Great — here are top luxury hotels and small luxury properties across Sri Lanka, chosen to give you options by region and travel style (beach, culture, tea-country, safari, eco‑luxury). Short notes include what makes each special, who it’s best for, and a rough price tier. I’ve included current official/hotel or reputable travel sources for each pick.

Central / Cultural Triangle

• Jetwing Vil Uyana (Sigiriya) — Unique eco‑reserve built on reclaimed wetland with private villas, wildlife viewing and proximity to Sigiriya rock. Fantastic for travellers who want seclusion + cultural sites. Price tier: high. (jetwinghotels.com)

• Heritance Kandalama (near Dambulla/Sigiriya) — Iconic Geoffrey Bawa–influenced design built into the rockscape with panoramic views of the Kandalama Lake and forest; well known for sustainability and architecture. Great for culture, design and nature. Price tier: high. (cntraveler.com)

Hill Country / Tea Country

• Ceylon Tea Trails (Hatton / Nuwara Eliya area) — Collection of fully restored planters’ bungalows overlooking tea estates; private butler service, tea‑estate activities and old‑world charm. Ideal for honeymooners and slow, luxury stays in the highlands. Price tier: premium/luxury (bungalow buyouts available). (resplendentceylon.com)

• The Kandy House (Kandy) — Boutique manor‑house hotel (a converted 19th‑century home) with intimate rooms, gardens and a calm luxury vibe; excellent base for exploring Kandy and nearby cultural sights. Price tier: upper‑luxury boutique. (thetimes.co.uk)

South Coast (beaches & whale watching)

• Amanwella (Tangalle) — Minimalist, high‑end beachfront resort with private plunge‑pool suites inspired by Geoffrey Bawa, a calm private beach and top service. Best for a quiet luxury beach escape on the south coast. Price tier: very high. (theluxevoyager.com)

• Cape Weligama (Weligama/Mirissa) — Dramatic clifftop resort with villas and suites facing the Indian Ocean, signature marine excursions (whale safaris), family options and extensive facilities. Great for families or active beach travelers who want luxury plus experiences. Price tier: very high. (resplendentceylon.com)

Wildlife / Unique Stays

• Jetwing Yala or other high‑end safari lodges (Yala) — Luxury lodges near national parks offering guided game drives and private villa options. Best for travellers prioritizing wildlife (leopards, elephants) with comfort. (Look for Jetwing, Chena Huts, Uga Escapes properties depending on dates/availability.) (jetwinghotels.com)

Colombo / City Luxury

• Shangri‑La / Galle Face Hotel / Cinnamon Grand (Colombo) — For short stays in the capital, pick from established luxury city hotels that offer easy access to dining, shopping and international connections. (Check each hotel’s site for current offerings and suites.) [general best‑practice booking note — see official hotel sites and major travel publications for comparisons.]

Why these picks

• Regional balance: they cover the main reasons people visit Sri Lanka — cultural triangle, hill country, beach/whale season, and wildlife safaris.
• Distinctive strengths: architecture/heritage (Heritance Kandalama, The Kandy House), tea‑bounty and privacy (Ceylon Tea Trails), contemporary beach minimalism (Amanwella), dramatic clifftop luxury with activities (Cape Weligama), and eco‑luxury (Jetwing Vil Uyana). (jetwinghotels.com)

Booking tips

• Seasonality matters: south/west coast and Colombo are best November–April; east coast (Arugam Bay, Trincomalee) is best May–October. For whale watching (Mirissa), peak season is roughly November–April. Check exact months for your travel dates. (thetimes.co.uk)
• Book early for peak season, and consider transfers (internal flights or private drivers) because travel times from Colombo differ a lot by region.
• Compare refundable vs non‑refundable rates and check packages (many high‑end properties offer spa/transfer/experience packages).

If you like, I can:

• Build a short 7–10 day sample itinerary that pairs 2–3 of these hotels (e.g., cultural triangle + hill country + south coast), or
• Pull live room rates and availability for specific dates and properties.