Here are well-regarded “best value” hotels in Colombo (mix of budget, mid-range and good‑value upscale), with a short reason and an approximate nightly price range (USD). Prices and availability fluctuate—estimates are current as of Sep 2025.

Top picks

• Cinnamon Red (Kollupitiya) — “lean luxury”, modern rooms, rooftop bar + pool; consistently good reviews for price vs quality. Good option for city sight‑seeing. Approx. $55–$90/night. (kayak.com)

• Marino Beach Colombo (near Galle Face / Marine Drive) — ocean‑view property with rooftop pool and high guest scores; great if you want sea views without 5★ prices. Approx. $80–$130/night. (booking.com)

• Mandarina Colombo (Bambalapitiya/Kollupitiya) — boutique city hotel with a rooftop pool; strong value-for-money for a comfortable mid‑range stay. Approx. $45–$85/night. (kayak.com)

• Mirage Colombo (Wellawatte / Marine Drive) — oceanfront 4★ with good sunset views; frequently available at attractive rates for the facilities offered. Approx. $45–$85/night. (booking.com)

• The Steuart by Citrus (Fort / Dutch Hospital area) — colonial boutique property in a prime central location (good for walking to nightlife/Dutch Hospital restaurants); often excellent value if location matters. Approx. $40–$100/night. (booking.com)

• Morven Hotel / Wonder Hotel (Kollupitiya area) — simple, comfortable 3–4★ city hotel with consistently low rates and decent reviews — good budget 3★ pick. Approx. $35–$70/night. (booking.com)

• Clock Inn Colombo (hostel / budget hotel, Kollupitiya) — clean, central budget option (dorms and private rooms); very low nightly rates for backpackers or value seekers. Dorms from ~$8; private rooms ~$30–50. (booking.com)

• Cinnamon Lakeside / Cinnamon Grand (Fort / Tivoli area) — if you want a full 5★ experience but are hunting deals, these large established hotels sometimes offer strong value for business travelers and families (look for package/offers). Expect higher base rates but frequent promotions. Approx. $90–$170+ (watch deals). (en.wikipedia.org)

Quick tips to get the best value

• Compare aggregator vs direct rates and check the hotel’s offers page — chains (e.g., Cinnamon) often run direct-booking discounts or member rates. (cinnamonhotels.com)
• Travel off‑peak (Colombo often cheaper in Oct / some low‑season months) and be flexible with weekday/weekend — you’ll find the best nightly savings. (kayak.com)
• For short stays, boutique/midrange hotels in Kollupitiya (Cinnamon Red, Mandarina, Marino area) give best mix of location and price; for ocean views check Marine Drive / Wellawatte (Mirage, Marino). (See hotel pages above for locations and reviews.) (booking.com)
• If you want the absolute lowest rates, hostels and small guesthouses (e.g., Clock Inn, local guesthouses) are clean and central—book early for the best rooms. (booking.com)

If you tell me your budget per night, travel dates, and whether you prefer beachfront, historic area (Fort/Galle Face), or central shopping/nightlife, I can narrow this list to 3 best options and check current rates/availability for your dates.