The Best Bed and Breakfasts to Book in Sri Lanka

Palm Beach Inn and Sea Shells Cabanas is warm and welcoming, thanks to a sunshine yellow reception, smiling staff and a garden strewn with hammocks. Rustic cabanas have outdoor living spaces and wood-panelled bedrooms, while deluxe doubles come with balconies and garden views. The B&B is a short walk from the baked golden sands just south of central Bentota. Don’t miss a visit to the Induruwa Sea Turtle Conservation Centre, a five-minute drive south along the coast.

The budget-friendly Beach Wave Hotel sits right on the sand in Arugam Bay and features 10 soundproofed two-storey huts and an oceanfront restaurant. It may be hard to venture far from the beach bar, thanks to the many hammocks and beanbags under twinkling fairy lights. However, a bottle of Lion beer will feel all the more rewarding after a surf lesson (beginner-friendly Baby Point is a short walk away) or yoga class.

With a selection of standard rooms, jungle cabanas and sky-skimming treehouses, the family-run RiverSide Cabana is ideal for budget travellers looking for an ecofriendly escape. The Tissa Temple, Yatala Museum and Yatala Dalada Wehera are all within walking distance. Here for the wildlife? The accommodation sits roughly halfway between Yala and Bundala National Parks (known for their leopards and birdlife, respectively) – your host can arrange reasonably priced safaris.

You get great value for money at Oasis Bay, where clean, minimalist rooms come with private terraces or balconies, and you’re likely to receive a free iced tea upon arrival. The candlelit seating area in the garden is ideal for meeting fellow travellers after a day spent riding the waves at Arugam Bay. At breakfast, make sure you try the popular smoothie bowls. Aching after all that surfing? Book a herbal oil massage at the ayurvedic centre next door.

For a fuss-free stay with five-star views, look no further than Ella Hilltop Guest House. While the rooms are a little dated, they’re clean, comfortable and come with mosquito nets. Breakfasts here are particularly memorable – the restaurant has wraparound windows showcasing epic mountain scenery. For more beautiful visuals, hike up Little Adam’s Peak (not to be confused with the main pilgrimage site), or take your camera to the Nine Arch Bridge to snap a classic Sri Lankan railway scene.

The basic double and family rooms at Paraiso Guest House in Ella each feature a balcony or terrace; the newest rooms are flooded with light, thanks to the floor-to-ceiling windows. Owner Dhana is exceptionally accommodating, making breakfasts that are so varied and generous that you may end up skipping lunch. However, if you fancy a spot of ceylon tea, take a tuk-tuk to Uva Halpewatte Tea Factory or Kinellan Tea Factory and Tea Centre to learn more about the precious local leaf.

The Cinnamon Gardens neighbourhood is one of the more gentrified places to stay in Colombo, and Black Cat, a hip cafe and hotel inside a 1920s colonial house, fits right in. Five simple white rooms are spruced up with vintage prints and modern four-poster beds, while the breakfast menu features the usual suspects of flat whites and avo toast. However, the cinnamon apple and bacon pancakes are truly original. The National Museum and Number 11 (once home to renowned architect Geoffrey Bawa) are less than 10 minutes away by tuk-tuk.

With a handful of comfy double rooms overlooking a private garden pool, Jack’s Bed and Breakfast prioritises simplicity and comfort over fussy frills and extras. Gracious British hosts Jacky and Jim have lived in Sri Lanka for more than a decade, but they haven’t forgotten how to make a proper full English breakfast. There’s an excellent Sri Lankan cooking school next door, and Unawatuna Beach and Galle Dutch Fort are a short drive away.