Nice — here are the best places (neighbourhoods) to stay in Colombo, with a few hotel examples at different budgets and why each area is useful. I’ve included recent travel sources for the most important points.

Best neighbourhoods to stay in Colombo

• Cinnamon Gardens (Colombo 7)

  • Why: leafy, safe, close to museums, restaurants, embassies and cafés; good for culture and a quieter city-stay. (TripAdvisor.com)
  • Examples: boutique guesthouses and mid‑range hotels; good for walking to sights.

• Fort / Dutch Hospital / Galle Face (Colombo 1 / sea front)

  • Why: historic colonial core, business district, waterfront promenade (Galle Face Green), easy access to restaurants, nightlife and major hotels. Great if you want to be in the centre of action. (thetimes.co.uk)
  • Examples: Galle Face Hotel, The Kingsbury, many international chains.

• Kollupitiya / Bambalapitiya (Colombo 3 / 4)

  • Why: busy shopping and dining strip (Galle Road), convenient for transport and local markets; good mid-range options. (TripAdvisor.com)

• Mount Lavinia (beachside, south of central Colombo)

  • Why: beach town vibe and good seaside hotels; about 30–40 minutes by car to central Colombo — best if you want beach + city access. (TripAdvisor.com)

• Wellawatte / Dehiwala

  • Why: residential neighbourhoods with good value accommodation and local eateries; useful for longer stays or lower budgets. (TripAdvisor.com)

What to expect by budget (representative picks)

• Luxury / upper‑mid

  • Galle Face Hotel, Taj Samudra, Shangri‑La / Cinnamon Grand, The Kingsbury — oceanfront or central full‑service hotels; good for business and comfort. (thetimes.co.uk)

• Mid‑range

  • Marino Beach, Cinnamon Lakeside, Trillium Boutique City Hotel, The Steuart by Citrus — central, good location/value. Typical mid-range nightly rates are often in the $50–$120 range (seasonal). (BrandRadar.org)

• Budget / hostels / guesthouses

  • Small guesthouses and budget hotels in Colombo 3–7 and near Mount Lavinia; expect very affordable rates and basic amenities. Booking platforms and local reviews list many options. (BudgetYourTrip.com)

Other practical tips

• If your priority is sightseeing, food and short walking distances, choose Cinnamon Gardens, Fort or Kollupitiya. If you want a beach-first stay, pick Mount Lavinia (but factor transfer time to central Colombo). (TripAdvisor.com)
• Colombo’s dry/peak tourist season is December–April — prices are higher then; shoulder/off‑season often has better hotel deals. (BudgetYourTrip.com)
• New development: large integrated resorts and new high‑end properties (for example, City of Dreams / Cinnamon Life developments) have opened recently and added more luxury options on the waterfront. If you want the latest openings, check the hotel’s official site or booking sites for current availability and reviews. (en.wikipedia.org)

If you want, I can:

• Suggest a short list of specific hotels that match your travel dates, group size and budget (I’ll check current prices and availability), or
• Recommend an area based on whether you’re visiting for business, family sightseeing, nightlife, or beach time.