Colombo Downtown Monkey Hostel vs Shalimar Hotel
Both are in Colombo, 2.1 km apart. Here is where each one is stronger.
HostelL B Gate
Colombo Downtown Monkey Hostel
- Guest rating
- 8.0 Very good
- Location score
- 7.6
- Score by category
- 3 of 4
Hotel★★Maligawatte
Shalimar Hotel
- Guest rating
- 7.1 Good
- Location score
- 5.3
- Score by category
- 0 of 4
The short answer
Pick Colombo Downtown Monkey Hostel
It leads in 3 of 4 categories. 2.1 km apart.
Choose Colombo Downtown Monkey Hostel if you want
- the more consistently praised stay (8.0 / 7.1)
- to be closer to the beach (570 m / 2.4 km)
- more restaurants on the doorstep (97 / 15)
Choose Shalimar Hotel if you want
- to walk to the sights (4.2 km / 5.0 km)
Why is Colombo Downtown Monkey Hostel better than Shalimar Hotel?
- 1Higher guest rating (8.0 vs 7.1)+0.9
- 21.8 km closer to the beach (570 m vs 2.4 km)−1.8 km
- 3More guest reviews (388 vs 153), so the rating is more reliable×2.5
- 482 more restaurants and cafés within 500 m+82
- 5More walkable surroundings (walk grade 77 vs 44)+33
- 63 more sights within 1 km+3
Why is Shalimar Hotel better than Colombo Downtown Monkey Hostel?
- 1Earlier check-in (12:00 vs 14:00)−2h
- 2Later 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.
| Colombo Downtown Monkey Hostel vs Shalimar Hotel: which hotel is better? | Colombo Downtown Monkey Hostel | Shalimar Hotel |
|---|---|---|
| Score by category | ||
| Guest rating | 8.0 +0.9 | 7.1 |
| Location | 7.6 +2.3 | 5.3 |
| Beach access | 8.4 +6.4 | 2.0 |
| Public transport | 10.0 | 10.0 |
| Ratings & reviews | ||
| StayVersus score | 8.0 +0.8 | 7.3 |
| Guest rating | 8.0 +0.9 | 7.1 |
| Number of reviews | 388 +235 | 153 |
| Rank in Colombo | bottom 41% +31% | bottom 10% |
| Location | ||
| Location score | 7.6 +2.3 | 5.3 |
| Distance to the centre | 5.0 km | 4.2 km −780 m |
| To the beach | 570 m −1.8 km | 2.4 km |
| To public transport | 20 m −80 m | 110 m |
| To the airport | 13 km | 12 km |
| Restaurants within 500 m | 97 +82 | 15 |
| To the nearest food shop | 440 m −660 m | 1.1 km |
| Shops within 500 m | 10 +10 | 0 |
| Sights within 1 km | 4 +3 | 1 |
| Rooms & building | ||
| Star rating | – | ★★ |
| Rooms | 4 | – |
| Floors | 1 | – |
| Newest building or renovation | 2018 | – |
| Listed amenities | 9 | – |
| Policies | ||
| Check-in from | 14:00 | 12:00 −2h |
| Check-out until | 11:00 | 12:00 +1h |
| Amenities | ||
| Wi-Fi | ✓ | – |
| Parking | ✓ | – |
| Shuttle | ✓ | – |
| Luggage storage | ✓ | – |
| Free breakfast | ✓ | – |
| Terrace | ✓ | – |
| Kitchen | ✓ | – |
| Balcony | ✓ | – |
| Which hotel suits you | ||
| Couples | ✓ | – |
| Beach holidays | ✓ | – |
| Sightseeing on foot | ✓ | – |
Price for your dates
Prices come from booking partners and can change. The final price is shown before you book.
Live prices around both hotels
Real nightly rates from booking partners for the dates you picked above. Tap a price for the offer.
Location
2.1 km apart
Colombo Downtown Monkey Hostel: city centre: 5.0 km, nearest station Secretariat Railway: 20 m, Colombo Ratmalana International Airport (RML): 13 km, beach: 570 m, 97 places to eat within 500 m, 4 sights within 1 km.
Shalimar Hotel: city centre: 4.2 km, nearest station Maradana Railway Station: 110 m, Colombo Ratmalana International Airport (RML): 12 km, beach: 2.4 km, 15 places to eat within 500 m, 1 sights within 1 km.
Weather in Colombo
Colombo Downtown Monkey Hostel or Shalimar Hotel: common questions
Which is better, Colombo Downtown Monkey Hostel or Shalimar Hotel?
Colombo Downtown Monkey Hostel leads in 3 of 4 categories, including guest rating, location, beach access.
Which is cheaper, Colombo Downtown Monkey Hostel or Shalimar Hotel?
Prices change by date. Pick your dates above to see both nightly prices side by side.
Which hotel is closer to the centre?
Shalimar Hotel is closer: 4.2 km from the centre, against 5.0 km for Colombo Downtown Monkey Hostel.
Which hotel is closer to the beach?
Colombo Downtown Monkey Hostel is 570 m from the nearest beach; Shalimar Hotel is 2.4 km.
How far apart are Colombo Downtown Monkey Hostel and Shalimar Hotel?
The two hotels are 2.1 km apart in a straight line.
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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