Hangover Hostels Colombo.

Hangover Hostels has made a bit of a name for itself down in Mirissa, but their Signature Colombo branch is relatively new. We swung by for a mid-day staycation to pretend we were tourists in our own city – and it was actually rather fun.

Location

I snooped around on TripAdvisor and Booking.com to see what people liked/disliked about the place, and was surprised to see a few tourists unhappy with the location. To me, Bambalapitiya is very much within the heart of Colombo, and a mere hop, skip, and Rs. 200 ($1.3) tuk tuk jump away from pretty much all the main sites in the city. Hangover Colombo is down Kinross Avenue (right near OneUp and Taste of Asia), which means you can walk down to the Cargills, or Chillax, or OZO or Kinross Swimming Club (your hostel key gives you access to their pool and premises for a cheap Rs.200).

Rooms & Dorms

As a hostel, of course, the dorms are the main forms of accommodation. You get mixed dorms or all-female dorms, at about 9 to a room. Nice, large functioning lockers, and clean school-style bathrooms stalls await you at $10 a bed. We opted for a private ensuite room (because we're fancy like that, obviously), at about $20 a head double sharing (which ends up at Rs.5600 for two people). This is super economical if you're alone (who wouldn't spend $20 for a room to themselves?), but could rack up if you're a couple staying for a while.

The room was spacious enough, with clean lines and minimalist contrast decor. A comfy bed, well-functioning A/C and blinds, and concrete-finish bathrooms made for a comfortable stay.

The Wi-Fi was fast, the shower was warm, and the key-card system simple. Easy living. Our only issue? The ground floor room faced the lobby, and there was loud (albeit good) music seeping in until about 10 PM.

Ambience

Hangover appears to be located in a lovely old residence, with a cute garden with fairy lights and al fresco seating (perfect for an early evening beer you can pick up from the supermarket). There's a lot of uniform white going on, which is nice, supported by a few funky vintage Ceylon Tourism posters and lots of funky paraphernalia. 

We particularly enjoyed the sense of community the place tried to cultivate, with a shared kitchen and box for shared goods (like if you buy a box of pasta but leave without finishing it, you can leave it in the kitchen for someone to use after you), and also a "take one, leave one" table filled with random oddities like sunscreen or books. 

We do feel like there could have been a cosier communal area with mats and couches etc though, as the upstairs TV area was kind of bare.

Service

There isn't much service involved in a hostel, but we appreciated what we did experience. We were checked in within a matter of minutes by a friendly guy who was very happy to show us about, and give us tips on exploring Colombo (I was deep into my tourist character at this point). He explained to us the nearby bars, supermarkets, and activities (swimming, yoga, etc), and gave us accurate tips on what to do. As a general rule, you clean up after yourself, cook for yourself, and try and be respectful of other guests. Not too difficult.

Overall

Low prices, lots of cleanliness and comfort, and friendly service. Hangover Hostels in Colombo could do with a little bit more character, and may not be as funky as its Mirissa counterpart, but it's real value for money and we'd strongly recommend it to tourists.

We also just found out about this bicycle initiative – very cool!

Share on facebook
Share on twitter
Share on whatsapp

Highlights.

Latest.

KAMU.

Across Borders: A Culinary Bridge Between India and Sri Lanka Through Peshawri’s Timeless Flavors

By Vimasha Vishvadari Peshawri, a renowned restaurant chain, originated from the iconic Bukhara restaurant in

Highlights Kamu

Tenkū – a hidden Gem of the Japanese Cuisine

By Vimasha Weerawansha Ambience  The Kingsbury Rooftop offers a breathtaking panorama of the cityscape and

Highlights Kamu

Discovering Kamikura: A Journey into Authentic Japanese Cuisine

dBy Sharon Nonis Welcome to Kamikura, where the essence of Japanese cuisine meets the heart

Kamu

Full’R Burgers is Flipping into Maharagama

by Vimasha Vishvadari If you're on the lookout for the ideal burger spot in the

Kamu

Yi Jing Unveiled: Sri Lanka’s Top Chinese Dining at ITC Ratnadipa Blends Tradition with Modern Flair

By Poornima Bandara Yi Jing Unveiled: Sri Lanka’s Premier Chinese Dining Experience at ITC Ratnadipa

Highlights Kamu

Seafood Watti Rice: A Flavorful Feast from Fathi’s Spice Attic

Watti Rice is a delightful Sri Lankan dish that combines various meats, such as seafood

Highlights Kamu

Trending.

Colombo’s Most Anticipated Holiday Sing-Along Is Back in Town!

This December, the festive spirit is set to hit a high note as Christmas Crescendo,

Trending

Cook, Dine, and Celebrate the Season with Tabletop Teppanyaki at Tenkū

This Christmas, Tenkū offers a one-of-a-kind dining experience that puts you in control of the

Trending

A Taste of the Atlantic at The Kingsbury’s Ocean

This festive season, Ocean, The Kingsbury’s celebrated seafood restaurant, invites you to embrace a world

Trending

Mount Lavinia Hotel Hosts Traditional Tree Lighting Ceremony, Welcomes the Christmas Season with Festivities and Special Offerings

Mount Lavinia Hotel welcomed the festive season in grand style with its traditional Annual Tree

Trending

From Dusk Till Dawn: The Visionary Behind Sri Lanka’s nightlife revolution

By Vimasha Weerawansha  If you’re into nightlife and crave bold, unforgettable flavors, Sheran de Fonseka’s

Highlights Trending

Shangri-La Colombo Ushers in the Festive Season with a Spectacular Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony

The festive spirit came alive at Shangri-La Colombo as the hotel hosted its much-anticipated Christmas

Trending

Yamu Guide.

Festive Feasts: Top Christmas Buffets of 2024

By Fathima Rukaiya Looking for the perfect spot to indulge in a festive Christmas buffet?

Highlights Yamu Guide

9 Unisex Gift Ideas for Your Friends

Written by Fathima Rukaiya, Finding the perfect gift for your friends can be a delightful

Highlights Trending Yamu Guide

9 Must-Read Self-Help Books for Personal Growth

By Jordain De Mel In recent years, people have turned to self-help books to serve

Highlights Yamu Guide

Top Restaurants with the best Cashback offers from Mintpay

With Mintpay, have a gastronomic journey and earn cashback rewards as you go! Every taste

Highlights Yamu Guide

10 Places To Celebrate Father’s Day 2024

By Fathima Rukaiya, Father’s Day is a special occasion dedicated to honoring fathers and celebrating

Highlights Yamu Guide