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Colombo

Best hotels in Colombo

The hotels and boutique stays in Colombo we would book ourselves, from great-value city bases to places with a view.

  • 17 stays
  • Hand-picked by locals
Showing 17 stays in Colombo
Boutique stay · Ward Place, Colombo 7

Jetwing Colombo Seven

A stylish boutique hotel in Colombo 7 with Sri Lankan art and textiles, a rooftop pool and bar, and a focus on sustainability.

  • Upscale
Hotel · Galle Face, Colombo 3

Galle Face Hotel

Colombo’s grand colonial hotel, open since 1864, facing the ocean at the end of Galle Face Green, famous for sunset drinks on the verandah.

  • Luxury
Hotel · Galle Face, Colombo

ITC Ratnadipa

Colombo’s newest luxury landmark, opened in 2024 between the ocean and Beira Lake, with 352 rooms, a sky bridge bar and acclaimed restaurants.

  • Luxury
Hotel · Marine Drive, Colombo 3

Marino Beach Colombo

A modern seafront hotel on Marine Drive with a rooftop infinity pool overlooking the Indian Ocean.

  • Upscale
Hotel · Galle Face, Colombo 3

Taj Samudra Colombo

A classic five-star hotel on Galle Face Green, set in landscaped gardens with ocean views and a range of restaurants.

  • Upscale
Hotel · Fort, Colombo 1

Galadari Hotel

A long-running hotel opposite Galle Face Green with harbour and ocean views, a pool and family-friendly facilities.

  • Mid-range
Boutique stay · Rosmead Place, Colombo 7

Paradise Road Tintagel

A design-led boutique hotel in a historic Colombo 7 mansion, with dramatic interiors, a small pool and a celebrated restaurant.

  • Luxury
Hotel · Galle Face, Colombo 2

Shangri-La Colombo

Colombo’s landmark luxury tower on Galle Face, with Indian Ocean views, a huge spa, several pools and some of the city’s best restaurants.

  • Luxury
Hotel · Fort, Colombo 2

Hilton Colombo

A long-standing five-star hotel near Fort, with harbour and lake views, a pool deck and the popular Curry Leaf Sri Lankan restaurant.

  • Upscale
Hotel · Kollupitiya, Colombo 3

Mövenpick Hotel Colombo

A modern five-star hotel in Kollupitiya with a rooftop pool and bar, stylish rooms and an easy walk to the city’s cafés and shops.

  • Upscale
Boutique stay · Kollupitiya, Colombo 3

Colombo Court Hotel & Spa

A contemporary boutique hotel off Duplication Road with a rooftop pool and café-bar, a spa and good value for central Colombo.

  • Mid-range
Hotel · Kollupitiya, Colombo 3

Cinnamon Grand Colombo

A big, buzzing five-star hotel on Galle Road with 500-plus rooms and some of Colombo’s best-known restaurants, including The Lagoon and Nuga Gama.

  • Upscale
Hotel · Mount Lavinia, Colombo

Mount Lavinia Hotel

A historic colonial-era hotel on a headland at Mount Lavinia, south of central Colombo, with its own beach and a famous seaside terrace.

  • Upscale
Hotel · Fort, Colombo 1

Fairway Colombo

A modern, good-value hotel in Fort with a rooftop pool and views towards Galle Face and the ocean.

  • Mid-range

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Our 17 favourite hotels in Colombo

We have marked 17 hotels in Colombo, each picked by locals rather than ranked by an algorithm. You will find them around Fort, Colombo 1, Kollupitiya, Colombo 3, Galle Face, Colombo 3 and Beira Lake, Colombo 2. Prices range from mid-range to luxury.

Start with The Kingsbury Colombo, Jetwing Colombo Seven and Galle Face Hotel, then use the filters to narrow it down by price.

Good to know

  • Location matters as much as the hotel: check how far it is from the sights you care about.
  • Book early for December to March and around festivals and long weekends.
  • Booking direct with the hotel can sometimes get you a better rate or a free upgrade.

Also in Colombo: Hostels & poshtels in Colombo · Best restaurants in Colombo · Best cafés in Colombo · Things to do in Colombo. Or see the full Colombo guide.

Good to know

What are the best hotels in Colombo?

Our current picks include The Kingsbury Colombo, Jetwing Colombo Seven and Galle Face Hotel. See all 17 on this page, picked by locals.

How do you choose the hotels you list in Colombo?

Every place is chosen by our team for its location, value and character. Paid placements are always labelled “Premier choice”; “Team’s pick” is never paid for.

Hotels elsewhere in Sri Lanka