The Fortress Resort & Spa | Galle
Beyond the ochre coloured walls, you can’t help but be completely mesmerised by the grandeur of the Fortress.
Resembling a historic fort, the Fortress Resort & Spa combines the finest elements of Dutch and Portuguese designs, mixed with customary Sri Lankan touches, creating a unique colonial elegance.
The Fortress is located in the Galle district of Koggala, on the most southern tip of Sri Lanka. It is a three-hour drive from Colombo Airport, and a short twenty-minute tuk-tuk ride from the city of Galle. It is a serene and romantic oasis surrounded by an abundance of tropical flora and fauna set against the most sublime backdrop of the Indian Ocean.
Whilst there are a plethora of activities to engage in outside its walls, the comfort and facilities of the resort makes it truly hard to leave. From lounging by the pool on a sunbed and taking dips in the sea pool to the east of the hotel, to morning outdoor yoga sessions in the gardens and enjoying the relaxing Ayurvedic Spa treatments, there is something here for everyone.
There are 53 guest rooms to choose from, all of which are fit with open plan bathrooms and rainfall showers, a features enormous super king beds fitted with Egyptian cotton sheets. We spent two nights in an Ocean Room, located on the upper floor of the Fortress, with split-levels, high ceilings and views directly down into the gardens and the ocean – the perfect place to catch the spectacular sunsets.
UDAWALAWE SAFARI & OTHER EXCURSIONS
There are a variety of safari excursions to choose from, at an additional charge, which can be arranged through the resort. You can choose from day trips to Yala National Park, Udawalawe National Park, Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage, Madu River Safari, the Sinharaja Rainforest, and the Kanneliya Rainforest. You can arrange visits to Galle City and the Dutch Fort, the Handunugoda Tea Factory, and the Turtle Hatchery, to name a few. We decided to book the sunrise jeep safari tour for Udawalawe National Park. To read more about our safari experience, read our Guide to Sri Lanka.
WHY WE LOVED IT
Our dining experience at the Fortress during our two-night stay was like no other. The food was exquisite and took our taste buds on a journey daily. The Saturday night seafood dinner buffet is an absolute must if you are in the area.
All the staff were brilliant and went over and above to ensure our stay was exceptional.
The beach directly in front of the resort is a little bit rocky, however, there is a netted area west of the hotel, which is perfect for swimming.
The spacious and open plan rooms made our stay even more luxurious, and the bathrooms gave me inspiration for my future house.
There are endless places to sit back and lounge under the Sri Lankan sun, with sun lounges, hanging swings and hammocks everywhere. The ideal spot for relaxing with a cool cocktail and novel in hand.
Visit https://www.fortressresortandspa.com check their availability or visit their Instagram page @thefortressresortandspa.
I was hosted as a guest of the Fortress Resort & Spa, but all the opinions expressed in this article are, as always, my own.
