Riff Hikkaduwa

Great place for sunset drinks on the rooftop!

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

RIFF was, without a doubt, the best hotel of my entire Sri Lanka trip.

Having stayed in several hotels across the country, RIFF stood out in every possible way. The service was exceptional and genuinely comparable to that of a luxury 5-star hotel — something that is unfortunately quite rare to find in Sri Lanka. Every member of the team was attentive, professional, and truly cared about creating a memorable guest experience.

The food was another highlight. Unlike many places that simply imitate international cuisine, RIFF delivers dishes that are genuinely delicious and thoughtfully prepared. The à la carte breakfast was outstanding, with an impressive variety of options, all beautifully presented and incredibly tasty. Every breakfast felt like a treat rather than just another hotel meal.

The hotel itself is beautiful, peaceful, and perfectly designed for a relaxing getaway. Everything from the rooms to the facilities reflected great attention to detail.

Overall, I had an incredibly pleasant stay and left wishing I had spent more time here. In fact, RIFF is the one place that would make me want to come back to Sri Lanka again. Thank you to the entire team for such a wonderful experience.

If you are looking for a peaceful hotel within walking distance of great places to eat, look no further. The Riff gave us a great first experience in Sri Lanka. The hotel was immaculate and welcoming. The staff were amazing and friendly and made every guest feel very special. This boutique hotel is sat right on the beach with an infinity pool looking out over the ocean. The breakfast was good with a nice variety and the roof top bar offered great cocktails. Rooms are as you see in the photos and as all rooms face the sea you should expect the ocean waves as background noise. If I had one recommendation it would be to upgrade the sunbeds on the beach, but that is a minor thing!! Well done to the owner, not only for the property but also for the team that you have put in place. We will be back again.

The Riff was absolutely incredible! I honestly couldn’t recommend this place more. If you’re considering staying anywhere in Hikkaduwa, it has to be here.

The rooms were beautiful and spotless. But what truly made our stay unforgettable was the staff. They were the kindest, most genuine people, always smiling, always happy, they really are the heart of this place. Their energy completely made the experience.

The resort is even better than it looks in the photos. We feel so lucky to have found it. I went back and forth between so many places along this stretch of beach because they all looked beautiful online, and I honestly couldn’t decide where to stay.

But after multiple walks up and down the beach, it became so clear that Riff was miles above the rest. We visited at the end of May 2026, and were actually quite surprised by how run down many of the other places looked during low season.

Meanwhile, Riff was buzzing. It stood out instantly. Lively, well-maintained, and full of great energy. It was by far the best hotel we saw, not just on this beach, but throughout our entire stay in Sri Lanka.

The breakfast was exceptional. Authentic Sri Lankan food with a western flare. Both Sri Lankan and western food were delicious.
The staff were extremely friendly and helpful.
Rooms were very clean.

Everything was perfect! The staff were fantastic, and especially Benisha was absolutely lovely and made our stay unique. One of the best hotels we have ever stayed in!

Everything was perfect about this hotel. Their customer service was 10/10! All the staff was very kind and accommodating. Food was superb!
They went out of the way to provide a small cake for my husband’s birthday.

The location is excellent, with a beautiful beach and a fantastic pool area that is so well looked after by the team. The whole hotel is clean, comfortable and done out aesthetically- it looks exactly like it does in the marketing.
The food was also excellent, and the Japanese restaurant upstairs was absolutely delicious.
What really makes the hotel special, though, is the staff. Everyone was so friendly, attentive and welcoming. They work incredibly hard and it really shows. A special thank you to Raymond and Benisha for their hospitality and for making us feel so well looked after throughout our stay.
It was also great to speak with the owner, Gamini. He was so warm and genuinely cared, and that personal touch helps create such a family feel around the hotel.
This was exactly the reset we needed. I would highly recommend Riff Hikkaduwa and we cannot wait to visit again in the near future.

Wow, exceptional boutique hotel, excellent beachfront, very good infinity pool, rooms are very clean, quiet, and modern (TV screen has an issue), dinner was very good, and breakfast was good. The Japanese restaurant is amazing and, above all, has very friendly staff. The one-day trip to the tea plantation was great, and the hotel driver is very pro and friendly. The hotel management is always present and overlooking this amazing boutique hotel; it makes you feel at home.

The open air areas, the views, the pool, direct access to the beach! The customer service was exceptional. The lovely groundsman was a joyful energy to be around.

Exceptional experience. Gorgeous property and rooms, elegant & sustainable decor, scrumptious food, a to-die-for view, beach steps away and the most welcoming and warm hospitality and service. I hope I can come back again soon.

Sehr schönes Hotel mit traumhafter Lage!

Die Unterkunft sieht aus, wie auf den Bildern. Wir haben das Hotel geliebt, dass Personal ist sehr hilfsbereit und vorallem Kinderfreundlich.
Wir hatten immer einen Platz zum Liegen, am Pool und Strand. Der Strand ist sauber und weitläufig. Wir waren Ende April dort, es war sehr ruhig und hatte weniger Gäste. Aufgrund der Nebensaison.
Das Sushi Restaurant auf dem Dach ist fantastisch;) beste Sushi gewesen!!!!!!!!
Beim frühstück hatte man eine grosse, gute Auswahl. Da essen war etwas fad, dass war allerdings überall in srilanka so, wo es Western essen gab.

The food, cleanliness and the staff are exceptional.

Location was great!. Beenu was amazing and sorted everything out for us in a timely and efficient manner! All staff were very polite.

The Views, Beach, the staff

I was upgraded to the Junior suite, the view from the room was breathtaking! The staff were beyond accomodating, especially with allowing me to relax in a private room before my evening flight.