The Best Hotels to Book in Anuradhapura, Sri Lanka

“Sanctuary” is an apt name for this attractive hotel, housed in a villa-style property surrounded by lush gardens. The building dates to the 19th century and the rooms, with their rich teak floors and (in some) four-poster beds pay homage to that heritage. Excursions to the ancient city of Anuradhapura and Isurumuniya rock temple can be arranged through the hotel.

Welcoming travellers since the 1970s, this hotel is an Anuradhapura institution. Rooms have a classic feel and dark wood furnishings, while the three restaurants include Sweet Crib Lounge, where afternoon tea includes the finest Ceylon blends. Tours are on offer to the ancient sites of Anuradhapura, Sigiriya rock and Mihintale monastery, led by expert anthropologists who will educate and entertain you.

The name says it all: surrounded by verdant forest and set on the shores of a serene, mirror-like lake, this hotel brings together the natural beauty for which Sri Lanka is famous. Rooms feature four-poster beds and terraces looking out over jungle or the water. Yoga sessions are held during the day, before jazz evenings kick things off as the sun goes down.

Rooms at this relaxed hotel have a classic feel, with wooden floors and ceilings, and traditional Sri Lankan artwork adorning the walls. Balconies overlook a garden with a lovely outdoor pool, while the restaurant serves classic Sri Lankan food including hoppers (breakfast rice pancakes). The famous twin ponds of Kuttam Pokuna are a short drive away.

Eco-conscious travellers will love this hotel, which features hardwood flooring in the guest rooms made from local kumbuk trees – some of which you’ll see around the outdoor pool and the gardens. A relaxing spa uses organic botanical ingredients, while the restaurant specialises in succulent seafood. Tours of nearby Wiplattu National Park, home to leopards, elephants and sloth bears, can be arranged.

Committed to environmentalism, green tourism and social initiatives, this hotel offers a stylish stay with a conscience. Rooms are very comfortable, each featuring wall art depicting a different local archaeological site, while much of the delicious food at the restaurant is made using ingredients grown on the hotel’s own farm. A tuk tuk trip to the ancient holy mountain of Mihintale is among the enjoyable excursions on offer.

This lovely whitewashed villa, with sloping tiled roofs and dark wood shutters and furniture, is a supremely relaxing place to lay your head. Rooms have pleasant tiled bathrooms and open onto a colonnaded porch, with communal seating areas and a dining table at which delicious Sri Lankan curries are served. The hotel is half an hour’s walk or a short drive from the ancient sites at Anuradhapura.

A guesthouse in modern Anuradhapura, Mindana Residence features comfortable rooms with a modern, minimalist style. Some have their own kitchenettes, and every one has its own living and dining area. Days start in the best way possible, with a hearty, home-cooked Sri Lankan breakfast: hoppers and roti accompanied by a selection of rich curries.