If you are looking for a no-frills, super-casual stay in the Maldives with a touch of local vibes, the South Ari Atoll's Ranveli Village is an ideal spot. All 56 rooms are basic, but comfortable (though buggy) and have either beachfront backyards or balconies with views, stocked minibars, and vanity desks. Since rooms lack TVs and Internet, those not looking to truly unplug may find the analog escapist style here hard to manage, though others will argue that the spa, table games, TV lounge, huge beach, pool, water sports, three bars, and weekly activities suffice just fine.
If you are looking for a no-frills, super-casual stay in the Maldives with a touch of local vibes, the South Ari Atoll's Ranveli Village is an ideal spot. All 56 rooms are basic, but comfortable (though buggy) and have either beachfront backyards or balconies with views, stocked minibars, and vanity desks. Since rooms lack TVs and Internet, those not looking to truly unplug may find the analog escapist style here hard to manage, though others will argue that the spa, table games, TV lounge, huge beach, pool, water sports, three bars, and weekly activities suffice just fine.
Just outside Yala National Park, the 68-room Cinnamon Wild Yala offers a rustic-meets-upscale spot for travelers looking for beach and wildlife views. Unfortunately, the ocean is too rough for swimming, but a swimming pool provides a refreshing spot for a dip and a spa offers a variety of treatments. Animals ranging from elephants and wild boar to monkeys and crocodiles can all be seen on-site at times, plus the hotel can organize safari trips. Stand-alone chalets are outfitted in a local style and have minibars, showers, and furnished terraces with views of either the beach or grounds. A restaurant serves Western and Sri Lankan fare, plus there's a bar with great views of the area. For a less remote property, consider Turtle Bay, an intimate, peaceful boutique, though it's farther from the park.
Just outside Yala National Park, the 68-room Cinnamon Wild Yala offers a rustic-meets-upscale spot for travelers looking for beach and wildlife views. Unfortunately, the ocean is too rough for swimming, but a swimming pool provides a refreshing spot for a dip and a spa offers a variety of treatments. Animals ranging from elephants and wild boar to monkeys and crocodiles can all be seen on-site at times, plus the hotel can organize safari trips. Stand-alone chalets are outfitted in a local style and have minibars, showers, and furnished terraces with views of either the beach or grounds. A restaurant serves Western and Sri Lankan fare, plus there's a bar with great views of the area. For a less remote property, consider Turtle Bay, an intimate, peaceful boutique, though it's farther from the park.
The three-pearl Palm Paradise Cabanas resort is in a secluded location on Goyambokka Beach, a five-minute drive from Tangalle town. The resort has a lush tropical setting and a relaxed atmosphere, and the beach is good for swimming and snorkeling. The 28 rustic cabanas and contemporary villas all come with ceiling fans and furnished terraces. Villas feature air-conditioning, coffeemakers, and free Wi-Fi, all of which the cabanas lack. An outdoor pool with poolside drink service, and a Sri Lankan and Asian restaurant are on-site. Travelers looking for a stay that's more upscale can check out Nuga Eden Villa Tangalle, which has an ocean-facing infinity pool and hot tub.
The three-pearl Palm Paradise Cabanas resort is in a secluded location on Goyambokka Beach, a five-minute drive from Tangalle town. The resort has a lush tropical setting and a relaxed atmosphere, and the beach is good for swimming and snorkeling. The 28 rustic cabanas and contemporary villas all come with ceiling fans and furnished terraces. Villas feature air-conditioning, coffeemakers, and free Wi-Fi, all of which the cabanas lack. An outdoor pool with poolside drink service, and a Sri Lankan and Asian restaurant are on-site. Travelers looking for a stay that's more upscale can check out Nuga Eden Villa Tangalle, which has an ocean-facing infinity pool and hot tub.
The eight-room Elephant Stables is a historic boutique set in a colonial bungalow located a 10-minute drive from the city of Kandy. The house was originally owned by a plantation owner, so the decor of the hotel harkens back to that, with a lotus pond, vintage cars, and retro English travel posters as decoration. The hotel is on a private road up a hillside, allowing for pretty valley views from the outdoor infinity pool. Rooms are light and bright, with four-poster beds, minibars, and sitting areas. An all-day restaurant that has a full bar and food receives rave reviews. For a more affordable stay with similar amenities, try nearby The Secret Kandy.
The eight-room Elephant Stables is a historic boutique set in a colonial bungalow located a 10-minute drive from the city of Kandy. The house was originally owned by a plantation owner, so the decor of the hotel harkens back to that, with a lotus pond, vintage cars, and retro English travel posters as decoration. The hotel is on a private road up a hillside, allowing for pretty valley views from the outdoor infinity pool. Rooms are light and bright, with four-poster beds, minibars, and sitting areas. An all-day restaurant that has a full bar and food receives rave reviews. For a more affordable stay with similar amenities, try nearby The Secret Kandy.
The 121-room Cinnamon Citadel Kandy is an upper-middle-range property located by the Mahaweli River, about a 15-minute drive outside of Kandy. It's a lovely setting, with gardens all around and beautiful river views, plus interiors that blend contemporary and Kandyan details. Rooms offer flat-screen TVs, tea/coffee makers, and stocked minibars, and balconies overlook the gardens or the river. Both restaurants draw praise for their range of offerings, and the open-air bar with frequent live entertainment is popular. There's also a large outdoor pool with an expansive deck for relaxing poolside by the river. Events spaces are suitable for social or business gatherings, and weddings can be held on the lawns. A similar alternative is Amaya Hills, which adds a full-service spa and has similar rates, but is farther from town.
The 121-room Cinnamon Citadel Kandy is an upper-middle-range property located by the Mahaweli River, about a 15-minute drive outside of Kandy. It's a lovely setting, with gardens all around and beautiful river views, plus interiors that blend contemporary and Kandyan details. Rooms offer flat-screen TVs, tea/coffee makers, and stocked minibars, and balconies overlook the gardens or the river. Both restaurants draw praise for their range of offerings, and the open-air bar with frequent live entertainment is popular. There's also a large outdoor pool with an expansive deck for relaxing poolside by the river. Events spaces are suitable for social or business gatherings, and weddings can be held on the lawns. A similar alternative is Amaya Hills, which adds a full-service spa and has similar rates, but is farther from town.
The upper-middle-range, 60-room Earl’s Regent Hotel has a secluded setting a 12-minute drive from the center of Kandy, amid greenery and offering lush mountain views from several vantage points. Quality amenities include a swimming pool, two restaurants, and lovely spa, plus an air-conditioned gym. Rooms have pleasant and simple decor, either in a contemporary or colonial-inspired style. Flat-screen TVs, tea- and coffee-making facilities, free Wi-Fi, and minibars come standard, but only higher-category rooms have furnished balconies. There are signs of wear and tear, plus some rooms have uninspiring views or noise issues. It's worth considering the similarly named Earl’s Regency, as all rooms have stellar views.
The upper-middle-range, 60-room Earl’s Regent Hotel has a secluded setting a 12-minute drive from the center of Kandy, amid greenery and offering lush mountain views from several vantage points. Quality amenities include a swimming pool, two restaurants, and lovely spa, plus an air-conditioned gym. Rooms have pleasant and simple decor, either in a contemporary or colonial-inspired style. Flat-screen TVs, tea- and coffee-making facilities, free Wi-Fi, and minibars come standard, but only higher-category rooms have furnished balconies. There are signs of wear and tear, plus some rooms have uninspiring views or noise issues. It's worth considering the similarly named Earl’s Regency, as all rooms have stellar views.
Part of the stylish OZO brand, this upper-middle-range hotel is located on a hillside with stunning vistas, and a 15-minute walk from the heart of Kandy. The 122 rooms are smart and modern, featuring 40-inch LCD TVs with cable channels, tea- and coffee-making facilities, and minibars, plus some have balconies. An all-day restaurant serves Sri Lankan and international cuisine, but good gets average reviews. The highlight here is the rooftop area with a trendy bar and pool set against the magnificent views of the hotel's verdant surroundings. While there is a well-equipped gym, there's no spa. Also note that some guests have complained of noise from adjacent rooms and the rooftop bar. Travelers looking for a property with more local charm and well-reviewed dining could check out Cinnamon Citadel Kandy located by the Mahaweli River.
Part of the stylish OZO brand, this upper-middle-range hotel is located on a hillside with stunning vistas, and a 15-minute walk from the heart of Kandy. The 122 rooms are smart and modern, featuring 40-inch LCD TVs with cable channels, tea- and coffee-making facilities, and minibars, plus some have balconies. An all-day restaurant serves Sri Lankan and international cuisine, but good gets average reviews. The highlight here is the rooftop area with a trendy bar and pool set against the magnificent views of the hotel's verdant surroundings. While there is a well-equipped gym, there's no spa. Also note that some guests have complained of noise from adjacent rooms and the rooftop bar. Travelers looking for a property with more local charm and well-reviewed dining could check out Cinnamon Citadel Kandy located by the Mahaweli River.
