Sugar Weligama Hostel

I booked ten nights at Sugar Hostel and wound up staying a whole month. I felt comfortable there, and the staff were kind and helpful. After a few days they felt genuinely welcoming. The reliable Wi-Fi and coworking room make it a good fit if you need to work while travelling. The rooftop could be much nicer in the evenings with some lighting. In the work area, several chairs could be better, and some outlets didn’t work well or hold chargers securely. Extension cords might help. I didn’t have anything stolen, though I met guests who said they’d lost money. It’d be good to remind people to put valuables in the lockers, and some lockers need repair. Hot water was available only on a few days during my stay. I still had a wonderful time and would recommend Sugar Hostel for longer stays, especially if you work remotely.

The bathroom door in my dorm wouldn’t close, so there was no privacy. Someone from my room walked in while I was showering and saw me naked. I reported it several times, but the staff never fixed it. The staff were friendly, though disorganized. Check-in was slow and confusing, and they sometimes said the hostel was full even when Hostelworld showed beds available. There aren’t proper common spaces or activities, so it’s hard to meet people. With parties happening around Weligama each night, the hostel could help guests find them, but there was no social engagement. I stayed six days, then came back to use the coworking room. It’s basically just a room with good Wi-Fi, and they still charged me, despite my having been a guest for nearly a week. There’s plenty of other accommodation in Weligama, and I wouldn’t pick this one again. It has potential, but it doesn’t live up to it now.

I’ve never stayed anywhere dirtier. The rooms, bathrooms, and common areas were all filthy, with insects everywhere, damaged furniture, and grime throughout. The coworking space looked nothing like the photos, and its broken chairs and damaged tables made it unusable. Nothing seemed maintained or properly cleaned. One of my worst stays, and I wouldn’t recommend it to anyone.

Good value for money, with much better amenities than most Weligama hostels. The dorm beds have curtains, the washrooms are spacious and clean, and you can use the AC all day. There’s also a free air-conditioned workspace with good Wi-Fi. Highly recommended.