---
title: "Shen Residence vs The Thick Forest: which hotel is better?"
description: "Shen Residence or The Thick Forest in Sigiriya? Compare guest ratings, location, amenities, rooms and prices side by side."
url: https://stayversus.com/en/compare/shen-residence-sigiriya-vs-the-thick-forest-sigiriya/
language: en
source: StayVersus (https://stayversus.com)
retrieved: 2026-11-07
---

# Shen Residence vs The Thick Forest

Both are in Sigiriya, 2.0 km apart. Here is where each one is stronger.

Apartment · Sigiriya
## [Shen Residence](https://stayversus.com/en/hotel/shen-residence-sigiriya/)

- **Guest rating:** 9.6 ·  Exceptional

- **Location score:** 2.0

- **Score by category:** 5 of 11

[Check rates](https://stayversus.com/go/2087769/agoda/?lang=en)

Guesthouse · Ehalagala
## [The Thick Forest](https://stayversus.com/en/hotel/the-thick-forest-sigiriya/)

- **Guest rating:** 7.6 ·  Good

- **Location score:** 1.3

- **Score by category:** 2 of 11

[Check rates](https://stayversus.com/go/2219821/agoda/?lang=en)

The short answer

## Pick Shen Residence

It comes out ahead on 5 of 11 compared facts. 2.0 km apart.

### Choose Shen Residence if you want

-   the more consistently praised stay (9.6 / 7.6)
-   to walk to the sights (3.0 km / 3.9 km)
-   breakfast included
-   a smaller, quieter hotel (Rooms: 1 / 5)

### Choose The Thick Forest if you want

-   a big hotel with more facilities (Rooms: 5 / 1)

### Why is Shen Residence better than The Thick Forest?

1.  Higher guest rating (9.6 vs 7.6) (+2.0)
2.  Includes free breakfast
3.  More walkable surroundings (walk grade 10 vs 0) (+10)

### Why is The Thick Forest better than Shen Residence?

1.  More guest reviews (88 vs 32), so the rating is more reliable (×2.8)

## All compared facts

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

 

|  | Shen Residence | The Thick Forest |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Score by category |
| Guest rating | 9.6  (+2.0) | 7.6 |
| Location | 2.0  (+0.7) | 1.3 |
| Facilities | – | 3.3 |
| Spa & wellness | – | 0.0 |
| Ratings & reviews |
| StayVersus score | 9.0  (+1.2) | 7.8 |
| Guest rating | 9.6  (+2.0) | 7.6 |
| Number of reviews | 32 | 88  (+56) |
| Rank in Sigiriya | top 4%  (+89%) | bottom 7% |
| Location |
| Location score | 2.0  (+0.7) | 1.3 |
| Distance to the centre | 3.0 km  (−910 m) | 3.9 km |
| Restaurants within 500 m | 1 | 0 |
| Shops within 500 m | 0 | 0 |
| Sights within 1 km | 0 | 0 |
| Rooms & building |
| Rooms | 1 | 5 |
| Floors | – | 1 |
| Newest building or renovation | – | 2014 |
| Listed amenities | 10 | 14  (+4) |
| Policies |
| Check-in from | – | 11:30 |
| Check-out until | – | 12:30 |
| Amenities |
| Free Wi-Fi | ✓ | – |
| Free parking | ✓ | ✓ |
| Shuttle | ✓ | ✓ |
| Free breakfast | ✓ | – |
| 24-hour room service | ✓ | ✓ |
| Air conditioning | ✓ | ✓ |
| Car hire | – | ✓ |
| Laundry | – | ✓ |
| Luggage storage | – | ✓ |
| Terrace | – | ✓ |
| Smoke-free | – | ✓ |
| Balcony | – | ✓ |
| Which hotel suits you |
| Couples | ✓ | – |
| Sightseeing on foot | ✓ | – |
| Business trips | ✓ | – |

## Live prices around both hotels

Real nightly rates from booking partners for the dates you picked above. Tap a price for the offer.

## Location

2.0 km apart

Shen Residence: city centre: 3.0 km, 1 places to eat within 500 m.

## Weather in Sigiriya

[Sigiriya weather: 15-day forecast](https://atlasofseasons.com/en/sri-lanka/central-province/sigiriya/weather)

## Shen Residence or The Thick Forest: common questions

### Which is better, Shen Residence or The Thick Forest?

Shen Residence leads in 5 of 11 categories, including StayVersus score, guest rating, rank in Sigiriya. The Thick Forest is stronger in number of reviews, listed amenities.

### Which is cheaper, Shen Residence or The Thick Forest?

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

### Which hotel is closer to the centre?

Shen Residence is closer: 3.0 km from the centre, against 3.9 km for The Thick Forest.

### How far apart are Shen Residence and The Thick Forest?

The two hotels are 2.0 km apart in a straight line.

## 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/shen-residence-sigiriya-vs-the-thick-forest-sigiriya/. 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/