Guest reviews The Fortress Resort & Spa

by lauraag90 Sawtry, United Kingdom

A little bit of heaven

We stay here for four nights at the end of a two week tour of Sri Lanka. What an absolutely stunning hotel, built in a Dutch colonial style with spectacular views of the ocean. We stayed in a fortress room and from what we could tell was one of only 6 rooms which didn’t have a direct sea view. But even still the room was huge and had a massive bathroom with separate shower and freestanding bath. The room had a huge balcony but we didn’t really use it as it was very over looked by the room next door. Instead we spend most days by the gorgeous infinity pool overlooking the beach and sea. There was a good amount of loungers nicely spread out so you didn’t feel to close to other guest. Breakfast was a buffet style and there was a lot of choice both hot and cold. The pancake station was especially good. The dinner selection was very tasty, we ate off the a la carte menu and also the traditional Sri Lankan buffet evening. Both were great and I particularly enjoyed the duck with risotto and grilled mango. The hotel is a short tuk tuk ride from Galle and we spent an afternoon wondering round the place. This hotel was a truly lovely way to end an amazing holiday. We left feeling relaxed and rejuvenated and would recommend this hotel to family and friends.

by 1cjb Wargrave, United Kingdom

Beautiful hotel, beautiful people

We have just returned from Sri Lanka. What a stunning island. The people are so so friendly and infectious. This hotel is stunning. Set a little way outside Galle, it takes about 25 minutes by tuk tuk to get into the main town. Nestled on the coastline, a mere drop to the beautifully warm Indian Ocean. The hotel grounds are spotless and extremely well maintained. Our room was delightful, plenty of room, plenty of storage and always immaculately kept. We had an ocean view room on the first floor. The ground floor has direct access to the hotel grounds, ie one can walk out of the patio doors into the garden. I would return to The Fortress in a heartbeat. Sadly, because of CV, outside facilities closed down as we arrived. However, being kept at The Fortress was a pleasure - no hardship involved. The food was delicious. The pool beautifully clean and well maintained. If it hadn't been for the little shop within the hotel we would not have had anything to bring back. I cannot finish without saying a few words about the staff - they are first class. Ayubowan. We will return.

by O6196NSandrewg Newton Abbot, United Kingdom

Wonderful place and people

Arrived here during curfew and with less than 10 rooms occupied but have had the most wonderful few days. Alas travel advice means we are reluctantly cutting our stay short. Can’t speak highly enough about the facilities and the staff! As we have found throughout Sri Lanka people can’t do enough to help. From the restaurant staff to the pool man showing us the turtles coming in to feed at high tide everyone has treated us royally. Given how worrying a time this must be economically as well as health wise, we are overwhelmed by the pervading glass half full mentality. The room is a delight spotlessly clean with flowers on the bed and a cinnamon oil burner. The 60 metre infinity pool is wonderful. And the food has been second to none. So we are definitely coming back!

by welshman279 North Wales

Beautiful hotel and beautiful staff

We ended our Sri Lanka tour with 6 nights here at the Fortress Resort and Spa and enjoyed every single second of our stay. The team here are attentive and friendly without being overbearing and insincere. The Fortress is an oasis from the hustle and bustle outside, from the moment you enter through the gates you enter the bubble of tranquility. The food is very good, during our stay the team worked very hard to provide choice, which must’ve been difficult due to the chaos of cancelled flights and holidays affecting how many people were staying. It did affect the evening buffet, however the choice from a la carte made up for this and was more to do with me not liking seafood than there not being choice. My wife on the other hand would say each night was amazing with loads of choice and tasty seafood! Be careful when hiring a Tuk tuk outside the hotel. We got an Uber to Gale which cost us circa 1500lkr and a Tuk Tuk back for 1200lkr. The same journey was meant to be 3600lkr from outside the hotel, even with haggling. Be aware than Uber drivers won’t stop outside the hotel as the tuk tuk drivers will damage their cars. You will be approached on the beach and offered tuk tuk journeys to Galle for around 1900lkr although do remember that our visit coincided with a real drop in trade, but metered rates say this figure is still a little high. All the drivers we met however were friendly and polite. Pay your money and take your choice. I’d like to mention all the staff by name here but there are too many and all contributed to an amazing stay, truly they are lovely, from Steffi on reception to the 2 young chefs for our exclusive dining night, the room ‘boy’ ( his words) to the pool boys. This has to be one of the best hotels we’ve stayed in, it’s truly fabulous made better by the staff. We will be back!

by alinoble1987 Reigate, United Kingdom

Amazing

This is a fantastic hotel, loved the pool and loungers that look directly out onto the ocean. Extremely relaxing. Pool area and grounds are very clean and well maintained. Attention to detail of the staff is fantastic, they offer high quality, personalised service. Food was excellent, great choice at lunch and dinner. Nice to sit outside by the pool listening to the waves of the ocean. There is a themed buffet at night but the a-la-carte was delicious too offering both western and Sri Lankan dishes. Very high standard. The hotel partners with the nearby turtle sanctuary so they arranged for us to release the baby turtles into the ocean which was a highlight. The rooms were huge and nice, ours could have done with a little updating as it appears to be looking a little tired in places. For us, air con was too noisy to be left on at night. Overall absolutely loved this hotel, felt extremely luxurious and incredibly relaxing. It’s about 30 minutes from Galle centre but the hotel can arrange a tuk tuk.