The Ancient Cities
A memorable place to stay, this beautifully located guesthouse enjoys an idyllic position overlooking an expanse of rice paddies, replete with the sounds…
Must-see hotels in The Ancient Cities
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The Ancient Cities
In the misty, verdant hills north of Matale, at an elevation of 450m, this working organic farm (harvesting coconuts, mangoes, bananas and papaya) is…
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Anuradhapura
Exclusive and stylish, the 20 villas in this remote rural retreat, 40km from Anuradhapura, are top of the line, with private plunge pools and relaxing…
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Sigiriya
An outstanding place to stay, thanks to the genuine welcome and attention paid to guests by Ajith and Ramya, the owners. Rooms are divided between the…
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Anuradhapura
Hidden in a quiet residential street, Milano is a professionally run place in an elegant late-1950s house. The eight rooms are somewhat old-fashioned, but…
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Anuradhapura
Renovated from top to tail, this modern hotel has a fine location near the lovely Nuwara Wewa tank. Rooms are stylish and fresh and come with a balcony or…
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Sigiriya
The aptly named Hideout is indeed a real escape, tucked away at the end of a dirt road surrounded by paddy fields and with viewing platforms for spotting…
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Dambulla
The attention to detail at Kalundewa Retreat is impressive, with six suites that feature polished-concrete floors, modern art and stylish wooden furniture…
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Sigiriya
This well-run place 9km outside Sigiriya (12km from Dambulla) has five stylish rooms in a leafy, rural compound south of the Kimbissa junction. Rooms vary…
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Polonnaruwa
With 14 luxurious rooms, this former government guesthouse has a superb location on a peninsula beside the Topa Wewa, right next to the Heritage ruins …
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Polonnaruwa
Good vibes are guaranteed at this fine guesthouse thanks to the efforts of genial owner Upali and his family. Rooms are well-priced and sparkling clean,…
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Sigiriya
For natural-world immersion – crocodiles in the pond, monitor lizards in the grass and occasional visiting elephants – the Jetwing is a great choice. The…
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Anuradhapura
For sheer colonial class this Raj-era relic (formerly a British governor's residence) can't be matched. It's been beautifully and respectfully restored –…
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Sigiriya
Set in over 80 hectares of unfenced grasslands, this high-end hotel is a terrific place to spot wildlife. Iguanas, monitor lizards and mongooses are all…
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Dambulla
The Amaya Lake complex has 100 stylish villas set in magnificent landscaped grounds on the north shore of Kandalama lake. The scale of the place will suit…
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Dambulla
The 12-roomed Lake Lodge lacks the scale of the big Kandalama resorts, but makes up for it with personalised service. Rooms are fresh and modern, with the…
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Anuradhapura
Impressive two-storey place ('palace' is a little ambitious!) with 10 lovely, clean, bright and airy rooms with TV, fridge, neutral-colour schemes and…
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Anuradhapura
There are just two rooms at this stylish family home, so two couples could have the entire upper floor to themselves. Rooms are excellent value, with a…
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Polonnaruwa
Down a quiet, leafy suburban lane, this well-run, inviting and orderly homestay owned by a Malay-Muslim couple is a good choice, with five rooms (the…
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Polonnaruwa
About 100m off the main road south of the Old Town, this place has clean, spacious rooms with terrace eating in two blocks; those at the rear with rice…
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Sigiriya
For that living-with-a-family experience, Lal's is perfect. Your host family could not be more welcoming or friendly, offering home-cooked meals (try the…
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Sigiriya
Groups like the villa-style rooms, fine balconies and stylish design at this well-tended place. The 25m pool is heaven after a hard day tackling the rock,…
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Anuradhapura
Set in 38 hectares of forest and gardens with a lovely pool area, this resort hotel has spacious rooms with fine terrace seating. Some bathrooms are…
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Polonnaruwa
This rural villa has high ceilings, pleasant balcony sitting areas and a quiet location amid the rice paddies, making it a peaceful choice. It's a bit far…
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Anuradhapura
This fresh and modern property run by Milano Tourist Rest has 10 tiled rooms, a large restaurant, garden seating and a quiet central location. Milano is…
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Dambulla
Designed by renowned architect Geoffrey Bawa, this is one of Sri Lanka's signature hotels. With 124 rooms, the hulking edifice emerges from the forest…
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Anuradhapura
A terrific rural hotel, offering comfortable and excellent-value rooms in two new blocks, with slightly dated and smaller rooms in the old building. The…
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The Ancient Cities
An elegant, modern place with rice-field views from the balconies of the five rooms, Sesatha has delightful gardens, dotted with palm trees and overlooked…
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The Ancient Cities
An intriguing accommodation option, Littlemore Estate is a 50-hectare coconut plantation bordered by paddy fields and woodland with a healthy local…
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Sigiriya
There are truly remarkable views of the rock from the pool area at this hotel. The 40-year-old breeze block exteriors are dated, but the rooms have been…
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The Ancient Cities
A large resort-style property made up of 85 rooms in dozens of cottages. The pool, bar area and restaurant are all excellent. Some rooms have outdoor…
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Dambulla
This former government rest house has been given the full Heritage treatment, and the four rooms now boast very classy interiors – the dark-wood furniture…
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Polonnaruwa
If you're looking for a really inexpensive room, this simple guesthouse is located in a quiet area and has a pleasant sitting area for chilling. Rooms are…
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Polonnaruwa
There are two blocks at this friendly place. The old block rooms have a fan, but can be hot, while the new block has much more modern, spacious air-con…
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Sigiriya
This bungalow set back off the road has three spacious, quiet rooms next to a creek, with air-con and solar-heated hot water. It was just starting up at…
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Dambulla
This smart midrange resort is within a short stroll of the caves and museum. The grounds aren't exactly spacious, but staff (some Swedish) are attentive…
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Anuradhapura
There are two distinct options at this hotel. The stylish, modern new building is all sleek lines and white walls, with a swimming pool and modern…
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Anuradhapura
This neat little guesthouse enjoys a near-rural location with peacocks strolling the surroundings in the mornings (and fireflies lighting them up at night…
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The Ancient Cities
An elegant, if somewhat threadbare, colonial villa with a veranda overlooking the lake in a leafy part of town. Its four rooms have been renovated and…
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Sigiriya
An old-school guesthouse owned by a family who have been hosting travellers for years and can provide lots of useful tips about the region. Rooms are…
