---
title: "Backpack Lanka vs Palmyrah Residencies: which hotel is better?"
description: "Pick Backpack Lanka. It leads in 2 of 4 categories. Backpack Lanka or Palmyrah Residencies in Colombo? Compare guest ratings, location, amenities, rooms and…"
url: https://stayversus.com/en/compare/backpack-lanka-colombo-vs-palmyrah-residencies-colombo/
language: en
source: StayVersus (https://stayversus.com)
retrieved: 2026-10-15
---

# Backpack Lanka vs Palmyrah Residencies

Both are in Colombo, 1.6 km apart. Here is where each one is stronger.

Guesthouse · ★ · Slave Island
## [Backpack Lanka](https://stayversus.com/en/hotel/backpack-lanka-colombo/)

- **Guest rating:** 7.5 ·  Good

- **Location score:** 6.6

- **Score by category:** 2 of 4

[Check rates](https://stayversus.com/go/1178402/agoda/?lang=en)

Apartment · ★ · Slave Island
## [Palmyrah Residencies](https://stayversus.com/en/hotel/palmyrah-residencies-colombo/)

- **Guest rating:** 7.9 ·  Good

- **Location score:** 6.8

- **Score by category:** 1 of 4

[Check rates](https://stayversus.com/go/1937821/agoda/?lang=en)

The short answer

## Pick Backpack Lanka

It leads in 2 of 4 categories. 1.6 km apart.

### Choose Backpack Lanka if you want

-   to be closer to the beach
-   a big hotel with more facilities

### Choose Palmyrah Residencies if you want

-   the more consistently praised stay
-   to walk to the sights
-   a smaller, quieter hotel

### Why is Backpack Lanka better than Palmyrah Residencies?

1.  1.0 km closer to the beach (1.1 km vs 2.1 km) (−1.0 km)
2.  1.6 km closer to the area centre (−1.6 km)
3.  More guest reviews (253 vs 93), so the rating is more reliable (×2.7)

### Why is Palmyrah Residencies better than Backpack Lanka?

1.  Higher guest rating (7.9 vs 7.5) (+0.4)

## All compared facts

Every category is scored from 0 to 10 with the same formula for every hotel.

 

|  | Backpack Lanka | Palmyrah Residencies |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Score by category |
| Guest rating | 7.5 | 7.9  (+0.4) |
| Location | 6.6 | 6.8 |
| Facilities | – | 5.0 |
| Families | – | 0.0 |
| Spa & wellness | – | 0.0 |
| Beach access | 6.6  (+3.5) | 3.1 |
| Public transport | 9.2  (+0.6) | 8.6 |
| Ratings & reviews |
| StayVersus score | 7.6 | 8.0  (+0.4) |
| Guest rating | 7.5 | 7.9  (+0.4) |
| Number of reviews | 253  (+160) | 93 |
| Rank in Colombo | top 85% | top 67%  (+18%) |
| Location |
| Location score | 6.6 | 6.8  (+0.2) |
| Distance to Slave Island centre | 1.5 km  (−1.6 km) | 3.1 km |
| To the beach | 1.1 km  (−1.0 km) | 2.1 km |
| To public transport | 300 m  (−110 m) | 410 m |
| To the airport | 11 km | 9.1 km  (−1.5 km) |
| Restaurants within 500 m | 65 | 74  (+9) |
| Sights within 1 km | 2 | 2 |
| Rooms & building |
| Star rating | ★ | ★ |
| Rooms | 10 | 3 |
| Floors | 4 | 5 |
| Newest building or renovation | 2014  (+1y) | 2013 |
| Listed amenities | 9 | 15  (+6) |
| Policies |
| Check-in from | 14:00 | 13:30  (−1h) |
| Check-out until | 11:00 | 11:00 |
| Amenities |
| Free Wi-Fi | ✓ | ✓ |
| Airport transfer | ✓ | ✓ |
| Shuttle | ✓ | ✓ |
| Car hire | ✓ | ✓ |
| Laundry | ✓ | ✓ |
| Luggage storage | ✓ | ✓ |
| Air conditioning | ✓ | ✓ |
| Kitchen | ✓ | – |
| Free parking | – | ✓ |
| Concierge | – | ✓ |
| Breakfast | – | ✓ |
| Terrace | – | ✓ |
| Casino | – | ✓ |
| Balcony | – | ✓ |
| Which hotel suits you |
| Families with children | ✓ | – |
| Couples | ✓ | ✓ |
| Beach holidays | ✓ | – |
| Sightseeing on foot | ✓ | ✓ |
| Business trips | ✓ | ✓ |
| Spa & relaxation | ✓ | ✓ |

[Swap sides](https://stayversus.com/en/compare/palmyrah-residencies-colombo-vs-backpack-lanka-colombo/)

## Location

1.6 km apart

## Backpack Lanka or Palmyrah Residencies: common questions

### Which is better, Backpack Lanka or Palmyrah Residencies?

Backpack Lanka leads in 2 of 4 categories, including beach access, public transport. Palmyrah Residencies is stronger in guest rating.

### Which is cheaper, Backpack Lanka or Palmyrah Residencies?

Prices change by date. Pick your dates above to see both nightly prices side by side.

### Which hotel is closer to the centre?

Backpack Lanka is closer: 1.5 km from the centre, against 3.1 km for Palmyrah Residencies.

### Which hotel is closer to the beach?

Backpack Lanka is 1.1 km from the nearest beach; Palmyrah Residencies is 2.1 km.

### How far apart are Backpack Lanka and Palmyrah Residencies?

The two hotels are 1.6 km apart in a straight line.

## More match-ups

-   [Backpack Lanka vs MercuryFM 103 Budget](https://stayversus.com/en/compare/backpack-lanka-colombo-vs-mercuryfm-103-budget-colombo/)
-   [Backpack Lanka vs Juliana Colombo](https://stayversus.com/en/compare/backpack-lanka-colombo-vs-juliana-colombo-colombo/)
-   [Backpack Lanka vs Ivy Lane Hotel Colombo](https://stayversus.com/en/compare/backpack-lanka-colombo-vs-ivy-lane-hotel-colombo-colombo/)
-   [Backpack Lanka vs Hostel at Galle Face- Colombo](https://stayversus.com/en/compare/backpack-lanka-colombo-vs-hostel-at-galle-face-colombo-colombo/)
-   [Palmyrah Residencies vs Clock Inn Colombo](https://stayversus.com/en/compare/clock-inn-colombo-colombo-vs-palmyrah-residencies-colombo/)
-   [Palmyrah Residencies vs The Regent Grand Hotel](https://stayversus.com/en/compare/palmyrah-residencies-colombo-vs-the-regent-grand-hotel-colombo/)
-   [Palmyrah Residencies vs Wish Residence](https://stayversus.com/en/compare/palmyrah-residencies-colombo-vs-wish-residence-colombo/)
-   [Palmyrah Residencies vs Ivy Lane Hotel Colombo](https://stayversus.com/en/compare/ivy-lane-hotel-colombo-colombo-vs-palmyrah-residencies-colombo/)

## Compare now

Updated 6 Oct 2026. Data: Agoda, Overture Maps, OpenStreetMap, OurAirports and hotels' own websites. We may earn a commission from partner links; it never changes the comparison. [How we score](https://stayversus.com/en/about/)

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Source: https://stayversus.com/en/compare/backpack-lanka-colombo-vs-palmyrah-residencies-colombo/. Facts are compiled by StayVersus from partner data (Agoda), Overture Maps, OpenStreetMap, OurAirports, public Google Maps listings and hotels' own websites. Scores use one formula for every hotel. Methodology: https://stayversus.com/en/about/