We arrive in Colombo late night and will stay there for 2 days to recover from jetlag. We plan to laze around, check out any sites and relax for 2 days before taking off on the rest of our trip. I'm looking at where hotels are and they seem spread out. Does anyone have recommendations of what area to stay in? We don't care about staying on the beach. A view of the water is nice, but not critical.Thanks

Hello! I stayed at Weligama and think it is a very nice place to be settled cause from here you have buses that can take you either west or east for very cheap prices, or you can take a tuk tuk. Plus you have a lot of dining options and surf spots. Also beautiful beach and amazing sunsets I stayed at MY Hostels Weligama and totally recommend it. Very well located, clean, rooms are spacious and beautiful views. You can find them on booking. Moreover, if you want to visit other places in the country such as Ella, Kandy, etc it is also a very good starting point. In the reception they can help on which buses and trains to take there! Safe travels and enjoy beautiful Sri Lanka

I, too, stayed at Galle Face in Colombo. However, I spent my first couple of nights in Sri Lanka in Negombo. My hotel was OK, but I don't know that I would necessarily recommend it.

https://mytimetotravel.wordpress.com...bo-going-deaf/

[QUOTE=thursdaysd;17017506]I, too, stayed at Galle Face in Colombo.
Thanks for the rec. I had looked at your log when I began planning our trip. It's helpful.
TP -- 2 for Galle Face. I'll have a look.

MargaridaSousa94 -- thanks for your suggestion. I think we want to stay closer in.

Was this a hotel type or more like an apt? I think we've decided for our couple nights in Colombo to stay in a hotel. So if it like that, I'd love to have the info.

If you are arriving late at night then it may be better to stay that night in Negombo as it will take an hour or so to get to Colombo. In Negombo we stayed at one of the Jetwing hotels, a Sri Lankan chain which are pretty good. They have hotels in Colombo too, I’m sure. Otherwise, another vote fro Galle Face. Nice location and frequented by the rich and famous from Gandhi to the British Royal Family to Noël Coward and Richard Nixon.

Since this will be our first shortstop after a long flight so I think we want a hotel. Thanks for the info.

Galadari , Shangri-La, Galle Face, Taj Samudra, Cinnamon Grand are great hotels to wear off jet lag and start afresh in Srilanka

thanks, Galadari is new to me. I’ll check it out.

I 've stayed in Galadari 5 years ago, loved it. The food too was very good, the breakfast buffet was a great spread. Well appointed room , I remember was with a partial view of the ocean.The swimming pool had a spectacular view of the Indian Ocean.
Check for latest reviews before you take a call. Happy travels.

There re a lot of hotels in Colombo.

For a 2 night stay in a central location hopping around the city, restaurants, malls, shops etc suggest you look at Colombo Courtyard - a boutique hotel which is offering some great rates presently, also look at Cinnamon Red and Jetwing Colombo 7, oh and Zylan Villa is another nice small boutique hotel..... all nicely located.

We were there in January and we had a great stay at the Shangri LA.