Must-see hotels in The Ancient Cities

  • Tishan Holiday Resort

    Polonnaruwa

    A good-value place (especially considering there's a pool with loungers) that straddles budget and midrange. It's 4.5km west of the centre of town, but…

  • Lake Hotel

    Polonnaruwa

    Right by the lake shore, this elegant two-storey hotel offers sublime views of the tank from its beautifully presented rooms, restaurant and pool area…

  • Lak Nilla

    The Ancient Cities

    A simple, but hospitable, homestay with five clean rooms in a friendly local's house in a rural setting off the highway. A sumptuous dinner costs Rs 650,…

  • Mihintale Rest House

    The Ancient Cities

    As Mihintale is so close to Anuradhapura, few people overnight here, but this attractive hotel has a classy open-sided lobby lounge and spacious, if…

  • Arika Boutique Villa

    Dambulla

    A small, hip hotel with spacious, stylish rooms, four of which have balconies overlooking the stream. The upper-floor rooms with high ceilings are best…

  • Giritale Hotel

    The Ancient Cities

    Rooms at this slightly old-fashioned hotel are spacious and pleasant, but the real draw is the unmatched sunset view from the bar terrace – come for a…

  • Pilgrim's Rest

    The Ancient Cities

    Tourists with an interest in Buddhism are welcome to stay in this comfortable monastery guesthouse. There are nine rooms of varying standards, including…

  • White House Bungalow

    The Ancient Cities

    This fresh, crisp white villa was new in 2017. The modern rooms come with colourful bedspreads and antique bed frames and there's a good rooftop…

  • Hotel Ancient Village

    Polonnaruwa

    At the end of a side road and surrounded on three sides by rice paddies, this modern 10-room hotel is close to the centre but feels relaxingly rural. The…

  • Saubagya Tourist Resort

    Anuradhapura

    This friendly, family-run guesthouse of just five rooms is a good budget choice. Rooms are simple and a bit dark, but all come with hot water (some with…

  • Montana Rest

    Anuradhapura

    This excellent-value guesthouse has nine spacious rooms in a huge Spanish-style villa. Rooms aren't exactly stylish, but come with air-con and a fridge,…

  • Flower Inn

    Sigiriya

    This centrally located guesthouse is cheered up by plants and canary-yellow walls. The nine rooms at the rear are a little chintzy, but fair value, and…

  • Healey Tourist Inn

    Dambulla

    This family-run shoestring place, halfway between the caves and bus station, has five basic, clean-if-spartan rooms that have mosquito nets and a piece of…

  • Samudra Guest House

    Polonnaruwa

    Basic budget rooms (the cheapies have fans and cold water) are pretty good value in this rambling old house, though the owner is often not around – call…

  • Hotel Sudu Araliya

    Polonnaruwa

    With a flashy lobby, well-tended grounds and an idyllic setting, the tour-group-dominated Sudu Araliya would be a good option if it weren’t for the bland…

  • French Garden Tourist Rest

    Anuradhapura

    Close to the New Bus Station, this two-storey villa-style guesthouse is well set-up for travellers. Its seven rooms are clean, if a little old-fashioned,…

  • Nature Tourist Inn

    Dambulla

    The three simple rooms at this sound little guesthouse have private hot-water bathrooms, mosquito nets and fans. Yes, it's close to the road, but the cave…

  • Siyanco Holiday Resort

    Polonnaruwa

    Very central, this established hotel has an older block with overpriced rooms and a better new wing offering modern, spacious, inviting rooms set around…

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