Here are good hotel choices in Colombo (and the nearby airport area) for short transit/overnight stays, grouped by location and why they work for quick turnarounds.

Quick note: Bandaranaike International Airport (CMB) is outside central Colombo (Katunayake). Transfers to central Colombo typically take ~40–60 minutes depending on traffic, so if you have an early/late flight and very little time, consider Katunayake/Negombo–area transit hotels. (en.wikipedia.org)

Options near the airport (best for short overnight layovers)

• Concey Transit Hotel (Katunayake) — small, 24‑hr front desk, strongly reviewed for very short stays and timely airport pickups/drop‑offs (many reviewers cite quick early‑morning transfers). Good budget/efficient option for a few hours to one night. (getaroomtonight.com)
• Limeshine Airport Transit Hotel (Katunayake) — popular with transit passengers; reviews mention comfortable rooms, airport pickup and fast drop‑offs, and short drive time to the terminal. Good for late arrivals / early departures. (tripadvisor.com)
• “Shady” / other small transit/guesthouse hotels in Katunayake/Seeduwa — many well‑rated guesthouses advertise airport transfer, late check‑in and short‑stay convenience; these are often the cheapest and quickest options when you only need a few hours’ rest. (Look for hotels listing “airport pick‑up” and 24‑hr reception). (en.planetofhotels.com)
• Jetwing Blue / Negombo beachfront hotels — slightly farther (Negombo strip) but still very close to the airport, full‑service if you prefer more amenities (pool/restaurant) while remaining only ~15–25 minutes from CMB by car in normal traffic. Good if your transit stay is a bit longer and you want comfort. (expedia.com)

Options in central Colombo (best when you want to be in the city for a few hours or an overnight)

• Cinnamon Grand Colombo (Kollupitiya / Galle Road) — full‑service city hotel with 24‑hr reception and transfer desks; typical drive to/from the airport ~50–70 minutes depending on traffic, so suitable when your layover is long enough to allow the transfer time. Good if you want easy access to Colombo restaurants/shops before/after your flight. (epicsrilankaholidays.com)
• Galle Face / Galle Road hotels (Galle Face Hotel, Hilton Colombo, etc.) — centrally located by Galle Face Green; excellent for short stays if you plan to see central Colombo or meet people in the city. Expect ~40–60 minutes to the airport in normal conditions — plan extra time for peak traffic. (distancesfrom.com)

How to choose quickly

• If you have <6–8 hours between flights (or an overnight with an early morning departure): pick a Katunayake/Negombo transit hotel that explicitly offers airport pickup and early check‑out (Concey, Limeshine and similar). (getaroomtonight.com)
• If you have a longer layover and want to see the city or use full‑service hotel facilities: choose a Colombo city hotel (Cinnamon Grand, Galle Face area, Hilton) but build in at least 1–1.5 hours each way for transfers. (epicsrilankaholidays.com)

Booking tips

• Confirm airport pickup and transfer time (some hotels run shuttle services; others arrange paid taxis). (en.wikipedia.org)
• If you need only a few hours, ask about “day‑use” or short‑stay rates — many airport transit hotels and some city hotels offer day‑use rooms.
• Check recent guest reviews for punctuality of transfers and reliability of early/late check‑in.

If you want, I can:

• look up current availability and approximate prices for specific dates, or
• check distance/transfer time from Bandaranaike Airport to any hotel you pick.