Helgas Folly Sri Lanka
MALDIVES
SOUTH INDIA
SRI LANKA
OTHER RED DOT SITES
::
Search
Helga's Folly
A thoroughly enchanting haven of art nouveau for the imaginative Kandy traveller seeking a quirky and extravagant alternative to humdrum hotel life.
Photo credits:
Customer Rating
Our Customer Rating is an independent average score based on the judgement of Red Dot travellers who have stayed at the property during the last two years.Satisfaction levels can be influenced by expectations, price, weather and other factors.
Media Reviews
"'Utterly maverick and magical place, set high above Kandy in the palatial former home of Sri Lankan independence here George E. de Silva – former house guests have included Gandhi,, Nehru, and Laurence Oliver. The extraordinary interiors is a riot of colourful invention, with each room decorated in a different theme and colour, from the eye-popping yellow lounge, with petrified dripping candles, deer heads, Indonesian puppets and colonial photos, to the individual bedrooms each with a unique design featuring any combination of wacky murals, colonial "
Gavin Thomas' Rough Guide t Sri Lanka
November 2006
More »
Accommodation Types
Beach Selection
Beach Villas
Boutique Hotels
Budget Hotels
Business Hotels
Camping
Eco Retreats
Family Hotels
Galle Fort Villas
Golf Villas
Green Hotels
Guesthouses
More »
Accommodation Locations
Buttala Foothills
Colombo
Cultural Triangle
East Coast
Galle Coast
Hill Country
Kandy
Kitulgala & Ratnapura
North West Coast
South Coast
The Maldives
Tissa & Kataragama
More »
Helgas Folly, Kandy
Download Fact Sheet
Price Guide:
£££££
Location
Helga's Folly is a thoroughly individualistic place – a slice of art nouveau situated above the Kandy Lake just 10 minutes away from Kandy’s ancient temples and museums. The journey to Kandy from Colombo’s international airport will take about 3.5 hours.
Introduction
Helga's Folly, in the eyes of its flamboyant owner Helga de Silva Blow Perera, is not a hotel but a home of rare originality and spirit. It was originally designed by her mother, Esme De Silva in the 1930s. Over the years Helga has brought it to life with her own creative expression. Walls are enlivened with whimsical murals; ceilings with baubles and chandeliers; antique couches and beds are draped in vibrant silks; hallways are filled with old photos and stories of colourful personalities that have passed through here; and wax-laden candlesticks are straight out of a Gothic novel.
Helga herself was described by The Times as “a benevolent Cruella De Vil,'' complete even with a pet dalmatian. The Stereophonics once wrote a song in praise of Helga and to extend the arty theme, Peter Finch and Vivien Leigh had such a theatrical row here at the Folly that Leigh shredded a bible in fury over Finch's lack of long-term commitment.
The Folly’s heady blend of Sixties flower-power and high-camp will appeal to those seeking an imaginative alternative to routine hotel life. "Some come for a night and stay for a month," says Helga and the staid may flee at first sight, in search of normality. Yet, for all that, this enchanting and alternative place is very much a Sri Lankan home where guests are welcomed with a sense of warmth and hospitality that is enduring. For those that have stayed here time and again, Helga’s Folly is a regular pilgrimage with most booking their favourite room well in advance. Helga’s Folly is ideal for a romantic escape or even friends travelling together. Families with older children will definitely enjoy the endless flights of fancy and even a night at the movies in the in-house movie room.
Photo Gallery
Accommodation
There are 17 rooms - 8 Deluxe and 8 Standard rooms all with private balconies overlooking the gardens. The spacious Nutcracker Suite has its own special entrance and is ideal for a couple on a romantic holiday. Rooms are simple but wonderfully decorated. No two rooms are alike with interiors in a fusion of colours, soft flowing fabrics, and mood lighting. Most rooms are furnished with Dutch period antiques including four poster beds dressed in flowing, coloured mosquito netting. The ensuite bathrooms are equally interesting in their décor and consist of h/w shower, washbasin and w/c. In-room facilities include a/c, overhead fan, room service and in-room dining. Children’s cots are available on request.
Standard Rooms:
Each of the standard rooms has a small balcony overlooking the gardens.
Deluxe Rooms:
The Deluxe Rooms are more spacious and has a sitting area as well as a private balcony.
Nutcracker Suite:
This wonderfully designed suite is located on the upper floor and consists of a spacious bedroom furnished with a double bed, private living room and dining area furnished with an 8 seater round table.
Facilities
Each of the areas in the hotel is decorated from floor to ceiling in a style that is unique – murals, tapestries, old photographs, and framed articles that tells of Helga’s life experiences, are set in colourful backgrounds. Chandeliers, tall candelabras laden with wax, a hand-wound phonograph playing sounds of Cole Porter, antiques, a profusion of ornaments and pieces of art are scattered throughout creating a different mood in each area including the lounge, restaurant, bar, private dining room, library, and writing room. The hotel also has a large collection of 1930s movies which enhance its recreation of a bygone era which is screened at the in-house cinema equipped with an 11 ft screen. There are no meal times at Helga’s Folly. A restaurant meal can be a minor event and breakfast has been known to be taken at 2pm. Creative and sumptuous fusion cuisine is served anywhere that guests desire – in the main dining room, by the pool or in your room. Complementary home baked cake or cookies are served with afternoon tea. The tropical garden with sitting area has panoramic views of Kandy. Sports facilities are not the hotel’s forte. There is a small swimming pool and some indoor board games. Tennis and boating can be arranged. Fantasy weddings, on the other hand, are a specialty at Helga’s Folly.
Excursions
Take a stroll down to the Kandy Lake which is just 10 minutes down hill. Visit the Temple of the Tooth where a sacred tooth relic of the Lord Buddha is enshrined since 4th Century A.D. The temple has decorative walls, a golden roof and fine woodwork. Religious services (pooja) with traditional music and drumming are held daily at dawn, mid-day and in the evening where guests can participate. There are several other ancient temples including Gadaladeniya, Lankathillake, and Embekke which are well worth a visit. Experience Kandy’s rich ancient arts and crafts including drum making, Dumbara mat waving, crafting Kandyan jewelry, and traditional Kandyan dance and drumming. Nature lovers will enjoy a walk through the Peradeniya Botanical gardens with its 600 acres of tropical trees, landscaped gardens, and orchid collection.
Currency :
U.S. Dollars
British Pounds
European Euros
Quick Finders
Use the quick finders below for complete listings of your choice
Sri Lanka Hotels
--- Select from below ---
Aditya, Rathgama
Ahangama Easy Beach, Ahangama
Aigburth Manor, Rakwana
Alankuda Beach, Kalpitiya
Amangalla, Galle
Amanwella, Tangalle
Amaya Hills, Kandy
Amaya Lake, Dambulla
Amaya Reef, Hikkaduwa
Ambiente, Ella
Amor Villa, Dalewalla
Angsana Ihuru Resort & Spa, Maldives
Anilana Craigbank, Nuwara Eliya
Apa Villas, Thalpe
Ashburnham Estate, Elkaduwa
Asian Jewel, Hikkaduwa
Austrian Beach Resort, Kemagoda
Ayubowan Guesthouse, Negombo
Ayurveda Pavilions, Negombo
Back of Beyond, Kahandamodara
Back of Beyond, Pidurangala
Bamboo, Kandy
Bandarawela Hotel, Bandarawela
Bandos Island Resort & Spa, Maldives
Barberyn Beach Ayurveda Resort, Weligama
Bentota Beach, Bentota
Blue Magpie Lodge, Sinharaja
Blue Oceanic, Negombo
Blue Water, Wadduwa
Boulder Gardens, Rakwana
Browns Beach, Negombo
CASA Colombo, Colombo
Castle Hill Guest House, Kandy
Centuria Tourist Hotel, Embilipitiya
Ceylon Continental, Colombo
Ceylon Tea Trails Castlereagh, Dickoya
Ceylon Tea Trails Norwood, Dickoya
Ceylon Tea Trails Summerville, Dickoya
Ceylon Tea Trails Tientsin, Dickoya
Chaaya Blue, Uppuveli
Chaaya Citadel, Kandy
Chaaya Island Dhonveli, Maldives
Chaaya Village, Habarana
Cinnamon Gardens, Hikkaduwa
Cinnamon Grand, Colombo
Cinnamon Lakeside, Colombo
Cinnamon Lodge, Habarana
Claughton House, Dikwella
Clingendael, Kandy
Club Bentota, Bentota
Club Hotel Dolphin, Waikkal
Club Palm Bay Hotel, Marawila
Club Villa, Bentota
Colombo City Hotel, Colombo
Coral Sands, Hikkaduwa
Corbets Rest, Knuckles
Corbets View, Knuckles
Country Garden Resort, Panabokke
Dalmanuta, Bentota
Danish Villa, Pothuvil
Deer Park Hotel, Giritale
Dickwella Resort, Dickwella
Dunvila Cottage, Wasgomuwa
Dutch House, Galle
Dutch House, Bandarawela
Earls Regency, Kandy
Eden Resort & Spa, Beruwela
Elephant Corridor, Habarana
Elephant Reach, Yala
Ella Adventure Park, Bandarawela
Ellerton, Kandy
Enison Lodge, Kandy
Era Beach, Thalpe
Flower Garden, Unawatuna
Fort Printers, Galle Fort
Foundation of Goodness, Seenigama
Frangipani Tree, Thalpe
Galapita Eco Retreat, Galapita
Galaxy Lounge, Arugam Bay
Galle Face Hotel, Colombo
Galle Face Regency, Colombo
Galle Fort Hotel, Galle Fort
Garden Beach Hotel, Kosgoda
Glendower Hotel, Nuwara Eliya
Global Towers, Mount Lavinia
Goldi Sands, Negombo
Governors Chalets, Nuwara Eliya
Grand Ella Motel, Ella
Grand Hotel, Nuwara Eliya
Hantane Shadow Resort, Hantane
Havelock Place Bungalow, Colombo
Helgas Folly, Kandy
Heritance Ahungalla, Ahungalla
Heritance Kandalama, Kandalama
Heritance Tea Factory, Kandapola
Hibiscus Beach, Kalutara
Hideaway, Wathuregama
HideawayArugam Bay
Hill Club, Nuwara Eliya
Hilton, Colombo
Horathapola Estate, Horathapola
Hotel Country Comfort, Ella
Hotel Moonbeam, Hikkaduwa
Hotel Shirim, Bentota
Hotel Topaz, Kandy
Hunas Falls, Elkaduwa
Ice Bear, Negombo
Illuketia, Akuressa
Indisch, Ahangama
Kabalana Beach Hotel, Ahangama
Kahanda Kanda, Koggala
Kalus Hideaway, Uda Walawe
Kandy Cottage, Kandy
Kani Lanka, Kalutara
Kassapa Lions Rock, Didgampathaha
Kitulgala Rest House, Kitulgala
Kosgoda Beach Hotel, Kosgoda
Kulu Safaris, Uda Walawe, Wilpattu and Yala
Kurulubedda, Koggala
La Maison Nil Manel, Ahungalla
Lagoon Paradise, Tangalle
Lake Lodge, Colombo
Landa, Belihuloya
Lavender House, Pussellawa
Leopard Safaris, Yala
Lighthouse Hotel, Galle
Lotus Villa, Ahungalla
Lunuganga Resort, Bentota
Mahaweli Reach, Kandy
Mahoora Safari Camps, Uda Walalwe
Makunudu Island Resort, Maldives
Mamas Galle Fort, Galle Fort
Mandara Resort, Mirissa
Mandara Rosen, Kataragama
Mangrove Garden, Tangalle
Manor House, Kandy
Martins Lodge, Sinharaja
Moonhill, Goyambokka
Mount Cinnamon, Mirissa
Mount Lavinia Hotel, Mount Lavinia
Mount Lavinia House, Mount Lavinia
Mount Lodge, Mount Lavinia
Mountain Heavens, Ella
Mud House, Anamaduwa
Muthumuni Ayurveda Beach Resort, Beruwala
Neptune Resort, Weligama
Nilaveli Beach Hotel, Nilaveli
Nisala Arana, Bentota
Ocean View Cottage, Thiranagama
Palace Mirissa, Mirissa
Palm Beach, Uppuveli
Palm Garden Village, Anuradhapura
Palm Paradise Cabanas, Tangalle
Paradise Beach Club, Mirissa
Paradise Farm, Kitulgala
Paradise Island Health Resort, Bentota
Park Street Hotel, Colombo
Pastissade, Rakuwa
Pegasus Reef, Wattala
Plantation Hotel, Kitulgala
Polwaththa Eco Lodge, Digana
Priyankara Hotel,Tissamaharama
Queens Hotel, Kandy
Rafters Retreat, Kitulgala
Rainforest Edge, Waddagala
Randholee, Kandy
Rangala House, Bobebilla
Ranweli Holiday Village, Negombo
Reef, Wadduwa
Renuka Hotel, Colombo
River House, Balapitiya
Robin Hill, Weligama
Rockside Cabanas, Unawatuna
Royal Lotus, Giritale
Royal Palms Hotel, Kalutara
Royal River Resort, Kitulgala
Ruwala, Thihaliya
Samadhi Centre, Kandy
Samakanda, Nakiyadeniya
Saman Villas, Bentota
Sanctuary, Kandy
Sea Shells, Negombo
Serendib Hotel, Bentota
Serene Pavilions, Wadduwa
Sethawadiya, Kalpitiya
Shangri La Guest House, Unawatuna
Shangri-Lanka, Bentota
Shunyata, Induruwa
Siam View Hotel, Arugam Bay
Siddhalepa Ayurveda Resort, Wadduwa
Sigiriya Village, Sigiriya
Silver Spring Lodge, Bandarawela
Slightly Chilled Yellow House, Dalhousie
St Andrews Hotel, Nuwara Eliya
Star Light Hotel, Thalpe
Stardust Beach Hotel, Arugam Bay
Sudu Araliya Hotel, Polonnaruwa
Suisse Hotel, Kandy
Sun House, Galle
Swiss Residence, Kandy
Taj Exotica, Bentota
Taj Samudra, Colombo
Talalla Retreat, Tangalle
Tamarind Hill, Galle
Tamarind Hut, Galle
Tamarind Lodge, Kandy
Tamarind Tree, Negombo
Tangerine Beach Hotel, Kalutara
Taprospa Labookelle, Labookelle
Tatties Hole, Kandy
Temple Trees Resort & Spa, Induruwa
Thambapanni Retreat, Unawatuna
Thaproban, Unawatuna
The Beach, Negombo
The Courtyard, Galle Fort
The Fortress, Koggala
The Hide, Kalamatiya
The Kandy House, Kandy
The Lion Rock Hotel, Sigiriya
The Privilege, Wadduwa
The Villa, Unawatuna
The Wallawwa, Kotugoda
Theva Residency, Kandy
Thilanka Hotel, Kandy
Thilanka Resort and Spa, Dambulla
Tintagel, Colombo
Tisara Villas, Koggala
Tissamaharama Resort, Kataragama
Tissawewa Rest House, Anaradhapura
Tree of Life, Kandy
Tree Tops Jungle Lodge, Buttala
Turtle Bay, Kalametiya
Ulagalla Resort, Anuradhapura
Ulpotha, Embogama
Unawatuna Beach Resort, Unawatuna
Upper Glencairn, Dickoya
Victoria Golf Chalets, Kandy
Vil Uyana, Sigiriya
Villa 432, Balapitiya
Villa Bentota, Bentota
Villa de Zoysa, Boossa
Villa Kusum, Hikkaduwa
Villa Rosa, Asgiriya
Villa Secret Garden, Unawatuna
Wapi Bungalow, Tissamaharama
Warwick Gardens, Ambewela
Weligama Bay Resort, Weligama
White House, Kandy
Wijeya Beach, Unawatuna
Wild Grass Nature Resort, Sigiriya
Windsor Park, Hingurakgoda
Wunderbar Beach Club, Bentota
Yala Village, Kirinda
Sri Lanka Villas & Bungalows
--- Select from below ---
23 Palms, Thalpe
25 Rampart Street, Galle Fort
41 Lighthouse Street, Galle Fort
63 Pedlar Street, Galle Fort
Albatross, Kandy
Ambalama, Galle
Araliya House, Alankuda Beach
Auraliya, Thalpe
Bawa House 87Bentota
Beach House Villa, Tangalle
Beach Hut, Dalawella
Begonia House, Alankuda Beach
Blue Heights, Dickwella
Coconut Grove, Ahangama
Dalip House, Galle
Fort House, Koggala
Glenross, Kalutara
House of Lotus, Dodanduwa
IF Villa, Galle
Inland Hills, Karapitiya
Java Moon, Piliyandala
Jungle Tide, Kandy
Kadju House, Tangalle
Kaladiya, Dambewatana
Kelburne Mountain View Cottages, Haputale
Kikili Beach,Thalpe
Kirchhayn Bungalow, Bandarawela
Kohomba House, Alankuda Beach
Kudakalliya, Arugam Bay
Kurullah, Koggala
Kurumba House, Tangalle
Lagoon Villa, Negombo
Lansiya, Tangalle
Last House, Tangalle
Lavinia Residencies, Mount Lavinia
Malgedera, Katholuwa
Mandalay, Koggala
Max Wadiya, Ambalangoda
Merton Bungalow, Anuradhapura
Mirissa Hills Bungalow, Mirissa
Off Rocks, Unawatuna
Olanda Beach House, Habaraduwa
Old Bungalow, Dickwella
Omatta Villa, Kalutara
Orchard House, Galle Fort
Palm Beach Villa, Wadduwa
Palm Villa, Galle Fort
Polheena Estate, Kathaluwa
River Grove, Kandy
Rosita Bungalow, Kotagala
Sanda Kirana, Thalpe
Satori, Galle
Sceir Thurtair, Kosgoda
Serendip Stone Bungalow, Kandy
Silva Tree, Rhumassala
South Point Abbey, Kathaluwa
South Point Cottage, Koggala
South Point Villa, Kathaluwa
Sri Villas Aralilya, Induruwa
Sri Villas Nisala, Induruwa
Sri Villas Sagara, Induruwa
Taprobane Island, Weligama
Taprospa Tymawr, Nuwara Eliya
Tarshush - Seascape, Unawatuna
Teak House, Tangalle
Thalassa, Tangalle
Thambili House, Galle
The Colony, Tangalle
The Garden House, Ginigala
The Patio, Biyagama
Thotalagala Bungalow, Dambetenna
Tropical Beach House, Thiranagama
Victoria, Thalpe
Villa Araliya, Negombo
Villa Milliduwa, Thalpe
Villa Talangama, Talangama
Wadugewatte, Mihiripenna
Weir House, Ulapane
Sri Lanka Tours
--- Select from below ---
Academy Tour
Adventurous Sri Lanka
All-Island Club Tour
Aman Experience
Anilana Escapes
Arugam Bay Explorer
Ayurvedic Healing
Ayurvedic Rejuvenation
Bawa Gems
Birds of Sri Lanka
Boutique Ceylon
Boutique Sri Lanka & Maldives
Buddhism and Ancient Kingdoms
Butterflies of Sri Lanka
Chaaya Sri Lanka & Maldives
Children’s Explorer
Classic Cultural Tour
Classic Island Tour
Clubbie Tour
Cycling Island Hop
Dragonfly Trail
Elephant Pilgrimage
Family & Club Tour
Family Adventurer
Flavours of Ceylon
Golfing Escape
Green Fairways and Azure Seas
Guesthouse Explorer
Highlander Golf
Hill Country Cycle Hop
Horse Safari - Cultural & Kandy
Horse Safari - Hill Country
Horse Safari - South Coast & Hills
Intimate Sri Lanka
Island Getaway
Island Hop
Island Safari
Luxurious Beach Hopper
Luxurious Wildlife Retreat
Malaysia Cricket Tour
Mini Boutique Escape
Mini Island Hop
School Tour
South India Cricket Tour
Southern Comfort
Spa Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka & Kerala Combo
Sri Lanka & Maldives Combo
Sri Lanka Eco Retreat
Sri Lanka Nature Trek
Sri Lanka Tour & Beach
Sri Lanka Yoga Retreat
Sri Lanka’s Wilderness
Tailor-made Birding Holiday
Taste of Paradise
Tea Hills & Beach
The Beach Hopper
The Boutique Escape
The Golfing Break
The Sri Lanka Wanderer
Tranquil Sri Lanka
Undiscovered Sri Lanka
Walk Sri Lanka
Wildlife & Beach Explorer
Young Cricketer’s Tour
Location Map
360° Views
Special Offers
Aditya, Hikkaduwa – 4 for 3 offer
The Wallawwa, near Airport – 3 for 2 offer
The Fortress, Koggala – 5 for 4 offer
Serene Pavilions - 4 for 3 offer
More »
Booking Information
ATOL Bonding
Booking Conditions
Flight FAQs
Frequent Questions
Homepage
Mobile Phone Hire
Payment Centre
Red Dot Anti-Fraud Policy
Red Dot Sitemap
Travel Insurance
About Red Dot
About Us
Contact Us
Customer Feedback
Drivers’ Code
Job Vacancies
Meet the Team
Our Drivers
Why Red Dot?
Sri Lanka Information
Sri Lanka Advice
Sri Lanka Bookstore
Sri Lanka Climate
Sri Lanka Map
Useful Links
Visas & Immigration
Responsible Travel
Air Travel Calculator
Community Tourism
Green Hotel Guide
Monkey Conservation
Our CSR Partners
Responsible Travel Tips
Traveller’s Code
E-Brochure
Download our monthly
e-brochure.
Click here to download
Newsletter
Subscribe now to receive our quarterly e-newsletters and also special offer e-updates. Just enter your email address.
Red Dot's Sri Lanka holidays and Sri Lanka tours are ATOL protected by the Civil Aviation Authority as long as you buy Sri Lanka flights from us. For full protection on your holiday to Sri Lanka, book your Sri Lanka flights with Red Dot, as well as your Sri Lanka accommodation. Red Dot has the largest selection of Sri Lanka hotels, villas and guest houses at competitive prices and offers independent advice and flexible itineraries. Trust Red Dot for your holiday needs in Sri Lanka, South India and the Maldives. ATOL protection extends primarily to customers who book and pay for their Sri Lanka tours or Sri Lanka hotels in the United Kingdom.
[ Check our licence ]
© 2009 Red Dot Tours. All Rights Reserved.
Terms & Conditions of Use
|
Disclaimer
Solution by