Here’s a curated list of well-known hotels and resorts around Sri Lanka that have direct beach access, grouped by region and with a short note about each to help you choose:

West & Southwest coast (Negombo → Galle)

• Negombo
  • Jetwing Beach (or similar beachfront hotels in Negombo) — convenient for arrivals near Bandaranaike Airport; long sandy beaches and seafood restaurants.
• Bentota / Kosgoda
  • Cinnamon Bentota Beach — large resort on the beach, water sports and family-friendly facilities.
  • AVANI Bentota Resort (and similar beachfront properties) — modern rooms, immediate beach access and river excursions nearby.
• Beruwala / Kalutara
  • The Fortress Resort & Spa (Kalutara area) — beachfront, contemporary design and good for couples/families.
• Hikkaduwa
  • Hikka Tranz by Cinnamon / Coral Sands (varies with operator) — surf/snorkel-friendly beach and lively local scene.
• Unawatuna / Galle / Dalawella
  • Jetwing Lighthouse (Galle) — sits on a headland with direct access to coastal areas and nearby beaches.
  • Thaproban Pavilion Resort & Spa / Unawatuna hotels — many small beachfront hotels right on Unawatuna Bay.
• Mirissa
  • Sri Sharavi Beach Villas & Spa / Weligama/Mirissa beachfront hotels — ideal for whale-watching season access; small luxury villas and direct beach access.

East coast & Northeast

• Trincomalee / Nilaveli / Uppuveli
  • Jungle Beach by Uga Escapes / Nilaveli beachfront properties — secluded beaches, good diving and calm waters (seasonal best).
  • Trinco Blu by Cinnamon (or comparable beachfront hotels in Trincomalee) — beach access near Pigeon Island dive sites.
• Pasikudah / Kalkudah
  • The Pasikudah Resort / Uga Bay (and other Pasikudah beachfront resorts) — very shallow, calm lagoon-style beaches, excellent for swimming and families.
• Batticaloa area
  • Several smaller beachfront hotels and guesthouses with direct access; good for quieter stays outside major tourist hubs.

South & Southeast (Arugam Bay)

• Arugam Bay
  • The Wallawwa-style guesthouses and beachfront surf hostels/resorts — directly on or a few steps from surf points (seasonal surf hotspot).
  • Kottukal Beach resorts and small surf camps with immediate beach access.

Northwest & Other

• Kalpitiya
  • Kalpitiya beachfront hotels / kite-surf lodges — direct access to kilometer-long sandy beaches and lagoons; excellent for kitesurfing (seasonal).
• West coast smaller/independent beachfront hotels
  • Many boutique guesthouses and ecolodges in smaller villages (e.g., Ahangama, Weligama, Talpe) offer rooms opening onto the sand.

Notes and tips

• Seasons: Sri Lanka’s southwest and west coast (Negombo, Bentota, Hikkaduwa, Galle, Mirissa) are best roughly November–April; the east coast (Trincomalee, Pasikudah, Arugam Bay, Kalpitiya) is best around May–September. Beach conditions and hotel services vary seasonally.
• Booking: beachfront hotels range from luxury resorts (Cinnamon/Jetwing/Uga/Taj-style properties) to mid-range and small family-run beachfront guesthouses. If you need a specific hotel name, price range, or suggestions for a particular date, town, or type (luxury, family, budget, surf/kite, diving), tell me which area or travel dates and I’ll give tailored options and availability tips.
• Practical: confirm current operations, beach erosion, and any seasonal closures before booking (especially outside peak season).

If you want, I can:

• Suggest the top 6 specific beach hotels for a given travel month or budget;
• Check availability and current rates for particular dates; or
• Give contact/booking advice for a selected town (Mirissa, Unawatuna, Pasikudah, Arugam Bay, etc.).