White House Adam's Peak

After you leave the main road to, literally, dive onto this hotel on a 45 or so degrees slope, you'll find yourself in a tiny combe crossed by the river flowing from the top of the main mountain: Sri Pada a.k.a. Adam's Peak. Legend has it that some vehicles are no longer able to climb it back and are consequently stuck there for ever. Why did you come here? Well, to climb that peak, of course! What else? The slope leading to the hotel and that you'll have to take in the reverse direction will just make the initial training of your escalation. The hotel itself consists of basic rooms, some completely made out of wood giving the typical aspect of moutain chalets. Or, at least, cabins. This is around 1000 metres high, and you'll have to take around the same height with your effort to reach the top. Meanwhile, mosquitoes still live at that altitude and nets are provided around the beds for that reason. Also, the river, the official 'pool' of the hotel, is nearby which translates into small beings occasionally paying you a visit. Especially in the bathroom, situated outside the room but that is reached via a small terrace. No, you're not here for comfort, you're here to take the rest necessary before and after the climb. As the thousands, mostly locals, others pilgrims that came that way. So if you feel ready for that gift of self, just go for it.

Our room had a great view of the mountain, however, was in very poor condition. The sheets and mosquito net had stains and mould, the room smelt of mould and mildew and the bathroom had multiple soaps left from previous travellers. The food was overpriced, particularly breakfast. It was a good 10 minute walk from the start of the trek, keeping in mind White House is at the bottom of a steep hill. Each night a good explanation of what to expect from the Adams Peak climb is given.

The rooms were really large with great views. Staff were attentive and friendly and happy to organise your trip for you.

The rooms were comfortable, although there was no hot water, and the breakfast was only an egg and A LOT of bread, which after climbing Adam’s Peak was disappointing. The proprietors charge for every little thing, including borrowing a flashlight, but they do know about the climb at any time of day. Our biggest complaint was that there was poor treatment of our driver. We didn’t mind paying for his room (although most others let the drivers stay for free), but we did mind that he was put in a dirty, shabby room and provided substandard meals. Overall, I would not recommend.

Great location for Adam's peak. Staff are friendly. They also provide a head light and walking stick for the hike which is great. We used their head light for the hike. The dinner and breakfast was also good.

Not a lot to say about this. Clean, comfortable, functional. Use as a base for Adam's Peak. The only "con" is it is down a steep hill from the main road. But then again food is a lot cheaper than the place at the top of the hill.

Good: - okay value for money - Great view to the Adam's Peak (you can see the path lit up at night, from the restaurant and your room) Bad: - Staff expecting tips all the time. After every single thing they do for you (carrying a bag, bringing something which they forgot to provide to your room, etc etc.) they expect tips (which in usual cases I'd be happy to give as gratitude to their service, but it's a different story when it's 'expected' - some staff even show their begging hands). I'm suspecting that the staff are not on salary but have to live off on tips and that's what makes them behave in such way, which is quite sad though. - Smelly room - Dirty tab water (suspected that they just use river water without perhaps filtering/chemically-cleaning): water smells and yellow-brown in colour. You don't feel clean after having a shower of course, and you have to use bottled water for brushing teeth

OK place to stay for 1 night before climbing Adam's Peak. Basic no frills and clean place, about 115-20 minutes walk to start of the hike. I appreciated the late check in after a delayed train! And hearty breakfast after the hike, albeit at an extra charge (confirm first if you have it included in your room cost). It's located down a steep driveway (next to a creek/stream) so be prepared!

Friendly staff but run down hotel, food in the evening was very good. Room was damp and smelt, okay for a few hours if climbing Adam’s Peak

Basic and no frills room. Suits our purpose of sleeping for a couple of hours before climbing adams peak and quick shower after climb. Friendly and helpful staff. No wifi.

Stayed a night for Adam's Peak. Good location and simple briefing. Toilet is separated from the main house. Good that there's mosquito net. Staff are nice too!

For the price and area it was a decent hotel. Bathroom was moldy but bed was comfortable. Food was basic. Had to request a mountain view room (even if that was what we seemed to have booked on hotel.com) for an extra change as they placed us in a chalet room that was not very clean.

Great, friendly staff that was very accommodating! The bed was very comfortable too! I would recommend everyone to stay here.

big room, good food, 10min walk to the adams's peak trail. Recommandable for the purpose of the hike.

Room was nice. Could have used a fan in it. Area is beautiful. Had very hit water.

Chose this hotel to climb Adam's Peak. The manager gives a very informative and helpful talk before the climb.

Excellent accommodation to spend the nite to hike to Adam's Peak.

The staff were friendly and informative, and the room a good size and comfortable. The bathing pond was lovely...more people should use it! It is close to the start to Adams Peak (10min walk). The food at the restaurant is OK and convenient and the breakfast was ideal post-trek. There was building work going on, so I imagine the place will only get better. Overall a positive experience...definitely soak your legs in the river after the trek!

Building work being done. Very dirty bathroom. Shower water either stone cold or scalding hot, so we couldn't shower. Very basic breakfast, and we were choked by acrid smoke from the water heater in the eating area.

An ideal hotel for those wishing to climb Adam's Peak. The start of the Adam's Peak trail is <10mins walk away. The staff at the White House were very friendly and accommodating. The hotel is currently being refurbished. We were given a lovely ensuite room next to the river. Please note, that despite being advertised in the room description on Hotels.com, at the time of our stay (10-12 Oct 2016), none of the rooms had Air Conditioning. However, this is not a problem since the area is at high enough altitude that Air Con is not really needed. The free breakfast was very good, fruit/egg/bread/jam etc.