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Photo of Helga’s Folly

“Basil Fawlty meets Kubla Khan in Helga Blow’s decadent chic home. A red 1930s building surrounded by jungle. Dark muralled rooms full of historical paintings, photographs and antiques. Home cooked food and a well stocked bar. A truly eccentric stay that should be on everyone's 'to visit' list. ”

“Basil Fawlty meets Kubla Khan in Helga Blow’s decadent chic home. A red 1930s building surrounded by jungle. Dark muralled rooms full of historical paintings, photographs and antiques. Home cooked food and a well stocked bar. A truly eccentric stay that should be on everyone's 'to visit' list. ”

Hotel Review

Up the hill from the city’s Golden Temple this 40-room hotel divides travellers between those who love it and stay frequently, and those who can’t take the shock. A red 1930s building surrounded by jungle, it manages to boast the only cold swimming pool in Sri Lanka. Monkeys abound and Helga herself makes an entrance at all times of the day and night. All the rather dark muralled rooms are full of historical paintings , photographs and bizarre antiques. Candles drip wax like stalactites. The mood is 1930s gothic, helped along by jazz and swing music. Love it or loathe it, just don’t miss it: truly eccentric; one of the sights of Kandy.
 

Written by Lincoln Seligman

Recommended For

  • Writing a novel
  • Quirky and fascinating- every inch is covered in paintings, frescoes, sculptures etc reflecting the hotels artistic life.
  • Museums
  • Visit the National Museum in Kandy in a building that once housed concubines and now memrobilia from the pre-colonial days.
  • Sights nearby
  • Visit Sri Lanka's most important Buddhist relic the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic.
  • Wildlife Area
  • Spend a day at the nearby elephant orphanage, a must for any animal lovers.
  • Great walks
  • Wake up early and take a leisurely stroll aound Kandy Lake.
  • Charming
  • Full of character
  • Rooms with balcony/terrace
  • Lively
  • Owner managed
  • Views
  • Free wifi
  • Quirky
  • Historic
  • Restaurant

Facilities

  • Swimming Pool
  • Lovely Outdoor Pool
  • Parking
  • Free parking
  • Outdoor dining
  • Rooms with balcony/terrace
  • Bar
  • Views
  • Free wifi
  • Wifi
  • Air conditioning
  • Suites
  • Sitting Room
  • Garden
  • Restaurant

Activities

  • Museums
  • Visit the National Museum in Kandy in a building that once housed concubines and now memrobilia from the pre-colonial days.
  • Sights nearby
  • Visit Sri Lanka's most important Buddhist relic the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic.
  • Wildlife Area
  • Spend a day at the nearby elephant orphanage, a must for any animal lovers.
  • Great walks
  • Wake up early and take a leisurely stroll aound Kandy Lake.

Map & Location

What's Nearby

Other Reviews

Helga's Folly

"Gandhi stayed here and Paula Yates loved it. A handsome mansion built in the 1930s, run by the eccentric Helga De Silva, the property is now a faded but incredible Alice-in-Wonderland-meets-Hammer-Horror bohemian ghost ride experience."

Originally published by The Telegraph (view article)

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16 rooms from €149 per night

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