furniture and timber panels, looking out over the forest, the lake and Sigiriya Rock.

Food and drinks at Heritance Kandalama

Kanchana offers a themed buffet menu of international cuisine.

Kaludiya is a fine dining restaurant that offers a fusion of international flavors from an a la carte menu.
The Kanchana Lounge also offers light bites and snacks.

Amenities and services

There are a variety of sports and games available here, including water polo, tennis, cycling, trekking suitable for all skill levels and a gym. Excursions are also offered, such as mountain cycling and lake safaris.

There are also three pools suitable for swimming laps and relaxing with family.

The hotel library contains a small collection of reference books on Sri Lankan history and culture.

Distance to the airport

4 hours’ drive from Bandaranaike International Airport (Colombo).

* The best rate guarantee is direct with the hotel. If you find same kind of room to a a better price somehwere else, the hotel will reward you, guaranteed!

* Compare prices from several booking engines.

 Earl’s Regency

* Best Rate Guarantee for this hotel

This is a spacious, luxurious premier 5-star hotel built into and incorporating the river-side rock face in the hills above Kandy.
The hotel is surrounded by the history and culture of Sri Lanka and combines the mystique of the natural atmosphere with the lavishness of service to create the perfect luxury base for a vacation full of culture and relaxation.

Location

0.5mi/0.8km from Galmaduwa Temple
2.1mi/3.4km from National Museum

Rooms and suites

There are 116 spacious and stylish rooms here, uniquely designed to portray the city of Kandy and its influence.
Each room has a balcony with a stunning view of flowing river, lush hills, and looming mountains.

Food and drinks at Earl’s Regency Hotel

There is a range of dining options available here, ranging from local favorites to international feasts.

The Royal Pavilion restaurant, the first 5-star Indian restaurant in Kandy, offers theme nights with a delectable array of appetizers, mains, and desserts.

Amenities and services

There is one large swimming pool on site.
Sports activities include tennis and badminton, and there is access to a nearby golf course.

There is a gym and a spa with both wet and dry sauna and offers a range of massage treatments.

Day trips and activities such as cycling and trekking can also be arranged.

Distance to the airport

54.1mi/87.1km from Bandaranaike International Airport (Colombo)

* The best rate guarantee is direct with the hotel. If you find same kind of room to a a better price somehwere else, the hotel will reward you, guaranteed!

* Compare prices from several booking engines.

 Anantara Peace Haven Tangalle Resort

* Best Rate Guarantee for this hotel

This 22-acre resort is located on a cliff in a large coconut plantation on the outskirts of the old fort town of Tangalle, with panoramic sea views and a mesmerizing secluded beachfront frequented by nesting turtles.

This is an attractive, highly-styled resort, and the design incorporates local touches, such as a Bawa-styled entrance pavilion and open spaces and clean lines typical of tropical modernist designs.

Location

600 metres from Red Beach
0.5mi/0.8km from Goyambokka Beach

Rooms and villas

There are 152 spacious rooms and pool villas.
Indigenous Sri Lankan design and locally-sourced furnishings and artworks are used throughout the accommodation.
All rooms feature a terrace or balcony overlooking the gardens.

The 5-star private villas feature a private terrace and individual plunge pool overlooking stunning views of the beach or a private garden, and reflect Sri Lanka’s elegant cultural beauty. There is also a butler service.

Food and drinks at Anantara Peace Haven Tangalle Resort

There are four restaurants here, all using high-quality ingredients.
Journeys offers guests a variety of flavors from around the world in themed buffets.

Il Mare, an award-winning Italian specialty restaurant, is set on the edge of the rocky outcrop and offers views of the ocean.

Sri Lankan cooking classes are also available.

Amenities and services

There is an impressive split-level outdoor swimming pool.
There is a fitness center and spa that offers a holistic approach to healing in beautiful surroundings.

Guests can participate in yoga and meditation classes on the beach.

There is both a kids’ club and a teens’ club with trained child care professionals.

Distance to the airport

2.5 hours’ drive from the Bandaranaike International Airport (Colombo)

* The best rate guarantee is direct with the hotel. If you find same kind of room to a a better price somehwere else, the hotel will reward you, guaranteed!

* Compare prices from several booking engines.

  Anantara Kalutara Resort

* Best Rate Guarantee for this hotel

This stunning resort is situated in a secluded beachfront along the southwest coast near Kalutara.
It is located at the point the Kalu Ganga river flows into the Indian Ocean.

It has stylish rooms with traditional touches, first-class facilities and some of Sri Lanka’s best food.

Location

1mi/1.6km from Calido Beach Kalutara
1.4mi/2.4km from Kalutara Bodhiya

Rooms, suites and villas

There are 141 5-star private villas, suites and rooms with contemporary open-plan layouts and luxurious custom-made furnishings, garden, lagoon, sea or pool views, and furnished balconies or terraces.

Pool villas feature a private enclosed garden and individual plunge pools, with highly trained personal butlers at hand.

Food and drinks at Anantara Kalutara Resort

Three world-class restaurants are available here with international chefs.

Olu offers an international buffet and a la carte menu, and a breakfast buffet.

Acquolina serves fine Italian food.

Spice Traders celebrates Asia’s most popular Indian, Chinese and Thai cuisines.

Amenities and services

There are two swimming pools: a meandering lagoon pool with separate baby pool, and a long lap pool.

There is also an excellent spa with a collection of single and double treatment rooms, offering Ayurvedic massages and reflexology treatments.

There is a well-equipped fitness room with lagoon views.

Activities include windsurfing and water sports, free use of bicycles, table tennis, billiards and darts.

There is also a kids’ club, a big screen for movies and sports, and a small library.

Distance to the airport

42.3mi/69.7km from Bandaranaike International Airport

* The best rate guarantee is direct with the hotel. If you find same kind of room to a a better price somehwere else, the hotel will reward you, guaranteed!

* Compare prices from several booking engines.

 Uga Bay

This is a contemporary and luxurious retreat overlooking idyllic Passikudah Bay, and ideal for snorkeling and diving.
All Uga Escapes resorts ensure that guests are luxuriously comfortable with contemporary facilities blended into the design.

Location

3.8mi/6.1km from Nilaveli Beach
6mi/9.7km from Large Pigeon Island Beach

Rooms

There are 48 stylish rooms featuring modern interiors, warm lighting and large windows.

Some of the higher grade accommodation allows access straight out onto the beach, or has balconies with views out over the palm-lined beach. Some feature a private pool, too.

Food and drinks at Uga Bay

There is one restaurant on site serving an a la carte menu of Sri Lankan specialities and international favorites.
Breakfast includes Asian, continental and vegetarian options.

Amenities and services

There is a generously-sized infinity pool, as well as an unusual underground spa which has sea views and provides a selection of Balinese and Swedish style massages.

Activities include fishing trip, cycling, and canoeing, as well as jet skiing and diving the wreck of HMS Hermes.

There is also a gym and a library.

Distance to the airport

6mi/9.6km from Mattala Rajapaksa International Airport (HRI)

* Compare prices from several booking engines and pick the best deal at this luxury hotel in Sri Lanka.

 Heritance Tea Factory

* Best Rate Guarantee for this hotel

This elegant boutique hotel is located half an hour’s drive from Nuwara Eliya, high on a hill 2 kilometers above sea level. It has dramatic views of the tea plantations and surrounding countryside.

Location

3mi/4.8km from Pedro Tea Factory
4.3mi/6.9km from Seetha Amman Temple

Rooms and suites

There are 50 spacious, cozy rooms and suites here, all with beautiful views out over the hills of the Hethersett plantation and an old-world style of dark wood furnishings and beams.

There is a choice of superior rooms and suites, all expertly designed to provide ample luxury and each with an extra-large bed, wide-view windows with fantastic views across the tea plantations.

Food and drinks at Heritance Tea Factory

The Kenmare Restaurant, offers both buffet and a la carte menus of local and international cuisine.
The Railway Carriage Restaurant gives guests the opportunity to ‘dine on wheels’ in a preserved 1930s carriage that was once used to transport tea, and to be tended by a dedicated butler.

Amenities and services

The spa offers an extensive menu of therapies designed to leave guests feeling relaxed and recharged.

The gym contains two treadmills, two exercise bicycles, a total gym and a selection of weights.

The tea-picking tour takes guests through the neat terraces of tea.

The library contains daily newspapers, shelves of bestsellers and books about the locality.

Excursions to several sites nearby are possible, including visits to Nuwara Eliya and the high altitude Horton Plains plateau with World’s End, as well as guided nature walks and jungle trekking.

Distance to the airport

103.3mi/166.3km from Bandaranaike International Airport (Colombo)

I am text block. Click edit button to change this text. Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Ut elit tellus, luctus nec ullamcorper mattis, pulvinar dapibus leo.

* The best rate guarantee is direct with the hotel. If you find same kind of room to a a better price somehwere else, the hotel will reward you, guaranteed!

* Compare prices from several booking engines

 Cinnamon hotels

Cinnamon Hotels & Resorts is a major Sri Lankan hospitality company which manages 15 four-star and five-star hotels across Sri Lanka and the Maldives.

All the properties are unique and blend with their surroundings, both in terms of architecture and décor, and have an in-house spa offering a range of treatments.

Many of the hotels are located near national parks or other natural points of interest, and many excursions are run by Cinnamon’s very own nature tour company, Nature Trails.

The hotel company is involved with many local conservation projects and launched the first sustainable whale watching experience on the east coast of Sri Lanka, using silent engines to minimize disturbance to the whales, and employing local fishermen as drivers, guides and ‘spotters’ for the tours.

Cinnamon Citadel, Kandy

This hotel is situated on terraced slopes overlooking the river and has good facilities and a great atmosphere.
It has 119 rooms and is approximately four hours’ drive from Colombo airport.

Cinnamon Lodge, Habarana

This hotel is nestled in 37 acres of verdant forest, on the edge of Habarana Lake.
It has 138 rooms and offers a luxurious base from which to explore the sights of the Cultural Triangle.
It is approximately four hours’ drive from Colombo airport.

Habarana Village by Cinnamon

This hotel village features views out over Habarana Lake and is modelled on a traditional Sri Lankan village with small chalets dotted through the lush landscape.
There are 108 rooms and it is approximately four hours’ drive from Colombo airport.

Trinco Blu by Cinnamon

Originally designed to resemble a ship, this hotel has since had a redesign but maintains its retro-chic appeal with stylish décor.

It is a laid-back beach retreat with 81 rooms, great food, friendly service and seasonal whale-watching opportunities.

It is approximately 40 minutes’ drive from Trincomalee airport which is reached by a 45-60 minute flight from Colombo.

 Sri Lanka luxury hotels map