Sri Lanka Hotel Recommendations

GAdventures tour – 14 Days Sri Lanka Encompassed:  Did the job, not fantastic.  Some of the hotels weren’t really good, some of the additional tours were a bit ordinary.  It doesn’t include the historic places.  The tour covers all the standard sights and it saved me having to plan it all, find out how to get between places and spend hours trying to choose hotels.  If I had done it independently it would certainly have been cheaper, but a lot more time arranging transfers and on the road.  I would have spent longer in some places, like Sigiriya and gone to Polonnaruwa ruins, maybe more walks in Ella, walked around Negombo city, not just the waterways as examples.  But on the whole I got to see everything I wanted to and had company while I did so.

Tangalle – Alpha Monkey Hotel and Tree House - Here’s my online review ‘Perfect location to be right on the beach. However that comes at a cost. Very very basic room, never cleaned or towels replaced, and they were old and dirty. Had to ask to borrow broom to get all the sand out. No hot water in shower, bed ok but mossie net had holes. Not much furniture to sit on. You could use the restaurant though and that had nice places to sit. Only 6 lounges so once used up, nothing. Pool has no lounges or chairs round it. For 2 of the 2 days there it was being cleaned and out of action. I recommend it for absolute beach front, but 3 days was enough for me.

Basecamp Yoga Retreat, Weligama - Lovely rooms, yoga up the hill with a great view, twice a day.  The vegan breakfasts were fabulous. Solo friendly because everyone chats over breakfast and they put on organised dinners.  I went to karaoke with the group and got friendly with one of the yoga teachers. Weligama beach was ok.  See my post on Sri Lankan Beaches. 

Villa My Way Yoga Retreat Ahangama - Recommended by a friend, who’s friend from New Zealand moved there and is one of the yoga teachers.  I had 4 days as the only guest, so personal tuition in yoga was a bonus.  Lovely peaceful location, about 30 minutes walk or $2.50 ride from town.  The beach wasn’t great, like a lot of beaches in Sri Lanka.

Shoba Travellers Retreat, Galle – Cheap, basic, has just about what you need.  There are nicer places but the come at an additional cost and Galle is not cheap as it is quite touristy in the old town.

Colombo – Morven Hotel – I chose this hotel because GAdventures start their tour there.  It was ok, location a bit far from most things and Colombo is hot so walking is hot and sweaty.