Helga’s Folly

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“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.

Lincoln Seligman
Lincoln Seligman Review published: 05/18/2010

Recommended for

  • Museums

    • Visit the National Museum in Kandy, in a building that once housed concubines & now showcases pre-colonial memorabilia

  • Hideaway

    • Quirky & fascinating - a hideaway covered in paintings, frescoes, sculptures etc reflecting the host's life & family

  • Groups

    • A hugely unusual guest house, good for trips with sociable groups of friends

  • Great walks

    • Wake up early and take a leisurely stroll aound the lake in central Kandy

  • Value chic

  • Restaurant

    • Curries, biriyani and other delicoius Sri Lankan dishes are created in part using garden-grown vegetables & spices

  • Sights nearby

    • Visit Sri Lanka's most important Buddhist relic at the Temple of the Sacred Tooth

  • Owner managed

    • Created and run by the iconic Helga, who is a fascinating host

  • Rooms with balcony/terrace

  • Intimate

  • Views

  • Lively

  • Learning

  • Trekking

  • Full of character

  • Local markets

  • Charming

  • Wildlife Area

  • Retro/Vintage

  • Quirky

  • Antiques

  • Historic

  • Boutique

  • Artworks

Facilities

  • Rooms

    16 rooms in this hotel

  • Restaurant

    Curries, biriyani and other delicoius Sri Lankan dishes are created in part using garden-grown vegetables & spices

  • Swimming Pool

    Lovely Outdoor Pool

  • Parking

    Free parking

  • Wifi

  • Views

  • Bar

  • Rooms with balcony/terrace

  • Outdoor dining

  • Air conditioning

  • Suites

  • Sitting Room

  • Garden

Activities

  • Museums

    • Visit the National Museum in Kandy, in a building that once housed concubines & now showcases pre-colonial memorabilia

  • Great walks

    • Wake up early and take a leisurely stroll aound the lake in central Kandy

  • Sights nearby

    • Visit Sri Lanka's most important Buddhist relic at the Temple of the Sacred Tooth

  • Wildlife Area

  • Learning

  • Trekking

  • Local markets

Map & Location

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

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