Backpackers Paradise Colombo

It was easy to meet people here since the common area is usually full of interesting travellers. The staff were warm and keen to hear about my home country, Malta, and I really enjoyed chatting with them. The hostel is very clean and handy for shops and restaurants. Our room had AC, which isn't common in Sri Lankan budget hostels, and breakfast is included. I'd happily recommend it to backpackers visiting Colombo.

Breakfast was included from 7:00 to 10:30, with an omelette, fruit, toast, jam, and butter, and there was free tea too. I also liked being able to use the kitchen. The place felt welcoming from the moment I arrived, with a nice vibe around it. It's well managed and clean, and seems suited to both short and longer stays. I had a lovely time and will come back to this backpack.

That little common room does make it easy to meet people, and the two women working nights were lovely. But there are better hostels in Colombo, with kinder managers and nicer rooms, so I wouldn't spend time here. The female dorm was damp and humid, with a smell like dead rats. I couldn't sleep because the air felt impossible to breathe, and the bathroom had the same problem and no toilet paper. The WiFi barely exists and never worked for me. The worst of it was dealing with management. The foreign man spoke to guests as if they were garbage and had no people skills. After checkout I waited in the living room for my night bus, and he said this was a business, not a charity. He and his wife both demanded money for the few hours I was there, even though I wasn't staying overnight, and told me to leave if I wouldn't pay. I've stayed in many hostels around the world and have always been able to leave my luggage and return before a night bus. I've never seen this before. His wife, who also seems to be a manager, asked for money in the same way. The daytime worker, who works for the owners, was rude too. It was hot and humid, but he wouldn't use an extra fan and wanted all the lights switched off, leaving the place very dark.

This place is very cheap and laid-back, and the owner and staff are friendly. It's quiet off the main road, and the small common room makes it easy to get to know other travellers. Breakfast is included, freshly made, and served quickly. The bed and pillows were comfortable. WiFi was fine in the common area, though weaker in the top room. I didn't feel safe leaving valuables in the dorm because there are no locks on the doors, and staff encourage you to take everything with you. The staff also control the AC, so guests can't adjust it themselves. I'd pick a room with AC. I hadn't realised mine didn't have it, and it was hot and stuffy. Luckily, there was a spare bed in an air-conditioned room, and I could upgrade for a tiny extra cost.