Most of the best hotels in north-central Sri Lanka are concentrated within a 30 km radius of the Sigiriya. These hotels are well placed for visiting Sigiriya, Pidurangala, Minneriya, Dambulla, Anuradhapura and Polonnaruwa.
Related Article: Sigiriya — Attractions, Things To Do, Hotels, History
Designed by the famous Sri Lankan architect Geoffrey Bawa, this is one of the most iconic hotels in Sri Lanka. Built into the side of a massive cave and covered in creepers and vines the hotel is intended to blend into its surroundings and be one with nature. This gives it a somewhat surreal appearance. In keeping with its theme you will encounter bats fluttering about randomly & monkeys observing you though your room windows with world-wary indifference.
Rooms are large, air conditioned and well furnished. The Sigiriya wing offers the best views of Sigiriya Rock in the distance. The buffet meals are sumptuous. The decor and ambiance is quite unique. The infinity swimming pool overlooking the lake is lovely. Be alert to the monkeys. They will steal anything they can get their little hands on.
The hotel is clean and professionally managed. The staff is well trained, courteous and helpful. The hotel is about 30 minutes from Sigiriya. But this is compensated by the fact that it has a beautiful outlook over a lake. Large tours use this hotel and the foyer can get a bit busy.
This upmarket eco-resort brings you close to nature while pampering you with all the creature comforts of a 5 star hotel. The ambiance is superb and relaxed.
Set amidst a serene lake, the cabanas (called Dwellings) are very large, furnished tastefully and stand on stilts with their individual deck and outdoor dining area. There are three types of dwellings Forest, Marsh and Paddy. The "Paddy Dwellings" even have their own private plunge pool. They all have a rustic look about them with wooden floors complimented by high quality furnishings. Some are outfitted with your own private open air bathroom facilities so be prepared for a visit by an inquisitive squirrel, a displaced frog or a curious gecko. There is lots of wildlife around the property, especially peacocks. The hotel has its own resident Naturalist to explain the habitat with abundant birds and wildlife.
The dwelling are scattered throughout the property. For those not keen to walk, a golf buggy service is available. The Dwellings are extremely spacious, air conditioned and tastefully furnished. All have balconies. The four course dinner is excellent and served with impeccable finesse. Located 10 minutes from Sigiriya in its own lake habitat.
Hotel Sigiriya hotel is ideally located just a few minutes from the Sigiriya Rock Fortress. It provides a breathtaking close-up vista of the Sigiriya Rock from the hotel. What better way to enjoy breakfast or dinner on a moonlit night than gazing up at the magnificent rock almost at your doorstep. The hotel cabanas dotted throughout the compound are large and comfortable, the staff helpful and courteous and the food excellent. The Ayurvedic massage at the end of a grueling day was very relaxing.
The hotel is clean and well managed. The staff are friendly and helpful. Rooms are large, air conditioned and well furnished. The meals and selection available are good. Both Western and Sri Lankan food is served. The hotel is only a few minutes from Sigiriya.
Room Tip: The cabanas can be a fair walk from the restaurant and reception and a bit hard to navigate at night.
This resort hotel has only recently opened and has yet to establish a reputation for itself. The facilities are superb and the food is excellent. The infinity pool with Sigiriya and Pidurangala rocks in the distance is lovely. The outdoor chess set is cute. It has some unusual "tent" rooms. These are large tents under a protective over-roof. Inside the tent are all the mod-cons one would expect in a regular hotel room. The main building is impressive with a large staircase leading up to the reception area and main facilities of the hotel. As you walk up the stairs Sigiriya Rock begins to loam magnificently in the distance.
The view of Sigiriya and general high quality of the hotel makes it worthy of consideration. The hotel is clean and well managed. The staff are enthusiastic and helpful. The elephant theme may be slightly overdone.
Rooms are large, air conditioned and well furnished. The meals are excellent and the selection extensive. Both Western and Sri Lankan food is served. The hotel is about 20 minutes from Sigiriya. The near perfect view is ruined by overhead power transmission cables.
Set in a lush tropical parkland with a small lake and native flora and fauna the property is peaceful. The staff are friendly and food and service excellent. Being a cabana style hotel the rooms are located a slight walk from reception and other facilities. I made a special request for a cake to celebrate a special occasion and they produced one of the most delicious cakes I had ever eaten. Unfortunately we couldn't finish it all.
Rooms are large air conditioned and adequately furnished. The meals are excellent and the selection good . Both Western and Sri Lankan food is served. The hotel is located at Habarana which is a 30 minute (12 km) drive from Sigiriya. It makes up for the distance by its tranquil surrounding and excellent value for money.
Back of Beyond Pidurangala is Set in in a little forest just 2 km north of Sigiriya in a semi-forested and secluded property very close to Pidurangala Temple. It is eco-friendly hide-away with some interesting architecture. There are six rooms in semi-detached cabanas located on the premises. The rooms are large and sparsely furnished. The semi-outdoor private courtyard bathrooms are fun. You can be one with nature as you shower. Yes there is hot water. The staff are extremely friendly and obliging. The cuisine is Sri Lankan. There is no swimming pool or air-conditioning.
This is not a five-star hotel. It is an Eco-resort. It is an experience worth having. There are minimal facilities. It has an open-air dining area and a reading room up in a loft. The hotel is clean. The staff are friendly and keen to please.
Only Sri Lankan food but there is a quaint touch to it in that they will ask you what you would like to eat and cook accordingly.
Back of Beyond Dehigaha Ela is an eco-resort in touch with nature. Located 6 kms (30-45 minutes) from Sigiriya the setting is surreal; being amongst lush forest with a babbling stream close by. Sleep in a tree-house. Venture into your bathroom downstairs which is an enclosed open courtyard with trees and plants and exposed to the elements (i.e. no roof). Listen to nature, Looks at the trees, watch the birds and insects, and thrill at the fre quent frogs that will visit you in your bathroom. At night elephants and other wild animals roam through the compound. (You will see countless footprints of elephants around the property). There is no swimming pool but there is a lovely stream nearby if you are adventurous. The road to this resort is unpaved and rutted and somewhat challenging. Elephants roam the roads during the night, so make sure you get there before dark. (While we were there some hotel staff rushed into town to get additional supplies. They returned rather shaken. Their little three-wheeler (tuk-tuk) had been chased by elephants when they foolhardily returned after dark. But this all adds to the excitement and fun of the place).
You are nestled amongst the trees with wild animals roaming through the property at night. Rooms are large and well furnished. There is hot water and mosquito nets but no air-conditioning. The hotel is clean. The food is Sri Lankan and tasty. The staff less polished than those of a 5 star establishment but make up for it with their keenness to please. The drive to the hotel in on unpaved road. The journey, however, is an adventure, past spiky elephant proof fences.
