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If you have read my previous Sri Lanka posts, you might know that Galle Fort and the southern coastline are my favorite places in the country.
Galle itself historic, charming, just the right amount of touristy, and most importantly hassle-free. You can walk from A to B and don’t have to worry to be accosted by touts or run over by tuk-tuks or motorbikes. It is also a great starting point for a road trip in southern Sri Lanka and get to places like Unawatuna, Koggala Lake, Weligama, Mirissa, and even the Yala National Park.
Read more: THE ULTIMATE 7 DAY SRI LANKA ITINERARY IN THE SOUTH.
So whether you want a historic town to explore, simply eat hoppers all day long, or explore some of Sri Lanka’s best beaches – start in Galle and work your way along the south coast for an epic Sri Lanka holiday. Where to stop and where to sleep on the way? Let me share my favorite hotels in Sri Lanka down south.
From Galle to Yala – The best hotels in Southern Sri Lanka
Hotels in Galle
There is no shortcoming of great boutique hotels in Galle Fort. Most are charming and historical, providing a great insight into traditional Sri Lankan architecture, others are a modern interpretation of Sri Lankan design. However, Galle is quite a touristic place and so prices are higher than in the rest of the country for places not as nice. But don’t despair, I finally found some great hotels and guesthouses in Galle.
Read more: A FOODIE’S GUIDE TO GALLE, SRI LANKA.
The Charleston
The Charleston is a newish boutique hotel in Galle, and I couldn’t love it more. It is located in a classic colonial mansion right by the ramparts, but compared to many other hotels in Galle Fort, it has a beautiful modern design.
Rooms are simple but full of thoughtful touches – typical snacks, international adapters, and even a tub in the bathroom. The service is friendly and helpful, and you can always reach someone via WhatsApp. Some of the best features: they will bring your first cup of tea or coffee to your room in the morning, and the incredible breakfast. It is à la carte, included in the price, and you have the choice between international dishes and Sri Lankan breakfast. Plus fresh coconut water served in a glass.
The in-house restaurant Charlie’s extends to the rooftop terrace, which offers great views over the ramparts and the ocean, especially during sunset. And best of all, there is even a pool for in-house guests.
Villa Yehinsa
For a while, it was pretty hard to find inexpensive guesthouses in Galle. It was either a very simple homestay or a fancy boutique hotel. Eventually, Villa Yehinsa popped up to fill the gap. However, COVID and the economic crisis hit, and what could have been a lovely place was a bit run-down when I stayed there for the first time a couple of years ago.
But now they are back! The whole house, located on Leyn Baan Street parallel to the Dutch Hospital, seems to have been renovated. Leaks and wall paint have been fixed, there are new rooms being built, and it feels like a true home away from home.
How they have done it by not raising their prices, I do not know, but here we are – if you are looking for a cute guesthouse in Galle Fort, this is it. All rooms have very comfy beds, good aircon and wifi, and the breakfast is as generous as it is delicious. The staff is also very friendly, and the location couldn’t be better.
AMANGALLA
If you want to splurge even just for a night, the Amangalla is the place to be. Otherwise, make sure to pop in for a cocktail during sunset or dinner – it is one of the Galle Forts restaurants that are so good you will even find it in the guidebooks of all the other hotels. Old world charm & chic awaits and the service is incredible even if you rock up in Havaianas.
The danger of staying even just for a night is that you may not want to leave afterward. The beds are stunning four-poster beds, the linens are the softest, and chances are you will have a hard time making it out by check-out.
Read more: THE AMANGALLA – SLEEPING IN PEACE IN SRI LANKA.
FORT BAZAAR
Sri Lankan design is quite wonderful but give it a hint of modern-day Morocco, and you see me swooning. Swoon I did when I walked into the Fort Bazaar just a few houses down from the Amangalla. I didn’t want to leave the latter but arriving at Fort Bazaar made it a lot better.
This Galle accommodation has modern, clean lines and is set in a 17th-century townhouse providing the perfect mix of old and new. Think four-poster bed without the frills, subway tiles in the bathroom, and giant bouquets of flowers.
The highlight is their bar/restaurant The Social that extends to the veranda, perfect for people watching (and kitten feeding). They also make some amazing hoppers with chicken curry!
Read more: BREAKFAST TIME – INTRODUCING THE SRI LANKAN HOPPER.
The only thing that could make this place any better would be a gift shop; because I was sorely tempted to fill my pockets with all their accessories.
VILLA AMMA ERNA
Once you had enough of Sri Lankan city life (though I dare say, Galle offers a very relaxed version of city life) it is time to head to the countryside for some R&R.
I randomly found Villa Amma Erna on booking.com and just loved the look of it. A 20-minute tuk-tuk drive from Galle takes you deep into the country and a steep hill up to the villa – I was in paradise!
Especially if you are looking for an eco-hotel in Sri Lanka, Amma Erna is it. They only have three rooms for now, and they are completely open to one side (yes, there are mosquito screens) to bring you closer to nature. While there is no AC, the ventilation is fantastic thanks to this concept and you get the wonderful feeling of sleeping outside while snug in yet another four-poster bed.
Enjoy the view over the adjacent village while you take a shower and hope for a thunderstorm – it doesn’t get any more romantic.
Amma Erna is definitely a destination hotel as there is not much around except for greenery. Their focus is the merging of brutal modernism architecture and Sri Lankan nature with the integration of green principles: most of the nature remains untouched, they harvest most of their food from an organic garden, and put a big emphasis on fair working conditions and wages for their staff. All in all, the perfect romantic hotel for eco-travelers!
Accommodation in Unawatuna
To be honest, for me Unawatuna is worth the trip if only to eat at Wijaya Beach. I tend to stay there the whole day and eat everything on the menu accompanied by copious amounts of passion fruit mojito.
While I discovered the place when staying in Galle and simply took a tuk-tuk to get there. Wijaya is a little further east to Unawatuna beach, but still easy to reach.
Radisson Collection Resort
I cut my visit to Galle short to visit the newly opened Radisson Collection Resort in Unawatuna, close to Dalawella Beach. To be very honest, it won’t win my vote as the best hotel in Sri Lanka down south; however, it is a good choice if you want something a bit more upscale and modern.
Let’s talk about the good things first: the location couldn’t be better. You are right by the ocean, and while you can’t really swim here, there are two pools with ocean views. You are also within walking distance of Turtle Beach and the Wijaya Beach Restaurant. The hotel also offers various dining options, a small kids’ club, and a spa.
Unfortunately, reception is still in disarray – I have never waited so long for check-in, and once it was my turn, they put me in a variety of rooms I didn’t book. It was chaotic to say the least. If you are going for a sea view, make sure to ask for a room on a higher floor and double-check your bed configuration.
Hopefully, they will find their groove soon because once they do, the location will be hard to beat.
Dunes Unawatuna Hotel
If you want to stay close to all the action Unawatuna can provide, I recommend you stay at Dunes. The property is lovely, and the price is more than right. You are sleeping in a historic Sri Lankan house surrounded by greenery and the probably biggest tree I have ever seen.
Rooms are cozy, cute, and small but with everything you may need. There are also plenty of communal spaces where you can relax or even do yoga.
They have a restaurant on site and the breakfast – hoppers, of course – as well as the coffee is pretty good. The location is another big plus because they are just off the main road. It is quiet enough, but within a few minutes walk to the beach, shops, and restaurants.
Koggala Lake Accommodation
Trebartha East The Round House
I think I found my new favorite hotel in Sri Lanka. Admittedly, my one-night stay at Trebartha East The Round House was a splurge, but it was so worth it. I like to think I am quite good at finding great hotels (in all price categories), but my last trip had me doubt my skills a little. Trebartha reconfirmed faith in my abilities because this place is everything.
Trebartha is located on a cinnamon plantation by Koggala Lake with views for days. There are only four rooms, so the service is as personal as it can get. The building is literally a round house (or rather half of a round house), and the rooms are set up in a way that nothing disrupts your views. Huge glass doors fold back to enjoy the sounds of nature, and mosquito nets are thick enough you don’t have to worry about mozzies at night. And yes, there is also aircon if you need it.
The interior blends natural materials, Sri Lankan design, antiques, and art, but it is clear that the surroundings are the star of this hotel. Lazing by the pool, looking out over the plantation, is an excellent way to waste an afternoon away.
The lovely staff is always available to make cocktails, organize transfers, or help with anything else you may need. They can also organize tours and activities for you, or you could get a massage in your room.
An unexpected highlight for me was the food. I honestly thought the menu was too big for just four rooms (no outside guests are allowed), but everything was available and delicious. Fries are my love language, as is a good arrack cocktail.
Kahanda Kanda
The area around the Koggala Lake is beautiful and lush, perfect for nature lovers and non-beach goers. During my first trip to Sri Lanka, I stayed at Kahanda Kanda, a stunning boutique hotel with 12 villas set amongst tea plantations with a view of the lake.
While you can probably spend quite some time just lounging in your villa or the stunning pool, the appeal is the proximity to the lake and other highlights in the area. The hotel can easily organize excursions and lake tours for you as well as the transport to the beaches close by and Galle Fort.
Accommodation in Ahangama
The Kip
Ahangama what?? While most people quickly head on to Weligama or Mirissa, you should stop on the way in Ahangama. Why? Because this little seaside town is home to the Kip, Sri Lanka’s best guesthouse/ eco heaven/ designer conclave… I could go on and on.
I also discovered the Kip by sheer coincidence but was immediately sold when I read about their concept:
A HOME TO THINGS WE LOVE, AN ODE TO THINGS HANDMADE.
Owners Phoebe and Seddie have created a tiny sustainable authentic Sri Lankan paradise and chances are once you put your suitcase down you may never leave. I remember arriving after a week of torrential downpours so it was muddy, to say the least, but that didn’t deter me from falling in love with the place. There was a daybed for me to work on, a swing in the courtyard for Instagram worthy shots, the best breakfast in town, fireflies in my room at night, cute rescue dogs to play with, no plastic bottles in sight, and the cutest shop around to stock up on local goodies.
Oh man, just writing about it makes me absolutely homesick. Do yourself a favor: wherever you go or stay in Sri Lanka when you come to the south book yourself a couple of nights at the Kip. I promise you will not ever regret it!
Gitano Surf
Gitano Surf is the second guesthouse of its kind in Ahangama, this one right by the ocean. The location is unbeatable, and they have terraces and a rooftop with the most amazing ocean views. Unfortunately, the location means premium prices. I don’t know if I would pay that much if it wasn’t for the sound of waves to fall asleep to.
The rooms all face the common areas, which makes them not the most private. Especially on the top floor, because the rooms both have one large glass wall facing out (with a curtain of course, but still). That said, the rooms themselves are really comfortable with cozy beds and even cozier carpets.
Owner Emma and her staff are very kind and helpful. Do make sure, though, to get an eSIM before or escape to the adjacent Cactus Cafe as the wifi isn’t the greatest either.
Accommodation in Hambantota & Yala
Shangri-La Hambantota Golf Resort & Spa
If you are looking for kid-friendly hotels in Sri Lanka down south, check out the Shangri-La. While that name is synonymous with luxury for many I actually found it quite down to earth for a lack of a better word, and affordable too.
To be honest, I am not quite sure what there is to do or see in Hambantota but the hotel is a destination in itself and will keep you busy.
This isn’t a boutique hotel but a property with all the trimmings: spa, kids club, various pools and restaurants, a long stretch of beachfront, and my favorite: a trapeze and pods for chilling under the palm trees. Oh, and of course they have a golf course as the name implies (you can see by this afterthought mentioning that golf doesn’t register very highly on my list – my dad would be so sad).
While it can get a bit loud and rowdy at the breakfast buffet at least for travelers without kids and patience, there are plenty of spaces to find peace and quietness. They also offer some really cool excursions in the area ranging from village walks to tuk-tuk picnics.
Jetwing Yala
From Hambantota, it is not far to get to the Yala National Park. Time to see some elephants and leopards!
There are many lodges and hotels at Yala, and while none look more enticing than the Wild Coast Tented Lodge or the Chena Huts, I stayed at the Jetwing Yala and really enjoyed it.
They have their share of when the elephants came into the lobby stories to share, have a stunning terrace for dinner, and a beautiful view over the ocean. Needless to say, you will also get your share of monkey encounters but I doubt anyone is going to complain about that – after all, that is what you came for!
Read more: Where to see elephants in Sri Lanka.
HOW TO GET TO The hotels in Sri Lanka down south
There are a few options to get from Colombo, Sri Lanka’s capital to the south: by private car, train, bus or plane. If you are very adventurous you can also rent your very own tuk-tuk to get around.
Most hotels in Sri Lanka’s south can organize a private transfer for you which will be the most expensive but easiest way to get around. Alternatively you can book an airport transfer with Welcome Pickups, my preferred company for airport rides.
I have also recently booked a few trips in Sri Lanka with Real Lanka Holidays. They are very reliable and offer great prices to get you around, even for longer distances. You can book your drive with them on 12go.
If you would like it a bit cheaper you can take the train. Getting from Colombo to Galle or Ahangama is pretty straightforward forward though not as easy as train travel in India.
On some routes, it is easy enough though and you can even buy your tickets in advance, on others not so much. But to get to the south, I recommend you just hop on over to 12go and get your ticket there. They only sell tickets with reserved seats but they are inexpensive.
Once you are down south in Sri Lanka it is pretty easy to get around. You can either take a local bus, a taxi, or a tuk-tuk, depending on how much comfort you crave and how much luggage you have. If you are two or more travelers I would go for a taxi/ private car, if you are on your own taking a tuk-tuk is absolutely fine for most distances. And yes, tuk-tuks in Sri Lanka are used to covering longer distances even in the rain as I learned. There is something quintessential Sri Lankan about taking a tuk-tuk – I love it!
Hotels in Sri Lanka down south can usually advise you on how much you should pay for a certain distance. Otherwise, you can check prices on the PickMe App and add a few rupees. While I got lucky getting a tuk-tuk on the app to take me from Galle to Ahangama you might not be because officially taxi apps are banned in this part of the country by the local tuk-tuk mafia.
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One comment
Amazing blog. Beautiful photos. I am also planning to visit Sri Lanka for a very long time now. Let’s see when the plans materialize. Thanks for sharing this informative blog 🙂