A luxury beach holiday in Negombo can be as relaxed or busy as you like. You get ocean views, local food, historic landmarks and wetlands to explore, not to mention plenty of time to just relax. 

  1. Wake Up to a Stunning Ocean View: Waking up beside the ocean is one of the best parts of a beach holiday. You can check the weather, watch the waves and start the morning slowly, preferably with a coffee in hand. When booking, check the exact view included with your room. A hotel may be near the beach, but that does not mean every room looks out over the water. A private balcony is a nice add-on too. It gives you somewhere to sit outside without having to head down to the pool or beach whenever you want some fresh air.

  2. Stay at Sentido Heritance Negombo: Stay at the right hotel, and you’ll get all the ocean views you want. This raises the question: what are the best luxury beachfront hotels in Negombo? Look for somewhere with ocean-facing rooms, a beachfront location and enough dining and leisure options to keep those slower days interesting. Sentido Heritance Negombo brings all of that together in one place. Its 139 rooms and suites are ocean-facing, with choices ranging from Deluxe Rooms to the much larger Presidential Suite. There are also Junior Suites if you want more room to spread out without going for the biggest option. Since the hotel is right on the beachfront, getting to the sand does not become a whole expedition. You can go for an early walk, spend a few hours by the tropical pool or head outside to catch the sunset.

  3. Settle In for a Meal by the Sea: Good food makes a beach holiday better, especially when it comes with a view. You may want to eat around town on some days, but having several choices at the hotel is handy when you do not fancy going far. Bluetan at Sentido Heritance Negombo offers indoor and alfresco dining, so you can sit outside when the ocean breeze is behaving itself. See Lounge pairs panoramic sea views with food and wine, while B-Bums gives you another laid-back spot to try. There’s also The Banyan, which brings together Iguana Cantina, Swiss Bakery and Rouge Bar & Lounge.

  4. See Another Side of Negombo: Eventually, you may feel like leaving the sunbed. Negombo has plenty to see beyond the beach, from old landmarks to lively local markets. Take a walk beside the Dutch Canal or stop by St Mary’s Church, one of the city’s best-known religious landmarks. You can also visit the remains of the Dutch Fort and explore the surrounding streets at your own pace. For something a little greener, head to the Muthurajawela Wetlands south of Negombo. Boat trips through the marshland offer a chance to spot birds and other wildlife. It’s a good change of scene when you’ve had enough sand for one day.

  5. Slow Down with a Spa Treatment: Not every part of the holiday needs to involve sightseeing. Sentido Heritance Negombo has an on-site spa where you can book a treatment after a day outside. Or keep things even simpler. Sleep in, have a late breakfast and spend the afternoon by the pool. Read a few pages of a book. Have a nap. Decide what you’re doing for dinner later. It is your holiday, after all.

  6. Enjoy an Easy Start or Finish: Negombo is a short drive from Bandaranaike International Airport, making it a convenient stop at the beginning or end of a Sri Lankan trip. You can reach the beach without sitting through another long journey after landing. A luxury holiday here does not need much fuss. Find a comfortable beachfront hotel, make time for the food and local sights, and leave a little room in the schedule for doing nothing at all.