The South
One of the island's foremost retreats, many guests at this healthy sanctuary are on yoga, wellness or surf-instruction packages. The location is…
Must-see hotels in The South
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The South
A true temple of luxury living, Amanwella's suites all have private plunge pools, preloaded iPods and gloriously tasteful and modish design touches…
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Galle
In the heart of the Fort, this imposing 1825 structure once housed printing presses, and later school classrooms. Today it's divided into two sections:…
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Mirissa
One of southern Sri Lanka's most remarkable places to stay, this working cinnamon farm has a selection of fine accommodation, including a renovated estate…
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Galle
An outstanding nine-year renovation has transformed this 17th-century townhouse into one of Galle's most evocative hotels, with 18 gorgeous, commodious…
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Tangalla & Around
This beautiful new place is owned by a Hungarian–Sri Lankan couple who've worked in hospitality for years and run a tight ship. Their two huge detached…
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Weligama
Perched on a promontory above the Indian Ocean, this astonishing hotel has stunning vistas and a sublime 60m crescent-shaped infinity pool (should you get…
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Tangalla & Around
A very well-run place with an array of different cabanas. There are mud-walled abodes next to the lagoon at the rear, while others near the beach are…
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The South
The incredibly hospitable owners really make this budget-friendly place, located just behind the beach. All four rooms have partial sea views, mosquito…
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The South
This family-run place has two blocks, a modern structure with a prime beachfront location where the rooms have dreamy sea views, and budget rooms by the…
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Galle
This historic property has been sympathetically converted into an inviting guesthouse by the friendly, artistic hosts who have a keen eye for design…
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Tangalla & Around
While the planet is not lonely, this corner of the beach near the lagoon certainly is – indeed it's perfect for those in search of a tranquil beachside…
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Galle
Virtually opposite the Sudharmalaya Buddhist temple, this excellent new hostel has two good-quality mixed dorms; each bed is equipped with a private…
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The South
Accommodation at this rural idyll consists of basic but clean rooms in the main house and a handful of comfortable, vaguely alpine-style cottages in the…
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The South
Cement, of all things, is the basis for this starkly modern vision of contemporary architecture on the coast. There are nine suites in three houses: all…
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Unawatuna
On a quiet road off the main Galle–Matara highway, this fine modern guesthouse has immaculately clean and inviting rooms with high-quality furnishings and…
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The South
This excellent property has recently expanded and now has a good choice of accommodation, from fan-cooled rooms to sleek units in two-storey villas and…
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Mirissa
This cute little place has smallish but well-decorated rooms and wonderfully charming owners, who take real care of their guests, love chatting and…
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Galle
One of the Fort's most famous buildings, this Aman hotel boasts lashings of colonial opulence. Its reception rooms (all polished teak floors and period…
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Weligama
Take a dated concrete hotel on the seafront, pimp it up with backpacker-geared appeal (yoga deck, rooftop bar-resto, surfboard racks) and end up with the…
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Galle
A simple elegance defines this fine guesthouse. Its five whitewashed, air-conditioned rooms feature colourful Indian textiles and a splash of artwork,…
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Unawatuna
A superb guesthouse run by two expat mates (one from the UK, one from New Zealand), located down a quiet lane set back from the beach. Rooms are spacious…
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Galle
This 19th-century former British admiral’s mansion is now a terrific boutique hotel with 10 luxurious rooms, fine service and a jungle-fringed pool. Rooms…
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Galle
Following a Unesco-commended renovation, this former 17th-century Dutch merchant’s house is now a breathtaking boutique hotel. The rooms are all different…
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Sunil Rest Guest House & Restaurant
Matara
Run by Sunil and Ureka, a charming local couple, this fine guesthouse is about 150m from the beach. Rooms in the main building are simple and clean, or…
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Tangalla & Around
This gated compound holds a very secluded luxe resort set back from the beach on a slim sandbar. Rooms boast a contemporary look, with polished concrete…
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Mrs ND Wijenayake’s Guest House
Galle
The wonderful Mrs Wijenayake and her family have been hosting grateful backpackers since 1968 and their hospitality shows in this comfy guesthouse. The…
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Galle
This new hostel is 3km inland from the Fort, but it's an easy ride by bus or three-wheeler, or there are bicycles for hire. The detached building is…
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Mirissa
Set back from the road, a short walk from Mirissa's east shoreline, this attractive hotel has nine well-appointed and inviting rooms, and three more in a…
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Unawatuna
Set well back from the busy road, these very comfortable units (rooms, suites and a three-bedroom bungalow) all have a homely ambience thanks to rugs,…
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Galle
This gracious old villa, built in the 1860s by a Scottish spice merchant, is located on the shady hill above the new town. The eight rooms vary in size,…
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Unawatuna
Located down a tiny lane on the beach side of the Matara highway, Srimali's has a convenient location and offers fine value. Rooms are bright and airy,…
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The South
A stylish, upmarket guesthouse with six rooms (some open-sided, so expect some noise, others enclosed and air-conditioned) and there's a spacious chill…
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Unawatuna
A charming – and yes, a bird-loving – family run this guesthouse. It's simple, clean and close to the beach, with both old rooms and better modern rooms…
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Tangalla & Around
Everything you need to know about Cinnabar is that one of its rooms is a treehouse. If you're bored it wouldn't be much effort to find driftwood on the…
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Weligama
Located in Weligama's most attractive and peaceful location, this villa complex enjoys a delightful ocean-front situation and its air-conditioned villas …
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Unawatuna
Offering character and charm, this attractive buttercup-yellow villa was built in 1900 and has a lush garden to enjoy (where you may spot monkeys, monitor…
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Tangalla & Around
This smart three-storey hotel has nine very attractive rooms featuring stylish modern furniture; book one on the upper floor for full-frontal sea views…
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Unawatuna
A sociable hostel run by helpful crew with four mixed dorms, all with shared bathrooms, and a double room with an en suite. There's a nice roof terrace, a…
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Mirissa
Formerly a dated concrete hotel, this place has been reinvented as a contemporary abode thanks to a successful renovation. The bright rooms are very…
