Allens home stay

Allen ist ein extrem entspannter, freundlicher und fürsorglicher Gastgeber. Die ruhige Lage mit Garten ist perfekt und per Rad kann man entspannt die Stadt erkunden. Das Frühstück ist abwechslungsreich und lecker.

It’s a beautiful place to stay, with a lovely green garden, a small terrace, and really nice, spacious rooms. Allen was an amazing host — very friendly, warm-hearted, and welcoming. He shared a lot with me and really took the time to talk to me and the other guests. I would definitely stay here again!

Bei Allen fühlt man sich wirklich wie ein Gast :)

Tutto…soprattutto Allen, una persona interessante, disponibile e gentile. Ci è piaciuta la sua casa elegante arredata con gusto e il suo bel giardino. Buona anche la colazione. Posizione ottima, vicino al tempio. Qualità prezzo più che ottimi!

Absolute Empfehlung diese Unterkunft. Der Gastgeber ist so unglaublich freundlich und konnte uns sehr viel über Sri Lanka und der Geschichte erzählen. Das Frühstück ist sehr vielfältig und es gab sri lankische Köstlichkeiten zum Probieren. Die Zimmer waren blitzeblank sauber und es gibt Fahrräder, mit denen man sehr gut die Stadt erkunden kann. Sehr authentischer Homestay und wir können ihn uneingeschränkt weiterempfehlen.

Il miglior soggiorno in Sri Lanka. Una casa confortevole, spaziosa, curata nei dettagli e piena di vita e di ricordi che Allen, il proprietario, ha condiviso con noi. La sua ospitalità è impareggiabile. Allen ci ha guidati alla scoperta della cultura indul, ha risposto alle nostre mille domande, ci ha coccolati con una colazione deliziosa (non dimenticherò le tante varietà di frutta che ci ha fatto assaggiare), ci ha suggerito posti da visitare e ristoranti eccellenti non turistici e, per finire, ci ha aiutato nell'organizzare una gita in tuk tuk lungo la laguna e lo spostamento verso Tricomalee. Raccomandiamo altamente questo soggiorno e ci portiamo Allen nel cuore.

The host was very kind. Peaceful home with good garden…

Allen was a lovely host. He was kind, helpful and generous in sharing his home with us and providing great breakfasts. He gave us plenty of insider knowledge about places to visit, transport and food. He has a great garden and use of his bikes allowed us to explore Jaffna while we were there.

Nothing.

Allen is a perfect host. Mede me feel home.

Air conditioning hard to use, but ok.

The host Allen is super nice and the place of his is really has a different vibe. Calm and peaceful neighborhood. Everything was there for our convenience.

Nothing much to mention, the staywas really good.

Allen was a wonderful, helpful & friendly host - just what you are looking for when travelling alone. The house is wonderful, as is the breakfast. He even lent me his bike & I cycled round the area. Great fun. There is a lovely veranda at the front of the house to sit & read.

Nothing.

Nous avons passé un agréable séjour, l'hôte était très accueillant et nous a indiqué les endroits pour manger et faire du shopping. L'établissement est bien situé.

Great host, great breakfast & lovely place!

Allen’s Homestay is amazing for many reasons! First it is clean and spacious with a comfortable AC room to rest in. I loved the decor of the room and the house. Second, the location is very convenient for the main temple but also for peace and quiet at night. Third, Allen himself is a great host - from intricate breakfasts to a garden full of fresh fruit that he let me eat from, to dropping me off and helping me haggle for a new suitcase at the market that I needed to buy! Allen is an amazing person and nothing is too much trouble for him. In fact, I liked my stay so much here I stayed another night that I had not initially booked. Also it was a safe and Great place to stay as a young female solo traveller.

Everything was perfect

Sehr schöne Unterkunft. Sauber, gut ausgestattet für Reisende (Wasserspender, Aufhängevorrichtungen, Platz zum Verstauen). Das Bad ist gross und sauber. Klimaanlage und Ventilator funktionieren einwandfrei. Das ware Highlight ist aber Allen, der Host. Er ist in seinen 60er oder 70ern und kümmert sich sehr liebevoll um seine Gäste. Er bereitet ein hervorragendes Morgenessen vor mit Früchten, Egg Hoppers und Brot. Er hat viele Tipps für Jaffna und die Umgebung (Tempel, Roller-Miete, Restaurants etc.). Wir waren 10/10 begeistert.

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Nous avons passé un séjour excellent, de l'accueil jusqu'à notre départ, tout était parfait. La chambre est très propre et trés bien équipée . ALLENS est une personne très sympathique qui communique et vous aidera dans toutes vos démarches, bref , à peine arrivés on se sent comme à la maison et que dire du petitdéjeuner, ? excellent.je recommande vivement.

Rien

Le propriétaire est adorable. Très attentif à nos besoins et très aidant. Nous sommes très content. Le homestay est bien situé et le déjeuner super.

La propreté de la salle de bain et la chambre peut être amélioré

Mr Aananthan hosted well.

I had a lovely stay at Allen‘s. His house is beautiful and the garden such a lovely place to relax. Allen is also the kindest host who takes really good care of his guests and makes lovely breakfast!

The house is very aesthetic and well maintained. Has a beautiful yard. Allen arranged a tuk-tuk driver who literally made the day worth it. Took us to every place we should have seen and could have seen in a day. Allen helps with planning the day very well. The house a some good book collection as well.

Ruhige Lage, sehr leckeres Frühstück, sehr netter Gastgeber gibt super Tipps für Jaffna

Allen war wirklich ein hervorragender Gastgeber. Hat sich super um uns gekümmert und alles gegeben, dass wir einen angenehmen Aufenthalt hatten. Die Zimmer sind zwar einfach aber man hat alles was man braucht. Außerdem gibt es sowohl drinnen als auch draußen sehr gute Sitzmöglichkeiten

Das Bad bei einem von den zwei Zimmern ist leider seperat, aber das wurde davor auch kommuniziert.

Allen is unbelievbly friendly warm and welcoming. Really really good Soul. Unbelievbly helpful. The Place is an oasis and perfect located in Jaffna.

La beauté de la maison et du jardin qui l’entoure. L’amabilité d’Allen et sa belle disponibilité.

Rien

Good place for stay in Jaffna, nice Host.

good location

Could have more bedsheets and longer towels

Allen hat uns sehr herzlich empfangen. Er ist weltoffen und den Menschen zugewandt. Der Garten ist eine Wohlfühloase mitten in Jaffna. Das Haus ist hübsch, das Zimmer ist völlig in Ordnung. Zu unserer großen Freude spricht Allen gut deutsch. Es gab sehr gutes Frühstück. Wir erhielten nützliche Tipps für Jaffna. Vielen Dank.

Nichts

Nous avons séjourné 4 jours dans cette jolie maison coloniale Allens est un hôte exceptionnel, par ses bons conseils tout en étant discret . Si vous passez à Jaffna , la meilleure adresse .

Maison familiale très agréable, on se sent un peu comme chez soi. Allen est accueillant, aidant, de bon conseil et discute facilement ce qui est bien sympa quand on voyage. Environnement calme avec un loueur de scooter à 2 pas .

Un peu excentré mais les prix des tuk tuk sont très corrects à Jaffna

Fantastique séjour ! C'est bien situé avec un agréable jardin. Allen se coupe en quatre pour que tout se passe au mieux. Le petit déjeuner est un délice ! Les conseils de Allen sont aussi très utiles.

Struttura immersa nel verse a pochi minuti dal tempio. Stanza accogliente, colazione ottima e proprietario molto disponibile per qualsiasi consiglio/evenienza. Disponibilità di bici per girare in città in alternativa al tuk tuk

Niente

Ein ganz besonders nettes Homestay! Sehr ruhig gelegen, da in einer Sackgasse. Schönes Zimmer mit Bad. Und ein toller Gastgeber. Allen hat lange in Deutschland gelebt, man kann sich also super unterhalten. Er hatte viele wertvolle Tipps für uns, sodass die 2 Tage Jaffna und Umgebung ein besonderes Erlebnis waren.

Homestay exceptionnelle, certainement notre meilleure expérience d'hébergement au Sri Lanka. La maison et le jardin sont superbes, Allen est discret et disponible, toujours prêt à donner de bons conseils.

Es ist eine tolle Oase in Jaffna. Allen ist so fürsorglich und hilfsbereit. Er macht ein tolles Frühstück und organisiert Tuk Tuk usw.. Durch den gepflegten schönen Garten und dem gemütlicher Außen- und Innenbereich fühlte ich mich sehr wohl. Allen und sein Homestay - einfach klasse.

Allen est un hôte extrêmement accueillant et gentil . Il a tout fait pour rendre notre séjour agréable et nous a donné beaucoup de conseils ! La chambre était propre ! On se sent comme à la maison. La localisation est idéale… proche du temple nallur

Rien

Allens home stay is an oasis in Jaffna. We would go back there in a heartbeat. The property is beautiful, situated in a green and peaceful garden. You can sit on the veranda and watch the squirrels and birds. The location is great - only a few minutes by tuktuk from the railway station and only a few minutes by foot from the main temple and nice restaurants. Despite this, it is wonderfully quiet at night. The rooms are very spacious, with mosquito nets and a choice of A/C or fan. A very comfortable bed and lovely breakfasts. Allen is a wonderful host - incredibly kind, helpful and patient. We're very happy we got to meet him.

Everything was perfect.

Breakfast whatever you wanted and perfect . Allen is a great host and great local knowledge and friendly

The mattress was too hard 😵‍💫

Allen is erg vriendelijk , had goede tips voor Jaffna en omgeving. Mooie tuin.

Niets

We spent 2 nights at Allen's place and enjoyed it to the fullest. His super beautiful home and garden as well as Allen's attentive, supportive and decent personality made our stay like being on a peaceful island. The guesthouse is perfectly located to reach the city, the temple and especially the great restaurants around where you can have delicious local food all day long (ask Allen for recommendations!) Just right next to the guesthouse you can rent a scooter to go around the islands, also here Allen had great recommendations. Thanks a lot Allen for making our stay so special and for making us try red bananas (:

As often mentioned, it is the host Allen who makes this a remarkable place to stay in Jaffna. His house is cosy, though, his tropical garden is beautiful, his terrace with the self-designed chairs is a great place to rest and chat. But it is Allen who makes this stay so special. He makes the perfect host, attentive and caring. He gave us excellent restaurant & beach tips. He arranged a guide who took us around the islands. He fixed a taxi for us, on our way to the next destination. We had interesting conversations with him, e.g. about the history of Jaffna and the civil war. Our holiday seemed also his concern. Although he sees many guests passing, his concern and support seem genuine and personal. And… the home made breakfast is not to be missed.

Nothing really

We had the absolute best time staying with Allen in Jaffna. Allen is warm and welcoming and is so helpful in helping you to plan out your stay and onward travel. We loved chatting to Allen and learning more about Sri Lanka. Breakfast was delicious and lots of it! The room had everything we needed and was spacious, comfortable and great aircon. We’d happily return and wished we had a longer stay with Allen in Jaffna. Highly recommend to anyone travelling to Jaffna, you’ll have a lovely time 😊

N/a

I liked the homely atmosphere

Nothing to dislike. Value for money

Allen, as mentioned over and over in other reviews, is the best host EVER. This kind of people makes the difference when traveling like we do, where the main goal is to enjoy the culture and people, as much as the places we visit. Allen went way beyond expectations on helping us with whatever we may need (from train schedules, arranging a great driver for a day-long tour, giving us recommendations for local places, to taking his bike and buying us some cold beers after hours, or getting up to prepare us an unusually early morning breakfast to go, due to our very early schedule), overall making us feel like his true guests despite the commercial relationship. Well-travelled, Jaffna-native but with many years in Europe, Allen is the kind of person that you hope you have more time to get to know better, and that will remain as a highlight of any trip. The property is his own home, where you rent some rooms. It is a very quiet spot in a green and shady compound in a cul-de-sac, a great respite from some of the Jaffna frenzy. Located a quick 5-min. tuk-tuk ride from the train station, it is also near the main Hindu temple of the city, a couple of blocks away. The room we rented had its own exclusive bathroom, but crossing the living room. There was another room with a full private bathroom, not available at the time. The house has a quaint feeling, very cozy and clean. The AC in the room worked fine and it was very welcomed. Breakfast was great, abundant and tasty, prepared by Allen on the spot.

Whatever minor details, that I cannot come out with now, would be completely offset by the wonderful host and his hospitality. Thank you!

We traveled around Sri Lanka and of all the places we stayed at, we enjoyed Allen's the most. All worked as described, Allen was ready to help with anything, breakfasts were tasteful and fruit-ful, even wifi worked well (very uncommon during the majority of our other stays). Plus the place is clean and has a cool and laid-back vibe and Allen is a kind host. Fully recommended! Thank you, Allen!

Calm and comfortable home stay. Allen arranged a tuk tuk show us the northern province. His breakfasts were delicious. He had great recommendations for restaurants in town. Try out the Malayan Cafe by the market if you fancy good vegetarian curries on a banana leaf!!!

We couldn't get warm water from the shower. But honestly, it's so hot a cool shower is better!

Allen is a wonderful host - he has lots of recommendations and advice for things to do in Jaffna, and makes a very good breakfast.

Good, helpful host. Nice breakfast. Peaceful location.

Allen is a lovely man and so helpful and kind. We really enjoyed the stay here and felt at home. Had great chats with Allen and Jaffna is a must visit to anyone visiting Sri Lanka.

Nothing

Great honestay in a lively house with garden in a quiet area of Jaffna but very close to the main temple and a tuk tuk ride away from everything, Allen is a gem - he sorts you out with everything and is super helpful. If you go to Jaffna stay with Alllen!

The property is very clean and comfortable. Allen is an excellent host and couldn’t do enough for us. Beautiful garden and a fantastic breakfast cooked by Allen. Allen organised a Tuk tuk tour of Jaffna for us which we really enjoyed.

Beautiful location, quiet and peaceful, large veranda and garden, lots of shade. No need for Aircondition, thougg available. About 15 min walk or 5 min TukTuk ride from centre. Walking distance to main temple and ice cream shop. Allen is an amazing host, very helpful and knowledgeable. Highly recommend this homestay, as it lives up to the definition of homestay.

Allen is a very nice and open minded, you can speak easily with him of what ever you want and he will be happy to help you found a place for eat drink or to explore during your stay. The house is little bit outside of the city center (5min in Tuk-Tuk) but it's a little edge serenity in the busy city of Jaffna Special mention for his breakfast, homemade and delicious!

Allens Home Stay is a hidden gem and it is his kindness, warmth and generous hospitality that make this such a special place to stay. Nothing is too much trouble for Allen and I enjoyed my time in Jaffna all the more thanks to him. The home stay is perfectly located in a peaceful residential area but it is still within walking distance of both the city centre and many local amenities including supermarkets and good restaurants. One of Sri Lanka’s most important Hindu temples is just a very short walk away. My en-suite room was large, clean and comfortable. Nights are very quiet and peaceful and you’re assured a good nights sleep. The air-conditioning worked well and there is also a quiet ceiling fan if preferred. A mosquito net is strung over the bed but I honestly never had a problem with mosquitoes in my room so the net was never used. Scooter rental can be arranged and I was given the use of a bicycle should I wish. Allen, who speaks perfect English, is a wealth of information on Jaffna and indeed the whole of Sri Lanka. The included breakfasts are substantial, varied and delicious and included omelet, delectable Sri Lankan breakfast staples, fruits, bread and great tea or coffee. I would always look forward to them. I cannot recommend this wonderful home stay highly enough. As there are only a few rooms and it is usually sold out, for good reason, I would strongly recommend booking ahead. Everything about my stay was perfect from beginning to end and I could not have asked for more. Thank you Allen and I hope you have a fabulous birthday next month!

Near the big Hindu temple in Jaffna, & a 300rupee ride to Jaffna Fort, & the main town. Very comfortable & clean. Host was superb - made an excellent breakfast, & helped us with our onward travel, as well as recommendations for local restaurants. A tranquil space to stay.

Allen is a great host and will do whatever he can do to help you to have a pleasant time in Jaffna. Nice breakfast with fresh fruits and good tips for dinner.

Just be prepared for the mosquitoes around sunset in Jaffna, they are hungry

The host was very welcoming and helped us with information about restaurants and the neighborhood. Allen is very friendly and made us feel at home at his wonderful and quiet place. He helped with a tour and we could use his bicycles, very nice. Temple Nallur very close, 10 min walk and if you are on a Friday, you are lucky because that is a special day for Hindu people. Restaurant Nallur Bhavan was a real gem for delicious dosas.

I liked the property as it is authentic Jaffna homestay - next to Nallur temple felt so special and spiritual . Allen - Tamilian Host went above and beyond to answer any queries - logistical travel support and has so much history about Jaffna . As a female solo traveller I felt safe and totally looked after … no wonder this place is fully booked Allen ensured I was fed - watered and nothing was too much trouble - missing place and his warmth . You are in for a spectacular time

I got absolute value for money - fantastic

Excellent host, our stay felt like being a guest at friends home. House is decorated with a taste and art. Breakfast very tasty, fruits and tea available at every moment, all included in the room price. Room is spacy, clean with a comfortble bed.

None.

Location Ambience Owner, Allen Breakfast

Would be nice to have tea and coffee making facilities in room

Allen is an exceptional host and a wonderful person. We felt like home from the first moment. The house is quiet and cozy and Allen’s breakfast delicious. I would stay again 100%. Thank you for everything and wish you the best!

We have just left this place. The owner is one of the nicest bloke going So easy-going and welcoming. It was a genuine home from home stay If I ever were to come back to Jaffna, I would not have hesitation in staying here. He has taken some very simple and effective measures to keep the mossies out. Breakfast was excellent He has only 2 rooms I would STRONGLY ADVISE that you book this well in advance. I am 100% confident that people will not be disappointed unless you are the type of person who prefers a really high-end 5-star luxurious stay. In which case you pay the price accordingly. This place offers excellent service and has to be best value for the money

No negatives

Thanks to Allen for all his help !!! A great Homestay !!

Allen's place is a little oasis in the middle of Jaffna. We loved our stay! The room and bed are very comfortable and the breakfast made fresh every morning by Allen himself. There is a warm shower and the garden great to read a book. I'll come back longer next time!

Nothing.

it is a super nice, calm, spaceious and clean home with a tremendous jost. allen really helped us with everything, planing, renting, restaurants and gave us an insight in hindu history. additional to that he made us a wonderful breakfast every morning and was there for every quastion and need. i can highly recomand to stay here for as short or longer time!

Nice place with a great and helpfuø host.

We loved both Allen and his homestay! The place is wonderful: a big renovated house with garden, where guests have their how spacious room w/bathroom. All clean and perfect. Allen is extremely friendly and helpful. He let us check in at 9 am because our bus had arrived early in the morning, which was live-saving after the night on the bus. His english is perfect and he’s happy to answer to any questions about Jaffna and the local culture. He also arranged a scooter rental for us and suggested a good restaurant close to his place. We’d 100% reccomend staying with him!

Nothing

Very good for what it was, ie a home stay. Host very pleasant and helpful. Gave good breakfasts with 3 cups if coffee. Place was very clean and felt safe. I was a single woman traveller. There were only 2 rooms. So not many guests.

Bathroom bidet shower didn't work as well as it should

Nice place to be, Allen as owner Great person. Not to forget wonderfull breakfast

We had a great time at Allen’s Homestay! He is very friendly and gave a lot of tips for things to do around Jaffna. He also helped us a lot to get in touch with local mechanics when we had some issues with our tuktuk. The rooms are nice and clean, and the porch with view of the garden is great!

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A home stay that truly felt like a home stay. Allen suggested places to go and places to eat which were all good. The porch overlooking the garden is very relaxing. We would highly recommend staying here and visiting Jaffna for minimum 3 nights as there is a lot to see.

Nothing.

Allen was the kindest, most generous and thoughtful person we’ve met in our trip so far! The homestay was amazing, with the most beautiful yard, it felt a little bit of jungle, with many trees and flowers, you love to sit there and relax. The room was beautifully decorated, spacious, clean and comfortable. We stayed there for two nights only and we still miss it! Allen prepared for us an amazing and really tasty breakfast and was always asking if we wanted more. He gave us a lot of information on the places around Jaffna and what we should visit. He was open to discuss about the culture and history of Sri Lanka and give us some insights. The best part of our staying there was how comfortable we felt and the interesting discussions we had with Allen. Thank you for the beautiful accommodation, we gonna miss you!

Everything was amazing

We loved the porch/garden. Breakfast was good and the host had great recommendations for dinner/lunch places and scooter rental. We are also very greatful for early check in.

The bathroom is not attached to the room but that's no biggie, just so you know. Host a bit complained about A/C usage but again no biggie, rather a slight annoyance.

All good reviews on Allen are true, great host! Excellent breakfast and calm environment in bustling Jaffna city :)

We had an amazing time at Allen’s Homestay, he was so welcoming, friendly and kind. His homestay is out of the city noise, in a relaxing atmosphere. The room was clean and his house is beautifully decorated, he has a nice deck to sit on to relax too. He helped us so much with information of restaurants, places to visit and things to see. He also set us up with one of his friends who was a driver/ tour guide and we had such an amazing tour experience that we will never forget ! Thank you so much !

Generosity of Allen and availibity of Raja. They make you feel at home. Relax and explore the surroudings.

We had a really good time with Allen. He is available for the travellers and he likes to share his culture and recommandations to enjoy Jaffna. Very good location with the Nallur temple at walking distance and others points of interest close by.

Its worth for the price. Owner is very friendly n cool.

We didnt get an attached bathroom . But its okay .

Beautifully decorated home in a peaceful place. Allen is so friendly and helpful and I felt so welcome and looked after. The room is spacious and the breakfast is lovely too. The WiFi is also fast.

We have spent 4 days here, and this place felt like home. Nice and confy room, AC working great, hot shower, the best Wifi in our time in Sri Lanka. Delicious homemade breakfast. Beatiful garden. Super clean. But the best is the host: Allen is just amazing! He was very kind, thoughful, gave all the tips and information, and we still got the chance to talk, share a bit of our experiences. Thank you for everything, Allen!

Allen’s home stay is a little oasis in the city. As you enter through the metal gate, you stroll through a lush garden filled with beautiful flowers and impressive trees to get to the family home. The common living area is filled with heavy wooden furniture that harkens back to colonial Ceylon. The dark timbered doors, partitions and mouldings lend somber accents to the light interior. Make yourself at home by watching TV on the very modern flat screen in the living room or venture out to the porch and lounge on the verandah chairs. You are encouraged to get your drinking water from the giant filtered water jug in the kitchen instead of buying plastic bottles of water. Allen is an affable and generous host who provides many tips and bits of information to ensure you have an enjoyable stay. With a colourful history that includes living in the UK and Germany, he speaks fluent English and German. An example of his delicious and bountiful breakfasts: hefty slices of bread with jam and butter, sweet hoppers, fried egg, fresh fruit, and tea or coffee. One morning I had to leave at first light to catch a ferry, and Allen kindly woke up early to pack up sweet buns and bananas for me. My room was bright and spacious with a comfortable double bed topped with a massive mosquito net. An air conditioner and a large ceiling fan ensures that you are comfortable in the hot, sticky weather. A slim, tree trunk that extends from floor to ceiling, has hooks for you to hang your clothes or bags. A dream catcher adds a bit of whimsy. The sizeable bathroom with a shower and toilet is located outside of the room near the kitchen but it is for your sole use. The guesthouse is conveniently located minutes away from the iconic Hindu temple, Nallur Kandaswamy Kovil. Feeling peckish? Just around the corner is the unassuming Nallur Bhavan Vegetarian restaurant that prepares scrumptious yet inexpensive dosas. Also nearby is Rio Ice Cream, the most popular ice cream parlour in Jaffna.

I regret not visiting during mango season as I missed out on these delectable, succulent, fleshy delights that Jaffna offers. Allen has a mango tree in his garden! As with many towns in Sri Lanka, lighting is limited so the neighbourhood is pretty dark after dusk which makes it a bit trepidatious if you were to walk alone. However, I do think the homestay is in a relatively safe residential area.

Nice environment with so many flowers. House is like a art gallery. Love this place

We enjoyed our stay so much!! Allen truly is the perfect host! He helped us a lot, offered great breakfast and made us feel very welcome! Many, many thanks for your hospitality and time! Hope to come again one day!