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*Helga's Folly*Arts Club *Hotel*Tours and Travels*
'Helga's Folly' Inspiring,'Stereophonics'Kelly Jones to write the single'Madam Helga'.
'Helga's Folly'famously atmospheric and eccentric,has long been a fovourite with travellers..The 35 bedroom hotel of the illustrious De Silva familyhas attracted a list of celebrities..Awash with colour and flamboyant murals,the hotel is either hilariously outre or simply over the top.A trip ,a dream.who cares?Whatever the answer,the food here is a serious plus,dinner of aubergine salad with a kick,and delicately seared Tuna was the best meal I ate in Sri Lanka."Conde Nast Traveller..Harriet O Brian.2003.
10 minutes stroll from the ancient kingdom of Kandy Sri Lanka.
Overlooking jungle,lake,the golden temple and magnificent scenery sits 'Helga's Folly'high on a hill."Large sprawling red building appears through thick foliage clinging to the hillside."Courtesy of 'The Sri Lankans'Martin Pieris.Author.2006.
Deseigned in the 30's by Esme De Silva,wife of dashing Frederick De Silva, 60's Ambassador to Paris.
Hosting many celebrities.Inspiring
'Stereophonics'lead singer Kelly Jones to write the single
'Madam Helga'.
"Converted to a sumptous hotel by Helga De Silva Blow Perera, [who was born here]... that would serve Baz Lurham should he ever opt to film 'Moulin Rouge,Jungle Style'.
Walls adorned with paintings,hastily scribbled verses,poignant newspaper cuttings of her daughter Selina Blow the fashion deseigner.Daughter-in-law Isabella Blow the famed talent spotter married to son Detmar Blow,the art gallery owner. Brother Sir Desmond De Silva described as 'The Scarlet Pimpernel of The Bar'....
Tells the history of this most illustrious family."Courtesy of 'Living In Sri Lanka' James Fennell and Turtle Bunbury.Thames and Hudson.2006.
The travel desk can 'sort out' all your holiday needs including staying at 'Agarsland'one of the oldest tea estates in old Ceylon.
"The private cinema shows movies from the 30's including 'those' connected to the house.Guests are invited to watch whilst having snacks and drinks...This is a real home in every sence of the word..with staff who have been with the family for well over 25 years.The bar man who came as a boy 37 years ago.. regales you with stories and happennings of the past!" Carl Muller.Author.
The swimming pool is surrounded by jungle and guarded by fairies.
All the bedrooms have their own private balconys, bathrooms,and although air conditioned and faned.. the French windows leading out onto the balcony's are not sealed. Most bedrooms have either antique four poster beds or beds with crowns...The house is packed with antiques...family memorabhilia...and 'pieces' from the local market.
"In the cut and thrust world of hotels,a hotelier who does not like her property to be fully booked is somewhat unusual,but there is nothing conventional about Helga De Silva Blow Perera or her 40 roomed hotel,'Helga's Folly'.As a child Helga ,whose grandfather helped secure Sri Lankan independance...watched her parents play host to a string of celebrity guests..Helga inherited the house 12 years ago..and has refurbished it to reflect her eclectic tastes..Ancient Buddhist temple paintings,16th century Dutch chests...mix.....Every room is different...The emphasis throughout is on creating a relaxed family atmosphere which means you will search in vain for a mini bar or in room television.."I call it anti hotel"says Helga."More of a home than a hotel and I do not like it full..as it spoils the family atmosphere..".We offer our Sri Lankan way of life here.Conde Nast'TRAVELLER''Family Jewel'.Helen Crawshaw.201.
"What draws so many here is the delightfull country house atmosphere.Dinner is by candle light and many choose to dine on the balcony with the city lights below reflected in the lake. Breakfast is anytime..a great plus..for the morning after!"Carl Muller.Author.
In the visitors books everyone searches for an adequate description,"King Arthurs knights meet Victorian meet the Adams family"..Carl Muller the award winning Sri Lankan author was perhap's the closest when he wrote,"The gods of music art and drama have created the impossble".'Living In Sri Lanka'.Thames and Hudson.2006.
Send E-Mail to: helgasfolly@sltnet.lk
Copyright © 2001 Desmond Perera. All Rights Reserved