Reviews of Helena Hostel
No 07, Hiriketiya Road, 81200 Dickwella, Sri Lanka
#8 of 42 hotels in Dickwella
Guests' ChoiceReview Score
Based on 35 hostel reviews
8.8Score breakdown
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Cleanliness
8.1
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Comfort
8.3
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Location
9.4
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Facilities
8.0
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Staff
9.8
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Value for money
9.2
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Showing 1 - 25
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Reviewed: March 27, 2025
Antonia
Greece1 review9.0Wonderful- • Leisure trip
- • Solo traveler
- • Single Bed in Mixed Dormitory Room
- • Stayed 1 night
- • Submitted from a mobile device
Although fast my stay at helenas hostel was wonderful, Helena was very helpful and I felt like part of a family the location is very good just 5mins from the beach!
Stayed in February 2025
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Reviewed: February 27, 2025
Rory
United Kingdom16 Reviews8.0“Great place and people”- • Leisure trip
- • Solo traveler
- • Single Bed in Mixed Dormitory Room
- • Stayed 2 nights
- • Submitted from a mobile device
A towel would be nice but everything was fine
Lovely place close to good restaurants and about 10 mins from the beach. Bit less social in comparison to other hostels which is nice and chilled
Stayed in February 2025
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Reviewed: February 19, 2025
Mady
France24 Reviews3 helpful votes10“Amazing stay”- • Leisure trip
- • Solo traveler
- • Single Bed in Mixed Dormitory Room
- • Stayed 4 nights
- • Submitted from a mobile device
Perfect location in the middle of everything you need. Helena and her husband are amazing, very kind and helpful people. I ended up staying there long term. Definitely recommend.
Stayed in January 2025
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Reviewed: February 16, 2025
Pedro
Portugal42 Reviews5 helpful votes10Exceptional- • Leisure trip
- • Solo traveler
- • Single Bed in Mixed Dormitory Room
- • Stayed 1 night
- • Submitted from a mobile device
No good curtains in window, sun may heat you while sleeping
Good buget hostel. Can have social atmosphere
Stayed in February 2025
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Reviewed: February 16, 2025
Theo
Sweden5 Reviews2 helpful votes10“Amazing and homey”- • Leisure trip
- • Group
- • Single Bed in Mixed Dormitory Room
- • Stayed 2 nights
- • Submitted from a mobile device
There was a power outtage and during this time the room got Very hot
The man and the woman running the place were super nice and friendly and helped with everything. Told us what bus to take to the next stop when Google Maps was showing us a shitty route. They gave us all the facilities needed to make our own breakfast. We rented a scooter from their neighbour and they also sell cold water at the hostel for 150Lkr. They have 2 cats and one dog around the property and also monkeys in the tree right above the roof. They had mosquitonets and good fans for the room so everything was nice.
Stayed in February 2025
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Reviewed: February 13, 2025
Oliver
Australia11 Reviews2 helpful votes9.0Wonderful- • Leisure trip
- • Travelers with friends
- • Single Bed in Mixed Dormitory Room
- • Stayed 1 night
- • Submitted from a mobile device
Awesome location and the hosts are super friendly and helpful with food and transport advice. Great value stay, we enjoyed it a lot.
Stayed in February 2025
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Reviewed: February 12, 2025
Sam
Australia11 Reviews2 helpful votes10“Great place with a lovely couple hosting everyone. Rooms clean and good value for money.”- • Leisure trip
- • Solo traveler
- • Single Bed in Mixed Dormitory Room
- • Stayed 1 night
- • Submitted from a mobile device
Nothing
Simple, clean and friendly host
Stayed in January 2025
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Reviewed: January 25, 2025
Katarína
Slovakia19 Reviews1 helpful vote10“I would stay longer if I could, very good hostel”- • Leisure trip
- • Solo traveler
- • Single Bed in Mixed Dormitory Room
- • Stayed 1 night
- • Submitted from a mobile device
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Helena is such a sweet and kind person. The room was clean also the bathroom. The place is very close to both beaches.
Stayed in January 2025
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Reviewed: January 24, 2025
Laura
Costa Rica83 Reviews15 helpful votes10“Good location and the host, Nalani, is sooooo sweet!”- • Leisure trip
- • Solo traveler
- • Single Bed in Mixed Dormitory Room
- • Stayed 1 night
- • Submitted from a mobile device
The cleanliness of the bathroom is the only thing that really needs improvement. Everything else was fine for a budget stay.
Perfect location, in between Hiriketiya and Dickwella, beds had mosquito nets, which I found was a must in Sri Lanka, and the fans were good enough to keep the temperature pleasant. The best was the lady host, she is so kind and friendly, she earned the 10/10 for me ❤️
Stayed in January 2025
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Reviewed: January 17, 2025
Anly
Colombia10 Reviews1 helpful vote10Exceptional- • Leisure trip
- • Solo traveler
- • Single Bed in Mixed Dormitory Room
- • Stayed 2 nights
- • Submitted from a mobile device
Everything was as you see in the pictures, location is great and the family that runs the place is super nice and always making sure you’re comfortable. I totally recommend this place.
Stayed in December 2024
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Reviewed: January 6, 2025
Ayla
Sri Lanka1 review10Exceptional- • Leisure trip
- • Solo traveler
- • Single Bed in Mixed Dormitory Room
- • Stayed 3 nights
- • Submitted from a mobile device
There was no Wi-Fi
The cleanest place I’ve been to
Stayed in January 2025
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Reviewed: January 4, 2025
Luka
Slovenia5 Reviews10Exceptional- • Leisure trip
- • Travelers with friends
- • Single Bed in Mixed Dormitory Room
- • Stayed 1 night
- • Submitted from a mobile device
Very friendly hosts
Stayed in December 2024
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Reviewed: December 18, 2024
Gaetan
France6 Reviews10Exceptional- • Leisure trip
- • Solo traveler
- • Single Bed in Mixed Dormitory Room
- • Stayed 1 night
- • Submitted from a mobile device
Amazing price for value, you will be welcomed by a most friendly family, the room and bathroom are clean, the location is perfect, a 5 minutes walk from the beach, but just far enough for a silent night :) I recommend this place for all backpackers on a budget, looking for a clean and cosy stay with good vibes !
Stayed in December 2024
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Reviewed: November 15, 2024
James
Australia44 Reviews1 helpful vote8.0“Nice affordable accommodation”- • Leisure trip
- • Solo traveler
- • Single Bed in Mixed Dormitory Room
- • Stayed 1 night
- • Submitted from a mobile device
Lovely family and a very comfortable room for the price. The location is good and a 10min walk to the beach.
Stayed in November 2024
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Reviewed: February 28, 2024
Bastian
Albania1 review10Exceptional- • Leisure trip
- • Solo traveler
- • Single Bed in Mixed Dormitory Room
- • Stayed 1 night
- • Submitted from a mobile device
Lovely helpful guest family, good location. You can order amazing breakfast and dinner.
Stayed in January 2024
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Reviewed: February 23, 2024
Jiajun
Canada45 Reviews7 helpful votes9.0“Sweetest hosts”- • Leisure trip
- • Solo traveler
- • Single Bed in Mixed Dormitory Room
- • Stayed 1 night
- • Submitted from a mobile device
The room has the most mosquitos I've seen in Sri Lanka (but at least there are nets). Lots of ants in the bathroom too.
Nalini and her family are so sweet and kind. They invited us to celebrate her husband's 73th birthday with cake! The room is spacious and comfortable for the amount of people. Love the mini lockers above each bed.
Stayed in February 2024
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Reviewed: February 23, 2024
Mathilde
France2 Reviews9.0Wonderful- • Leisure trip
- • Solo traveler
- • Single Bed in Mixed Dormitory Room
- • Stayed 1 night
- • Submitted from a mobile device
No fridge.
Super guest, very good and chill place.
Stayed in February 2024
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Reviewed: February 13, 2024
Johanna
Italy4 Reviews8.0Very Good- • Leisure trip
- • Solo traveler
- • Single Bed in Mixed Dormitory Room
- • Stayed 11 nights
- • Submitted from a mobile device
On the weekends it can get a bit noisy during the night. Depending on the other guests and how the dogs and the people on the street behave.
Helena Hostel is located super good! It takes you only one minute to the main road to get some food (for local price). 5 minutes to the Dickwella beach and around 7 minutes to Hiriketiya beach. The family which runs the hostel is super nice and helpful! After 10 days it felt a bit like home :-)
Stayed in February 2024
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Reviewed: February 11, 2024
Sarah
United Kingdom8 Reviews1 helpful vote10“Wonderful stay!”- • Leisure trip
- • Solo traveler
- • Single Bed in Mixed Dormitory Room
- • Stayed 1 night
- • Submitted from a mobile device
Nothing
Lovely family, comfy beds great location
Stayed in February 2024
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Reviewed: February 4, 2024
Carla
Spain52 Reviews23 helpful votes9.0Wonderful- • Leisure trip
- • Solo traveler
- • Single Bed in Mixed Dormitory Room
- • Stayed 1 night
- • Submitted from a mobile device
Not enough power outlets/sockets for everyone. No toilet paper provided.
Run by a nice family. Walking distance to the beach and to the main road where you can catch the bus. There are mosquito nets over every bed. There are lockers provided and hooks on the wall so you can hang your things. Social atmosphere when I stayed.
Stayed in January 2024
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Reviewed: December 26, 2023
Jumore
New Zealand93 Reviews16 helpful votes8.0Very Good- • Leisure trip
- • Solo traveler
- • Single Bed in Mixed Dormitory Room
- • Stayed 3 nights
- • Submitted from a mobile device
It was not a clean maintenance in the bathroom which I think it is quite important and very easy to fix, rest was amazing :)
Staff is super nice they are a family running the business. Super kind people. It's nice to have ensuite bathroom in the room and good value for money.
Stayed in December 2023
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Reviewed: November 29, 2023
Annie
Australia1 review10Exceptional- • Leisure trip
- • Solo traveler
- • Single Bed in Mixed Dormitory Room
- • Stayed 1 night
- • Submitted from a mobile device
That I wasn’t able to stay longer because I had already booked flights!!
I loved the host family they were very kind, accommodating and helpful. It felt like I didn’t need to worry about anything while staying there- they helped with food, activities and gave great local advice and recommendations.
Stayed in October 2023
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Reviewed: November 27, 2023
Poppins
Abkhazia, Georgia34 Reviews5 helpful votes10Exceptional- • Leisure trip
- • Solo traveler
- • Single Bed in Mixed Dormitory Room
- • Stayed 2 nights
- • Submitted from a mobile device
Nice homestay close to the beach of hiriketiya and near the shops of dickwella to do the groseries. The dorm has only fans so if you suffer from heat .. its not a good idea. They offer amazing breakfast and dinner for a nice price and very tasty.
Stayed in November 2023
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Reviewed: November 18, 2023
Imtiaz
India13 Reviews1 helpful vote10“Homely stay Helena's in Hiriketiya”- • Leisure trip
- • Solo traveler
- • Single Bed in Mixed Dormitory Room
- • Stayed 1 night
- • Submitted from a mobile device
NA
Everything about the place is amazing. Cheap yet clean rooms. Warm hosts. Mama and Papa are amazing hosts. Very lovely people. Mama would make dinner at night. Authentic and homely Sri Lankan food. Property is somewhat in the middle of dickwella town and Hiriketiya beach. Both destinations are 5-10 mins walk from the property.
Stayed in November 2023
Showing 1 - 25
