5-star hotel guide to Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka should be on every luxe-trotter'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 now more accessible than ever and once you are there, new roads make some journeys - such as Colombo to Galle - much faster than before, although air taxis and seaplanes 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 veraandas, tropical gardens, comfortable suites and fabulous food.
Your choice is whether to head for Galle or the beach first. Both are possible, but a few days in Galle at Amangalla is our recommendation, where you can relax and embrace the colonial Sri Lankan vibe, before departing for Amanwella in Tangalle, via Kahanda Kanda.
Amanwella makes a perfect base for chilling by the beach and then exploring. The wildlife 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 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, at prices you simply can't afford to ignore.