Hostel First

I needed somewhere comfortable for one night before heading back to work from Sri Lanka, and Hotel First in Katunayake worked out perfectly. It's only an 8-minute drive from Bandaranaike International Airport, which made my early departure easy. The area near a beautiful river was peaceful and picturesque, a nice place to unwind before flying. The room was spacious, clean and very comfortable, with all the modern amenities I needed and clear attention to detail. Staff were friendly, attentive and ready to help. The stay exceeded my expectations. If you're after convenience near the airport with a high level of comfort, I highly recommend Hotel First.

They welcomed my friend and me in the early hours and even ordered us food. The rooms were great and fully air-conditioned. The next morning, over a delicious Sri Lankan breakfast, they spent ages helping us plan the trip and suggesting places to visit. When I came back at the end, I could relax here and shower before my flight. Such friendly people running a great hostel, and I'd recommend it if you want to chill before or after flying.

The cute puppy and four kittens made the stay especially enjoyable. Hostel Katunayake is very pet-friendly, and that gives it a welcoming, homey feel. It's also in a good spot for getting to the airport quickly, with plenty of local shops and restaurants nearby. It's got the comfort and convenience you'd want from a hostel, plus a friendly vibe. I had an incredible stay and would happily come back.

Manju kindly picked us up from the airport late at night, which made a great start to our first night in Sri Lanka. Everyone at the hostel was so friendly and helped us plan the whole trip. We could buy SIM cards with him, had a delicious breakfast, and Manju even collected coconuts for us. All in all, a great beginning to the trip! 🏄‍♀️🏄‍♀️