The epitome of luxury is never forced but often gifted by nature. Sri Lanka’s natural beauty creates a gold standard for luxury. Among the wilderness & ancient ruins, along its coveted coastline, surrounded by tea gardens on misty hills, and amidst the colorful vibrancy of its metro, you find some of the most sumptuous hotels in Asia. From opulent resorts to eco-retreats to colonial mansions, there’s something for everyone’s fancy. The wellness of Ayurveda paired with scenic surroundings creates luxury for the mind and body. This is ultra luxury accommodation in Sri Lanka beyond compare.
Things to consider when considering accommodation for your stay in Sri Lanka
You are spoilt for choice when it comes to luxury hotels in Sri Lanka. So let’s make choosing a bit easier with these considerations.
Purpose – is it a business trip, a family holiday, a solo getaway, or a friends’ reunion? Sri Lanka offers a selection of sophisticated hotels for business stays right in the heart of Colombo, and you will be pleasantly surprised by nearby Colonial attractions you can fit into your busy schedule. There are exceptional family-friendly hotels and retreats for indulgent-friendly solo treats.
Location – choose accommodation based on the experience you are looking for. Some love a secluded mountain retreat or a quiet beachfront resort, while others may prefer the surf scene or nightlife. Luckily for you, Sri Lanka’s varied landscape, climates, and treasure trove of natural wonders offer ample opportunities. You will also find that Sri Lanka’s south coast is relatively different from its east coast and there are unique finds like Kalpitiya in the northwest.
Luxury hotels in UNESCO World Heritage Sites, national parks, tea fields, and those overlooking the Indian Ocean are just a few of the options.
Budget – determine your budget for accommodation and look for options that fit within your price range. Sri Lanka offers a great selection of premium accommodations for competitive rates.
Amenities – consider the facilities on offer. Some hotels offer exclusive wellness spas, private pools, honeymoon suites, private chalets, butler service, private gardens/terraces, jacuzzis, and stunning views.
Activities – are you looking for a spot of golf, diving among corals, or climbing a sacred mountain? Choosing hotels near your activities keeps travel times short and leaves more time for you to enjoy doing the things you love.
Ultra-luxury hotels by type are randomly handpicked for you!
Beach Resorts
Amanwella – situated in the tranquil coastal town of Tangalle, Amanwella by Aman Hotels offers luxurious seclusion. Nestled amid lush coconut groves overlooking a pristine crescent-shaped beach, this exquisite hotel offers an exclusive and intimate escape. Inspired by the Tropical Modernist architecture of Sri Lankan Geoffrey Bawa, the resort’s contemporary minimalist design blends harmoniously with the surrounding nature for a serene ambiance. Each 30 free-standing elegant suites have a private plunge pool and spacious sea-facing terrace.
Anantara – on a rocky outcrop along a secluded stretch of Sri Lanka’s southernmost coastline is Anantara Peace Haven Tangalle Resort. Set on a centuries-old coconut estate, this sprawling five-star resort with a palm-fringed beach, roaming peacocks, and a standout spa offering Ayurvedic treatments has 152 rooms and pool villas. It offers a tranquil beachfront hideout.
Cape Weligama – it’s all about ocean views. Cape Weligama by Relais & Chateaux is perched on a palm-dominated 12-acre headland with ocean panoramas, just a few miles from surf-orientated Weligama. There are superb clifftop viewpoints for drinks or private dining. The vast freestanding villas clustered in twos or threes in separate walled gardens have meticulously landscaped gardens and 15-meter swimming pools.
Anilana Nilaveli and Pasikudah – located in the quietest and most beautiful part of the East Coast, this stylishly designed resort is an intimate escape for you to relax, luxuriate, and experience the surrounding beauty. The rooms and suites have breathtaking views of the Indian Ocean. Its twin, Anilana Pasikuda, is also a hidden gem discretely located on Pasikuda Bay, surrounded by a coral reef. Its oversized rooms have breathtaking ocean views.
Wellness resorts
Santani Wellness Kandy – an hour’s drive from the hill capital Kandy is Santani, a luxury wellness resort for pampering and rejuvenation. It offers Ayurveda healing, detox & cleansing, yoga & relaxation, and enlightened learning for healthy living.
Ulpotha Yoga & Ayurveda Retreat – in the jungle heartland of Sri Lanka in the north-central province is Ulpotha, a traditional agricultural community at the foot of the Galgiriyawa mountains. The retreat offers traditional Ayurveda and yoga in a nurturing and natural environment.
Sen Wellness Sanctuary – positioned between an idyllic stretch of sandy beach along the southern Sri Lankan coastline and a tranquil lagoon within the Rekawa Nature Reserve, this authentic, eco-conscious retreat offers Ayurveda treatment, yoga, meditation, and other healing modalities.
Anasa Wellness Resort – nestled in the central highlands, among a forest of eucalyptus trees, tea plantations, waterfalls, and legendary hiking trails, Anasa offers curated wellness, spa treatments, fitness, and recreational activities.
Heritage hotels
Grand Hotel Nuwara Eliya – located adjacent to the Nuwara Eliya Golf Course in the Central Hills and housed within Sir Edward Barnes’ historic holiday home built in the 19th Century, it was once visited by the late queen Elizabeth.
Galle Fort Hotel – awarded by UNESCO the Asia Pacific Heritage Award of Distinction, dubbing it “a masterpiece of cultural heritage and conservation”, the Galle Fort Hotel was originally a Dutch mansion and warehouse. Still retaining its historical value, the hotel offers ultra luxury in style tight within the historic Fort.
Paradise Road Tintagel– housed in a stunning period home in Colombo, which once belonged to the Bandaranaikes, the political leaders who shaped Sri Lanka’s history, it has hosted the current British monarch and queen. Its sophisticated luxury is world-renowned.
Uga Residence Colombo – this unique boutique hotel, housed within a Victorian townhouse built in the 19th Century, once welcomed governors, maharajas, nobility, and who’s who of colonial society. Its 11 well-appointed suites offer guests peaceful seclusion and luxury away from the bustling city of Colombo.
Amangalla – set within the UNESCI-protected Galle Fort, Amangalla dates back over 400 years. Originally built in 1684 as headquarters for the Dutch commander and his officers, it was later used as a billet for British soldiers. In 1863, the historic property opened as the Oriental Hotel, before becoming the New Oriental Hotel and trading for 140 years until 2002, when Aman acquired it.
Lodges & Bungalows
Ceylon Tea Trails – Ceylon Tea Trails by Relais & Chateaux is perched at an altitude of 1,250m in Sri Lanka’s Tea Country. In five authentic colonial-era tea planters’ bungalows, exuding timeless charm, guests are treated to a unique and intimate experience.
Wild Coast Tented Lodge – bordering Yala National Park, Sri Lanka’s premier game reserve, this unique hotel sits above a rugged stretch of beach on the southeast coast. Another Relais & Chateaux property, the 28 Cocoon tents come with their own pool. Made for the luxury safari experience, it is where innovation meets the wild. Elephants make midnight appearances on the beach and are known to drink from the Cocoon swimming pools.
Conclusion
You will discover nothing short of world-class luxury in Sri Lanka’s top hotels. Luxuriate your senses and indulge in comforts you never expected. Dotted among the historic landscapes, hilltops, mountains, jungles, and gracing the mighty Indian Ocean, a range of accommodation types are awaiting to ensconce you in lavish delights. Blue Lanka Tours holidays incorporate some of the most elegant luxury hotels on the island. We want nothing but the best for you. Discover how tailor-made tours can add your favorite hotels to your holiday in Sri Lanka. Which is your favorite luxury accommodation in Sri Lanka?