HELGASFOLLY Anti Hotel Residence, known to its regulars as Helga's Folly, is a large red building on the hillside above Kandy, slightly overlooking the Temple of the Tooth Relic and Kandy Lake. The centre of the old royal city is about a ten-minute walk away, and Kandy Railway Station is 1.6 km from the house, with the central bus stand also within easy reach.
The house is about 114 km by road from Bandaranaike International Airport at Katunayake, a drive of 2.5 to 3 hours depending on traffic and the weather, and Kandy is also served by trains from Colombo, with the station 1.6 km away. Book the Colombo (CMB) Airport transfer to HELGASFOLLY Anti Hotel Residence.
Every guestroom is different and tells its own story, and some have been decorated to the taste of a few of the house's regular guests. All have fans as well as air-conditioning, attached bathrooms and French doors opening onto balconies where you can sit out in the cool Kandy air. Most rooms are furnished with antiques, with four-poster beds or even beds topped with golden crowns.
The owner has decorated the whole property in a fanciful, tropical theme, with antiques, paintings, newspaper clippings, photographs and exuberant colour throughout, and it is valued by guests as a private home for a quiet stay in the hills. There is a swimming pool surrounded by jungle, a private cinema where you can watch films of your choice with drinks and bites, and gardens of jasmine and frangipani with flowers, herbs, spices and coffee trees around the building. A classic wedding package with traditional and ceremonial services is also offered.
The kitchen cooks to order from a menu of starters, soups, salads, puddings, cocktails, canapés, scented rice and a range of chicken and fish dishes, and it helps to let the staff know your choices, likes, dislikes and any allergies early. Meals can be taken privately in secluded dining rooms or out on the balconies.
Being close to the town centre, the house makes it easy to visit the historic sites of the old Kandyan kingdom: the Temple of the Tooth Relic, a stroll or boat ride on Kandy Lake, and the museum. More adventurous travellers can hike the Hanthane mountain range, and nature lovers will enjoy the Royal Botanical Gardens at Peradeniya.
Helgas Folly should come with a warning. The pictures make it look quirky, but on arrival we very quickly realised the place is very tired, dirty and just bizarre. We left and went down the road to Tree Tops Hotel. The staff were…
Had an excellent lunch, while chatting to Helga's son. I don't think there's any other restaurant on earth with the same madcap atmosphere. Alice in Wonderland meets The Addams Family meets Absolutely Fabulous. Wonderful.
Great experience - 3 nights at a landmark property with art, history and friendly staff. Fun bar. Afternoon tea with ginger biscuits and an easy walk to the temples of Kandy
Ratings and reviews provided by TripAdvisor for Helga's Folly.
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