Here are highly reviewed hotels and resorts across Sri Lanka that consistently appear on “best of” lists and earn top guest ratings (luxury, boutique and unique stays). I’ve listed where they are, why they’re highly rated, and a reliable source for each.

Top-reviewed hotels in Sri Lanka

1. Cape Weligama — Weligama / South Coast

• Why: cliff-top luxury, outstanding ocean views, excellent service and facilities (multiple pools, beach access, revamped dining/beach club). Frequently appears on Condé Nast / Travelers’ Choice lists and scores very high on booking/review sites. (travelandtourworld.com)

2. Jetwing Vil Uyana (A Luxury Reserve) — Sigiriya / Cultural Triangle

• Why: unique eco-luxury reserve set in wetlands and forest zones, private villas (many with plunge pools), excellent guest reviews for setting and service; regular TripAdvisor Travelers’ Choice winner. (TripAdvisor.com)

3. The Kandy House — Kandy (boutique/hotel)

• Why: intimate heritage manor-house property, very high boutique/hotel scores for atmosphere, service and design—often named among Sri Lanka’s best small hotels. (en.wikipedia.org)

4. Galle Face Hotel — Colombo (heritage seafront)

• Why: historic, iconic beachfront hotel in Colombo with strong guest reviews for heritage character and location; regularly cited in travel awards and features. (en.wikipedia.org)

5. Amanwella — Tangalle / South Coast

• Why: small, minimalist Aman resort on a quiet bay; praised for privacy, design, beach and impeccable service (frequently recommended by luxury travel publications and reviewers). (reddit.com)

6. Ceylon Tea Trails (by Resplendent Ceylon) — Nuwara Eliya / Tea country

• Why: restored tea-planter bungalows with exceptional service, very high TripAdvisor/guest rankings and regular inclusion on luxury lists for unique experiences in the hill country. (antyrahospitality.com)

7. Heritance Kandalama — Dambulla / near Sigiriya

• Why: Geoffrey Bawa–inspired architecture built into the landscape, praised for location, views and eco-focused design; long-standing high guest ratings. (thetimes.co.uk)

8. Uga Ulagalla (Ulagalla by Uga Escapes) — Anuradhapura / near Sigiriya

• Why: private-villa concept on a restored estate; highly rated for privacy, villa space, service and rural setting. (Uga group properties are consistently top-rated.) (srilanka-bespoke.com)

9. Santani Wellness Resort & Spa — Kandy foothills / Hatton area

• Why: wellness-focused, boutique luxury resort highly praised for spa, architecture and personalized programs—regularly appears on “best wellness” and design lists. (srilanka-bespoke.com)

10. Anantara Peace Haven Tangalle (and similar Anantara properties) — Tangalle / South Coast

• Why: luxury beachfront resort with consistently strong guest reviews for service, food and location; Tangalle is known for top beach properties. (en.wikipedia.org)

Notes on selecting one

• For beach and ocean views: Cape Weligama, Amanwella, Anantara Peace Haven Tangalle, and Galle-area resorts are top picks.
• For cultural/central Sri Lanka (Sigiriya, Dambulla, Kandy): Jetwing Vil Uyana, Heritance Kandalama, Uga Ulagalla, The Kandy House.
• For hill-country/tea estates: Ceylon Tea Trails and Santani.
• For historic/urban stay in Colombo: Galle Face Hotel (and newer large integrated resorts in Colombo for a modern option).

If you’d like, I can:

• Filter this list for a specific area (Colombo, South Coast, Cultural Triangle, Hill Country), budget (luxury vs mid-range), or travel dates and show current review scores/prices and direct booking options (I can look up live availability and the latest guest-review scores).