The Fortress   (5*)

Restaurant

The Fortress is a small boutique hotel with a stunning design. The rooms are worth the trip in themselves, with massive beds, state of the art entertainment systems, open-plan bathrooms, and jacuzzi baths in the ocean rooms. But the most spectaculr of all are the two ocean loft rooms with their own warmed, private pool! Food here is superb, and I rated this place no.1 for cuisine out of the many hotels I have visited in Sri Lanka.

Nearby, you can see traditional fishermen on stilts or visit the excellent turtle sanctuary. Back at the hotel, there are swing chairs in the bar, a fibre-optic swimming pool, tea-tasting (which is very good!) and of course a spa.

Hotel Images

The unique and stylish bar at The Fortress

Swimming pool

Swimming pool

Bedroom

The wine room

Enjoy Sri Lankan tea

Bar

Features

• Garden hammocks
• Cool and stylish lounge bar
• Freeform swimming pool with massage jets
• Two restaurants
• Wine cellar
• Tea tasting bar with spectacular sea views - watch a tea making ceremony and choose from over 30 premium teas with homemade cheescake!
• Spa with sauna, steamroom and hydrobath and a wide variety of treatments and massages, plus Ayurvedic lounge
• Fitness centre
• Yoga pavilion
• Wireless internet
• Boutiques
• Babysitting service
• Laundry

Rooms

All rooms are stylishly designed with air-conditioning, state of the art entertainment system with plasma TV, DVD player and surround sound, minibar, tea/coffee making, bath, rainfall shower, safe, and a balcony or terrace. All rooms have 7ft x 7ft super king beds dressed in Egyptian cotton and open plan bathrooms.

• Fortress rooms overlook a small courtyard
• Upgrade to an Ocean Room which has an ocean view
• Upgrade to a Beach Room which is on the beachfront with a terrace, and also has a jacuzzi bath
• Upgrade to an Ocean Loft which has two floors and has a living room, daybed, indoor plunge pool, and sea view balcony.

Restaurants

• Pepper - facing the pool and the sea, this restaurant serves a wide variety of international food and features a 'Show Kitchen' which allows you to see the preperation of Sri Lankan food.
• Heat - a relaxed al fresco restaurant by the pool and beach set beneath the trees. Specialities include wood fired pizzas, Lebanese wraps and homemade ice cream.
• Wine - a unique glass cave housing over 2000 bottles of wine, this venue makes a great choice for a special romantic dinner for 2.
• Garden dining - private dining in secluded areas of the gardens.
• 24 hour room service

Trips and Excursions

• Visits to the UNESCO World Heritage city of Galle and the Dutch Fort
• Handunugoda Tea Factory
• Rainforest walks
• Boat rides in the Madu Ganga Wetlands
• Pinnawela Elephant Orphanage (please note 125 miles away)
• Turtle hatchery and spice garden tour
• Whale and dolphin watching (please note November to April is best with April being the best month)
• Yatagala temple

Other Information