Here’s a concise, curated list of highly regarded hotels and resorts across Sri Lanka (by region and style), with one-line notes on why each is popular. I pulled recent traveler-award mentions and respected travel coverage to assemble this list.

Luxury / iconic

• Cape Weligama (Weligama) — dramatic clifftop villas and ocean views; excellent for families and honeymooners.
• Amangalla (Galle Fort) — historic, colonial-style luxury inside the old Dutch Fort (very refined, quiet).
• Ceylon Tea Trails (Nuwara Eliya / hill country) — converted tea-planter bungalows, immersive tea-country experience.
• Wild Coast Tented Lodge (Yala area) — high-end glamping with private plunge pools and easy access to wildlife safaris. (vanityfair.com)

Beach resorts (south / east / west)

• Taj Bentota Resort & Spa (Bentota) — classic clifftop resort on the southern coast with Ayurvedic spa offerings; Tripadvisor award-winner. (traveltalkasia.com)
• Sun Siyam Pasikudah (Pasikudah, east coast) — contemporary boutique resort on calm eastern beaches; Tripadvisor “Best of the Best” winner 2025. (businesscafe.lk)
• Shangri‑La Hambantota / Jetwing Lighthouse (southern coast) — well-located for beaches and southern attractions (whale watching, Galle trips).

Cultural & boutique (Colombo / Galle / cultural triangle)

• Galle Fort hotels (Amangalla noted above; plus several boutique guesthouses inside the Fort) — ideal for culture, dining and walking the fort ramparts.
• Theva Residency (Kandy / hill area) — popular boutique pick with strong traveler reviews. (traveltalkasia.com)

Wildlife / nature lodges (central & north)

• Cinnamon Lodge Habarana / Habarana Village by Cinnamon — gateway lodges for Sigiriya, Minneriya safaris; both received TripAdvisor Traveller’s Choice recognition. (travelandtourworld.com)
• Ulagalla by UGA (near Anuradhapura) — converted manor with large private villas, peaceful countryside base for archaeological sites.

Value & well-reviewed options

• Boutique guesthouses and small eco-lodges around Ella, Mirissa and Arugam Bay — excellent for budget to mid-range travelers who want local charm and good location for hikes/surfing/whale-watching.

How to pick the best one for you

• If you want beaches and calm sea (best months Nov–Apr on south/west; May–Oct on east coast), choose Bentota/Mirissa/Cape Weligama or Pasikudah depending on season. (thetimes.co.uk)
• For wildlife and safari (Yala, Minneriya), choose a lodge near the park (Wild Coast, Cinnamon Lodge Habarana). (vanityfair.com)
• For tea-country scenery and colonial charm, pick Ceylon Tea Trails or a Nuwara Eliya hotel.
• Colombo / arrival convenience: upscale city hotels (e.g., Shangri‑La Colombo, Cinnamon Grand) are best for one-night stays near the airport/ports.

If you want, I can:

• Give a short list of top 3 choices for a particular region (e.g., Galle, South Coast, Hill Country, East Coast), or
• Recommend hotels by travel dates and budget, or
• Pull current rates, availability and recent guest-review summaries for any 3 properties you name (I’ll check live listings and prices).

Which region or travel style should I narrow this to?