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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

Guest rating
7.5 Good
Location score
6.6
Score by category
2 of 4
Check rates

Apartment★Slave Island

Palmyrah Residencies

Guest rating
7.9 Good
Location score
6.8
Score by category
1 of 4
Check rates

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. 11.0 km closer to the beach (1.1 km vs 2.1 km)−1.0 km
  2. 21.6 km closer to the area centre−1.6 km
  3. 3More guest reviews (253 vs 93), so the rating is more reliable×2.7

Why is Palmyrah Residencies better than Backpack Lanka?

  1. 1Higher 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 LankaPalmyrah 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

Price for your dates

Backpack Lanka

    See on Agoda See on Expedia See on Hotels.com

    Palmyrah Residencies

      See on Agoda See on Expedia See on Hotels.com

      Prices come from booking partners and can change. The final price is shown before you book.

      Location

      1.6 km apart

      OpenStreetMap

      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

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      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