Here are highly rated/top-recommended hotels across Sri Lanka (selected by region and type). I’ve included a short note on what makes each one special and a source you can check for current reviews/awards.

Colombo / City

• Galle Face Hotel — Iconic colonial seafront hotel (since 1864) with heritage rooms, sunset terrace and recent recognition in Condé Nast Traveller’s Readers’ Choice (Rest of Asia). (traveltalkasia.com)
• Shangri‑La, Colombo — Large 5-star oceanfront high-rise with multiple restaurants, spa and strong city/ocean views; popular for business and leisure. (telegraph.co.uk)
• ITC Ratnadipa (The Luxury Collection) — New flagship luxury hotel on the Galle Face/Beira Lake promenade with extensive F&B options and skyline views. (cntraveller.in)

South coast / Beaches

• Cape Weligama — Cliff‑top resort with dramatic ocean views, villas and family-friendly facilities on the south coast (near Mirissa). (cntraveler.com)
• Amanwella (Tangalle) — Small, high‑end beachfront resort known for contemporary design, private suites and a calm crescent beach. (theworlds50best.com)

Galle & Southern Forts

• Amangalla (inside Galle Fort) — Intimate, heritage luxury property in the UNESCO fort with colonial character; often listed among the world’s top hotels. (theworlds50best.com)

Hill country / Tea country

• Ceylon Tea Trails (Hatton) — Restored planter’s bungalows in tea estates offering private bungalow stays and immersive tea‑country experiences; named top in Condé Nast Traveller’s Rest of Asia resort list. (resplendentceylon.com)
• 98 Acres Resort & Spa (Ella) — Design-forward resort on the Ella hillside with panoramic valley views and strong guest ratings for setting and service. (tripadvisor.com)

Cultural Triangle / Central plains

• Uga Ulagalla — All‑pool‑villa boutique resort set on large grounds near Anuradhapura/Sigiriya with strong privacy, nature and activity options. (ugaescapes.com)

Wildlife / Safari lodges

• Wild Coast Tented Lodge (near Yala) — Upscale tented camp at the edge of Yala National Park blending safari experiences with luxury tented accommodation. (vogue.com)

Boutique / Heritage

• The Kandy House — Small boutique manor‑house hotel near Kandy known for intimate service, heritage rooms and tranquil gardens (popular with couples). (thetimes.co.uk)

Notes:

• “Top rated” can mean different things (reader polls/awards, expert lists, or guest-review scores). I referenced recent awards/lists and prominent reviews above (sources linked).
• If you want a tailored shortlist (by travel dates, budget, region — beach, tea country, safari — or availability), tell me your dates and priorities and I can narrow these to the best options and check current rates/availability.