The Fortress Resort & Spa

Styled after the famous Dutch fort in Galle, this hotel has a massive presence from the street; long and high pale yellow walls, a terracotta tiled roof, and a commanding, two-story high wooden entrance gate that feels half regal and half prison can all be seen. However, once venturing through, guests will find a huge and grassy, open-air courtyard, a square cobblestone pathway leading to a beautiful raised lobby, and views straight to the main pool and sea. The hotel decor does an impeccable job of blending a modern-industrial andDutch colonial look with a touch of Portuguese design -- a nod to Sri Lanka's other colonial past. You'll find dark green polished concrete floors, slate stone accents, white walls and pillars, dual-level open-air spaces, and minimalistic accents and furniture like gray wicker and wire seating that add a touch of modernism, while the varnished natural wood present in the wide stairs, front desk, rails, and bars help keep it slightly rustic and casual. Surprisingly, this large hotel only has 53 rooms, ensuring that there's plenty of breathing room for its guests. 

This is an ideal spot for those who want a relaxing, even private-ish, vacation on the shores of Sri Lanka with western attention to detail -- though it is one of the more expensive spots on the island. It's not uncommon to see children running around (but not amok), as The Fortress is a very popular spot amongst families, with plenty to entertain -- both day and night, from barbecue lunches to evening cultural shows. The most misbehaved guests you'll find will probably be the cheeky squirrels, who have been given one too many handouts from guests, scampering around the floors of the main restaurant. 

The Fortress Resort & Spa has a quiet and cultured beachfront location in a small suburb of Galle called Koggala, named after the nearby lake. If a name like The Fortress doesn't sound reassuring enough, the hotel is directly across the street from a police station where there are usually a few on-duty officers posted at all times. Conveniently, there is also a bank with an ATM across the road and plenty of access to local tuk-tuks, which frequently whizz by on the busy road as well. Galle city itself is a 30-minute drive north, with the famous Galle Fort (which the hotel is designed to resemble) just 25 minutes north. North of Galle, off the main highway A2, guests will find easy access to popular surrounding cities like surfer's Hikkaduwa Beach and the relaxing Bentota, within an hour to an hour and 15 minutes, respectively. Whale watching at Mirissa (30 minutes south) is an easy day trip, while leopard safaris at Yala National Park take about a six-hour roundtrip journey to visit. Depending on traffic and tolls, the Bandaranaike International Airport is around two hours and 15 minutes away.

All of The Fortress' rooms are large with dark hardwood floors and big, contemporary bathrooms with all the fixings -- dressed in a sort of throwback 70s luxe style. Notable features include Egyptian cotton sheets; iPods, DVD systems, and satellite TV with BOSE speakers; coffee and tea facilities with an extensive tea selection; pillow menus; and even snazzy stainless steel cocktail shakers. However, it's also notable how few electrical outlets are available for use or charging (though adapters are provided), and the complicated lighting system may have you flipping switches for ages before you find the setting you want. Each huge bathrooms has an open layout with a separate rainfall shower and toilet, dual vanity sinks, and center-set tubs out in the open. Minibars are stocked with imported name brand snacks and drinks as well as local beers. Though beware -- roly-poly type pals may show up uninvited.

Standard rooms are called Fortress Rooms and while they may lack ocean views, they are the only rooms available with either twin or king-sized beds. If you upgrade to an Ocean Room, all of which are on the second floor, you'll get views of the water, garden courtyard, and possibly the pool, along with a sunken living room space, high vaulted ceilings, and a bit of whirlpool bubbles in your bath. Meanwhile, the Beach Rooms -- which have all the extras of the Ocean Room aside from the high ceilings -- open up directly onto the courtyard with great views of the ocean waves; they come with butler service, while Beach Splash Rooms have private indoor plunge pools. If you are looking for more space, bump up even further to an Ocean Loft Room. At nearly twice the size of the Ocean and Beach Rooms, each of these rooms has two floors, a private, heated indoor plunge pool, and an additional entertaining-type seating area with a daybed and table and chairs set; the upper floor is home to an extravagant bathroom which goes so far as to have a hand shower. Plus, there's 24-hour butler service. 

However, if money is no object, then splurges on the Residence Rooms will get you nearly four times the space of a Beach or Ocean Room, where you'll find two bedrooms, a personal dining outdoor dining terrace, your own infinity pool, and 24-hour butler service. 

The Fortress' main restaurant PEPPER is home to a small indoor buffet, plus a large stretch of covered and uncovered outdoor dining. It serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner (with the breakfast buffet being the smallest). Items on the line are a mix of mostly Sri Lankan and Asian dishes, and a few live cooking stations (including the exposed main kitchen) are also on display. The small outdoor spot HEAT does double-duty, serving wood-fire oven pizzas by day and Japanese- and Asian-inspired dishes by night, while DUO Surf & Turf is the hotel's most upscale dining spot -- and the only fully indoor seating area. The menu here is fine-dining and the setting is romantic with about half the tables set in the wine stock area -- surrounded by over 2,000 wines -- on top of white sand. Or, if you'd rather stay in, you can order room service. Note that there are some very friendly squirrels that like to visit the tables at PEPPER; don't feed them as it just encourages them -- possibly to even hop on your table.

There are also cooking lessons available if you fancy trying your hand at traditional Sri Lankan dishes.

If you're looking to wet your whistle, The Fortress has two designated spots, with totally different vibes, to grab a drink. For a relaxed vibe, head upstairs above the lobby to the open-air T LOUNGE where you'll not only find a vast selection of Dilmah (a local brand) teas, but also a High Tea Menu. This space has a breezy feel, a natural varnished wood bar and stools, and comfy modern couches; it shares its roof with the hotel library and meeting room. You're likely to find soft music, people working on laptops, a pool table, and great view over the main pool, out to the sea, on the roof. 

If you want something a little stronger in your glass, off the lobby, you can grab a seat and stiff drink at the SEA LOUNGE and PIANO BAR. While there's not much room at the bar (or at the few tables and chairs), most people tend to grab their drinks and smokes, and head out to the pool, beach, or lobby.

Par-for-the-course in an expensive hotel, drinks at the Fortress aren't cheap. 

Like at many of Sri Lanka's beaches, the amount of beach you're going to get here is heavily reliant on the tide. Unfortunately, even with a low tide, the coastline behind The Fortress is pretty much lined with large slabs of slippery rock, making it unideal for swimming in the sea. However, you can still get in some good beach vibes (before the tide rolls in completely against the sea wall) by walking along the narrow stretch of sand. It's also the best spot to soak in the brilliant colors of the sunset. 

Though The Fortress may be located in the suburbs, guests shouldn't be worried about a lack of activities. During the day, if not out on excursions to Galle Fort, Yala National Park, or Mirissa for whale watching, most guests can be found lounging around the main pool. Located just beyond the lobby, this infinity-style pool is flanked with contemporary wooden loungers on its long sides, all facing toward the sea. Unlike at many pools in Sri Lanka, people here definitely take dips in the cool waters, or even escape to to the bubbles of the large infinity-style whirlpool. Officially the unofficial kids' pool, The Fortress' second pool is much shallower than the infinity pool and is usually less occupied. The reason could be three-fold: there are no loungers, it's mostly shaded under large trees, and it lies directly off the uncovered seating area of PEPPER. 

Guests will also find a handful of free daily activities like soccer, snorkeling, yoga, beach volleyball, swimming lessons, water aerobics, and cricket, as well as planned nighttime events like the manager's cocktail hour and cultural show (akin to the popular Kandy dances).  

On-site features include a contemporary gym with up-to-date machines, free weights, TVs, a water cooler, and exercise equipment like yoga mats and exercise balls; a kids' club and babysitting service with childcare-trained staff and nurses (who even do night sitting); a turtle hatchery (though you may have to ask about this at the front desk); and a deceptively large spa complex. 

The Spa's entrance may look like a small room on the second floor of the hotel, but don't let this fool you. The spa is huge. Accessed down a few stairs outback, half of the spa has a natural setting amongst overgrown trees, crawling vines, and gravel grounds -- while, through an unassuming door, the other half is revealed as a chic and modern facility with six treatment suites, all with their own outdoor area with showers. There's also a small locker room with a sauna, and an Ayurvedic suite with a traditional herbal steam bed, Shirodhara treatment bed, and tub.