Short answer

• For a luxury holiday the best first stop after landing at Bandaranaike International Airport (CMB) is usually a private transfer straight to a west‑coast luxury beach resort (Bentota / Galle area) — it gets you out of traffic, into a high‑end property and relaxing by the sea within ~1.5–2½ hours. (airporttransfer.com)

Why that is (quick points)

• Minimizes jet‑lag and transfer hassle: private car or hotel transfer takes you door‑to‑door with luggage, a welcome drink and immediate check‑in at a resort. (blog.gettransfer.com)
• Bentota / Galle offer the most convenient combination of high‑end resorts, tranquil beaches and easy access to excursions (boat safaris, colonial Galle Fort, turtle hatcheries). Driving time from CMB to Bentota or Galle is roughly 1.5–2.5 hours depending on route and traffic. (airporttransfer.com)

If you prefer alternatives

• Immediate beach close to the airport (fastest, minimal travel): Negombo — ~20–40 minutes from CMB; good for a short overnight and excellent if you want to recover quickly. Negombo also has several upscale beachfront hotels and spas. (en.wikipedia.org)
• City‑luxury first night: Stay in Colombo (Cinnamon Grand, Galle Face Hotel area for historic luxury, or 5‑star hotels in Cinnamon Gardens). Colombo is ~40–60 minutes from the airport by private car and is best if you want a fine‑dining / shopping / gallery start to your trip before heading elsewhere. (blog.gettransfer.com)
• Cultural mountains first: If you want culture before the beach, a private transfer to Kandy takes about 2½–3 hours and places you in central‑highland luxury hotels and tea‑country scenery. (welcomepickups.com)

How to arrange it (luxury traveler tips)

• Book a private airport transfer through your resort or a reputable transfer company for a meet‑and‑greet, bottled water and direct highway routing (many hotels include this as a paid service). (kiwitaxi.com)
• If you have only a short overnight, choose Negombo for the shortest trip; if you’re starting a multi‑day beach/resort holiday, head straight to Bentota/Galle; if you want city culture and fine dining first, stay in Colombo. (thetimes.co.uk)

Suggested luxury properties (examples)

• Bentota / West coast: Taj Bentota Resort & Spa, Cinnamon Bentota (and other five‑star beachfront resorts). (thetimes.co.uk)
• Galle / South coast (if you prefer historic Galle Fort + high‑end villas): Cape Weligama, Jetwing Lighthouse (Galle area) — scenic cliffs and top service. (distancesfrom.com)
• Negombo (close to CMB): Sentido Heritance Negombo / other upscale seaside hotels. (thetimes.co.uk)
• Colombo (city luxury): Cinnamon Grand, Galle Face Hotel area properties and 5‑star CBD hotels. (yourlayoverguide.com)

Bottom line (one‑line recommendation)

• For a streamlined luxury start: take a pre‑booked private transfer from CMB straight to a 5‑star west‑coast resort in Bentota or the Galle area (about 1.5–2.5 hours) — immediate relaxation, top service and great access to excursions. (airporttransfer.com)

If you want, I can suggest specific resorts (with sample transfer times and estimated door‑to‑door cost) based on whether you prefer beachfront seclusion, cliff‑top villas near Galle Fort, or a first night in Colombo.