Sri Lanka, a beautiful island located off the coast of India, has long captivated the imagination of travellers. Thick mashed potato sands on its southern coast give way to landscapes carpeted in tea plantations and jungle, and its towns and cities are steeped in culture and colourful history – the Portuguese, Dutch and British colonised the island itself. Bigger names like Aman, Resplendent Ceylon, Anantara and Cinnamon have dominated the hotel scene for decades, but recent times have seen a flurry of indepednantly owned boutique hotels open – largely by expats, and with just a handful of rooms. Here are the best new boutique hotels in Sri Lanka to check into now.

The Find

Set along Ahangama’s coastal road near Kabalana, this adults-only pink retreat is the passion project of Australian expat Myles Pritchard. A grand mural painted on the villa’s exterior makes the hotel easy to spot, hinting at the creativity inside. Opened this year, the oceanfront villa features nine colorful, individually styled rooms spread across four floors, each designed by Pritchard with a flair for the unconventional. In-room details have been carefully thought out: guests can borrow an oversized straw sunhat, but won’t find shampoo or conditioner, because Pritchard believes “women travel with their own supplies.” (so make sure to pack some if you’re coming).

Most rooms offer sea views and balconies, with vibrant details like yellow door frames, fresh flowers, and local incense. Bathrooms stand out for their curved walls coated in the same rich pink as the building’s exterior—a nod to the terracotta pieces sourced from the area and placed throughout the property. Wooden furnishings, made on-site, complement the Sri Lankan bed linens. At the rear, a design-forward pool area—with a geometric pink staircase, surfboards, and sun loungers—opens to the Indian Ocean, a surfer’s haven.While a restaurant is slated to open later this year, the bar, reserved exclusively for guests, already offers icy Lion beers, fresh watermelon juice and punchy margaritas. And with an all-day breakfast menu that includes tomato and feta salads, radiant fruit platters, and banana-coconut pancakes, there’s no rush to start your morning.

Ahangama; thefindhotel.com

Palm Hotel

Just a 10-minute tuk-tuk ride from the lively southern coast, this serene hideaway offers a stylish retreat set slightly inland. Opened in 2020 by East London duo Laurie Spencer and Miriam Haniffa, the hotel blends eco-conscious values with a bold architectural identity—drawing on the industrial elegance of London warehouse conversions and the tropical modernism of Geoffrey Bawa’s Lunuganga estate. At its heart lies a 14-metre shimmering pool framed by a soft pink wall, around which the property gracefully unfolds. Six angular, A-frame cabanas—sleek and glass-fronted in striking liquorice black—house the guest rooms, while a four-bedroom villa and two deluxe suites offer expanded accommodations.

Surrounding the pool are the hotel’s social spaces: a breezy restaurant and bar, a boutique, and relaxed lounging areas. A wander through the surrounding coconut grove leads to a yoga studio, a fitness suite, and a scattering of hammocks for those seeking quiet moments beneath the palms. Inside, clean monochrome interiors contrast beautifully with the lush tropical setting, reinforcing the hotel’s harmonious balance between nature and design.

Ahangama; palmhotelsrilanka.com

Harding Boutique Hotel

Tucked among swaying coconut palms, Harding presents six sleek suites clad spread across three level in polished concrete and slatted hardwood, all angled to capture sweeping views of the Indian Ocean. Since opening in 2021, this refined retreat has stood out in Ahangama for trading in the typical barefoot boho aesthetic in favor of a crisp, contemporary style. This is the hotel for lovers of tropical modernism, a style pioneered by Sri Lanka’s own Geoffrey Bawa.

The suites feel light and expansive, thanks to their whitewashed walls, large windows, and open layouts. Ocean-facing rooms feature polished concrete soaking tubs and indoor-outdoor bathrooms, while all include open partitions that offer fleeting glimpses of the vivid greenery outside. Crowning the property is Mr M, the rooftop bar and restaurant, where evenings begin with expertly shaken espresso martinis from 5pm. The menu spans continents—think Sri Lankan rice and curry with all the classic trimmings, Thai prawn dumplings, and a comforting plate of spaghetti aglio e olio.

Ahangama; hardingboutiquehotels.com

Casa Tikiri

Slip behind a pink gate, away from the salt-slicked buzz of Ahangama’s coast, and you’ll find Casa Tikiri—a quietly joyful, adults-only stay made for slow days in the sun. Built gradually and with care by Alice and Stefano Brusadelli, this seven-room guesthouse wraps around a coconut-shaded pool, where red loungers and thatched parasols catch the afternoon light just so.

Each room is named after a Sinhalese number and carries its own character—Eka, with its mint-green walls and gauzy blush-pink canopy, feels especially dreamy; Hatha’s open-air bathroom, edged in jungle, offers the kind of morning shower that comes with birdsong and the occasional peacock call. Across the board, rooms are layered with vintage finds, natural textures, and bold, joyful colour. Mornings begin with strong Italian coffee, fresh juice, and something nourishing—maybe a mango and banana smoothie bowl, maybe avocado toast, maybe something local and spiced. In the evening, the restaurant (open to all) leans into both Sri Lankan flavour and Italian heritage: fragrant rice and curry, a chicken curry bagel, perfect pasta. And when you’re ready to dip a toe in the sea, Kabalana beach is just 300 metres—or 510 steps—away.

Trebartha East The Roundhouse

Sitting atop a cinnamon-planted hill, just a short tuk-tuk inland from Sri Lanka’s southern coastline, this four-room retreat stands like a quiet fort in the landscape. Its circular form—made up of four interlinked pavilions—has been crafted almost entirely from native timbers: jackfruit, hora, teak, and kumbak. The result is a space that feels at once industrial and organic, where the clean geometry of design is warmed by wood, curated antiques, contemporary sculptures, and vivid portraits by Sri Lankan artists. From here, the view rolls out uninterrupted across rice paddies and dense jungle canopy.

Set within a five-hectare working plantation, the pace here is unhurried. Fold-open windows let the birdsong in with the morning light. Time stretches easily by the jade-green pool, where cattle egrets coast low over the treetops. As evening settles in, guests can choose from an à la carte menu that includes dishes like coconut lime prawns or yellowfin tuna with a sesame crust. This isn’t surf-chic—it’s something quieter and more immersive, where the wilderness leads and the rest simply follows.

Ahangama; trebartha-east.com

Kurulu Bay

Follow the stepping-stone paths through lush blooms and watchful toque macaques, and you’ll eventually arrive at Kurulu Bay—your bed for the night tucked into a jungle-wrapped estate beside Koggala Lake, one of the largest in Sri Lanka. The atmosphere here leans wild and unfiltered, a step away from the polish of the coast. Yet within the 14 suites, calm prevails—each space pared-back and minimal, offering a quiet counterpoint to nature’s rhythm outside.

Guests can choose from a range of stays: the 1960s-era Kurulu House, a villa that channels the spirit of Geoffrey Bawa’s tropical modernism; four understated garden suites; three light-filled one-bedroom cottages; and a two-bedroom villa complete with a private pool. For something more elevated—literally—there are four treetop hideaways nestled in the canopy, offering panoramic lake views and a front-row seat to the birds and monkeys moving through the branches. Even those not staying overnight are welcome. The spa specialises in Ayurvedic treatments and grants access to the pool, while the restaurant serves a menu that walks the line between comfort and health. Think butter-poached prawns on brioche with aioli and buffalo curd, Turkish eggs, and citrus-brightened red snapper sashimi—a lineup as fresh and layered as the landscape itself.

Ahangama; kurulubay.com

Mihira

Opened in 2025, and one of the newest boutique hotels in Sri Lanka, Mihira is the baby of co-owners Cecilia Chiolerio and Sophie Gil. The secluded retreat is set away from the coast, offering a different perspective, so the view is all lush paddy fields and dense jungle. The villa features three beautifully designed bedrooms, each opening through bifold doors to reveal richly planted gardens and the soothing sounds of birdsong. Inside, it’s all light, bright and soft nude hues – putting the lush green of the jungle at the focus of hte experience. Design highlights include curving bed pedestals, and dark wood accents, and outdoor bathrooms are shaded by swaying palm fronds.

Stepping out of your room, you’ll find a bright, fully equipped kitchen and dining area, gardens with fruit and palm trees, and a small, elegantly designed plunge pool. For your morning coffee, Black Honey Café is nearby, and a 10-minute bike or tuk-tuk ride takes you into town for local cuisine, surfing, or socializing. Mihira offers a harmonious blend of tranquility and accessibility, making it a perfect spot for those looking to immerse themselves in Sri Lanka’s natural beauty while enjoying modern comforts.

Ahangama; @mihirasrilanka

Coming soon: The Sa House

Just a 20-minute drive from both Galle and Ahangama is perhaps the most exciting new boutique hotel in Sri Lanka: The Sa House. Set to open later this year, the three-bedroom villa will feel like staying in a wealthy and generous friend’s private home, one who has the most caring staff and wants to show you the trip of a lifetime: think 24/7 security, complimentary laundry and cosy movie nights from a roaming projector. Interiors will be modern and elegant, with lots of white and black accent touches, with local touches like rattan lamp shades. A 17 metre saltwater pool will overlook serene paddy fields and thick Sri Lankan greenery. A private chef will also be on hand to cook up authentic Sri Lankan cuisine and favourites upon request – all served to you in the comfort of your own villa.

Talpe; @thesahouse

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