Helgas Folly Sri Lanka

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 »
Helgas Folly, Kandy
Price Guide: £££££
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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.
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