Where to stay in Sri Lanka?

On Sigiriya Road, a village guesthouse near Lion Rock. For setting off when the site opens, on foot or by tuk-tuk, before the heat and the groups.

In Dambulla, on the Kurunegala road, on the town side rather than the Lion Rock side. For visiting the Dambulla Golden Temple without a long journey and keeping Sigiriya for a morning.

On the Kurunegala-Habarana road, a cluster of villas away from the village. For ending the day in peace, with a car for Sigiriya, Dambulla and the safari.

On Kandalama lake, a hotel built against the rock and covered in greenery. For those who come for the architecture as much as for Sigiriya.

Designed by Geoffrey Bawa in 1994, the building, almost a kilometre long, disappears beneath the plants growing over its façades.

On Inamaluwa-Sigiriya Road, villas set among rice paddies and wetlands. For sleeping near the Rock in a rural landscape, far from the roadside hotels.

The estate was created on abandoned rice paddies, turned into wetlands that are home to lorises.

In Dodamwala, on George E. de Silva Mawatha, 2.2 km from the centre. For a hostel away from the centre, with a tuk-tuk to reach the lake and the Temple of the Tooth.

In Talwatta, on Rajapihilla Mawatha, 600 m from the centre. For a simple guesthouse in the hills, with the lake and the Temple of the Tooth within walking distance.

On P.B.A. Weerakoon Mawatha, on the riverbank, 3.8 km from the centre. For sleeping by the water, away from the traffic of the centre, with a tuk-tuk to the Temple of the Tooth.

On Lady Gordon's Drive, in Uplands, on the heights overlooking Kandy. For those who want a large hotel above the town, with the lake and the market a few minutes away by tuk-tuk.

On Colombo Street, in Bogambara, facing Kandy Lake, right in town. For walking round the lake in the morning and reaching the Temple of the Tooth and the market without transport.

In Newburgh, on Ella-Passara Road. For a simple guesthouse on the edge of the village, with the centre on foot and walks into the tea plantations from the door.

In Pattiyakumbura, on the Ella-Wellawaya road. For a boutique hotel you can walk back to from the village, with trailheads within walking distance.

In Haputale, on Blackwood Road, perched among the tea plantations, away from Ella. For those who prefer the quiet of the hills and come to Ella by car or train for the day.

In Unawatuna, on Yaddehimulla Road, in Rumassala, on the bay side. For small budgets who want the beach on foot and Galle Fort a few minutes away by tuk-tuk or bus.

In Mahamodara, on Dadella, on the ocean just outside Galle. For sleeping facing the sea, outside the ramparts, with a tuk-tuk to reach the fort.

Designed by Geoffrey Bawa, with its staircase decorated with sculptures by Laki Senanayake.

In Kaluwella, on Park Road, with a view of the fort. For a large modern hotel facing the ramparts, when you prefer space to an old house.

In Koggala, on the coast road to Matara, on the side of the stilt fishermen. For a beach stay on the south coast, with Galle Fort and Mirissa by car.