Sri Lanka has a fantastic range of hotels. Whether you enjoy some luxury, something quirky and characterful, an intimate family-run hotel or a mixture of all that and more, Sri Lanka has some of the best boutique hotels in Asia. The use of the local vernacular in the architecture and design, Sri Lankan style hospitality (rather than hotel school slickness) and the personal touch often make Sri Lanka's boutique hotels the best option.
There are the romantic converted tea plantation managers' bungalows, updated traditional manor houses (or 'wallawa' in Sinhala) and chic modern retreats both on the beach and in Sri Lanka's gorgeous hinterland. Unless they are extraordinary, any hotel in this category will have less than 20 rooms for the original boutique feel – which we define as being all about the personalised service.
The quality of small hotels across the island can be varied, so we only use tried and tested hotels. The hotels recommended on our site have almost without exception been visited and inspected by our travel consultants, and feedback is vigorously monitored to ensure the quality of standards.
Talk to our consultants, and they will design a luxury holiday for you that includes Sri Lanka's very best boutique hotels. They have stayed there themselves and will make sure that you only stay in hotels that genuinely suit you.
Boutique Hotels in Sri Lanka
3 Sisters, Matara
Renovated Dutch colonial property oozing with character, situated on Sri Lanka's southern coastline.
98 Acres, Ella
A stunning resort and spa tucked away on one of the most scenic tea estates in all of Sri Lanka.
Aditya, Dodanduwa
A place to take the breath of the most hardened luxury holiday-maker: Aditya is a lovely small hotel on Sri Lanka's south-west coast.
Amangalla, Galle Fort
Amangalla is a characterful and seriously sophisticated hotel inside the UNESCO world heritage site of Galle Fort.
Amanwella, Tangalle
Total sensual luxury in a dazzling location on Sri Lanka's spectacular southern coastline.
Apa Villa, Thalpe
These lovely villas promise homely privacy with the personal service and friendliness of a small hotel.
Bethany 101, Puttalam
A superb and historic villa-style hotel in little-visited Puttalam.
Buckingham Place, Rekawa
Stylish, fun, contemporary villas with a great atmosphere and a sublime location overlooking Rekawa's lagoon and beaches
Camellia Hills, Hatton
A contemporary tea planter's bungalow with stunning views across the Castlereagh Reservoir.
Club Villa, Bentota
A stylish, hip and laid-back beachside hotel with a decidedly Celyonese twist and a train running through the end of the garden!
Coco Tangalla, Tangalle
Chic and cosy, this colonial beach villa would suit a laid back couple wanting personal service.
Doornberg: The Dutch House, Galle Town
For those who dislike large hotels - this is the ultimate in space, luxury, privacy and relaxation in one of the most beautiful settings in Sri Lanka
Ellerton, Kandy
Great boutique hotel perched atop a hill on the outskirts of Kandy in the lower central mountains
Flame Tree Estate, Kandy
Just out of central Kandy on a hilltop with panoramic countryside views and characterful rooms.
Fort Bazaar, Galle Fort
A beautiful boutique hotel right inside the UNESCO listed Galle Fort.
Frangipani Tree, Thalpe
Luxury villa hotel with private tennis court and wide beach frontage outside Galle
Galle Fort Hotel, Galle Fort
One of the earlier transformations in the historic Dutch Fort, The Galle Fort Hotel has stood the test of time.
Goatfell, Nuwara Eliya
Four-room renovated tea bungalow overlooking plantations and mountains with detailed service, providing an all-inclusive stay.
Halcyon Mawella, Tangalle
Excellent 10-room boutique hotel and restaurant, footsteps from the golden sands of Mawella Beach.
Horathapola Coconut Estate, Pannala
Beautiful tropical mansion offering unpretentious luxury on a working Coconut Estate.
Jim's Farm Villas, Dambulla
This charming hotel is a great place from which to explore the country's cultural and wildlife highlights.
Jungle Beach, Kuchaveli, Trincomalee
Exotic beach-side resort near Trincomalee, perfect for exploring the natural beauty of Sri Lanka's east coast.
Kahanda Kanda, Galle
Blissfully relaxing boutique hotel hidden in the hills above Galle. Stylish, peaceful, wonderful food - what's not to like?
Kalundewa Retreat, Dambulla
This small boutique hotel consists of nine chalets and a bungalow, surrounded by picturesque mountains and lakes.
Kandy House, Kandy
The 'Walauwe' - a traditional Sri Lankan manor house converted into one of the most beautiful hotels on the island.
Kings Pavilion Kandy, Kandy
Enjoy the peace and beauty of nature at this peaceful oasis set in the Kandy hills.
Kumbukgaha Villa, Sigiriya
A collection of comfortable villas surrounded by wilderness and a veranda to relax on at the end of a long day.
Lake Lodge Kandalama, Dambulla
Elegant twelve-bedroom boutique hotel on the banks of the Kandalama lake in the heart of the Cultural Triangle.
Living Heritage Koslanda, Haputale
Traditional architecture amidst amazing setting in the south-east hills of Haputale.
Lunuganga, Bentota
Architect Geoffrey Bawa's former home - a vast garden fantasy land that reflects a lifetime of labour and love.
Maniumpathy, Colombo
Old world charm and modern comforts in a restored heritage home in Colombo, boasting a relaxing swimming pool.
Maya Villa, Tangalle
A luxurious inland villa close to Sri Lanka's pristine south coast beaches.
Melheim Resort, Haputale
Small, comfortable and modern resort in a beautiful hillside location south of Haputale.
Nine Skies, Demodara
A restored bungalow sitting on a working tea plantation providing an all-inclusive stay with personalised service and wonderful views.
Rangala House, Kandy
Three-bedroom hillside villa with stunning views on the outskirts of Kandy.
Ravana Garden, Kalametiya
Pioneering boutique hotel on the southern coast where luxurious comfort and environmentally friendly ethos happily co-exist.
Rosyth House, Kegalle
A beautifully converted planter's bungalow within easy reach of Kandy.
Sanctuary at Tissawewa, Anuradhapura
A simple and charming colonial property set amongst lush gardens in the heart of Anuradhapura Old City.
Stone House , Kandy
A high-end boutique hotel just a few minutes from Kandy: incredibly peaceful and decorated with fascinating sculptures.
Tea Trails, Hatton
Four heaven sent hill country bungalows on the shores of beautiful Castlereagh Reservoir.
The Notary's House, Pannala
A charming, calming six-bedroom lake-side hotel. Manicured gardens, coconut groves, headspace. The perfect place to ease into Sri Lanka
Thotalagala, Haputale
A revived tea planters bungalow offering personalised service and sweeping views over the surrounding plantations.
Ulagalla Resort, Anuradhapura
Contemporary style amidst a huge forest landscape - Ulagalla is one of the few truly boutique hotels in the 'Cultural Triangle'
Villa Bentota, Bentota
Fully renovated colonial bungalow offering a beautiful setting just off the sea front of Western Sri Lanka.
Villa Rosa, Kandy
A villa style, boutique hotel; offering personal comforts, great food and the finest views of any hotel in Kandy
Wallawwa, Negombo
Superb boutique hotel located close proximity to the airport
Why House, Talpe
A beautiful boutique hotel. Attentive, friendly, relaxed comfort that feels more home away from home, than high life.
