VILLA 92 - City Hotel - Hostel

I paid 2300 LKR for a dorm bed in May. The beds were totally fine if you aren't after luxury, and the bathroom seemed super clean. It's more like a homestay with dorms and private rooms than a social hostel. The owner wasn't exactly a ray of sunshine, but was friendly and helped me find the right bus. Close to town and a few places to eat, it's a decent, clean, cheap place if all you need is somewhere to sleep.

Tariq and Rohan were really helpful and friendly, and there are plenty of places to eat within walking distance. The old house, built in the early 20th century, is an impressive British colonial building with much of the original still intact. The rooms have hot water, air-conditioning, smart TV and comfortable beds. Handy for a couple of days in Kandy, with the bus and train stations, market, lake and old town nearby. A good, clean budget option.

The stay was disappointing, and I wouldn't recommend Villa 92. The location is fine, within reach of both the tooth temple and train station, but the rooms need refreshing. There was bathroom moisture and dust in the room. When I ran the AC for just five minutes because my husband was sick, it leaked right above the bed. The towels were very worn and not perfectly clean, and there were so many mosquitoes that nothing seemed to be done about them. Charges seemed to come up everywhere: card payment was +3%, and late checkout cost +2000 rupees. I understand a late checkout fee can be reasonable, but it felt wrong after the receptionist had told me the day before, knowing our circumstances, “we are all humans, we should help each other”. My husband was really sick and couldn't leave the room from check-in until checkout. When we asked for a little flexibility, we felt treated more like cash machines. Some understanding would have meant a lot. I was also asked three times for currency from my country. I honestly didn't have any, though I offered a magnet instead. Being asked repeatedly felt like unnecessary pressure.

The rooms and public areas were impeccably kept, and the location is in kandy city-center. Facilities include a smoking area and a drinking area. The rooms are spacious, with premium bedding and elegant interiors. Dining includes multiple restaurants, gourmet options and fine dining chefs. Service is personalized, with 24/7 concierge and staff who remember guest preferences.