---
title: "Backpack Lanka vs Wish Residence: which hotel is better?"
description: "Pick Backpack Lanka. It leads in 4 of 4 categories. Backpack Lanka or Wish Residence in Colombo? Compare guest ratings, location, amenities, rooms and prices…"
url: https://stayversus.com/en/compare/backpack-lanka-colombo-vs-wish-residence-colombo/
language: en
source: StayVersus (https://stayversus.com)
retrieved: 2026-10-13
---

# Backpack Lanka vs Wish Residence

Both are in Colombo, 1.2 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:** 4 of 4

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

Apartment · ★★ · Slave Island
## [Wish Residence](https://stayversus.com/en/hotel/wish-residence-colombo/)

- **Guest rating:** 6.8 ·  Okay

- **Location score:** 6.1

- **Score by category:** 0 of 4

[Check rates](https://stayversus.com/go/2321760/agoda/?lang=en)

The short answer

## Pick Backpack Lanka

It leads in 4 of 4 categories. 1.2 km apart.

### Choose Backpack Lanka if you want

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

### Choose Wish Residence if you want

-   to walk to the sights
-   a smaller, quieter hotel

### Why is Backpack Lanka better than Wish Residence?

1.  Higher guest rating (7.5 vs 6.8) (+0.7)
2.  1.2 km closer to the beach (1.1 km vs 2.2 km) (−1.2 km)
3.  1.2 km closer to the area centre (−1.2 km)
4.  520 m closer to public transport (−520 m)
5.  More guest reviews (253 vs 33), so the rating is more reliable (×7.7)

### Why is Wish Residence better than Backpack Lanka?

1.  Higher star rating (2★ vs 1★) (+1★)
2.  Later check-out (12:00 vs 11:00) (+1h)

## All compared facts

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

 

|  | Backpack Lanka | Wish Residence |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Score by category |
| Guest rating | 7.5  (+0.7) | 6.8 |
| Location | 6.6  (+0.5) | 6.1 |
| Beach access | 6.6  (+4.0) | 2.6 |
| Public transport | 9.2  (+2.8) | 6.4 |
| Ratings & reviews |
| StayVersus score | 7.6  (+0.1) | 7.4 |
| Guest rating | 7.5  (+0.7) | 6.8 |
| Number of reviews | 253  (+220) | 33 |
| Rank in Colombo | top 85%  (+3%) | top 88% |
| Location |
| Location score | 6.6  (+0.5) | 6.1 |
| Distance to Slave Island centre | 1.5 km  (−1.2 km) | 2.7 km |
| To the beach | 1.1 km  (−1.2 km) | 2.2 km |
| To public transport | 300 m  (−520 m) | 810 m |
| To the airport | 11 km | 9.4 km  (−1.2 km) |
| Restaurants within 500 m | 65 | 71  (+6) |
| Sights within 1 km | 2 | 2 |
| Rooms & building |
| Star rating | ★ | ★★  (+1★) |
| Rooms | 10 | 2 |
| Floors | 4 | 1 |
| Newest building or renovation | 2014 | – |
| Listed amenities | 9  (+5) | 4 |
| Policies |
| Check-in from | 14:00 | 14:00 |
| Check-out until | 11:00 | 12:00  (+1h) |
| Amenities |
| Free Wi-Fi | ✓ | ✓ |
| Airport transfer | ✓ | – |
| Shuttle | ✓ | – |
| Car hire | ✓ | – |
| Laundry | ✓ | – |
| Luggage storage | ✓ | – |
| Air conditioning | ✓ | – |
| Kitchen | ✓ | – |
| Free parking | – | ✓ |
| Which hotel suits you |
| Families with children | ✓ | – |
| Couples | ✓ | – |
| Beach holidays | ✓ | – |
| Sightseeing on foot | ✓ | – |
| Business trips | ✓ | – |
| Spa & relaxation | ✓ | ✓ |

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

## Location

1.2 km apart

## Backpack Lanka or Wish Residence: common questions

### Which is better, Backpack Lanka or Wish Residence?

Backpack Lanka leads in 4 of 4 categories, including guest rating, location, beach access.

### Which is cheaper, Backpack Lanka or Wish Residence?

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 2.7 km for Wish Residence.

### Which hotel is closer to the beach?

Backpack Lanka is 1.1 km from the nearest beach; Wish Residence is 2.2 km.

### How far apart are Backpack Lanka and Wish Residence?

The two hotels are 1.2 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/)
-   [Wish Residence vs Mandarina Colombo](https://stayversus.com/en/compare/mandarina-colombo-colombo-vs-wish-residence-colombo/)
-   [Wish Residence vs Ivy Lane Hotel Colombo](https://stayversus.com/en/compare/ivy-lane-hotel-colombo-colombo-vs-wish-residence-colombo/)
-   [Wish Residence vs The Regent Grand Hotel](https://stayversus.com/en/compare/the-regent-grand-hotel-colombo-vs-wish-residence-colombo/)
-   [Wish Residence vs Clock Inn Colombo](https://stayversus.com/en/compare/clock-inn-colombo-colombo-vs-wish-residence-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/)

---
Source: https://stayversus.com/en/compare/backpack-lanka-colombo-vs-wish-residence-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/