Beach Hut, Arugam Bay
Here you will find just a simple collection of rooms that has been around for about 25 years now. The atmosphere is purely for casual surfers, which is ideal considering Arugam Bay is a paradise surfing spot and a must-visit destination for your beach holiday in Sri Lanka. The setting includes seven rustic tree houses on stilts that come with cool breezes and splendid views while the six ground level rooms have shared bathrooms. Ranga is the legendary owner of the place who cooks up some delicious seafood at the restaurant and hosts delicious barbecues on Friday nights. A casual outdoor lounge has tables and hammocks spaced out very close to the sea – the perfect hangout spot with a chilled drink in hand.
Meedum Villa, Unawatuna
While Unawatuna beach is lined up with a whole lot of hotels in different price/standard ranges, good value for money can be found at Meedum Villa, just a few minutes’ walk from the beach. They have spacious en-suite rooms with hot showers and large beds with mosquito nets. Janath the owner offers discounts for long stays and also gives you a good deal on the whale watching tour in nearby Mirissa. Open air common lounges on each floor are equipped with refrigerators and drinks where you can mingle with other backpackers.
Siesta, Tangalle
A friendly couple owns this tidy guesthouse and is a perfect choice for budget accommodation in Tangalle. The simple and neat rooms have large attached bathrooms, beds with mosquito nets and the location is just a 30 second walk to a nice peaceful beach spot in Tangalle. Thoughtful touches such as bright paintings for a cheerful atmosphere and drying racks to dry your wet beach attire adds to the homeliness of this place.
The Green Rooms, Weligama
Focusing on an environmentally friendly operation, the five spacious en-suite cabanas at The Green Rooms provide electricity from a renewable source. Open air showers and balconies with sea views are an added bonus in some of the cabanas. The guesthouse makes sure they do not have a negative impact on the nearby fishing village whatsoever. They offer attractive one week packages with breakfast, lunch, surfing lessons and yoga sessions.
Aqua Hotel, Trincomalee
The astonishing beach of Uppuveli (slightly off the coast of Trincomalee) is the exact location of Aqua Hotel. They have the option of fan only rooms that are not so comfortable but the air conditioned ones are worth the extra price. The elevated restaurant, designed for its unbeatable views, is a cozy hang out joint with comfortable sofas and tables. During high season Aqua Hotel is a party zone while in the quieter months it’s more of a relaxing spot. The hotel also has motorbikes and helmets for rent if you want to explore the nearby cities and beaches.
Udekki, Kalpitiya
Kalpitiya is gradually gaining popularity as a must-visit destination for surfers and other water sports lovers. Owned by an Australian musician, Udekki has 3 villas consisting of suites and loft rooms that have calming white walls, are well spaced out and enhanced with creative rugs, lamps and paintings. Udekki also has an interesting H-shaped swimming pool with a hot tub and relaxing loungers in the surrounding area. Adding to all the plus points, the restaurant makes all its ingredients fresh and also takes requests for customized dishes.
Paradise Beach Hotel, Negombo
This is more of a traditional hotel than a guest house. While the prices are reasonable, you can expect services such as waiters handing you a cocktail while you splash in the massive swimming pool. The hotel is old, yet well maintained, has 66 brightly decorated simple rooms, each equipped with television, air conditions and balconies. The hotel is popular for its location as it is just a walking distance from reputed bars and restaurants in Negombo, a 15 minute drive from the airport, and just a few meters from the sea. Paradise Beach Hotel is an ideal option for travelers in transit looking for close by accommodation for a day or two.