5-star hotel guide to Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka should be on every luxury explorer's radar. The island offers amazing beaches, a whale-dotted turquoise sea, a tropical vibe at the coast and an interior that combines big game with some of the lushest, most beautiful scenery the world over.
With an increasing number of direct flights to Colombo from Europe, Asia and the Gulf, Sri Lanka is, once more, more accessible than ever and once you are there, new roads make some journeys - such as Colombo to Galle - much faster than in the past, although air taxis and seaplanes can offer quicker transfers.
Our handpicked collection of Sri Lanka's best hotels include the Wallaawwa, conveniently close to Bandaranayke International Airport, North of Colombo, which makes a perfect stop over to bookend your Sri Lanka journey, with its vast colonial verandas, tropical gardens, comfortable suites and fabulous food.
Your choice will then be whether to first head for Galle, or the beach. Both are possible, but a few days in Galle at Amangalla is our recommendation, where you can relax and embrace the charming colonial Sri Lankan vibe, before departing for Amanwella in Tangalle, via Kahanda Kanda.
Amanwella makes a perfect pampering base for chilling by the beach and then exploring. The wildlife close by is exceptional – from leopards, to elephants and blue whales – while the culture is rich and diverse, with Arab, Portuguese, Dutch and British influences. Sri Lanka is an island steeped in a history of contrasts and the result, today, is fascinating.
If you have ten days or more we strongly suggest you then take in the Ceylon Tea Trails, a working tea estate in the beautiful lush interior, comprising 4 luxury Relais & Chateaux bungalows, all offering superb views, country-house comfort and fine cuisine.
Explore our cherry-picked properties and contact our concierge to design a tailor-made Sri Lanka experience, still at prices you can't afford to ignore.