Banana Bunks Kandy

I liked the hostel itself. The rooms were clean, the toilets spotless, and there was a lively atmosphere where it was easy to meet other travelers. But one staff member pointed us toward a massage center without giving its name or pricing when we asked. Once there, we found the prices were exaggerated, and the staff got hostile when we turned the service down. It made for a very uncomfortable situation. I’d suggest researching places yourself before taking recommendations.

The many plants, especially the bananas, make this place feel wonderfully close to nature. The staff were very friendly and attentive. Definitely recommend it.

The place looks nice, but I was disappointed and felt taken advantage of. The hostel is far from town, the pool area is small and didn’t look inviting for a swim, and the price felt high for what you get. I’d choose a hotel instead, and personally wouldn’t recommend staying here. I’d also suggest keeping a short stay in Kandy, just one night, and getting out ASAP. There were no lockers big enough for bags, no bed curtains, and only two bathrooms shared between two dorms. The dorms had fans but no AC, and there was no hot water in the showers. It got so hot I couldn’t sleep. WiFi was non existent, and it wasn’t a social hostel. Sinna, the guy working there, offered a “free” tour that included over priced tourist traps. Afterward he asked for $20USD for transportation, despite having said it was free. I also asked about a massage place. He said he didn’t know its name and estimated the cost at around $25, but when he dropped me there the massage was actually $50 USD. Those prices and the dishonesty made it hard to feel safe and enjoy Sri Lanka. Treating guests like an ATM isn’t good customer service, and I hope they’re more honest and take guests to better businesses in the future. I changed my review to 1 star after finding out about the tour charge afterward. It felt a bit like being scammed. Hostels should help their guests, so travelers should be aware of dishonest employees and exaggerated prices.

Rooms were clean and comfortable, and the facilities were good, including a pool area. The hostel is set in the mountains amid nature, about 10min from town. ✨