Reviews of Kandy Backpackers Hostel
117/4C, Ampitiya Road, Kandy, 20160 Kandy, Sri Lanka
#120 of 212 hotels in Kandy
Guests' ChoiceReview score
Based on 318 hostel reviews
7.9Score breakdown
-
Cleanliness
7.3
-
Comfort
7.3
-
Location
7.8
-
Facilities
7.5
-
Staff
9.4
-
Value for money
8.5
-
Free WiFi
8.3
How guest reviews work
Each review score is between 1-10. To get the overall score that you see, we add up all the review scores we’ve received and divide that total by the number of review scores we’ve received. We are currently testing a weighted review system in Malta and Iceland (excluding hotel and vacation rental chains). For properties in these countries, the more recent the review, the bigger the impact on the total review score calculation. In addition, guests can give separate ‘subscores’ in crucial areas, such as location, cleanliness, staff, comfort, facilities, value for money and free Wi-Fi. Note that guests submit their subscores and their overall scores independently, so there’s no direct link between them.
You can review an Accommodation that you booked through our Platform if you stayed there or if you arrived at the property but didn’t actually stay there. To edit a review you’ve already submitted, please contact our Customer Service team.
We have people and automated systems that specialise in detecting fake reviews submitted to our Platform. If we find any, we delete them and, if necessary, take action against whoever is responsible.
Anyone else who spots something suspicious can always report it to our Customer Service team, so our Fraud team can investigate.
Ideally, we would publish every review we receive, whether positive or negative. However, we won’t display any review that includes or refers to (among other things):
- Politically sensitive comments
- Promotional content
- Illegal activities
- Personal or sensitive information (e.g. emails, phone numbers or credit card info)
- Swear words, sexual references, hate speech, discriminatory remarks, threats, or references to violence
- Spam and fake content
- Animal cruelty
- Impersonation (e.g. if the writer is claiming to be someone else)
- Any violation of our review guidelines.
To make sure reviews are relevant, we may only accept reviews that are submitted within 3 months of checking out, and we may stop showing reviews once they’re 36 months old – or if the Accommodation has a change of ownership.
An Accommodation may choose to reply to a review.
When you see multiple reviews, the most recent ones will be at the top, subject to a few other factors (what language a review is in, whether it’s just a rating or contains comments as well, etc.). If you like, you can sort and/or filter them (by time of year, review score, etc.).
We sometimes show external review scores from other well-known travel websites. We make it clear when we’ve done this.
Guidelines and standards for Reviews
These guidelines and standards aim to keep the content on Booking.com relevant and family-friendly without limiting expression of strong opinions. They are also applicable regardless of the sentiment of the comment.
Contributions should be travel related. The most helpful contributions are detailed and help others make better decisions. Please don’t include personal, political, ethical, or religious commentary. Promotional content will be removed and issues concerning Booking.com’s services should be routed to our Customer Service or Accommodation Service teams.
Contributions should be appropriate for a global audience. Please avoid using profanity or attempts to approximate profanity with creative spelling, in any language. Comments and media that include 'hate speech', discriminatory remarks, threats, sexually explicit remarks, violence, and the promotion of illegal activity are not permitted.
All content should be genuine and unique to the guest. Reviews are most valuable when they are original and unbiased. Your contribution should be yours. Booking.com property partners should not post on behalf of guests or offer incentives in exchange for reviews. Attempts to bring down the rating of a competitor by submitting a negative review will not be tolerated.
Respect the privacy of others. Booking.com will make an effort to obscure email addresses, telephone numbers, website addresses, social media accounts, and similar details.
The opinions expressed in contributions are those of Booking.com customers and properties and not of Booking.com. Booking.com does not accept responsibility or liability for any reviews or responses. Booking.com is a distributor (without any obligation to verify) and not a publisher of these comments and responses.
By default, reviews are sorted based on the date of the review and on additional criteria to display the most relevant reviews, including but not limited to: your language, reviews with text, and non-anonymous reviews. Additional sorting options may be available (by type of traveller, by score, etc.).
Translations disclaimer
This service may contain translations powered by Google. Google disclaims all warranties related to the translations, express or implied, including any warranties of accuracy, reliability, and any implied warranties of merchantability, fitness for a particular purpose and non-infringement.
End of dialog content-
Reviewed: 3 July 2022
Saeb
Armenia21 reviews9 helpful votes8.0Very good- • Leisure trip
- • Couple
- • Double Room with Ensuite Bathroom and Shared Balcony + Free Local Cooking Experience
- • Stayed 2 nights
- • Submitted via mobile
we could hear 👂 everything from all other rooms
pool was good 👍
Stayed in July 2022
-
Reviewed: 1 July 2022
Charlotte
United Kingdom5 reviews8.0“Amazing cooking class and hospitality”- • Leisure trip
- • Solo traveller
- • Double Room with Ensuite Bathroom and Shared Balcony + Free Local Cooking Experience
- • Stayed 1 night
- • Submitted via mobile
Nothing considering value for money
Amazing cooking class, lovely staff and close walk to the lake!
Stayed in July 2022
-
Reviewed: 27 June 2022
Alessandro
Guatemala17 reviews4 helpful votes9.0Superb- • Leisure trip
- • Family with young children
- • Double Room with Ensuite Bathroom and Shared Balcony + Free Local Cooking Experience
- • Stayed 1 night
- • Submitted via mobile
When they will have the financial possibility, a good renovation of the facility would be brilliant
They really do their best tò make you feel at home and happy: Dini is a hard worker and a genuine and lovely manager! I really appreciated the idea of the free cooking class and dinner which they offer every evening :)
Stayed in June 2022
-
Reviewed: 9 June 2022
Radosław
Poland18 reviews8.0Very good- • Leisure trip
- • Couple
- • Standard Double Room with Shared Bathroom + Free Local Cooking Experience
- • Stayed 2 nights
- • Submitted via mobile
Common cooking classes was a really good option.
Stayed in April 2022
-
Reviewed: 18 May 2022
Chloé
France36 reviews11 helpful votes8.0Very good- • Leisure trip
- • Couple
- • Double Room with Ensuite Bathroom and Shared Balcony + Free Local Cooking Experience
- • Stayed 1 night
- • Submitted via mobile
The room is next to the reception and the hall, lot of noise in the evening and morning The room has humidity issue Swimming pool was dirty but it was raining so maybe it is because of that
The owners of the hostel are really nice and helpful The cooking class and dinner after is a great experience, we learnt a lot about Sri Lankan food and spices This hostel is great value for money
Stayed in May 2022
-
Reviewed: 5 May 2022
Mara
Germany11 reviews4 helpful votes7.0“all in all a nice experience with a bit less comfort.”- • Leisure trip
- • Solo traveller
- • Bed in 6-Bed Mixed Dormitory Room with Free Local Cooking Experience
- • Stayed 2 nights
- • Submitted via mobile
It’s not the cleanest place I’ve seen, but perfectly fine if you consider the price and your priorities while traveling.
The staff is super nice and helpful, the cooking classes and the dinner is amazing. The pool and the eating area is nice to socialise.
Stayed in April 2022
-
Reviewed: 4 May 2022
Sarah
United Kingdom70 reviews9 helpful votes7.0Good- • Solo traveller
- • Bed in 6-Bed Female Dormitory Room with Free Local Cooking Experience
- • Stayed 1 night
- • Submitted via mobile
Pool didn't look like they thought people would use it. Sun loungers broken and abandoned.
Great value for money with breakfast and dinner included in price along with a cooking class. Very sociable as everyone sits round together for meals. Friendly staff
Stayed in April 2022
-
Reviewed: 3 May 2022
Michal
Czech Republic21 reviews9.0“Great place to stay if you want to visit Kandy and around. Family who runs this place is very friendly and hospitable. W”- • Leisure trip
- • Couple
- • Double Room with Ensuite Bathroom and Shared Balcony + Free Local Cooking Experience
- • Stayed 7 nights
- • Submitted via mobile
Very friendly and helpful hosts, cooking class every day. Nice place to stay.
Stayed in April 2022
-
Reviewed: 3 May 2022
Beshoyfayez
United Arab Emirates27 reviews8 helpful votes9.0Superb- • Leisure trip
- • Family with young children
- • Double Room with Ensuite Bathroom and Shared Balcony + Free Local Cooking Experience
- • Stayed 2 nights
- • Submitted via mobile
Room was a bit tight, matress was uncomfy
Friendly, smiling family with all the help you can have in kandy. The cooking class was great and we managed to meet other packbackers by dinner. Atmosphere is very friendly all over the place
Stayed in April 2022
-
Reviewed: 30 April 2022
Cheran
Australia3 reviews2 helpful votes9.0“Stay and get connected”- • Leisure trip
- • Family with young children
- • Standard Double Room with Shared Bathroom + Free Local Cooking Experience
- • Stayed 1 night
- • Submitted via mobile
Nothing
Absolutely amazing hostel.the best place to make connections. Cooking lessons are super duper. Clean shared bathroom and toilets Worth every penny spent Friendly staff Great location Heard they are setting up a basketball court and hammocks.bloody magic
Stayed in April 2022
-
Reviewed: 22 April 2022
Jennifer
Germany15 reviews8.0Very good- • Leisure trip
- • Solo traveller
- • Standard Double Room with Shared Bathroom + Free Local Cooking Experience
- • Stayed 1 night
- • Submitted via mobile
nice stuff and little green oasis
Stayed in April 2022
-
Reviewed: 18 April 2022
Mette
Sri Lanka1 review7.0“really nice and friendly staff who offers an excellent cooking-class where you can meet new people!”- • Leisure trip
- • Solo traveller
- • Bed in 6-Bed Mixed Dormitory Room with Free Local Cooking Experience
- • Stayed 1 night
- • Submitted via mobile
There is no toiletpapir in any of the bathrooms and the hostel is placed a Little too far from the city-center and the pool is not a place I would go.
The cooking class was really nice and a really good way to meet the other guests at the hostel! Tje breakfast was really delicious as well and the staff was really friendly and helpful.
Stayed in April 2022
-
Reviewed: 11 April 2022
Thao
Vietnam117 reviews24 helpful votes9.0“Good”- • Leisure trip
- • Solo traveller
- • Bed in 6-Bed Female Dormitory Room with Free Local Cooking Experience
- • Stayed 1 night
- • Submitted via mobile
The room smell bit mold and humid . The breakfast is the same everyday
Just 3km to kandy lake. The staffs are so nice . They cooked good dinner everyday. Can meet many nice friends
Stayed in April 2022
-
Reviewed: 10 April 2022
Tabea
Canada20 reviews1 helpful vote9.0Superb- • Leisure trip
- • Solo traveller
- • Bed in 6-Bed Female Dormitory Room with Free Local Cooking Experience
- • Stayed 2 nights
- • Submitted via mobile
A nice hostel a bit outside the city but you can either take a bus or just walk to the city. The Tooth Temple is close. The hostel is not at the main street so it was nice and quiet. Great cooking class in the evening for free
Stayed in April 2022
-
Reviewed: 8 April 2022
Emma
Netherlands19 reviews2 helpful votes8.0“Great”- • Leisure trip
- • Solo traveller
- • Bed in 6-Bed Female Dormitory Room with Free Local Cooking Experience
- • Stayed 2 nights
- • Submitted via mobile
No lockers in the rooms
The staff was very friendly and helpful with arranging daytrips and tuktuks. There was a free cooking class every night and after everyone would eat together, that made it a very social and nice hostel.
Stayed in March 2022
-
Reviewed: 5 April 2022
Susanne
Germany33 reviews1 helpful vote9.0“Good Dinner”- • Leisure trip
- • Couple
- • Double Room with Ensuite Bathroom and Shared Balcony + Free Local Cooking Experience
- • Stayed 1 night
- • Submitted via mobile
Dinner was at 8:30 pm The pool wasn't clean on the 2nd & 3rd day
The Dinner every night was really good. We really enjoyed watching the host cook 😀
Stayed in April 2022
-
Reviewed: 4 April 2022
Mister_t
Germany13 reviews3 helpful votes7.0“Nice hostel to socialize. Draws mostly a (very) young European crowd.”- • Leisure trip
- • Solo traveller
- • Standard Double Room with Shared Bathroom + Free Local Cooking Experience
- • Stayed 2 nights
- • Submitted via mobile
Can get a little noisy between 22:00 and 0:00.
Great place to meet people! Plus they have a guitar!
Stayed in March 2022
-
Reviewed: 1 April 2022
Lisa
Germany20 reviews3 helpful votes9.0- • Solo traveller
- • Standard Double Room with Shared Bathroom + Free Local Cooking Experience
- • Stayed 1 night
- • Submitted via mobile
This review has been hidden because it doesn't meet our guidelines.
-
Reviewed: 1 April 2022
Nina
Germany341 reviews42 helpful votes9.0“Very social hostel”- • Leisure trip
- • People with friends
- • Bed in 6-Bed Mixed Dormitory Room with Free Local Cooking Experience
- • Stayed 2 nights
- • Submitted via mobile
Small rooms and bathrooms could be cleaner
Staff and Baba are the best. Cooking class is great to meet others
Stayed in March 2022
-
Reviewed: 28 March 2022
Fonseka
Sri Lanka1 review9.0“Wish to be one more time...”- • Leisure trip
- • Group
- • Bed in 6-Bed Female Dormitory Room with Free Local Cooking Experience
- • Stayed 1 night
nothing to mention. All good.
" Friendly welcome. very quite place with nice view. very good service, and a nice pool. I would definitely recommend this hotel to my friends.” front desk was great....
Stayed in March 2022
-
Reviewed: 28 March 2022
Stewart
South Africa6 reviews2 helpful votes7.0“Great Sri Lankan cooking class experience and central tourist meetup spot.”- • Leisure trip
- • Solo traveller
- • Standard Double Room with Shared Bathroom + Free Local Cooking Experience
- • Stayed 3 nights
The room's windows are frosted so it doesn't get any natural light, however it does have airconditioning. The living areas aren't very comfy for hanging out, however there is a nice rooftop for socialising in the evenings.
The cooking class is a great reason to stay at this backpackers! The host is very knowledgeable on all the ingredients and spices that go into making Sri Lankan curry, making the experience not only delicious, but interesting too. I would recommend staying here just for this, if nothing else. The pool is a plus! Also a good place to meet fellow tourists on the move.
Stayed in March 2022
-
Reviewed: 21 March 2022
Majchrowski
Sri Lanka14 reviews1 helpful vote7.0Good- • Leisure trip
- • Solo traveller
- • Bed in 6-Bed Mixed Dormitory Room with Free Local Cooking Experience
- • Stayed 2 nights
- • Submitted via mobile
Pleace where you can meet many travelers
Stayed in March 2022
-
Reviewed: 16 March 2022
Zofia
Poland4 reviews9.0“nice and social”- • Leisure trip
- • Solo traveller
- • Bed in 6-Bed Mixed Dormitory Room with Free Local Cooking Experience
- • Stayed 1 night
- • Submitted via mobile
a little bit out of the way but a pretty nice walk around the lake to the centre so not so bad ;)
nice staff, great hostel for socialising thanks to the nightly cooking classes, bar on the rooftop doesn’t disturb the rooms at all noise wise so that’s cool, bathrooms clean :)
Stayed in February 2022
-
Reviewed: 15 March 2022
Isabel
Netherlands3 reviews8.0“Wonderfull. special thanks to Dinni!!!”- • Leisure trip
- • Solo traveller
- • Bed in 6-Bed Female Dormitory Room with Free Local Cooking Experience
- • Stayed 2 nights
- • Submitted via mobile
The cocking class was great! Really kind people. Special thanks to Dinni she is a lovely woman and does everything for you.
Stayed in March 2022
-
Reviewed: 13 March 2022
Natalia
Denmark32 reviews4 helpful votes8.0Very good- • Leisure trip
- • Solo traveller
- • Bed in 6-Bed Female Dormitory Room with Free Local Cooking Experience
- • Stayed 1 night
- • Submitted via mobile
Quite tight room
Cooking class was excellent, nice staff.
Stayed in March 2022
Guests also reviewed these properties:
-
Twilight CottagePlettenberg Bay, South Africa
-
Hotel Ve MlejneMěstečko, Czech Republic
-
Bed+Breakfast myNoflenNoflen, Switzerland
-
Landgasthof HirschenDiegten, Switzerland
-
Itascan MotelGrand Rapids, USA
-
Milele Malindi ResidenceMalindi, Kenya
-
IRON GATE MARINA3BSarzana, Italy
-
Apartment AndreaRust, Germany
