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This is in a great location overlooking the lake and city of Kandy. The staff are very friendly and helpful. This is in a great location overlooking the lake and city of Kandy. The staff are very friendly and helpful. ...Close

jenkiwi05, New Zealand | Female 25-30 | 09th August 2008

Status: Avid Traveller

Total reviews: jenkiwi05 has left 11

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I have spent a total of about 6 months at Blinkbonnie (3 trips) for my research on Sri Lanka (before my affiliation with HW). I can wholeheartedly recommend this hostel to anybody. I have tried several other hostels, and finally ended up at Blinkbonnie for the following reasons:I have spent a total of about 6 months at Blinkbonnie (3 trips) for my research on Sri Lanka. I can wholeheartedly recommend this hostel to anybody. I have tried several other hostels, and finally ended up at Blinkbonni...MoreI have spent a total of about 6 months at Blinkbonnie (3 trips) for my research on Sri Lanka (before my affiliation with HW). I can wholeheartedly recommend this hostel to anybody. I have tried several other hostels, and finally ended up at Blinkbonnie for the following reasons:I have spent a total of about 6 months at Blinkbonnie (3 trips) for my research on Sri Lanka. I can wholeheartedly recommend this hostel to anybody. I have tried several other hostels, and finally ended up at Blinkbonnie for the following reasons: It has an stunning view over the Kandy lake and the opposite valley. Make sure you get a room with a balcony to fully enjoy it, the rooms without balcony are a bit less nice. It is calm and peaceful Especially the top rooms are decorated with a lot of taste. All rooms are well lit and ventilated. It is very clean, which is due in part to the tiled floors, which are a nice change from the general brown floor wax. The sanitary installations do work and are well crafted. I generallly do not care about hot water, but it is nice to have it (and it works) It may sound stupid, but a lot of small details are well suited for Westerners, like mosquito nets without holes and the like. As pointed out in other reviews, the staff are extremely nice and genuinely friendly. Actually, the staff are of different ethnic groups and religions, which is a nice thing to see. The owner can arrange a lot of things for you, but if you want to be left alone, that\'s fine as well (not the case in all hostels, some want to sell you the whole package and are angry if you do not buy “their” tours.) Special needs are no problem (I needed a desk to work on, another traveller was in a wheel chair) Due to the location on a slope, the rooms face the valley and it is close to impossible to break into them unless you climb the facade. This was important for me bcs I have a lot of computer equipment. Have an eye on the monkeys though, who can get on the balconies. There is internet acces at the hostel and I could plug in my laptop. It\'s technically broadband, but this has to be taken with a grain of salt due to Sri Lanka Telecom Its location on the hills implies that you are a bit away from the city center. This means a lot less noise and dust, but also 15min walking to get to town, along the road dominating the lake. Ask for the shortcut footpath close to McLeod\'s, which will take you to the main hotel road (Sanganakara) in 2 minutes. If you take the asphalt road passing the Indian Embassy, it is longer to walk. I enjoyed to be a bit away from the loud and dusty center for my research, and Kandyan nightlife is limited anyway, but if you plan on having lots of beer in one of the two Western bars in Kandy, it is probably a bit too far. There are no touts hanging out in front of the hotel, which has advantages and drawbacks. No hassles, but if you need a tuktuk driver, take the footpath to Sanganakara Rd (2 mins). You can have your washing done, but it takes some time....Close

Sebastian, Germany | Male 25-30 | 08th June 2008