Name: Helga's Folly
Address: 70 Rajapihilla Mawatha Kandy 20000,Rajapihilla Mawatha, Kandy, Kandy, Kandy, 20000, Sri Lanka
Rating: 8

Air conditioning

Express check-in/check-out

Garden

Private check-in/check-out

General

Room service

Hairdryer

Shower/Bathtub

Shower

Wardrobe/Closet

Linens

Mosquito net

Toiletries

Rooms

Iron and board

Ironing

Laundry

Iron

Services and amenities

Diet menu (on request)

Breakfast

Breakfast in the room

Restaurant

Bottled water (at extra charge)

Meals

Free Wi-Fi

Internet

Car rental

Transfer

Tour assistance

Tourist services

Parking

Swimming pool

Outdoor pool

Beach/pool towels

Pool and beach

Pets Not Allowed

Pets

Location

At the hotel

Room amenities

Polgolla Reservoir Airport

Castlereigh Reservoir Waterdrome

Helga's Folly

Kandy

child-bed

child-bed-fee

external-private-bathroom

private-bathroom

shared-bathroom

10-beds

11-beds

12-beds

13-beds

14-beds

15-beds

16-beds

17-beds

18-beds

19-beds

2-beds

20-beds

21-beds

22-beds

23-beds

24-beds

25-beds

26-beds

27-beds

28-beds

29-beds

3-beds

30-beds

31-beds

32-beds

33-beds

34-beds

35-beds

36-beds

37-beds

38-beds

39-beds

4-beds

40-beds

5-beds

6-beds

7-beds

8-beds

9-beds

king-bed

queen-bed

limited-time

lounge

treatment

no-window

bay-view

bosphorus-view

canal-view

city-view

courtyard-view

garden-view

golf-view

harbour-view

inland-view

lake-view

land-view

mountain-view

ocean-front

ocean-view

oceanside

panoramic-view

park-view

partial-ocean-view

partial-sea-view

partial-view

pool-view

river-view

sea-front

sea-view

street-view

sunrise-view

sunset-view

water-view

with-view

annex

basement

main-building

1-bedroom

2-bedrooms

3-bedrooms

4-bedrooms

5-bedrooms

6-bedrooms

not-guaranteed

wired-internet-access

smoking

sauna

duplex

safe

mini-bar

breakfast-for-1

breakfast-for-2

pets-allowed

wi-fi

kitchen

this is not a Hilton five star experience and for those who want a pizza delivered to their room at midnight. It is old worldly but immensely charming.It is for someone with an artistic eye and interest in history as well as a desire to have an insight into a Sri Lanka of a by-gone era. Helga’s Folly is an incredible experience. The decor is unusual and eccentric. The stereophonics passed by and decided to dedicate a track to  Helga. We were lucky enough to meet the Chatelaine, Helga, herself whose more stunning Cruella de Ville outward appearance , masks a warm and generous hostess.  she is the biggest draw and the history of the house and the people that have passed through… Her daughter in law was the incredible Izzy Blow, who discovered Alexander McQueen, so why wouldn’t you expect style here? Her staff are family retainers and professional hoteliers who make you feel as though you are actually staying with the family. This stay was truly the highlight of our three week stay in Sri Lanka. We felt part of a movie , having excellent breakfast with porcelains and beautiful silver ! The food is great btw!! And yes, the bathrooms need a little renovation maybe 😀☺️😍Thank you all!!❤️

MUST visit Helgas Folly !!!

Helga's Folly is  real must .. I know many folk from around the world who put it at the top of their to do list, but didn't quite know why... it must be the most individualised hotel in the world ... and to meet Helga .. words cannot describe what an amazing lady.  Do visit when you are in Sri Lanka.  Just amazing

Amazingly Different as is Helga the brains behind it's theme.

Helga's is so fascinating full of character and history. Helga herself is absolutely charming and entertaining.
Helga makes no pretensions to being a six star hotel and she warns everyone who looks at the hotel's website that it's not. I can't believe the comments recently about the hotel being dirty, yes it is a little dusty in places but not dirty. We have stayed many times and have never seen signs of blood on the sheets we have noticed some small rust type marks which are bound to appear in such a humid atmosphere. Goodness me people will complain about the masses of candle wax around the candelabra! This a collection of wax which has been deliberately left to make a more fairytale setting. If you want a Holiday Inn experience then don't go to Helga's but if you want a genuine historical experience and delicious food and company Helga's is for you. Every time we visit there is something new to experience.

Another Excellent visit

We had to go and visit Helga’s Folly after reading about it. It’s a short 5 minute tuk-tuk ride from centre of Kandy. We stopped off at the Kandy view point to take some pictures because it is on the way.
We were greeted at reception and we decided to have a drink as well as a tour. All I can say is wow…the decor is fabulously quirky and the more you look the more you see. It is a little dated yes but looking past that it is also fabulous. A must visit place if you are in Kandy

Quirky and wonderful hotel great for a visit

Helga’s Folly was a real let down. It looks so fun and a lot of the decor is very quirky.
Alongside this is strange Halloween plastic skeletons and an old Christmas Tree and Christmas decorations.
The room was hand painted in an odd and slightly scary design

The room was very dirty. We knew not to except things to be perfect as advertised, but this was beyond embarrassing and unhygienic

The swimming pool had not been looked after, lots of old mossy foliage

The hotel was nearly empty of guests and I can see why

Dirty and disappointing

Helga’s Folly is a visually amazing place to sit and enjoy a drink with friends, we loved it! We only had an hour to spend there but what an hour, we could not stop wandering around looking at all the art work and decorations, while soaking up the wonderful eclectic atmosphere. The staff member who served us was very welcoming and he could not do enough for us. We hope to return to Sri Lanka soon and when we do, we will definitely be visiting Helga’s Folly again!

A feast for the eyes, a place like no other, amazing!

A one off place,  you simply must try & experience the particular magick. I loved so many things- from the embedded history, to the delicious food & sumptuous bed. Waking up to the sounds of the jungle & tinkling chandeliers, roaming the halls covered in family pictures & murals… heavenly, very special, unique things that you won’t find anywhere else & that’s before you’ve even met the iconic Helga- who is charming & full of an ancient grace. I wish there were more places as interesting as her folly…but there just isn’t & I suppose that’s the point. A humongous thank you-  to Helga & all the crew - your kindness & wonderful hospitality made my time there so memorable. Ps: Big love to the rambunctious monkeys - I miss their naughty little faces.

An absolute must!

Such a unique and interesting place- a credit to the creative talents of madame Helga. I’ve never been to such an artistic space, it’s really unchallenged and for sure one of a kind. Special thanks to Suraweera on reception who was so kind and enthusiastic, incredibly helpful too. Thank you so much!

A living artwork !!

Holidays make memories right? Right! Well look no further than Helga’s Folly. We were truly amazed by what we found hidden within Helga’s Folly, tucked away in the jungle of Kandy. The whole house is a living history of Helga’s family, but also a truly special spectacle of the artists of the region as every nook and cranny are painted and covered with artworks, the more bizarre the better!. Make sure to ask the hotel manager to explain a little about the family, he did so passionately, and this made us more excited, and amazed at what was around us. We were lucky enough to meet Madame Helga herself, and we were honestly a bit star struck! The breakfast was also a highlight of ours, the egg curry, freshly made coconut rotis, and the coffee in the elaborate silver pot (which I imagined also served Elizabeth Taylor when she stayed). We did have quite an eventful experience with a couple of monkeys in the pool, so just keep your wits about you, and our shower was cold - but a nice relief from the sticky Kandy air.

Star struck by this truly unique stay

I knew Helga's Folly was going to be different before I visited.  How different? Very different and an experience not to be missed.  As you go in, you are immediately transported to another world; a world of fantasy, scary, magical all rolled into one.  You have to go there to truly feel the energy of this wondrous place.  The house itself has a myriad number of corridors, one leading to another, all filled with wall paintings, photographs, and all sorts of interesting artifacts and objects.  Pictures of her illustrious family adorn the walls - two rooms dedicated to her father's side of the family and the other to her mother's side.  Also on the walls are pictures of famous people who have visited Helga's Folly. You will be blown away by who and who stayed there!  She will let you wander through the house at your leisure.  The Stereophonics were inspired to write a song for Helga called Madam Helga while staying there!!  We met Madam Helga, gracious, charming, and warm with a dry sense of humour.  She and her staff will explain the pictures and the paintings if you so wish.  I stayed one night at the Folly and had a wonderful Sri Lankan breakfast.  Her staff are very helpful, and courteous and will do all they can to make you comfortable.  Some may struggle with their English but will make it up in other ways to assist you.   She employs all her staff locally and they are very loyal and protective towards her and I can see why.  She treats them very well, like her family.  It is a place that you must not miss if you visit Kandy or Sri Lanka!   Go with an open mind and let your imagination rip!  Don't miss it, it is unique, and nothing like it anywhere else.

Helga's Folly

Main amenities of the hotel

Location

Available rooms

Location

Description of the hotel

What other amenities are there?

Policies

Check-in terms and conditions

Additional information

Payment