Here are top family‑friendly hotels in Unawatuna (short notes on what makes each one good for families and sources you can check):

• Araliya Beach Resort & Spa — large beachfront resort with two pools (including a kids’ pool), a dedicated kids’ play area and kids’ menus; easy beach access and family activities. Good if you want full‑service resort facilities (playground, kids’ club, pool supervision). (araliyaresorts.com)

• CoCoBay Unawatuna — boutique beachfront property praised by families for very large family rooms/suites, a children’s pool and a safe bay for swimming; compact layout makes it easy to keep an eye on kids. (tripadvisor.com)

• Thaproban Pavilion Waves (Pavilion/Thaproban group) — mid/upper‑range resort with multiple pools (including a children’s pool), free children’s club and supervised activities plus family rooms and babysitting on request. Good for families who want hotel activities and a private/resort feel. (booking.com)

• Tartaruga Beach Hotel — beachfront hotel in the central bay with family suites and direct beach access; offers family room layouts and an on‑site pool for kids. Good choice if you want to step straight onto the sand from your room. (tartarugabeach.com)

• Amanda Beach Villas — beachside villas and suites popular with families (family suites, extra‑bed options), more of a villa/guesthouse feel with direct beach access and flexible family room options. Good if you prefer a quieter villa style but with beach front. (booking.com)

• Peacock Beach Hotel — budget/comfort beachfront option that offers family rooms and close beach access; praised for friendly staff and value, suitable for families wanting a simple beachfront base. (booking.com)

• Nooit Gedacht Heritage Hotel — charming heritage property at Rumassala base with gardens, pools and family rooms; quieter and characterful, good for families who like a historic boutique hotel plus pool space for kids. (thefamilyhotelguide.com)

Quick practical tips for families

• Beach safety: Unawatuna’s bay is generally sheltered by a reef and popular with families, but conditions change seasonally (monsoon months/occasional currents). Always supervise children, check with hotel staff about safe swimming spots and lifeguard availability. (jetwinghotels.com)
• Where to stay: beachfront properties give easiest access to sand and shallow water; hotels a short tuk‑tuk ride away (Talpe/Mihiripenna area) can be quieter and sometimes cheaper. (travelmyth.com)
• Ask hotels before booking about: family room configurations, cots/extra beds, pool depth, kids’ club hours and babysitting (if needed), and whether breakfast menus include child‑friendly options. Most Unawatuna hotels list these amenities on their booking pages. (booking.com)

Sources and next steps

• I used official hotel pages and major travel sites (hotel sites, Booking/Expedia/Tripadvisor) for the details above — see the citations after each property. If you want, I can pull live rates and availability for any of these hotels for specific dates.