Great — here are highly recommended hotels in Sri Lanka, organized by region and travel style (luxury, boutique, eco, budget). I’ve included a short reason for each pick plus a note on best seasons and booking tips.

Colombo (best for first/last nights, city comforts)

• Shangri‑La, Colombo — modern luxury, ocean views and big-city facilities (spa, pool, restaurants). Good choice for business or a comfortable city stay. (thetimes.co.uk)
• Taj Samudra / Cinnamon Grand — long‑standing five‑star options near Galle Face Green, reliable service and central location. Good if you want classic luxury in Colombo. (en.wikipedia.org)

Cultural Hill Country (Kandy, Nuwara Eliya, Ella)

• The Kandy House (Kandy) — intimate, heritage villa with tranquil gardens and a boutique‑house atmosphere (great for slowing down and exploring Kandy). (thetimes.co.uk)
• 98 Acres / Tea Trails (Ella / Hatton) — hillside tea‑estate lodging with spectacular views and excellent walking/tea experiences (very popular with couples/nature lovers). (widely recommended by travel guides)

Ancient / Cultural Triangle (Sigiriya, Polonnaruwa)

• Jetwing Vil Uyana (near Sigiriya) — high‑end eco resort built around wetlands and rice paddies; excellent for wildlife, birding and eco‑design. (en.wikipedia.org)
• Wild‑life lodges / boutique camps around Minneriya and Kaudulla are good choices if you want safaris to see elephant gatherings.

Southern & West Coast Beaches (Galle, Mirissa, Tangalle, Bentota)

• Cape Weligama (Weligama) — cliff‑top villas and suites with dramatic ocean views; great for luxury beach stays and whale‑watching trips from Mirissa. (often appears on “best resort” lists)
• Anantara Peace Haven / Anantara Tangalle (Tangalle) and Jetwing Lighthouse / Taj Bentota (Bentota) — reliable luxury beach options with private beaches and water activities.

Galle Fort (heritage stay)

• Amangalla (in Galle Fort) — classic, very high‑end stay inside the fort with colonial heritage rooms and walking access to the fort’s shops, cafés and museums. (top pick for history/architecture lovers)

Eco / Boutique & Off‑beat stays

• Small boutique villas and tea‑estate bungalows (e.g., converted colonial homes and small heritage houses) are abundant in Kandy and Galle Fort — excellent for travelers who want character rather than chain hotels. The Kandy House is a good example. (thetimes.co.uk)

Budget / Midrange

• Local boutique chains (Jetwing, Cinnamon) and well‑rated guesthouses — look in Colombo (Cinnamon Red, NH/NH Collection), Galle Fort guesthouses, and guesthouses in Ella for great value and friendly service. Booking sites and recent guest reviews are useful for current value.

Season & practical tips

• Sri Lanka has two main monsoon seasons: the southwest (affects Colombo/Galle/Bentota/Mirissa) and the northeast (affects Trincomalee/Arugam Bay). Choose south/west coast Nov–Apr and east coast May–Oct for best beach weather. Plan inland/hill travel (Kandy/Ella) in the drier months (typically Dec–Mar). (thetimes.co.uk)
• Book early (Nov–Mar high season for south coast). For boutique or small heritage hotels, reserve rooms several months ahead in high season. Use a mix of direct hotel sites and well‑known booking platforms and check recent guest reviews for service consistency.
• If you want specific suggestions for your travel dates, budget, number of travelers or the vibe you want (beach, safari, tea‑country, heritage), tell me the details and I’ll build a short tailored list with links and approximate nightly rates.

If you want, I can also: give top picks by exact city (Colombo / Galle / Kandy / Ella / Trincomalee), check availability for particular dates, or compare two hotels you’re choosing between.