What would you like to be doing right now — read this post or soak in some golden sun by the beach with your beer in hand?
In an island that has an abundance beautiful sunsets, sandy beaches and multiple holidays a year, a getaway doesn't really need months of planning — you just have to make your booking after scrolling down this post. Or you could choose to remind yourself about your broke situation and resort to having nice, hot isso wadeys at Galle Face.
Here are some of the best beach hotels in Sri Lanka if life is being a beach and you need some island goodness in your life.
1. Jetwing Lighthouse
(Photo courtesy – www.jetwinghotels.com)
This hotel is iconic not only because of its location, but because of its brilliant Geoffrey Bawa architecture. Resting on the upper end of the spectrum, Lighthouse is worth the splurge if you are looking for great service and ambience along with your stay.
2. Uga Bay
(Photo courtesy – www.ugaescapes.com)
If you want to alternate your gaze between Passikuda's azure sky and turquoise waters, Uga Bay's elevated pool has you sorted. Being a 5 star hotel, they provide good food and siestas in addition to the breathtaking views of the Indian Ocean.
3. Maalu Maalu Resort & Spa
(Photo courtesy – www.theme-resorts.com)
Maalu Maalu was the first resort to be developed on the then deserted Kalkudah beach in Passikudah, and is unique in that sense. Its iconic thatched chalets are a distinctive sight on the now more populated coastline. Dried palm and coconut branches are employed in the design to create the look and feel of a stereotypical tropical island retreat.
4. Shangri La's Hambantota Resort and Spa
Well spaced over 53 hectares and topping the list of Sri Lanka's biggest hotels, Shangri La's Hambantota Resort and Spa is where you would want to take your extended family and friends for a reunion because it's just that big.
In addition to the mainstream facilities offered by all hotels, Shangri La offers a 7m high trapeze, a drone flying area, and an outdoor water park.
5. Amaya Beach
(Photo courtesy – www.amayabeach.com)
While this resort is not much for relaxing on the beach, they have a very long pool. The poolside is one of the nicest spaces to chill in the hotel, especially in the evenings. Amaya is a reliable bet if you're in Pasikuda and want to really indulge.
6. The Fortress Resort & Spa
(Photo courtesy – www.fortressresortandspa.com)
Nestled on a stretch of pristine Koggala beachfront that plays host to playful waves and capricious turtles, the swank resort just about manages to match the area's natural beauty.
7. Jetwing Blue
Built in 1970, this resort has grown from a 6 room hotel to one with 110 rooms. It's 12 kilometres away from the airport and is almost in central Negombo.
8. Cape Weligama
(Photo courtesy – www.cntraveller.com)
While we have only dined here and experienced unimpeachable service and food, Cape Weligama is one of the most luxurious hotels in the island. With a spot on Conde Nast's World Top 10 Infinity Pools and Beachside Hot List, it's secured its position as a must-visit luxe escape since 2014.
If you're broke, avoid.
9. Anantaya Passikudah
(Photo courtesy – www.anantaya.lk)
Anantaya Passikudah's interior and exterior are one of a kind and truly unmatched by the rest. From their little chalets to their all-brown interior, your stay here will be surreal.
10. Anantaya Chilaw
(Photo courtesy – www.anantaya.lk)
Anantaya gives you the best of both worlds – the sea and the lagoon. It's tucked away in between the blues and is a lovely retreat for a quiet vacation.
11. Dickwella Resort and Spa
(Photo courtesy – www.brownshotels.com)
Perched in Matara with the magnificent ocean surrounding three sides of the hotel, Dickwella Resort and Spa is one of the few hotels that offer water sports equipment, yoga classes and early morning fishing trips.
12. Vivanta by Taj – Bentota
(Photo courtesy – www.vivanta.tajhotels.com)
If you want to shut yourself from the world and indulge in a variety of spa treatments and massages, Vivanta by Taj is the ideal spot. Located along one of the most popular beaches of Sri Lanka, it's also known by the name of Taj Exotica.
13. Heritance Ahungalla
(Photo courtesy – www.heritancehotels.com)
Each of the 152 rooms has a private balcony and faces the sea. With a bunch of culinary awards under their wing, you can look forward to combining amazing food with that view.
14. Amanwella
(Photo courtesy – www.aman.com)
Want to go snorkelling, surfing, whale watching and fishing in 24 hours? Amanwella is for you!
With a picturesque beach in view, Amanwella is all for relaxation along with some adventure.
15. Cinnamon Bey
(Photo courtesy – www.hotels.com)
With 6 restaurants, 2 swimming pools, a gym and a spa, Cinnamon Bey is of the more luxurious beach resorts with a plethora of waterside activities to choose from.
16. Casa Colombo Collection, Mirissa
(Photo courtesy – www.casacolombocollection.com)
Casa Colombo Boutique hotels are known for their meticulously designed structures, and the chain's boutique hotel in Mirissa is no different. With spacious rooms, spa-like bathrooms, and a private beach, this is the epitome of luxury.
17. Aditya
(Photo courtesy – www.aditya-resort.com)
Aditya gives extra attention to every single detail. Every room has a private plunge pool which makes this an even more ideal location for a luxurious vacation for a special occassion.
18. Amaloh by Jetwing
(Photo courtesy – www.jetwinghotels.com)
Cradled in the Matara bay, Jetwing's Amaloh features lush lawns sprinkled with topiary, hammocks, and an invitingly pristine pool. The lawns are hemmed in by the Matara bay, which is lovely and swimmable but doesn't feature a beach. Instead, you can take some stairs straight into the water, which is pretty surreal.
19. Mount Lavinia Hotel
(Photo courtesy – www.tripadvisor.com)
Rich in its history about lady Lavinia, Mount Lavinia hotel is a reliable hotel by the beach, just five minutes away from Colombo.
20. Anantara Peace Haven Tangalle Resort
(Photo courtesy – www.booking.com)
Perched on a huge rock in Tangalle, Anantara is yet another exotic experience. Hide away by its secluded shore and pamper yourself.
21. Anilana Pasikuda
Tucked away from the crowded beaches of Pasikuda, Anilana allows you to indulge in some quality resort time while also offering you an array of activities such as water sports, snorkelling, diving and luxury sailing on Topaz.
22. Anilana Nilaveli
(Photo courtesy – www.anilana.com)
Nilaveli is a popular coastal resort town and Anilana has safely managed to bag itself a spot away from the more crowded beach strips. It's a luxurious getaway spot if you are planning on visiting Pigeon Island or are in the mood for some whales and dolphins.
23. Serene Pavilions
(Photo courtesy – www.reddottours.com
Want to experience a little bit of Bali, but don't want to spend all those bucks? This boutique hotel's Balinese-style pavilions can help you out — along with the luxury of a private butler.
But if you got kids below 15, you might not be allowed to bring them along.
24. Jetwing Lagoon
(Photo courtesy – www.travelwireasia.com)
Lodged between the Negombo Lagoon and the Indian Ocean, this ayurveda & spa resort was the first resort to have been originally built by the legendary architect Geoffrey Bawa in 1965.
Soak in all of that phenomenal architecture as you jet ski your way around the lagoon!
25. Jungle Beach by Uga Escapes
(Photo courtesy – www.ugaescapes.com)
If you want to give your holiday a forest touch by morning and a beach touch by evening, Jungle Beach has you sorted. With the feel of residing in a tree house but by the beach, this resort offers adventure and private dining. You can choose to dine under the stars or by lush greenery.
There's a lot going on in terms of surrounding and this really helps the resort stand out from the rest.
Please note we've refrained from including prices of the hotels as rates are subject to variations between seasons, residential status, and taxes. You'd be best off contacting them directly or visiting third-party sites like booking.com for updated prices.
