Great — here are top hotel recommendations across Sri Lanka for first-time travellers, with why each works, typical vibe/price band, and brief booking tips. I’ve included options in the main regions you’ll likely visit on a 1–2 week loop (Colombo → Cultural Triangle/Kandy → Hill Country → South Coast).

Colombo (good first/last-night city stays)

• Galle Face Hotel (Colombo) — classic seafront heritage hotel in the heart of the city; great for an atmospheric first or last night and easy airport/Colombo access. (Heritage, restaurants, beachfront). Price: mid–luxury. (en.wikipedia.org)
• Cinnamon Grand Colombo — large full-service 5-star with many dining options and easy location for business/first-time logistics. Price: luxury. (en.wikipedia.org)

Cultural Triangle / Sigiriya / Dambulla

• Jetwing Vil Uyana (near Sigiriya) — eco-luxury lodgings set in wetlands/forest, excellent base for Sigiriya and cultural sites; unique nature experience. Price: luxury. (jetwinghotels.com)
• Heritance Kandalama (Dambulla) — architecturally famous, sits in the Cultural Triangle with easy access to Sigiriya and Dambulla caves; good for culture-focused travellers. Price: luxury/mid-luxury. (jetwinghotels.com)

Kandy

• The Kandy House — intimate boutique manor-house stay with a peaceful garden setting, ideal for a relaxed Kandy stop (boutique, romantic). Price: boutique/luxury. (thetimes.co.uk)

Hill Country (train rides, tea country)

• Heritance Tea Factory (Nuwara Eliya) or Tea Trails (plantation bungalows around Nuwara Eliya) — both convert tea/plantation heritage into memorable stays and are ideal for scenic train journeys and tea-plantation walks. Price: mid–luxury to luxury. (Good choices for hill-country atmosphere and cooler evenings.) (jetwinghotels.com)

Galle & South Coast (beaches, historic Galle Fort)

• Fort Bazaar (Galle Fort) — a stylish boutique option inside the UNESCO-listed Galle Fort; perfect for first-timers who want historic charm, walkability, and a strong local feel. Price: boutique/luxury. (thetimes.co.uk)
• Cape Weligama (near Galle) — cliff-top modern luxury resort with panoramic ocean views and family-friendly facilities; great if you want a beach resort after cultural touring. Price: luxury. (Widely recommended on recent lists.) (thetimes.co.uk)

East Coast / Surf (if you plan to head east)

• Jetwing Surf or small boutique guesthouses in Arugam Bay / Trincomalee — choose seasonally: east coast is best May–September for surfing and calm seas. Price: budget → mid. (Use East Coast only in its dry season.) (sunspireholidays.com)

Practical tips for first-time travellers

• Build a simple route: Colombo → Cultural Triangle (Sigiriya/Dambulla) → Kandy → Nuwara Eliya/Ella (train) → Galle/South Coast → Colombo return. That covers culture, hill-country train, wildlife, and beaches. (Common itinerary used by first-timers.) (thetimes.co.uk)
• Best season by region: December–March is the safest overall window for south/west coast and cultural triangle. East coast shines May–September. Book key hotels early for Dec–Mar (peak). (sunspireholidays.com)
• Booking & value tips: reserve rooms 3–6 months ahead for peak season and festivals; consider boutique hotels in Galle and Kandy for more local character; use a mix of 1–2 nights in Colombo and 2–3 nights per main stop. (thetimes.co.uk)
• Transport tip: domestic transfers by private driver are common and easy for first-timers; the Kandy→Ella train is scenic but reserve seats ahead (popular). (thetimes.co.uk)

If you’d like, I can:

• Build a 10–14 day suggested itinerary that uses 3–4 of these hotels (including travel times), or
• Filter hotels by budget, family-friendly, or luxury-only, or
• Check current availability/prices for specific dates you’re considering.

Which would you prefer?