Helga's Folly 'ANTI Hotel' RESIDENCE

Very awesome 7/6. My family and I had the best time at this anti-hotel. It’s magical and whimsical, super special place with loads to see and experience. Service was excellent. This is certainly not a place for everyone, if you are looking for a unique experience, give it a try. It could use a proper cleaning and upgrade to some areas. That said, we loved our time here.

We stopped by here for dinner and it was such a wonderful and quirky experience. Everything about this place is unique and fun….as Madam Helga says. ‘What’s life without a little whimsy’? Definitely visit if you are in Kandy….you will probably want to stay as I did. Will definitely be back! And did I mention the food?? Best coconut soup and Raj fish cakes!

Helga's Folly is not just a restaurant; it's an experience✨😘. This eclectic, art-filled hotel offers a unique dining atmosphere with a menu that combines traditional Sri Lankan flavors with international influences. The vibrant decor and live jazz music add to the charm, making it an unforgettable spot for both art lovers and food enthusiasts. Must-Try Dishes: - Signature Crab Curry 🦀🍛 – A flavorful, aromatic curry made with fresh crab, a true Sri Lankan delicacy. - Delectable Vegetarian Platters 🥗🍽 – A colorful assortment of vegetarian dishes, offering a delightful mix of flavors. - Mouth-Watering Desserts 🍰🍮 – Indulge in their tempting desserts that are as beautiful as they are delicious. Insider Tips: - For Art Lovers 🎨: Perfect for those who appreciate art, with its vibrant and artistic decor throughout the hotel. - Reservations Recommended 📅: Be sure to book in advance, especially for dinner, as it’s a popular spot. - Explore the Art 🖼: Take the time to explore the hotel’s unique art collection before or after your meal. Helga’s Folly offers an unforgettable dining experience in an artistic and lively setting, perfect for anyone looking for something extraordinary in Kandy. #HelgasFolly #ArtAndFood #SriLankanCuisine #DiningExperience #KandyDining

Not recommended, very run down, way too expensive for what you get. Downstairs really nice just to have a drink, and the staff is very friendly and helpfull. However, the rooms may have been funky 30 years ago, but are dirty dust smelly, windows can’t be opened because of the monkeys, old bedsheets and old towels etc. The rooms really need a renovation!

we got the Day Package to spend the day at Helga's and this includes welcome drink, use of pool, garden and all the spectacular public rooms, and a delicious lunch. then we watched the film, Elephant Walk, in the cinema with a pot of tea before a final dip in the pool. it was a beautiful day - Helga's place is incredibly special, full of life, love, art and whimsy. i spent lots of time wandering around taking in the epic story of this wonderful home which covers every inch of space. there is nothing else like it in the world. thank you so much to Helga and your lovely team.

I had heard of Helga’s Folly and had been totally fascinated by its owner as well as the history of this quirky hotel, so when a friend invited me to join him there for dinner, I literally shrieked with delight!||I was most fortunate to have Folly’s kind and helpful Manager, Pradeep grant me a private tour despite his busy work schedule. ||Oh my goodness, what a truly magical night it was! Do try to visit this place in the night because that’s when the atmospheric magic happens when the lights and candles illuminate the hotel's brilliance. Every bit of the hotel sings with gorgeous whimsical art, eclectic antiques and curios.||Helga is the most gracious and generous host, regaling us with wonderful stories about her family, historical anecdotes and how the hotel evolved. We dined on a specially created menu: a perfect entrée of homemade dinner rolls with butter and a yummy spicy coconut soup served in handcrafted coconut bowls, aromatic chicken lamprais wrapped in banana leaf, made expressly for us, keeping in mind my friend’s dietary inclinations and finishing on a high note of delectable chocolate pudding. I marvelled at the attention to detail at the dinner table: the spectacular table décor, the unusual wine goblets and cutlery, all bathed in glowing candlelight creating a rich unforgettable ambience.||These photos don’t do justice to the magnificence and whimsy of Helga’s creative vision. I can’t wait to recreate this awesome experience!

This place was the highlight of our visit to Kandy. It's a huge, old, labarynthyne building with corridors and secret nooks and crannies like something out of a Famous Five story. It's full of memorabilia from the halcycon days of it's past. When we arrived we were greeted by friendly, smiling staff and offered refreshing glasses of ginger beer. Our rooms were individually decorated and themed. Huge four poster double beds and furniture from a forgotten era. Dinner was delicious, served in a huge dining room with antique silverware and crockery. This place has been lovingly looked after by its staff and the owner who is well into her eighties. If you like unusual and quirky, don't miss visiting this place.

My husband and I booked a room at Helga’s and during our stay I regretted it. I regretted it because we were only there for one night. In my years of traveling, I have never ever been in a hotel like this, but I guess that is the reason why they firmly state they are an anti-hotel. ||Every part of Helga’s had something interesting to see. From family photos and artifacts to quirky antiques and art, it can be a bit of a sensory overload and that’s the beauty of it.||So the WiFi was not that great and there weren’t a lot of electrical outlets in our room, but that is what I thought was so lovely about it. It felt like the sort of place where I could just tune out the noise of the world and escape.||For the basics: the staff are super professional and helpful, the rooms are clean and tidy, and they are a close walk to the Kandy Lake - which is great for an evening stroll.||I would have liked to stay longer and found a spot in the house to read a book or write during the day and then a few nights of cocktails outdoors in the garden or watch a movie in their cinema room, so I know we will definitely return when we come back to visit Kandy and certainly for more than one night. ||If you want a hotel with fancy soaps and toiletries, super fast internet, and big screen TVs with room service, this is not for you. BUT - if you want to get away from the noise and relax, do something creative or just be in a fascinating environment like you’ve never been in, then this is definitely for you.