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Luxury Or Budget? Sri Lankan Accommodation

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Heading to Sri Lanka soon? Need some accommodation? Well, what can I say you have come to the right place! If you are after soft sheets and screens on your showers you are definitely wanting the more luxurious end of the scale. I can tell from personal experience that I stayed in a few places where showers lacked screens and even curtains on my recent travels to Sri Lanka.

Wanting to know more about Sri Lanka in general? Check out this complete guide to visiting Sri Lanka. 

Otherwise if saving every penny is more up your alley then maybe a budget stay is for you. Check out the one in this post and the incredible view you still get! Most certainly not budget views.

Table of Contents

Interested in more unique style of Accommodation? Check out 14 Unique Hotels in Sri Lanka. 

Luxury Accommodation in Sri Lanka

Luxury Travel Hacks: The Thilanka, Dambulla

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After staying in what could only be described as one of the worst hotels I have ever stayed in while in Negombo I was over the moon when I arrived to the Thilanka in Dambulla. Heading down a long driveway lined by stunning trees you enter the picturesque resort. You are greeted by the stunning pool before being shown to your room. Rooms were within a two story building with each building only containing four rooms. This kept the area quiet and gave the rooms more of a luxurious feel. The rooms were spacious and clean. Each came with some sort of jacuzzi, ours was in our bathroom but some even had an outdoor version. The views over the rice paddies were spectacular and the food was glorious (yet expensive) but delicious food is certainly important.

If you are wanting to head to the Golden Rock Temple, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, which is just down the road or even Sigiriya rock, a 30 minute drive away, The Thilanka in Dambulla is a must stay.

A Girl and Her Passport: Heritance Kandalama, Dambulla

Not only is the Heritance Kandalama a luxury hotel, it is also a environmentally friendly hotel. It is surrounded by the Sri Lankan jungle and monkeys are frequent visitors to the hotel. The hotel is open on both sides to allow animals and water to flow around the hotel from the mountain. 
 
Each room has its own balcony facing the jungle. The views continue into the bathroom and you shower in in nature. No one can see you though because of the design of the hotel. 

The room itself is designed with natural material and feels like a tropical cabin. 

There are three pools on the property, a large restaurant and a spa. The road to the hotel is a dirt road but the location is excellent as it is near Sigiriya Rock, Dambulla Cave Temple and Minneriya National Park.  

Travel Photo Discovery: Cinnamon Lodge, Habanara

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When I visited Sri Lanka, I stayed at many of the stunning Cinnamon Hotels chain and one of my favourite stays was at their lodge in Habanara in the centre of Sri Lanka where many of the historic monuments and Unesco sites are located. The Cinnamon Lodge is just on the outskirts of Habanara and backs into a beautiful lake in a gorgeous setting. The service, location and hotel stay was outstanding and I’m sharing my impressions of the stay here.

Want to see more of Travel Photo Discovery’s photos of the Cinnamon Lodge, Habanara, please see their photo story here.

Spend Life Traveling: Mount Lavinia Hotel, Colombo

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Mount Lavinia Hotel is without a doubt the most amazing hotel I stayed at in Sri Lanka. The hotel, one of the oldest in Sri Lanka, beautifully shows Sri Lanka’s colonial heritage. The old, warm ambiance combined with a perfect beach front location on the outskirts of Colombo and great service made me choose this hotel as my absolute favourite. The hotel offers very comfortable rooms (ask for one with a sea view), a beautiful swimming pool and one of the best Sri Lankan breakfasts I have ever tasted.

Once In A Lifetime Journey: Madulkelle Tea and Eco Lodge

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The Madulkelle Tea and Eco Lodge is one of the most stunning places I have ever stayed. Sleeping inside a safari tent high above the mountains and in the middle of a working tea plantation this was an unforgettable lodge. We woke up to the sun rising from behind the Knuckles Mountain Range to a hot cup of locally produced tea and a blanket. The lodge is atop a mountain and it has an infinity swimming pool hanging above the valley. The rooms were comfortable and uber romantic.

Want to see their entire review, check this here.

A Girl and Her Passport: Waterland, Negombo

Waterland is a series of private villas and one suite located in Negombo. The villas are located on the Maha Oya River. It is not far from the local beach either. Each villa has its own plunge pool. One villa is two stories can accommodate larger parties with two bedrooms. The bathrooms are open plan with a waterfall shower.
 
The peaceful location on the river makes for a really luxury hotel experience. I spend five days here reading, writing, watching birds and exploring the local village. Since it was slightly remote, they offer breakfast, light snacks and dinner. This is all made by a local Sri Lankan chef. 

Budget Accommodation in Sri Lanka

Where’s Sharon: Renuka Inn, Kandy

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This budget accommodation option does not feel budget at all – Renuka Inn has beautiful hotel style rooms with great views inside a Sri Lankan family’s home. It’s located just a few hundred metres from the lake in Kandy but feels quite far away from the tourist part of Kandy thanks to being in a local neighbourhood. There are great views of the surrounding hills and rice paddies. The hotel has good, but simple, rooms with air conditioning, fans and the option of triple share (which worked great for us as a family). There’s hot water and everything was comfortable and quiet. The current cost is just under US$20 a night. I recommend splurging a couple of extra dollars and getting the balcony room though – the views are amazing, see above!
 

So there you have it, some quality accommodation in Sri Lanka covering  all budgets. What are your thoughts though? Do you know of other incredible accommodation? Please comment below if you do.

But not you have your accommodation sorted but what do you want to do while in Sri Lanka? Check out Tips, Tricks and To Dos of Sri Lanka for some epic ideas from incredible travel bloggers who have been there and done that.

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