Great — here are highly recommended hotels in Sri Lanka, organized by region and travel style (luxury, boutique, nature/eco, beach). I’ve included a short note on why each is popular so you can pick by location and experience.

Colombo (best for city stays, business, dining)

• Shangri‑La/Colombo (luxury rooms, rooftop dining and harbour views). (thetimes.co.uk)
• Taj Samudra (classic five‑star on Galle Face Green, good for first/last night near the airport transfers). (en.wikipedia.org)
• ITC Ratnadipa / ITC Colombo One (new high‑end entry in Colombo with modern facilities). (en.wikipedia.org)

Cultural Hill Country (Kandy, Nuwara Eliya, tea‑country)

• The Kandy House (small, restored manor house — top boutique choice in the Kandy area). (en.wikipedia.org)
• Earl’s Regency / The Grand Kandyan (larger hotels near Kandy for easy access to cultural sites). (regional listings & reviews). (en.wikipedia.org)

Cultural triangle & rock‑fort area (Sigiriya / Dambulla / Polonnaruwa)

• Heritance Kandalama (Geoffrey Bawa–influenced design perched on the rock, excellent for Sigiriya/Dambulla visits). (cahayaharamain.com)
• Jetwing Vil Uyana (wetland eco‑resort near Sigiriya with private villas and nature focus). (cahayaharamain.com)

Ella & Hill‑country small luxury

• 98 Acres Resort & Spa (scenic clifftop/tea‑estate setting near Ella). (widely recommended for views and hiking access). (en.wikipedia.org)

Galle & South Coast (Galle Fort, Mirissa, Weligama)

• Amangalla (iconic, historic hotel inside Galle Fort — top choice for history/colonial charm). (en.wikipedia.org)
• Cape Weligama (clifftop luxury with private villas and exceptional coastal views). (popular luxury south‑coast resort). (thetimes.co.uk)
• Amanwella (small, high‑end beachfront resort near Tangalle/Mirissa for whale‑watching season). (thetimes.co.uk)

West & Southwest beaches (Bentota, Negombo, Kalutara)

• Taj Bentota Resort & Spa (longstanding beachfront luxury on the southwest coast). (thetimes.co.uk)
• Dolphin Beach Resort / Kalpitiya (good for a more eco/active stay — kitesurfing and dolphin watching). (en.wikipedia.org)

East Coast (Trincomalee, Arugam Bay — seasonal choices)

• Trinco Blu by Cinnamon (one of the larger beachfront options in Trincomalee). (recommended when east coast is in season). (thetimes.co.uk)
• Boutique/ surf lodges in Arugam Bay (for surfers — low‑rise, seasonal stays). (thetimes.co.uk)

Unique / new large developments

• City of Dreams / Cinnamon Life (major integrated resort in Colombo opened 2024–2025; large new option for urban luxury and entertainment). (en.wikipedia.org)

Quick tips to pick the right hotel

• For city sightseeing, dining and short stays: stay in Colombo (Shangri‑La, Taj, ITC). (thetimes.co.uk)
• For culture and Sigiriya: base near Dambulla/Sigiriya (Heritance Kandalama, Jetwing Vil Uyana). (cahayaharamain.com)
• For tea country views and walking trails: choose a hillside boutique near Ella or Nuwara Eliya (98 Acres, Kandy House for a different style). (en.wikipedia.org)
• For beaches: pick southern or west coast (best November–April) or east coast/Arugam Bay (best May–October). (thetimes.co.uk)

If you tell me:

• which month you’re traveling, and
• whether you prefer luxury, boutique, family‑friendly, eco, or surf/active —

I can narrow this to 3–5 best picks with nightly price ranges, room types to book, and proximity to sights or the airport.