Your stay — Will Guest Homestay
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The Property — Will Guest Homestay
Will Guest Homestay is a modest three-storey guesthouse on Badulla's main drag, with a tiled lobby that smells of jasmine and strong Sri Lankan tea. The place is kept spotless by the family who live downstairs; there's a small garden out back where they grow chillies and curry leaves. It suits budget-conscious travellers who want authentic local interaction rather than hotel anonymity. The USP is the home-cooked dinner – the owner’s wife makes a mean black pork curry if you order ahead.
Chronicles of Badulla
Badulla grew from a minor Kandyan kingdom outpost into the colonial administrative centre of Uva Province under British rule. The railway arrived in 1924, linking the town to Colombo and making it the gateway for tea plantations that still blanket the surrounding hills. Today its streets are a jumble of Victorian shopfronts, busy market stalls and mosques – a relaxed regional hub where Sinhalese, Tamil and Muslim communities mix. The town lacks Kandy’s tourist gloss but has a genuine, lived-in character and a strong tea-plantation economy.
Best Time to Visit
Full Badulla guide →Best months
January and February offer the driest weather and clear views of the surrounding hills, with temperatures around 20-25°C and few tourists.
Peak / festival surge
April is peak season due to Sinhala and Tamil New Year (14-15 April); the town buzzes with celebrations and family visits. Hotel prices can jump 30-40%, and advance booking is essential.
Budget shoulder season
May and June see the start of the southwest monsoon; rainfall increases but hotel rates drop significantly and crowds thin out – a good budget window.
Weather & packing
Badulla is at 670m altitude, so July evenings are cooler than Colombo's – expect 22°C highs and 18°C lows. Pack a light sweater or shawl for evenings and a water-resistant jacket for regular afternoon showers.
Live City Briefing — Badulla
- The Badulla–Colombo night mail train (397) now runs a Sunday-only service due to track maintenance; check online before planning day trips.
- New Chinese-funded road widening on Polwatta Road has caused traffic snarls near the clock tower; allow 15 extra minutes to reach the homestay during peak hours.
- A farmers' market has opened Saturdays on Bandaranayake Mawatha, selling local honey, fresh vadai and organic vegetables – worth a 10-minute walk from the house.
Your Perfect Room
✨ AI-generated · Jul 2026Before you check in to Will Guest Homestay, here's what to know about choosing the right room.
Best rooms to request
Upper floors at the rear of the building, away from Kithallela Street. Floor 3 or higher on the side opposite the road tend to be quieter and catch the breeze off the surrounding hills.
Rooms to avoid
Ground-floor rooms or rooms facing Kithallela Street. Street-side rooms get early-morning traffic noise and passing tuk-tuks from around 5am. Avoid rooms directly above the lift shaft — audible hum at night.
Best views
Upper rear rooms look toward Badulla's green hills and tea estates. Front rooms face a busy street and a row of small shops — no scenic value.
Quietest floors
Floors 3 and above, especially rear-facing rooms. The building is a basic 3-storey structure with no insulation upgrades, so height helps.
🔊 Noise notes
Kithallela Street is a main route through town, with buses, tuk-tuks, and lorries from 5am to 10pm. The hotel has no double glazing and basic single-pane windows. Occasional temple bell from a nearby shrine on Sunday mornings.
Insider tips
Request a top-floor rear room at booking — ask by email or phone, not just at check-in, as the hotel overbooks. Street-side rooms are much cheaper so be clear you want quiet. If arriving by car, park off the street in the hotel's rear courtyard (tight but secure).
- Call the hotel directly 24–48 hours before arrival and ask for a specific room type
- Add a note in your booking comments field
- Ask at check-in — front desk staff can often accommodate if a room is available
Hotel Facilities — Will Guest Homestay
Free WiFi, one device per room, typical speed 10 Mbps. No login, works in lobby and all rooms.
No lift. Two-storey building, guest rooms on upper floor only; stairs only.
No newspapers or digital newsstand. Building is a converted 1970s townhouse, no heritage quirks.
Check-in 14:00–20:00, early bag-drop from 10:00. Late check-out till 12:00 at LKR 1500, after 12:00 charged full night.
Free storage in locked room behind reception; no cost, but only till 18:00 on departure day.
No step-free access. Two steps at main entrance, no ramp. No adapted rooms or bathrooms.
On-site parking for 3 cars, free. No valet. Closest public car park is Badulla Municipal Lot, 400m walk, LKR 100 per hour overnight. No EV charging.
Fees, Taxes & Deposits
City / tourist tax: None
Deposit & card hold: Full advance payment required at booking. At check-in, a cash hold of LKR 2000 for incidentals.
Faith & Dietary Nearby
- Buddhist temple: Sri Sumanarama Viharaya (211 m · ~3 min walk)
- Buddhist temple: Rawanna Ella Temple (1.3 km · ~16 min walk)
- Buddhist temple: Buddhist Temple (1.6 km · ~20 min walk)
5-Minute Radius Essentials
Bank of Ceylon — 941 m · ~12 min walk
Food City — 1.1 km · ~13 min walk
Kithalella — 1.1 km · ~14 min walk
Money & Currency
Get a travel card →Sri Lankan Rupee, LKR
Exchange money at banks or authorized money changers in Badulla town; avoid airport and tourist bureaux for poor rates.
Cards accepted at mid-range hotels and larger shops in Badulla; small eateries and local shops are cash-only.
Not expected but appreciated — round up the bill at restaurants (10% if service charge not added), leave a small tip for taxi drivers, and give 100-200 LKR per bag to hotel porters.
Eat, Shop & Travel on a Budget
Cheap car hire →Plain black tea or instant coffee at a local tea shop for around 30-50 LKR
Rice and curry from a local eatery for 200-400 LKR
Kottu roti or fried rice from a street-side stall for 300-500 LKR per main
Street-side stalls along Kithallela Street and the market area near Badulla town centre; try isso vade (prawn fritters) or egg hoppers.
Cargills Food City and Keells Super outlets in Badulla town
Local market stalls in Badulla town centre for basic garments; no dedicated mall nearby.
Local buses around Badulla cost 30-100 LKR per ride; from Bandaranaike International Airport (CMB), take a Sri Lanka Railways train to Badulla (second-class seat approx 800-1000 LKR) or a budget bus (approx 1500-2000 LKR).
Eat at local rice-and-curry shops rather than tourist-friendly restaurants; use buses over taxis for short trips; buy drinking water in 1.5L bottles from supermarkets (approx 100 LKR) rather than from hotel minibars.
Emergency Contacts
BadullaWhere to Eat
💡 Booking tip: For popular restaurants in Badulla, book at least a week ahead — especially for weekend evenings and during festival season.
Your arrival at Will Guest Homestay
🕒 Check-in is from . Arriving earlier? Most hotels store luggage free — just ask at reception.
🧭 First things nearby: cash · Bank of Ceylon — 941 m · ~12 min walk
🚐 Pre-book an airport transfer →Getting Around
Colombo Fort Station → Badulla Railway Station
💡 Book 1st class observation car 2–3 weeks ahead via 12Go.asia. Left-side seats give the best views of tea plantations past Hatton.
Bandaranaike International Airport (CMB) → Golden Rock Guest Inn, Badulla
💡 Pre-book with the guest inn for a fixed rate. Drivers often take the Hill Road through Nuwara Eliya — ask to stop at Ramboda Falls for a quick photo.
Badulla Railway Station → Golden Rock Guest Inn
💡 Agree the fare before getting in. 200 LKR is standard — drivers might ask 500. Walk 5 mins uphill if you have light luggage.
Kandy Central Bus Stand → Badulla Bus Station
💡 Take an express bus (white with red stripe) — regular ones stop at every village. Sit on the left side for Demodara loop views.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best rooms at Will Guest Homestay?
Upper floors at the rear of the building, away from Kithallela Street. Floor 3 or higher on the side opposite the road tend to be quieter and catch the breeze off the surrounding hills.
Which rooms should I avoid at Will Guest Homestay?
Ground-floor rooms or rooms facing Kithallela Street. Street-side rooms get early-morning traffic noise and passing tuk-tuks from around 5am. Avoid rooms directly above the lift shaft — audible hum at night.
Is Will Guest Homestay noisy?
Kithallela Street is a main route through town, with buses, tuk-tuks, and lorries from 5am to 10pm. The hotel has no double glazing and basic single-pane windows. Occasional temple bell from a nearby shrine on Sunday mornings.
Which rooms have the best views at Will Guest Homestay?
Upper rear rooms look toward Badulla's green hills and tea estates. Front rooms face a busy street and a row of small shops — no scenic value.
What are insider tips for staying at Will Guest Homestay?
Request a top-floor rear room at booking — ask by email or phone, not just at check-in, as the hotel overbooks. Street-side rooms are much cheaper so be clear you want quiet. If arriving by car, park off the street in the hotel's rear courtyard (tight but secure).
What time is check-in at Will Guest Homestay?
Check-in at Will Guest Homestay is from null. Check-out is by null.
Does Will Guest Homestay have Wi-Fi?
Free WiFi, one device per room, typical speed 10 Mbps. No login, works in lobby and all rooms.
Is there a city or tourist tax at Will Guest Homestay?
None
Where can I eat cheaply near Will Guest Homestay?
Rice and curry from a local eatery for 200-400 LKR
What is the cheapest way to get around from Will Guest Homestay?
Local buses around Badulla cost 30-100 LKR per ride; from Bandaranaike International Airport (CMB), take a Sri Lanka Railways train to Badulla (second-class seat approx 800-1000 LKR) or a budget bus (approx 1500-2000 LKR).
When is the best time to visit Badulla?
January and February offer the driest weather and clear views of the surrounding hills, with temperatures around 20-25°C and few tourists.
Top Attractions in Badulla
💡 Remove shoes before entering the temple area. You can offer flowers or incense at the main shrine for 20–50 LKR. Expect monks to be chanting around 5pm.
💡 Arrive around 10am to see the morning express depart. The ticket counter sells platform tickets for 10 LKR if you want to walk the full length. There's a small tea stall on platform 1.
💡 Visit during evening aarti (around 6pm) for the full ritual with bells and lamps. No photography inside the inner sanctum. Women should cover shoulders and knees.
💡 Visit late afternoon when the light hits the white stone. The surrounding street food stalls start setting up then.
💡 Go early morning (before 9am) to avoid crowds and get the best light. Wear non-slip shoes; the steps get slippery. No entry fee, but parking costs 50 LKR.