Helga’s Folly

Kandy


'If expecting a regular hotel experience best look elsewhere' says the marketing blurb, and that's 100% accurate, for Helga's Folly could have been dreamt up as a joint project between Gaudí and Dalí. This hotel/art gallery/surrealist dream has to be the most extraordinary hotel in Sri Lanka. Indeed, the Stereophonics famously wrote the song 'Madame Helga' about the owner.

It’s run and designed by the outlandish Helga da Silva, who grew up in a world of 1950s Hollywood celebrities, artists, writers, politicians and general intrigue, and she has to be one of the only hotel owners who prefers her property not to be full! As extraordinary as it all is, once you’ve peeled through all the decorations you’ll see that the place is actually looking pretty tatty. Rather than staying in this self-styled 'antihotel' we recommend just popping past for a poke about and a drink – for many people it’s actually one of the most interesting sights in Kandy. Writers and artists get half-price rates (six nights minimum).


Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

Nearby Kandy attractions

1. Playground

0.21 MILES

At the southeast corner of Kandy Lake, this playground is ideal for restless kids.

2. Malwatte Maha Vihara

0.47 MILES

One of the principal viharas (Buddhist complexes) in Kandy, the Malwatte Maha Vihara is located across the lake from the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic.

3. Kandy Lake

0.55 MILES

Dominating the town is Kandy Lake. A leisurely stroll around it, with a few stops on the lakeside seats, is a pleasant way to spend a few hours, although…

4. Kandy Garrison Cemetery

0.64 MILES

This well-maintained cemetery contains 163 graves from colonial times. Perhaps the most striking aspect of a visit here is learning just how young most…

5. World Buddhism Museum

0.65 MILES

Housed inside the former High Court buildings, the World Buddhism Museum contains lots of photographs, models and displays illustrating Buddhism around…

6. National Museum

0.66 MILES

This museum once housed Kandyan royal concubines and now features royal regalia and reminders of pre-European Sinhalese life. One of the most impressive…

7. Sri Dalada Museum

0.66 MILES

This museum occupies the upper two floors of the Alut Maligawa building and contains a stunning array of gifts donated by several presidents and Buddhist…

8. Royal Palace Park

0.66 MILES

A very well-maintained park and woodland, originally laid out by Sri Wickrama Rajasinha, with good walking trails.