Sri Lanka Resorts and Hotels
Being an island in the Indian Ocean, Sri Lanka is surrounded by beaches of all descriptions. Some of the more popular ones have now developed into major resorts, attracting foreign visitors and tourists from all parts of the world.
The most popular beaches in Sri Lanka can be found in the southern coast of Sri Lanka. Between Beruwela and Bentota is the stretch of beach known as the Golden Mile. During the season between November and April these are some of the most idyllic stretches of coastline in Sri Lanka. Hotels in Bentota and hotels in Beruwela as well as ones up and down the southern coast from Wadduwa, Kalutara to Ahungalla, Hikkaduwa,Galle, Unawatuna and Koggala offers a diverse range of properties from high end villas and boutique hotels to basic guest houses and everything in between. Bentota was the first planned resort in Sri Lanka and has some top hotels such as the Taj Exotica, Bentota Beach Hotel, Hotel Serendib and Saman Villas. Other well known hotels on the Southern Coast of Sri Lanka include the Blue Waters, Royal Palms, Heritance Ahungalla (formerly The Triton), the Lighthouse and the Eden resort and Spa.
Hikkaduwa and Unawatuna as well as Negombo to a lesser extent have a vibe of their own. These are the destinations of choice for young and free spirited travellers that enjoy the beach culture of these bohemian resort towns. The accommodation in Southern Coast Sri Lanka for most parts is quite basic, cabanas, guest houses and 2 and 3 star hotels but is compensated by the thriving beach culture and nightlife in these areas.
The deep south of Sri Lanka has some of the most picturesque beaches in Sri Lanka. Tangalle, Mirissa, Dickwella and Weligama among others for years have been visited by the select few that does not mind enduring the long journey there from Colombo or the airport (more than 5 hours). For this reason the Deep South is still undeveloped apart from guest houses and a few hotels, but in recent years a spate of new villas and boutique hotels mostly owned by foreigner and expats as well as the Colombo elite has sprung up in these areas. They offer quiet seclusion to those who seek privacy and exclusivity but want it in comfort and style.
The east coast of Sri Lanka has been inaccessible for the past 30 years due to the ethnic conflict that plagued this country. However with the end of this conflict earlier this year, fabled beaches such as Nilaweli Beach, Pasikudah in Batticalo and Arugam Bay, which despite the war thrived as a hot spot for surfers from around the world, will be back on the tourist maps of the world. The clear turquoise blue waters and white sandy beaches, coral reefs all combine to make this stretch of coast a future hot spot as hotel and resort developments begin to take shape that will rival the Maldives.
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