Here are top seaside hotels across Sri Lanka (different coasts, styles and budgets) that are consistently recommended for a beach holiday — short notes on why each stands out and who it suits.

• Cape Weligama — Weligama / southern coast
  Why go: cliff‑top luxury with villa-style suites, dramatic 270° ocean views and a crescent “moon” infinity pool; great for couples and families seeking privacy and high-end service. (resplendentceylon.com)

• Amanwella — Tangalle / southern coast
  Why go: minimalist, private‑suite resort on a secluded crescent bay (each suite has a private terrace/plunge pool); ideal for quiet, romantic stays and easy access to nearby wildlife/whale‑watching trips. (aman.com)

• Anantara Peace Haven Tangalle — Tangalle / southern coast
  Why go: large cliff‑edge resort with extensive spa/Ayurveda programs, family facilities and direct beach access — good for comfort, wellness and activity options. (anantara.com)

• The Fortress Resort & Spa — Koggala / near Galle (south coast)
  Why go: contemporary boutique resort with beachfront rooms, strong food and spa offering and easy Galle Fort access — good for design‑minded travellers combining beach + culture. (thefortress.in)

• Jetwing Lighthouse — Galle (southern coast)
  Why go: landmark hotel (Geoffrey Bawa design) on a rocky promontory overlooking the Indian Ocean — a classic choice for architecture lovers and those wanting a base near Galle Fort. (jetwinghotels.com)

• Sri Sharavi Beach Villas & Spa — Mirissa / south coast
  Why go: boutique beachfront villas and saltwater infinity pool, close to Mirissa’s whale‑watching boats — great for small groups or couples who want direct beach access and a relaxed vibe. (srisharavibeachvillas.com)

• Saman Villas — Bentota / west‑south coast
  Why go: long‑established boutique cliffside property with private dining spots and intimate service — excellent for romantic or luxury boutique stays. (jetwinghotels.com)

• Taj Bentota Resort & Spa — Bentota / west coast
  Why go: large, family‑friendly beachfront resort with full facilities (pools, spa, water sports) — convenient for travelers wanting resort activities on a long stretch of beach. (tajhotels.com)

• Trinco Blu by Cinnamon (Chaaya Trinco Blu) — Trincomalee / northeast coast
  Why go: reliable beachfront option on the east coast with dive/snorkel access (near Pigeon Island) and strong family facilities — best for visiting the east‑coast beaches and marine life. (cinnamonhotels.com)

• Kottukal Beach House by Jetwing (near Arugam Bay, Pottuvil) — east coast
  Why go: boutique east‑coast beach house close to Arugam Bay surf breaks — perfect for surfers and travellers wanting a quieter, rustic‑chic seaside stay. (jetwinghotels.com)

• Galle Face Hotel — Colombo (urban seafront)
  Why go: historic, iconic seafront hotel in Colombo with direct ocean frontage — a convenient and atmospheric choice for the start or end of a Sri Lanka trip. (en.wikipedia.org)

Seasonality tip (important): Sri Lanka has two monsoon patterns — the south/west coast (Galle, Mirissa, Bentota, Tangalle) is best roughly November–April, while the east coast (Trincomalee, Arugam Bay, Pasikudah) is driest and best roughly May–October. Plan the coast you visit around those windows for the best beach weather. (thetimes.co.uk)

If you want, I can narrow this to:

• a shortlist by exact travel dates (so I pick the coast with best weather), or
• only luxury vs midrange vs budget seaside hotels, or
• an optimized 7–10 day beach itinerary linking 2–3 of these places.