Here are hotels travellers consistently rate as the best in Sri Lanka (mix of TripAdvisor Travellers’ Choice winners, readers’‑choice/industry lists and frequent top reviews). I’ve grouped them by region and added a short reason plus a source showing traveller recognition.

Colombo & nearby

• Galle Face Hotel (Colombo) — iconic heritage hotel, often named in readers’‑choice lists for Asia. (srilankatourismalliance.com)
• ITC Ratnadipa / Cinnamon Life (Colombo) — major new high‑profile openings that have already drawn strong traveller and press attention. (cntraveller.in)

Hill country (tea country)

• Ceylon Tea Trails (Nuwara Eliya / Hatton) — restored planter bungalows with rave traveller reviews and Travellers’ Choice / readers’‑choice recognition. (tripadvisor.com)
• Santani Wellness (Kandy) — top‑rated wellness retreat, winner of reader/spa awards and widely praised by guests. (santani.com)

South coast & Galle area

• Cape Weligama (Weligama) — cliff‑top Relais & Châteaux property that consistently ranks highly with travellers. (tripadvisor.com)
• Amangalla (Galle Fort) — highly rated historic/colonial property inside Galle Fort; frequent travellers’ favourite. (tripadvisor.com)

Southern beaches / Tangalle / Bentota

• Jetwing Saman Villas (Bentota) — frequently top‑ranked on TripAdvisor for service, location and views. (tripadvisor.com)
• Anantara Peace Haven (Tangalle) — popular cliff/sea resort with many excellent traveller reviews and awards. (tripadvisor.com)

Cultural triangle / safari areas

• Jetwing Vil Uyana (Sigiriya) — eco‑luxury wetland resort frequently praised by guests for wildlife and setting. (tripadvisor.com)
• Heritance Kandalama (Dambulla) — architecturally striking hotel near the cultural sites, very popular with travellers. (tripadvisor.com)

Wildlife / luxury safari

• Wild Coast Tented Lodge (Yala) — well‑reviewed safari lodge on the Yala edge, often recommended by travellers and travel press. (vogue.com)

Notes

• TripAdvisor’s 2024–2025 Travellers’ Choice lists and Condé Nast Traveler / Travel + Leisure readers’ awards are major indicators here; several Sri Lankan properties (including many Jetwing and Resplendent Ceylon properties) appear across those lists. (traveltalkasia.com)
• “Best” depends on what travellers value: heritage/colonial charm, beach villas, eco‑lodges, wellness retreats, or safari access. If you tell me which region or travel style you prefer (beach, wildlife, tea‑country, historic/colonial, wellness), I can give a short tailored top‑5 with price ranges and when to go.