Here’s a curated list of top hotels in Sri Lanka, grouped by region and travel style (luxury, boutique, eco, beach, wellness). I’ve included a short reason to choose each property and practical notes (best for, typical features). If you want, I can narrow this to your travel dates, budget, or activities (beaches, wildlife, tea country, surfing).

South coast / beach & luxury

• Cape Weligama (Weligama) — Dramatic clifftop villas and suites, outstanding ocean views, excellent service and private-pool options; great for couples seeking luxury and privacy. (Top pick for south-coast ocean-view luxury.)
• Amanwella (Tangalle) — Intimate, low‑density Aman resort with contemporary suites and a quiet beach — ideal for a secluded, high-end beach stay and whale‑watching trips from Mirissa. (brandradar.org)

Classic large resorts & family options

• Shangri‑La Hambantota — Full-service resort with multiple pools, waterpark, golf and an extensive spa—good for families and active travelers. (thetimes.co.uk)
• Taj Bentota Resort & Spa / Taj Samudra (Colombo for city stays) — Long-established luxury brands with beachfront or prime-city locations, strong dining and spa offerings; Taj Samudra is a convenient ocean-front option in Colombo. (en.wikipedia.org)

Cultural & hill-country boutique

• Ceylon Tea Trails (Hatton / Nuwara Eliya area) — Restored tea-planter bungalows across working tea estates; perfect for tea-country immersion, scenic walks and train journeys through the hills. (Top choice for authentic tea‑estate stays.)
• The Kandy House (Kandy) — A small, restored 19th‑century manor house with characterful rooms, lush gardens and a peaceful, heritage feel — great for couples wanting boutique, historic charm. (thetimes.co.uk)

Eco & wildlife / unique stays

• Jetwing Vil Uyana (Sigiriya) — Eco‑designed resort set in reconstructed wetlands and paddy fields near Sigiriya — excellent for wildlife, birding, and visiting Sigiriya rock. Noted for sustainability and design. (en.wikipedia.org)
• Wild Coast Tented Lodge (Yala area) — Luxury tented camp with wildlife focus and direct proximity to Yala National Park for safari experiences. (Great for luxury camping/safari combo.)

Architectural & design hotels (Galle / south-west)

• Le Grand Galle / The Fortress / Amangalla (Galle area) — Galle Fort has several top boutique and design-focused hotels offering historic settings, great restaurants and easy access to the Fort’s sights and beaches. (Choose based on whether you prefer contemporary-luxe or heritage ambience.)

Wellness & spa

• Santani Wellness Resort & Spa (Kandy region) — Focus on wellness, holistic spa programs and active pursuits in the hills — ideal for a wellness reset.
• Heritance Ayurveda Maha Gedara / Heritance Kandalama — Traditional Ayurveda programs and iconic designs (Kandalama sits dramatically against the rock and lake) for culture + wellness. (fairmoove.fr)

Colombo / city luxury

• ITC Ratnadipa (Colombo) — Newer luxury addition on Galle Face with many restaurants and modern facilities for business or city stays; good base before/after island travel. (en.wikipedia.org)
• Cinnamon Lakeside / Taj Samudra — Established 5-star options in Colombo with convenient locations. (en.wikipedia.org)

Quick planning tips

• Best time by region: South & west coast: November–April (drier). East coast (Arugam Bay, Trincomalee): May–September. Hill country (Nuwara Eliya, Ella): generally cooler year‑round but expect more rain during monsoon windows. (Sri Lanka has different monsoon seasons; plan regionally.) (thetimes.co.uk)
• Book early for high season (Dec–Mar) and for sought-after small properties (Amanwella, Ceylon Tea Trails, Kandy House).
• If you want wildlife (Yala/UDawalawe), combine a beach stay with a safari lodge (Wild Coast Tented Lodge, Jetwing Yala).
• Transfers: Internal flights, private car + driver, or scenic train rides (Colombo–Kandy–Nuwara Eliya) are common. Small hotels can arrange transfers and excursions.

If you tell me:

• which region(s) you want to visit (south coast, east coast, hill country, Colombo), or
• your travel dates, party size, and budget (luxury, mid-range, boutique),

I’ll give a short tailored 5–7 night itinerary with recommended hotels, nightly price ranges, and how to combine them (including travel times).