Great — here are well-regarded hotel picks across Sri Lanka that are especially good for first-time travellers (convenient locations, reliable service, and easy access to major sights). I grouped them by region with a short reason why each is a good choice and an approximate price tier.

Quick notes before the list

• Typical first-timer route: Colombo → Cultural Triangle (Sigiriya/Dambulla/Habarana) → Kandy → Hill Country (Nuwara Eliya/Ella) → South Coast (Galle / Mirissa / Weligama) or Yala safari. Choosing hotels in those hubs keeps travel times manageable. (thetimes.co.uk)

Colombo (arrival / departure, 1–2 nights)

• Galle Face Hotel — Historic, beachfront landmark with easy access to the city and airport transfers; good if you want a comfortable, central base on arrival or departure. (Luxury / upper-upscale). (en.wikipedia.org)
• Shangri‑La or ITC Ratnadipa — modern large hotels with full services (pools, good restaurants, business facilities) that make arrival/departure logistics simple. (Luxury). (cntraveller.com)

Cultural Triangle (Sigiriya / Habarana / Dambulla)

• Heritance Kandalama (near Sigiriya) — iconic Geoffrey Bawa–inspired property set in forest with strong eco credentials; excellent for first-timers wanting comfort close to Sigiriya and Dambulla. (Upscale/luxury). (cntraveler.com)
• Cinnamon Lodge Habarana — large resort in Habarana that’s convenient for Sigiriya, safaris and organized excursions; reliable services and good for families. (Mid-to-upscale). (booking.com)

Kandy (culture, Temple of the Tooth)

• The Kandy House or Mahaweli Reach — both offer easy access to Kandy’s main sights; The Kandy House is a boutique heritage villa for a quieter, characterful stay, Mahaweli Reach is a more conventional riverside hotel with good facilities. (Boutique to upscale). (thetimes.co.uk)

Hill Country (Nuwara Eliya / Ella — train scenery and tea estates)

• 98 Acres Resort & Spa (Ella) — superb views over tea terraces and walking access to local sights (great if you want the train+hill-country experience). (Upscale/boutique). (tripadvisor.com)
• Heritance Tea Factory (Nuwara Eliya) — converted factory with authentic tea-estate setting; a memorable upcountry base, especially if you want tea-plantation experiences. (Upscale). (tripadvisor.com)

Galle & South Coast (Galle Fort, Mirissa, Weligama — beaches and whale-watching)

• Amangalla (Galle Fort) — the best choice inside the UNESCO-listed Fort for history, walking access and a relaxed first-time experience of Galle Fort. (Luxury/heritage). (en.wikipedia.org)
• Cape Weligama (Weligama) — dramatic clifftop resort with excellent ocean views and easy access to southern beaches and whale-watching departures. (Luxury). (millispotter.com)

Wildlife / Safari (Yala, Udawalawe)

• Wild Coast Tented Lodge (near Yala) — well-regarded luxury tented camp right on the park edge; great choice for a comfortable safari experience without long daily transfers. (Luxury / experience-focused). (booking.com)

East coast & quieter beaches (Trincomalee / Passikudah)

• Uga Jungle Beach / Uga Bay (Trincomalee area) — good boutique choices for first-timers wanting quiet beaches on the east coast (seasonal recommendations apply). (Upscale / boutique). (booking.com)

Practical tips for first-time travellers

• Book key hotels and internal transfers early in high season (Dec–March for south/west; April–Sept better for east coast). Peak/shoulder-season guidance: Lonely Planet / travel guides. (lonelyplanet.com)
• If you want the scenic train ride Kandy→Ella, reserve seats in advance and plan hotels near the station or arrange transfers — the hill-country trains are popular. (thetimes.co.uk)
• For mobile/Wi‑Fi and local arrangements, buy a local SIM at arrival (helpful in rural areas). (getyourguide.com)
• For safaris, choose lodges that include/arrange guided drives—this simplifies logistics and improves wildlife-spotting chances. (booking.com)

If you want, I can:

• Suggest a 7–10 day itinerary with one recommended hotel per stop (based on your budget),
• Give a short list of budget-friendly guesthouses and mid-range hotels for the same route,
• Or check real-time availability/prices for specific dates (I’ll need your travel dates).

Which of those would you like next?