DEEN Work with us

For travellers

Colombo: The Best Hotels to Start or End Your Sri Lanka Trip

· 5 min read · Laura & Giuseppe

Colombo: The Best Hotels to Start or End Your Sri Lanka Trip

Many travellers to Sri Lanka only see Colombo from a taxi window: land at the airport, then head straight for the south coast, the hill country or the ancient cities. Yet the capital is worth at least a night or two – to recover after a long flight, or to wind down before flying home.

To make the most of it, choosing the right neighbourhood matters most. Based on our research, here are seven hotels in Colombo, sorted by location – from a colonial classic by the sea to the former home of one of Asia’s best-known architects.

Colombo at a glance

  • Getting there: Bandaranaike International Airport lies about 32 kilometres north of the city. Depending on traffic, the drive takes around 45 minutes to an hour.
  • When to go: for Colombo and the west coast, December to March is generally the best time. The south-west monsoon brings more rain, mainly in summer – exact timings vary from year to year.
  • Neighbourhoods: Fort and the Galle Face Green promenade sit by the sea. Kollupitiya lies to the south, and inland is leafy Cinnamon Gardens, also known as Colombo 7. North of Fort, Pettah is home to the bustling markets.

By the sea: Galle Face and Fort

Stay here for views over the Indian Ocean. In the evening, families, vendors and walkers gather on Galle Face Green for sunset.

Galle Face Hotel

Founded in 1864, the Galle Face Hotel is considered one of the oldest hotels in Asia. This seafront landmark pairs colonial architecture, wooden floors and long verandas with one of the city’s best spots for a sunset drink. If you can, book a sea-view room.

Galle Face Hotel: Book now*

Shangri-La Colombo

The Shangri-La sits right on the Galle Face Green promenade, with many rooms enjoying uninterrupted ocean views. A large pool, a spa and several restaurants make it a good choice if you simply want to land and recover after a long-haul flight.

Shangri-La Colombo: Book now*

ITC Ratnadipa

The newest luxury hotel on Galle Face Green opened in April 2024 and, with 352 rooms and suites, is one of the largest in the country. Its standout feature is the sky bridge linking its two towers at a height of around 100 metres. Several restaurants serving Indian and international cuisine complete the picture.

ITC Ratnadipa: Book now*

Central Kollupitiya

Cinnamon Grand Colombo

This large city hotel on Galle Road is centrally placed between Fort and the southern neighbourhoods, close to the coast. Some rooms on the upper floors look out to sea. If you plan to be out and about a lot and want a solid, well-connected base, this is it.

Cinnamon Grand Colombo: Book now*

Green and quiet: Cinnamon Gardens (Colombo 7)

Once a cinnamon plantation, this area is now home to villas, embassies, the National Museum and Viharamahadevi Park.

Jetwing Colombo Seven

Sri Lankan hotel group Jetwing runs this modern city hotel with a rooftop pool and views across the city. Alongside rooms, there are studio apartments – handy if you’re staying a few days longer.

Jetwing Colombo Seven: Book now*

Tintagel Colombo

This 1930s villa was once the family home of the Bandaranaike political dynasty. Since 2007 it has been a boutique hotel with just ten suites, a large library and a courtyard restaurant. Ideal for couples looking for calm and style in the middle of the city.

Tintagel Colombo: Book now*

For architecture lovers: Number 11

Geoffrey Bawa is regarded as the leading figure of Tropical Modernism. His former home, on a quiet lane in Kollupitiya, is now a museum you can visit by appointment. You can even stay overnight in one of the guest suites, booked directly through the Geoffrey Bawa Trust. Another Bawa work in Colombo is the Seema Malaka temple, which seems to float on Beira Lake.

Don’t miss in Colombo

  • Galle Face Green at sunset: street food, kites and sea air.
  • Gangaramaya Temple and Seema Malaka: two very different temples close together by Beira Lake.
  • Pettah: markets for spices, fabrics and everyday goods – loud, crowded and fascinating.
  • National Museum: a good overview of Sri Lanka’s history before you travel on.

Tips for your stay

  1. Plan your first night in Colombo: after an overnight flight, a night in the city is easier than hours on the road straight away.
  2. Choose your area to suit your trip: sea views and sunsets at Galle Face, peace and villas in Colombo 7.
  3. Use metered tuk-tuks or an app: it saves long price negotiations.
  4. Dress for temples: cover shoulders and knees, and take off your shoes.

Conclusion: Colombo is a great start to Sri Lanka

The best hotels in Colombo turn a stopover into a part of the trip in its own right: colonial history by the sea, modern luxury on Galle Face Green or calm in an old villa. Pick the right neighbourhood, and your Sri Lanka trip begins or ends exactly the way you want.

For more help choosing a hotel, read our guide on how to find the perfect hotel. See whole hotels on video in our hotel tours. And if you know a hotel in Sri Lanka we should visit, recommend it to us.

Sources

* Affiliate link: if you book through it, we receive a small commission. Your price stays the same.

More articles