Here are the most-recommended hotels in Colombo (mix of historic icons, new luxury properties, business hotels and boutique stays), with a short note on why each is popular and a source you can check for reviews/bookings.

Top recommended hotels in Colombo

• Galle Face Hotel — Colombo’s historic seafront icon (Victorian-era hotel with colonial character and direct beach access). Great if you want atmosphere and ocean views. (cntraveller.com)

• ITC Ratnadipa (Colombo) — a new, high-end luxury tower on Galle Face with contemporary design, ocean-facing rooms and strong dining options. Best for luxury travelers who want modern facilities. (cntraveller.com)

• Cinnamon Life / City of Dreams (Cinnamon Life Integrated Resort) — Colombo’s very large integrated resort complex (hotel, restaurants, shopping, entertainment); a good choice if you want resort-style facilities and lots of on-site dining/retail. (cntraveller.in)

• Shangri‑La, Colombo — five-star city hotel with ocean/Port City views, upscale spa and dining; popular with business and leisure travelers seeking international-brand consistency. (en.wikipedia.org)

• Taj Samudra — long-established luxury hotel facing Galle Face Green, known for solid service and large event/banquet facilities. Good for both business and sightseeing. (en.wikipedia.org)

• The Kingsbury — well-located waterfront hotel with multiple restaurants, rooftop bar and large pool; often recommended for convenience and dining/buffet options. (thekingsburyhotel.com)

• Cinnamon Grand Colombo — one of the capital’s big luxury hotels with many dining outlets and convention facilities; a longstanding choice for visitors and events. (en.wikipedia.org)

• Cinnamon Lakeside Colombo — large five‑star hotel on the Beira Lake with multiple restaurants and a reputation for good buffets and events. (en.wikipedia.org)

• NH Collection Colombo (formerly Mövenpick) — modern 5‑star city hotel (Beira Lake area) with rooftop bar and contemporary rooms; good for business travelers. (en.wikipedia.org)

• Jetwing Colombo Seven — stylish, modern hotel in Cinnamon Gardens with a popular rooftop infinity pool and a quieter, residential‑area feel. Good for boutique/urban stays. (thetimes.co.uk)

• Maniumpathy — small heritage boutique (just a few suites) in Cinnamon Gardens — ideal if you want an intimate, design-forward colonial house stay. (maniumpathy.com)

Quick tips

• Neighborhoods: Galle Face / Fort area = seaside, iconic hotels and easy access to Dutch Hospital dining; Cinnamon Gardens = quieter, leafy area with boutique and business hotels; Beira Lake area = central and convenient for business. (See individual hotel listings above for locations.) (cntraveller.com)

• Best time to visit Colombo: December–March is generally the peak/driest season for Colombo and the southwest coast — book early for holidays. (lonelyplanet.com)

• Booking & value tips: big hotels (Cinnamon, ITC, Shangri‑La, Taj, Hilton) offer extensive dining and pools but can be pricier at peak season; boutique/heritage properties (Maniumpathy, Jetwing) are great for quieter stays but have fewer facilities. Compare rates across the hotel website, Booking/Expedia/Agoda and check recent guest reviews (Tripadvisor/Booking) before you lock in dates. (expedia.com)

If you tell me your priorities (budget range, dates, whether you want beachfront, rooftop pool, business facilities, or a boutique heritage stay), I can narrow this down to the 2–3 best options and show approximate rates and booking links.