C1 Colombo Fort - Hostel

The team at C1 Hotel made the stay for me. Nana, Mr Imtiaz, Kamal, Faraz, Emmanuel, Naflan, Shankar, Shad, and Ravi were all warm, attentive, and professional, and they worked together so well. From arrival, the place felt welcoming, and the staff were always ready to help with a smile. The stay was comfortable and the attention to detail stood out. I had a wonderful time and would gladly come back or recommend C1 Hotel.

The beds were clean and comfortable, the staff were friendly, and it’s about a 10-minute walk from the bus station. I really liked the hostel, but the tuktuk driver who hangs around outside made the stay stressful. He kept pestering us about tours, then offered a free ride to a local restaurant. After lunch he wanted $15 per person for a few hours around the city. We agreed on LKR 6,000 instead. He said a stop at a grocery or convenience store was included, but took us to an expensive souvenir shop. When we wouldn’t go in, he got angry and demanded another LKR 1,000 for the “market ride” when we got back to the hostel. We paid LKR 7,000 total for two people and a three-hour tour. I wouldn’t return because of the repeated harassment from that driver.

I used this place twice on my Sri Lanka trip, first for my arrival night and later before heading to Yala from Kandy. It’s conveniently placed, about 1.2 km from Colombo fort train station, a few hundred meters from the long-distance bus station, and near the bus stop for the airport bus. The dorm was okay, with good WiFi, a strong shower, and hot water, and the staff were friendly. The luggage storage cost was a letdown, though. After a discount, I still paid LKR1500 for keeping 2 pcs of luggage.

The dorm beds were clean and comfortable, with chilled air-conditioning, and there were lockers and separate washrooms for men. It’s a nice, convenient place, close enough to local markets, the bus stand, and the train station. The overall feel was pretty luxurious.