Helga's Folly

We won't stay here again. We paid US$250 a night for a room only, with breakfast extra, and left feeling the place was badly overpriced, dirty, and in desperate need of repairs and a deep clean. Locals call it the Devil’s House, and after our stay I can see why. The 2025 cyclone tore off the back of the building. Our “deluxe” room could only be reached through another bedroom and across a wet verandah, made worse by torrential rain. Guests were in adjoining rooms, and loud neighbours woke us at 6.33am. We were moved to a slightly larger “super deluxe” room upstairs, but it wasn't better. The sheets were old, towels flimsy, the sink blocked, and the tiles filthy. The water was still very weak, and only slightly warmer than before. In the first room the shower had poor pressure and cold water. We were told the monkeys were to blame. There were rodent droppings in vacant cots, and bats fly through the downstairs living rooms, so watch your head. When we raised the awful pillows, which felt like couch cushions, Lucinda, Helga’s daughter, kindly offered her own. That was one bright spot. Food was quoted in US dollars. Don't order the Jamie Oliver fish pie, you'll regret it. The wine was below average and cost US$50-60 a bottle. The clutter and furnishings seem untouched for decades. I had thought Helga’s Folly belonged to an old era and was past its use-by date; the eclectic clutter and amateur painters once may have been a nod to the English establishment, but that time has long passed. My expectations were clearly too high, but the upkeep seems beyond Lucinda. Do yourselves a favour and find somewhere comfortable, clean, and good value.

Helga’s Folly was the last stop on our walking tour of Kandy. I loved seeing how different all the rooms were, along with the paintings and furniture. I'm a Stereophonics fan, and Madame Helga is one of my favourite songs of theirs. Getting to speak on the phone with the person who inspired it absolutely made my day. What a lovely lady.

The decor alone makes Helga’s folly worth visiting. We loved wandering around and taking in all the different corners of the place. Add friendly service and a delicious, strong margarita, and it's a winning combination. You really have to visit when you're in Kandy!

Dinner here is an experience in itself. Give yourself time to wander through the rooms and read about the history. The food was surprisingly good, and reservations are made by email. Nothing else in Kandy quite compares.