The Fortress Resort & Spa

When you arrive, you are offered cold towels, a welcome drink and the check-in process is very smooth. When we got to our court yard rooms, we found them to be very large, more like a small apartment, with the biggest shower I had ever seen in a hotel, double sinks, along with a massive comfy bed. The sun loungers are prepared for you, each with two towels and there is access to a long beach. There is a long pool for swimming in, if that is your thing. All the staff are very friendly and helpful, their level of service was exceptional, nothing was too much trouble for them. It is a small boutique hotel, so the staff get to know you very quickly. We were all inclusive but looking at the prices for their a la carte menu, it could be expensive to eat in all the time? The menu is very varied and all the meals we tried were really good. The hotel is out of town so there are no eateries nearby, you would need to take a tuk tuk to go anywhere. You may want to try the “Pick Me” app (a bit like Uber) for cheaper transport options , especially as in our case when there were four of us. My wife and daughters tried the spa and they all said it was very good. All in all, it was one of the nicest hotels we have stayed in with an exceptional level of service.

What a joy to revisit our favourite hotel from our 2023 visit! And to find that our experience was as good if not better than before. We were greeted with “Welcome back”, given warm towels and a cool drink, then shown to our huge sea-view room with its wonderful view over the pool to the rollers of the ocean breaking on the beach. The cuisine was excellent and the staff friendly and helpful always. Our waiter Dimuthu was a star, taking much time to explain the different Sri Lankan dishes and to make recommendations when asked. Thanks for a wonderful 3 days.

This is a solid choice, a beautiful building right on the beach with a swimming pool which is perfect. Staff very friendly and helpful. Food covers all bases to suit all nationalities. It’s not going to win any awards but nothing to complain about. Breakfast was very good again multiple choices with a large buffet area. We had a few niggles with the room which I mentioned to the hotel. No need to mention them here. Uber worked well to get us into Galle and there are plenty of Tuk Tuks outside the hotel if that is your thing. We would return.

Our second visit to the fortress. An oasis of calm located directly adjacent to the beach. The staff are fantastic and cannot do enough for you. The varying food offerings are fantastic lots of food is cooked to order after selection from the menu . The restaurant managers are so very helpful . The pool team work very hard from before it is light to make sure all beds are clean and fitted with clean towels. Umbrellas are raised or lowered for you. The rooms are very nice and large most with views of the pool and sea. The bed was the most comfortable I have ever slept in. We were all inclusive which is to another level. Pretty much anything you could wish for is included. I am sure we will return Dave

We stayed here at the end of our 3 week tour, to relax before the flight home. What a perfect choice. Our driver took us through the huge wooden doors and we were lead up to the stunning reception area with views to the ocean. We were given cool towels and a fruit juice ( as was our driver) and sat for a few minutes while they checked us in. We knew immediately it was going to be a fantastic place. We had an ocean view room on the first floor, lovely large room, huge bed, nice double sinks in the bathroom, large walk in rain shower and separate toilet cubicle. Lovely balcony overlooking the garden and ocean. The water was replaced daily and plenty of it . We’d booked breakfast only, but ate in for 3 of the 4 evenings we stayed. The food, breakfast and dinner were fantastic. Lots of choice, always fresh and so tasty . The choice at breakfast was the best of all the hotels we stayed in, traditional Sri Lankan, British, continental, so much fruit, smoothies or juices made to order . We ate à la carte 2 nights, and the buffet with fresh fish once. All it was really good.fish buffet a bit expensive at $50pp, we probably didn’t do it justice. A little bit of pushing in at the fish cooking area, but the chef noticed. Only grumble for the evening meal, was the music from an entertainer was a bit too loud, I would not want to sit that end of the room or you wouldn’t be able to talk. The gardens are so beautiful and peaceful, no unnecessary music, just the sound of the waves. The man doing the towels was really top of his job, towels removed from empty loungers, and fresh ones brought to you as he found a lounger for you. We never experienced there being no room. The garden rooms in the ground floor are a little bit overlooked , unless you are at the end of the building. There are steps down to the beach, which is clean, beautiful and empty. We found the waves too strong to swim in. There is a little public beach with a natural breakwater where we did go in, perfect. The beach bar near the hotel, The Sunset bar, is fabulous, the best mango smoothie, we ate there once,very cheap and so tasty The Tuk Tuk drivers park over the road, easy to get to Galle, but you have to insist on no tour , or they’ll take you all,over and charge the earth . Just keep saying no. There is a brilliant museum over the road, Martin Wickramasinghe museum, well worth a walk over