How hotel standards work
We price every multi-day trip at one of four hotel standards, from $18 to $900 a night for a double room with breakfast, depending on the region, the standard and the season. You choose the standard and we book the hotels.
The four standards
Rates are per double room per night in shoulder season, taxes and service included, across the regions with an example hotel. Checked 7 November 2026.
Simple
$20 to $45
a night, clean guesthouses and small hotels
Guesthouses and small hotels. Clean, with few extras.
Pick it if you are out all day and want the lowest price.
Comfort
$45 to $80
a night, 3-star or good boutique
3-star hotels or good boutiques. This is where the planner starts.
Pick it if you are unsure. You can move any stop up or down later.
Superior
$90 to $150
a night, 4-star
4-star hotels.
Pick it for a honeymoon, a longer stay or a place where you will spend time at the hotel.
Luxury
$150 to $450
a night, 5-star or top boutique
5-star hotels or top boutiques. Some places have no 5-star hotel, among them Jaffna, Polonnaruwa and Udawalawe, so luxury there means the top local option.
Pick it when the hotel is part of the trip. Some famous properties cost well above this rate, and our prices do not cover them.
These are planning rates built from public prices. Choose your dates and the booker shows the price for them; if a rate changes while you are booking, nothing is booked and you see the new price first. Once you book, your booking keeps its price. On a multi-day trip our 8% trip planning and support fee is added to the hotel and vehicle cost, as its own line on the quote.
What “or similar” means
Hotels are named as examples of the standard you will get. If a named hotel is full we book one of the same standard in the same area and tell you which.
Meals
Bed and breakfast unless the itinerary says otherwise. Half board adds dinner. Children 6 to 11 pay half.
| Standard | Half board, per adult a night |
|---|---|
| Simple | $12 |
| Comfort | $18 |
| Superior | $28 |
| Luxury | $45 |
In Hatton and the tea country the luxury rate already includes dinner, so half board adds nothing there.
Seasons and rates
Hotel prices follow the weather and the holidays. The east coast runs on the opposite calendar to the rest of the island.
South, west, hills and Cultural Triangle
Most of the island.
| Season | Dates |
|---|---|
| Low season | 1 May to 31 Oct |
| Shoulder season | 1 Apr to 30 Apr and 1 Nov to 20 Dec |
| Peak season | 10 Jan to 31 Mar |
| Christmas and New Year | 21 Dec to 9 Jan |
East coast
Trincomalee, Pasikudah and Arugam Bay. Christmas rates sit below peak rates here on purpose: the festive weeks fall in the east coast's quiet season.
| Season | Dates |
|---|---|
| Low season | 10 Jan to 31 Mar and 1 Nov to 20 Dec |
| Shoulder season | 1 Apr to 30 Apr and 1 Oct to 31 Oct |
| Peak season | 1 May to 30 Sept |
| Christmas and New Year | 21 Dec to 9 Jan |
Rates in the main regions
Per double room per night in US dollars. Open a standard to see it. Every place page has its own table.
Comfort
| Region | Low | Shoulder | Peak | Christmas |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Negombo | $63 | $70 | $90 | $105 |
| Colombo | $70 | $75 | $100 | $115 |
| Sigiriya | $60 | $65 | $85 | $100 |
| Kandy | $55 | $60 | $80 | $90 |
| Nuwara Eliya | $63 | $70 | $90 | $105 |
| Ella | $72 | $80 | $105 | $120 |
| Yala | $55 | $60 | $80 | $90 |
| Mirissa | $72 | $80 | $105 | $120 |
| Galle | $68 | $75 | $100 | $115 |
| Bentota | $68 | $75 | $100 | $115 |
| Trincomalee | $50 | $65 | $80 | $60 |
| Arugam Bay | $50 | $65 | $80 | $60 |
Simple
| Region | Low | Shoulder | Peak | Christmas |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Negombo | $32 | $35 | $45 | $55 |
| Colombo | $36 | $40 | $50 | $60 |
| Sigiriya | $32 | $35 | $45 | $55 |
| Kandy | $32 | $35 | $45 | $55 |
| Nuwara Eliya | $32 | $35 | $45 | $55 |
| Ella | $36 | $40 | $52 | $60 |
| Yala | $23 | $25 | $32 | $38 |
| Mirissa | $36 | $40 | $52 | $60 |
| Galle | $36 | $40 | $52 | $60 |
| Bentota | $40 | $45 | $58 | $68 |
| Trincomalee | $25 | $32 | $40 | $30 |
| Arugam Bay | $25 | $32 | $40 | $30 |
Superior
| Region | Low | Shoulder | Peak | Christmas |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Negombo | $95 | $110 | $175 | $220 |
| Colombo | $100 | $110 | $150 | $175 |
| Sigiriya | $95 | $110 | $180 | $220 |
| Kandy | $85 | $100 | $160 | $200 |
| Nuwara Eliya | $110 | $130 | $210 | $260 |
| Ella | $130 | $150 | $240 | $300 |
| Yala | $110 | $130 | $210 | $260 |
| Mirissa | $130 | $150 | $240 | $300 |
| Galle | $120 | $140 | $225 | $280 |
| Bentota | $130 | $150 | $240 | $300 |
| Trincomalee | $90 | $120 | $180 | $110 |
| Arugam Bay | $80 | $105 | $160 | $95 |
Luxury
| Region | Low | Shoulder | Peak | Christmas |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Negombo | $145 | $170 | $270 | $340 |
| Colombo | $155 | $170 | $240 | $275 |
| Sigiriya | $170 | $200 | $320 | $400 |
| Kandy | $135 | $160 | $255 | $320 |
| Nuwara Eliya | $185 | $220 | $350 | $440 |
| Ella | $220 | $260 | $415 | $520 |
| Yala | $220 | $260 | $415 | $520 |
| Mirissa | $255 | $300 | $480 | $600 |
| Galle | $215 | $250 | $400 | $500 |
| Bentota | $255 | $300 | $480 | $600 |
| Trincomalee | $180 | $240 | $360 | $220 |
| Arugam Bay | $140 | $180 | $280 | $170 |
Children
Children under 6 stay free sharing their parents' bed. Children 6 to 11 sharing a room pay a small supplement. From 12, hotels count a child as an adult.
| Standard | Per child sharing, a night |
|---|---|
| Simple | $12 |
| Comfort | $18 |
| Superior | $30 |
| Luxury | $55 |
Single rooms
A single room costs 80% of the double rate. A comfort room in Kandy in shoulder season is $60 as a double and $48 as a single.
With an odd number of adults, the extra adult takes a single room at this rate.
Christmas gala dinners
Most hotels at comfort standard and above charge a compulsory gala dinner on 24 and 31 December. If your trip includes those nights, it appears as its own line on the quote. Children 6 to 11 pay half.
These amounts are estimates. Once you book, your booking keeps its price.
Many hotels also set minimum stays of 3 to 5 nights between about 21 December and 9 January. Where a hotel on your route does, we book one of the same standard in the same area that takes your nights.
| Standard | Estimate per adult, per gala night |
|---|---|
| Simple | None expected |
| Comfort | $40 |
| Superior | $70 |
| Luxury | $180 |
How to choose
Start with how you will use the hotel. If you leave at dawn and come back after dark, a higher standard buys little. If you will spend afternoons at the hotel, it buys more.
- You can mix standards. Keep simple hotels on the safari nights and spend more at the beach.
- Season moves the price. A comfort room in Kandy is $55 in low season and $90 at Christmas.
- Some places have few hotels. The notes on each place page say so.
The same tour at each standard
Classic Sri Lanka, 7 days, 7 days, per person for two in shoulder season, tickets included.
| Standard | Per person |
|---|---|
| Simple | $761 |
| Comfort | $866 |
| Superior | $1,044 |
| Luxury | $1,352 |
Each price covers the car and driver, hotels, tickets, activities and our planning fee.
Example hotels by region
We name hotels so you can see the standard. Each is an example: you may get this hotel or one like it. We do not show third-party review scores.
Negombo
Simple
clean guesthouses and small hotels
- Dutch Canel Retreat Boutique Villa (guesthouse): Small villa by the Dutch canal.
- Hotel Magdalina Lagoon (guesthouse): On the lagoon side of town.
- The Icebear Guesthouse (3-star): Beachside guesthouse.
Or similar.
Comfort
3-star or good boutique
- Swanee Grand (4-star)
- The Cottage Negombo (boutique)
- Terrace Green Hotel & Spa (4-star)
Or similar.
Superior
4-star
- Belmont Boutique Hotel (4-star)
- Jetwing Sea (4-star standard): Beachfront Jetwing hotel.
- Camelot Beach Hotel (3-star): Large beach hotel, older build.
Or similar.
Luxury
5-star or top boutique
- Sentido Heritance Negombo (5-star)
- Jetwing Blue (5-star)
- Jetwing Beach (5-star)
Or similar.
Negombo is the usual first or last night because the airport is close. It is a convenient stop near the airport rather than a beach destination in itself.
See Negombo for every season and the full notes.
Colombo
Simple
clean guesthouses and small hotels
- Silvikris Villa (3-star)
- Vivid Colombo (guesthouse)
- Luna Mews, Ward Place (guesthouse)
Or similar.
Comfort
3-star or good boutique
- Cinnamon Red Colombo (3-star): Tower hotel with a rooftop pool.
- Marino Beach Colombo (5-star)
- Taprobane House Luxury Boutique (boutique)
Or similar.
Superior
4-star
- Jetwing Colombo Seven (5-star): City hotel with a rooftop pool.
- Sofia Colombo City Hotel (4-star standard)
- Radisson Hotel Colombo (4-star)
Or similar.
Luxury
5-star or top boutique
- Cinnamon Grand Colombo (5-star)
- Galle Face Hotel (5-star): Colonial-era seafront hotel.
- Shangri-La Colombo (5-star)
Or similar.
Colombo is a business city: weeknights cost more than weekends and seasons are flatter than at the resorts. The gazetted minimum room rates for Colombo hotels were suspended by a court order in May 2024, so rates are market-driven.
See Colombo for every season and the full notes.
Kalpitiya
Simple
clean guesthouses and small hotels
- Sandy Edge (guesthouse)
- Surfpoint Sri Lanka Kite Village (kite camp)
- Sea Sand Resort (guesthouse)
Or similar.
Comfort
3-star or good boutique
- Silver Shine Beach Resort (3-star standard)
- Dinuda Lagoon Hotel (3-star standard)
- Club Mango Resort (3-star standard)
Or similar.
Superior
4-star
- The Blue Lagoon Resort Kalpitiya (4-star standard)
- Melheim Beach Resort (4-star standard)
- Elements Beach & Nature Resort (4-star standard)
Or similar.
Luxury
5-star or top boutique
- Koddu Kalpitiya (boutique): Small property.
- Dutch Bay Resort & Spa (5-star standard): A new property.
Or similar.
Few hotels here, so the superior and luxury rates are rough figures. Kalpitiya has two kitesurfing seasons (mid-May to mid-October and mid-December to mid-March), so May to October is busier here than our west-coast low season suggests. If a named hotel costs more than the rate shown then, we book one of the same standard in the same area at this rate.
See Kalpitiya for every season and the full notes.
Wilpattu
Simple
clean guesthouses and small hotels
- Sapumal Lodge (guesthouse): In Anuradhapura town.
- Yaluwa Tourist Rest (guesthouse): In Anuradhapura town. It runs a cooking class.
Or similar.
Comfort
3-star or good boutique
- Hotel Heladiv (3-star standard): In Anuradhapura town.
- Lolu Village Resort (3-star): Near Anuradhapura.
Or similar.
Superior
4-star
- Heritage Hotel Anuradhapura (4-star standard): In Anuradhapura.
- Aryana Boutique Hotel (4-star standard): In Anuradhapura.
Or similar.
Luxury
5-star or top boutique
- Leopard Inn Wilpattu (boutique): Lodge on the edge of the park.
Or similar.
Few hotels sit near the park. Simple, comfort and superior rates are Anuradhapura's, and those example hotels are in or near Anuradhapura town, about an hour from the park gate. The one lodge we name at the gate, Leopard Inn Wilpattu, is the luxury example. All four rates are rough figures.
See Wilpattu National Park for every season and the full notes.
Anuradhapura
Simple
clean guesthouses and small hotels
- Sapumal Lodge (guesthouse)
- Yaluwa Tourist Rest (guesthouse): Runs a cooking class.
- Lake House Home Stay (homestay)
Or similar.
Comfort
3-star or good boutique
- Hotel Heladiv (3-star standard)
- Lolu Village Resort (3-star)
- Hotel White House (3-star standard)
Or similar.
Superior
4-star
- Heritage Hotel Anuradhapura (4-star standard)
- Aryana Boutique Hotel (4-star standard)
- Maho Boutique Hotel (boutique)
Or similar.
Luxury
5-star or top boutique
- Uga Ulagalla (5-star boutique): Villa resort at Thirappane, outside town.
Or similar.
Luxury here means Uga Ulagalla, the only 5-star property we found in the area; the luxury rate is set for it. Hotels in Anuradhapura are otherwise among the cheaper ones in Sri Lanka.
See Anuradhapura for every season and the full notes.
Jaffna
Simple
clean guesthouses and small hotels
- Humming Birds Suites (guesthouse)
- Jaffna City Palace Hotel (guesthouse)
- Dayanithi Guest House (guesthouse)
Or similar.
Comfort
3-star or good boutique
- Suisse Luxury Residency Nallur (boutique): Near Nallur temple.
- Grandpa's Villa Jaffna (boutique)
- The Valampuri (3-star)
Or similar.
Superior
4-star
- NorthGate Jaffna (4-star standard)
- Jetwing Jaffna (4-star standard): City hotel with a rooftop pool.
- The Thinnai Hotel (boutique)
Or similar.
Luxury
5-star or top boutique
- Jetwing Mahesa Bhawan (heritage villa, 4 rooms): A restored villa, not a resort.
- Fox Jaffna by Fox Resorts (4-star standard)
- Thambu Illam (boutique)
Or similar.
Luxury in Jaffna means a good 4-star hotel or a small heritage villa; there is no 5-star resort. Prices are nearly flat through the year. Hotels fill during the Nallur festival (about 25 days from August; a travel listing gave 16 August to 12 September for 2026) and over Christmas and New Year when the diaspora visits.
See Jaffna for every season and the full notes.
Trincomalee, Uppuveli and Nilaveli
Simple
clean guesthouses and small hotels
- Blu Marine Nilaveli (guesthouse)
- Regina Beach Bungalow (guesthouse)
- Hotel Tobiko (3-star)
Or similar.
Comfort
3-star or good boutique
- Pearl Oceanic Resort (3-star standard)
- Cardamon Hotel Nilaveli (3-star)
- Nilaveli Beach Hotel (3-star)
Or similar.
Superior
4-star
- Trinco Blu by Cinnamon (4-star)
- Amaranthe Bay Resort & Spa (4-star plus)
- C Beyond Nilaveli (4-star standard)
Or similar.
Luxury
5-star or top boutique
We have no example hotel at this standard here. Ask us before relying on this rate.
East coast calendar: the season is May to September, and November to March is quiet with rougher sea. Christmas and New Year raise prices only a little here, so the festive rate is below the peak rate on purpose. Jungle Beach is the only 5-star property we found in the area, and our prices do not cover it; luxury here means the higher room categories at Trinco Blu or Amaranthe Bay.
See Trincomalee (Nilaveli and Uppuveli) for every season and the full notes.
Pasikudah and Kalkudah
Simple
clean guesthouses and small hotels
- Aiden Homestay (homestay)
- Aki Villa (guesthouse)
- Amanda Beach Resort (guesthouse)
Or similar.
Comfort
3-star or good boutique
- Kay Jay Palms, Kalkudah (3-star standard)
- Giman Free Beach Resort (3-star)
- Laya Waves (3-star)
Or similar.
Superior
4-star
- Sunrise Pasikuda (4-star): Formerly Sunrise by Jetwing.
- Maalu Maalu Resort & Spa (4-star): Theme Resorts property on the bay.
Or similar.
Luxury
5-star or top boutique
- Uga Bay (5-star): The Bay, an Uga Experience. Compulsory gala dinners on 24 and 31 December.
- Sun Siyam Pasikudah (5-star)
- Karpaha Sands (5-star tented boutique): Tented suites at Kalkudah.
Or similar.
East coast calendar: May to September is the season; November to March is quiet and some small places close. The festive rate is below the peak rate on purpose.
See Pasikudah (Kalkudah and Batticaloa) for every season and the full notes.
Arugam Bay
Simple
clean guesthouses and small hotels
- Whisky Point Resort (guesthouse): At Whisky Point, north of the main bay.
- Lucky Bay (guesthouse)
- Arugambay Roccos (3-star)
Or similar.
Comfort
3-star or good boutique
- The Spice Trail (3-star standard)
- Bay Dreams Beach Hotel & Surf Camp (3-star)
- Blue Waters (boutique)
Or similar.
Superior
4-star
- Beach Cab Resort (4-star standard)
- One FS Hotel Arugambay (boutique)
- Bay Vista (3-star to 4-star)
Or similar.
Luxury
5-star or top boutique
- Jetwing Surf & Safari, A Luxury Reserve (5-star (Jetwing Luxury Reserve)): Formerly Jetwing Surf.
- Eastern Bay (boutique)
Or similar.
East coast calendar: the surf season is June to August and the hotel season May to September. Many small places close or run a skeleton service from November to March. Few hotels reach the luxury standard, so that rate is a rough figure. The festive rate is below the peak rate on purpose.
See Arugam Bay for every season and the full notes.
Gal Oya
Simple
clean guesthouses and small hotels
We have no example hotel at this standard here. Ask us before relying on this rate.
Comfort
3-star or good boutique
We have no example hotel at this standard here. Ask us before relying on this rate.
Superior
4-star
We have no example hotel at this standard here. Ask us before relying on this rate.
Luxury
5-star or top boutique
- Gal Oya Lodge (lodge, bed and breakfast): Published rate USD 320 per double in 2026 and USD 340 in 2027 (single 260 / 275, child 40 / 42), including 10% service charge and all government taxes. The lodge recommends three nights and does not recommend one-night stays.
Or similar.
We found one property at Gal Oya, Gal Oya Lodge, which publishes a single rate for the whole year (USD 320 in 2026, 340 in 2027); we plan at the 2027 rate of USD 340 for every season. We found no simple, comfort or superior properties here, so those rates are copied from Udawalawe as the nearest comparable safari town. Once you book, your booking keeps its price.
See Gal Oya National Park for every season and the full notes.
Sigiriya, Dambulla and Habarana
Simple
clean guesthouses and small hotels
- Lankapura Heritage (2-star)
- Pride Rock Villa & Tree House (2-star)
- Evergreen Hotel Dambulla (guesthouse)
Or similar.
Comfort
3-star or good boutique
- Lion Gate Hotel Sigiriya (3-star)
- Royal Rock Sigiriya (3-star standard)
Or similar.
Superior
4-star
- Hotel Sigiriya (4-star)
- Sigiriya Village (4-star)
- Habarana Village by Cinnamon (4-star)
Or similar.
Luxury
5-star or top boutique
- Heritance Kandalama (5-star): Geoffrey Bawa design on the Kandalama tank.
- Cinnamon Lodge Habarana (5-star standard)
- Jetwing Lake (5-star): At Dambulla.
Or similar.
Mid-July to August is busy here (European holidays and the Minneriya elephant gathering), so we price those nights at the peak rate. Jetwing Vil Uyana and Water Garden Sigiriya cost two to three times the luxury rate, and our prices do not cover them.
See Sigiriya (Dambulla and Habarana) for every season and the full notes.
Polonnaruwa and Giritale
Simple
clean guesthouses and small hotels
- Tishan Holiday Resort (guesthouse)
- Sahan Tourist House (guesthouse)
- Kithmi Resort (guesthouse)
Or similar.
Comfort
3-star or good boutique
- Hotel Lake Park (3-star standard)
- Agbo Hotel (3-star standard)
- Hotel Sudu Araliya (3-star): On the Parakrama Samudra tank.
Or similar.
Superior
4-star
- Lavendish Lake Giritale (4-star standard): Formerly Deer Park, on Giritale tank.
- Thidas Arana (boutique)
Or similar.
Luxury
5-star or top boutique
- Cinnamon Lodge Habarana (5-star standard): In Habarana, 45 to 60 minutes away.
- Heritance Kandalama (5-star): At Dambulla, 45 to 60 minutes away.
Or similar.
Polonnaruwa has no true 5-star hotel. The luxury tier uses Habarana and Dambulla hotels, 45 to 60 minutes away, at a lower planning rate than the Sigiriya luxury rate. This rate is a rough figure.
See Polonnaruwa for every season and the full notes.
Kandy
Simple
clean guesthouses and small hotels
- Urban Kandy City Hotel (2-star)
- Feel Home (guesthouse)
- Sevana City Hotel (3-star)
Or similar.
Comfort
3-star or good boutique
- Kings Grove (3-star)
- Hotel Topaz (3-star): On a hill above the town.
- Hotel Suisse (3-star): Colonial building from 1890 by the lake.
Or similar.
Superior
4-star
- Cinnamon Citadel Kandy (4-star): On the Mahaweli river outside the centre.
- Radisson Hotel Kandy (4-star)
- Amaya Hills Kandy (4-star): Hilltop hotel at Heerassagala, a drive from town.
Or similar.
Luxury
5-star or top boutique
- Earl's Regency (5-star)
- The Golden Crown Hotel (5-star): Above the town at Ampitiya.
- The Grand Kandyan (5-star)
Or similar.
During the Esala Perahera (18 to 28 August in 2026; projected 7 to 17 August 2027, not yet announced by the Temple of the Tooth) hotels on the procession route are reported to charge two to four times the normal rate, with two or three night minimums and prepayment; we could not verify these figures. At the rate shown we book a hotel of the same standard away from the route. Aarunya Nature Resort (about USD 550 a night in November 2026) costs well above the luxury rate, and our prices do not cover it.
See Kandy for every season and the full notes.
Kitulgala
Simple
clean guesthouses and small hotels
- Old Bridge Riverside Hotel (guesthouse): By the Kelani river.
- White Villa Kitulgala (guesthouse)
Or similar.
Comfort
3-star or good boutique
- Hotel Breeta's Garden (3-star standard)
- Forest Edge Resort (3-star standard)
Or similar.
Superior
4-star
- Paradise Eco Garden (4-star standard)
- Aramya Riverfront Boutique Resort (4-star standard)
Or similar.
Luxury
5-star or top boutique
- Moksha at Kitulgala (5-star): Rainforest boutique hotel.
- Palmstone Retreat (boutique)
Or similar.
Kitulgala is usually a rafting stop or a single night between Colombo and the hills. There are few hotels, so the superior and luxury rates are rough figures. Luxury here means two boutique properties; the tea bungalows around Hatton are about an hour and a half away.
See Kitulgala for every season and the full notes.
Hatton and the tea country
Simple
clean guesthouses and small hotels
- White House Bungalow Hatton (guesthouse)
- Mountain Villa Adam's Peak (guesthouse): At Nallathanniya, the start of the Adam's Peak climb (season December to May).
- Niwasa House (guesthouse)
Or similar.
Comfort
3-star or good boutique
- Tea Queens Bungalow (planter's bungalow)
- Grand Argyle Resort (3-star standard)
- Harrington Heritage (planter's bungalow)
Or similar.
Superior
4-star
- The Argyle Luxury Boutique (boutique)
- Governor's Mansion (planter's bungalow)
Or similar.
Luxury
5-star or top boutique
- Camellia Hills by Teardrop (5-star boutique, five rooms): Above Castlereagh reservoir.
- Villa Serenity by The One Group (planter's bungalow)
Or similar.
The luxury rate here is for full-board tea bungalows (lunch and dinner included), so a half-board supplement does not apply at that tier. Ceylon Tea Trails costs well above this rate, with minimum stays of three to six nights, and our prices do not cover it. The simple tier is basic guesthouses, including those at Nallathanniya used for the Adam's Peak climb.
See Hatton (Adam's Peak and tea country) for every season and the full notes.
Nuwara Eliya
Simple
clean guesthouses and small hotels
- Roshan Guest House (guesthouse)
- Queensland Hotel (guesthouse)
- Terrabella (guesthouse)
Or similar.
Comfort
3-star or good boutique
- Cottage San Francesco (guesthouse)
- Oak Ray Tea Bush (3-star)
- Mirage Kings Cottage (4-star)
Or similar.
Superior
4-star
- Araliya Green Hills (4-star)
- Jetwing St Andrew's (4-star): Colonial-era hotel by the golf course.
- Galway Heights (4-star)
Or similar.
Luxury
5-star or top boutique
- The Grand Hotel, Heritage Grand (4-star): Colonial hotel in the town centre.
- Heritance Tea Factory (5-star): Converted tea factory at Kandapola, outside town.
- Jetwing Warwick Gardens (5-star, eight rooms): Planter's bungalow at Ambewela.
Or similar.
Nuwara Eliya has a domestic season in April (Sinhala and Tamil New Year, horse racing, flower shows) when rooms sell out, so we price 1 to 20 April at the peak rate. Nights are cold at this altitude.
See Nuwara Eliya for every season and the full notes.
Ella
Simple
clean guesthouses and small hotels
- Okeed Ella (guesthouse)
- Ella Thenulya (guesthouse)
- Ella Odyssey Inn (guesthouse)
Or similar.
Comfort
3-star or good boutique
- Tea Hills Ella (3-star standard)
- Mountjoy Ella (3-star standard)
- Ella moon rock (boutique)
Or similar.
Superior
4-star
- Mistara Ella (boutique)
- The Ledge Ella (boutique)
- Zion View Ella Green Retreat (boutique)
Or similar.
Luxury
5-star or top boutique
- 98 Acres Resort & Spa (5-star standard): On a tea estate below Little Adam's Peak.
- EKHO Ella (4-star plus)
- Oak Ray La Ella Breeze (4-star standard)
Or similar.
Ella is busy in November to March and again in July and August. If a named hotel costs more than the rate shown then, we book one of the same standard in the same area at this rate. Rates for the same standard run 30 to 60% above Kandy. Nine Skies, the Resplendent Ceylon bungalow at Demodara, costs about twice the luxury rate.
See Ella for every season and the full notes.
Haputale and Bandarawela
Simple
clean guesthouses and small hotels
- Mountain Paradise Bliss Guest House (guesthouse)
- Amaya View Guest Inn (guesthouse)
- Liptora Homestay (homestay): In Bandarawela.
Or similar.
Comfort
3-star or good boutique
- Leisure Mount View (3-star standard)
- Vantage Hills Haputale (3-star)
- Villa Perpetua (3-star)
Or similar.
Superior
4-star
- Bandarawela Hotel (3-star to 4-star colonial hotel): Built in 1893, with period rooms rather than modern comfort.
- Manor House Bandarawela by Seven Angels (boutique)
- Melheim Resort & Spa Haputale (4-star standard)
Or similar.
Luxury
5-star or top boutique
- Dream Cliff Mountain Resort (5-star)
- The Capoe House (5-star): Mountain Boutiques property.
Or similar.
Few hotels here, so treat the superior and luxury rates as rough figures. Thotalagala costs about twice the luxury rate, and our prices do not cover it. Haputale is often misty; the views the town is known for are not guaranteed.
See Haputale for every season and the full notes.
Udawalawe
Simple
clean guesthouses and small hotels
- Amba Kola Udawalawa (guesthouse)
- Leel's Safari Cottage (3-star)
- Kottawatta Village (guesthouse)
Or similar.
Comfort
3-star or good boutique
- Jungle Paradise (3-star standard)
- Athgira River Camp (tented camp)
- Grand Toscana (3-star)
Or similar.
Superior
4-star
- Kalu's Hideaway (4-star standard)
- Centauria Wild (4-star plus)
- Waraka, Udawalawe by Thema Collection (4-star plus)
Or similar.
Luxury
5-star or top boutique
- Grand Udawalawe Safari Resort (4-star to 5-star)
- Chika's Place River View (boutique)
- Dhalaya Resort (3-star)
Or similar.
There is no 5-star hotel at Udawalawe; luxury means a good local resort, and the rate is a rough figure. Tented safari camps (Mahoora, Kulu Safaris, Big Game Camp) are full board with safaris and cost two to three times the luxury rate; our prices do not cover them.
See Udawalawe National Park for every season and the full notes.
Yala and Tissamaharama
Simple
clean guesthouses and small hotels
- La Safari Inn Tissamaharama (guesthouse)
- Elegant Lake Yala Safari House (guesthouse)
- Black Panther Yala (guesthouse)
Or similar.
Comfort
3-star or good boutique
- Hotel River Front (4-star): In Tissamaharama.
- The Grand Yala Hotel (3-star)
- Hotel Tamarind Tree (3-star standard)
Or similar.
Superior
4-star
- Cinnamon Wild Yala (4-star): Chalets next to the park.
- EKHO Safari Tissa (5-star)
- Chaarya Resort & Spa by Chandrika (5-star): On Tissa lake.
Or similar.
Luxury
5-star or top boutique
- Jetwing Yala (5-star): On the beach beside the park.
- Hilton Yala Resort (5-star)
Or similar.
Yala Blocks 1 and 2 closed from 14 September to 15 October 2026 (drought and road repairs); 2027 closure dates are set by the Department of Wildlife Conservation and were not announced at the time of checking. Mid-July to August is priced at the peak rate, and October is also a strong month for hotels here. All-inclusive camps (Chena Huts, Wild Coast Tented Lodge) cost two to three times the luxury rate, and our prices do not cover them.
See Yala (Tissamaharama and Kataragama) for every season and the full notes.
Tangalle
Simple
clean guesthouses and small hotels
- Sea Bay Inn Tangalle (guesthouse)
- Heavenly Hideaway (guesthouse)
- Hidden Garden Tangalle (guesthouse)
Or similar.
Comfort
3-star or good boutique
- Ganesh Garden Beach Cabanas (beach cabanas)
- Serenity Beach Cabanas (beach cabanas)
- Lagoon gate Tangalle Resort (boutique)
Or similar.
Superior
4-star
- Sleeping Elephant Beach Resort (4-star standard)
- Eva Lanka Hotel, Beach & Wellness (4-star standard)
- Arinna Beach Resort (boutique)
Or similar.
Luxury
5-star or top boutique
- Anantara Peace Haven Tangalle (5-star): Resort on a headland outside town.
- Lankavatara Ocean Retreat & Spa (5-star boutique)
- Halcyon Mawella (boutique): On Mawella beach.
Or similar.
Amanwella costs about three times the luxury rate, with four to six night minimums, and our prices do not cover it. The sea at Tangalle is often rough with a strong undertow; swimming is not safe on every beach or every day.
See Tangalle (Rekawa and Hiriketiya) for every season and the full notes.
Mirissa and Weligama
Simple
clean guesthouses and small hotels
- Mimoza Mirissa (guesthouse)
- KOMOREBI Weligama (3-star)
- Casa Banana (3-star)
Or similar.
Comfort
3-star or good boutique
- Mirissa Moments Hotel (3-star standard)
- Nord Mirissa (boutique)
- Tropical Villa Weligama (boutique)
Or similar.
Superior
4-star
- Coastline Mirissa Boutique Hotel & Spa (5-star)
- Parangi Weligama Bay (4-star): Thema Collection property on the bay.
Or similar.
Luxury
5-star or top boutique
- Weligama Bay Marriott Resort & Spa (5-star)
- Asaya Sands Mirissa (5-star)
- The Nine Mirissa (boutique)
Or similar.
Hotels in Weligama are dear for a beach town. Cape Weligama costs about twice the luxury rate and The Six Weligama several times more; our prices cover neither, nor Weligama Bay Resort, whose published card is above the superior rate.
See Mirissa (with Weligama) for every season and the full notes.
Galle and Unawatuna
Simple
clean guesthouses and small hotels
- Brixia Cafe & Guest (guesthouse)
- Ging View Villa (guesthouse)
- Sol Y Mar Unawatuna (guesthouse)
Or similar.
Comfort
3-star or good boutique
- Le Jardin du Fort, Galle (4-star)
- Olinda Galle (boutique)
- Nooit Gedacht Heritage Hotel (3-star): Dutch-era house at Unawatuna.
Or similar.
Superior
4-star
- Prince of Galle (boutique): Inside the Fort.
- The Lady Hill (4-star): On a hill above the town.
- Le Grand Galle (4-star to 5-star): Overlooks the Fort from across the bay.
Or similar.
Luxury
5-star or top boutique
- Jetwing Lighthouse, A Luxury Reserve (5-star): Geoffrey Bawa design on the coast north of Galle.
- The Fortress Resort & Spa (5-star): At Koggala.
- Fort Bazaar by Teardrop (boutique): Inside the Fort.
Or similar.
Hotels inside Galle Fort behave like luxury whatever their size: they sell out from 20 December to 10 January and for the Galle Literary Festival (17 to 21 March 2027). Galle Fort Hotel and Fort Bazaar sit at USD 250 to 500 a night; Amangalla costs three to four times the luxury rate with a three-night minimum, and our prices do not cover it.
See Galle (with Unawatuna) for every season and the full notes.
Hikkaduwa
Simple
clean guesthouses and small hotels
- Avon Villa (guesthouse)
- Scenery River Star Hotel (guesthouse)
- Villa Kaya (guesthouse)
Or similar.
Comfort
3-star or good boutique
- Saffron Robes Living (boutique)
- Temptation (boutique)
- Hikka Regent Hotel (3-star)
Or similar.
Superior
4-star
- Sea Star Boutique Hotel (boutique)
- Neevana Hotel Hikkaduwa (4-star standard)
- Hikka Tranz by Cinnamon (4-star)
Or similar.
Luxury
5-star or top boutique
- DORMERO Hotel Sri Lanka Hikkaduwa Beach (5-star)
- Crystal Sands Hikkaduwa (5-star)
Or similar.
The reef and the beach are busy and the main road runs close behind the hotels, so sea-facing rooms are quieter than road-facing ones. Riff Hikkaduwa costs about twice the luxury rate, and our prices do not cover it.
See Hikkaduwa for every season and the full notes.
Bentota, Beruwala and Ahungalla
Simple
clean guesthouses and small hotels
- Sisi's Place (guesthouse)
- Chami Villa Bentota (guesthouse)
- Lagoon Bentota (3-star)
Or similar.
Comfort
3-star or good boutique
- Amal Beach Hotel (3-star)
- Nyne Hotels The Muse, Bentota (boutique)
- Esprit Bentota (3-star)
Or similar.
Superior
4-star
- Thaala Bentota (5-star): Formerly Avani Bentota.
- Pandanus Beach Resort & Spa (4-star)
- Sea Rock Villa (boutique)
Or similar.
Luxury
5-star or top boutique
- Cinnamon Bentota Beach, Signature Selection (5-star)
- Taj Bentota Resort & Spa (5-star)
- Jetwing Saman Villas (5-star, adults only): On a headland at Induruwa.
Or similar.
The big beach hotels here charge compulsory gala dinners on 24 and 31 December. Lunuganga, Bawa's estate, takes a few guests at boutique prices, and our prices do not cover it.
See Bentota (Beruwala, Kalutara and Ahungalla) for every season and the full notes.
Sinharaja
Simple
clean guesthouses and small hotels
- Rainforest Nest (guesthouse): Deniyaya side.
- Rain Forest Star (guesthouse)
- Sunshine Forest Lodge (3-star)
Or similar.
Comfort
3-star or good boutique
- The Rainforest Hideaway (guesthouse)
- Sinharaja Forest Edge (3-star)
- Wildlife Kingdom, Deniyaya (guesthouse)
Or similar.
Superior
4-star
- Aadiv Twin Villas (boutique)
- Sinharaja Eliphinity Hotel (3-star to 4-star)
- Blue Magpie Lodge (3-star): At the Kudawa gate.
Or similar.
Luxury
5-star or top boutique
- Rosewood Manor by Mountain Boutiques (boutique): At Botiyatenna.
- Ududola Rainforest Cottages (boutique): At Migahatenna.
Or similar.
Sinharaja is a rainforest: it rains most afternoons in every month and leeches are normal on the trails. There are few hotels, so the superior and luxury rates are rough figures; luxury means a boutique villa, not a resort.
See Sinharaja Forest Reserve (Deniyaya and Kudawa) for every season and the full notes.
See it in your trip
Choose a standard in the planner, or change it stop by stop. The price updates as you go. Have your own transport? Price the hotels alone, with no vehicle in the plan.
Where the figures come from
- Majeste planning rate table, checked 7 Nov 2026
- Booking.com city landing pages, snapshot 7 Nov 2026, checked 7 Nov 2026
- KAYAK Sri Lanka hotel pages, cheapest and most expensive month per hotel, checked 7 Nov 2026
- HotelsCombined place and hotel pages (data updated 31 Oct to 6 Nov 2026), checked 7 Nov 2026
- Weligama Bay Resort 2026/27 rate card and Mr & Mrs Smith season windows, checked 7 Nov 2026
- Kitesurfing Lanka season dates, checked 7 Nov 2026
- Derived planning rate, checked 7 Nov 2026
- Mr & Mrs Smith offers in Sri Lanka, checked 7 Nov 2026
- East coast season evidence (KAYAK hotel pages, 7 Nov 2026), checked 7 Nov 2026
- Gal Oya Lodge rates page, checked 7 Nov 2026
- Mr & Mrs Smith, Jetwing Vil Uyana offers, checked 7 Nov 2026
- Kandy Esala Perahera 2026 schedule, checked 7 Nov 2026
- Mr & Mrs Smith, Ceylon Tea Trails offers, checked 7 Nov 2026
- Yala park closure 2026, checked 7 Nov 2026
- Mr & Mrs Smith, Amanwella offers, checked 7 Nov 2026
- Mr & Mrs Smith, Cape Weligama offers, checked 7 Nov 2026
- Galle Literary Festival 2027 dates, checked 7 Nov 2026
- Mr & Mrs Smith, Amangalla offers, checked 7 Nov 2026