Hotel Description

Enter a world of chic sophistication infused with boutique luxury as you step through the great wooden doors of The Fortress Resort and Spa. Ensconced in the historic town of Koggala, The Fortress is an oasis of tranquility, a place where you can leave the cares of the real world behind. Let your eyes be enticed by silky white beaches as the warm inviting waters of the Indian Ocean gently caresses your skin. One of Sri Lanka’s finest boutique resorts, The Fortress is a sanctuary of serenity and private luxury with world-class facilities that will ease your mind and purify your soul. Feel the special enchantment that emanates from this pristine haven and cherish every moment you spend here.

Guest rooms and suites

All guest rooms and suites at The Fortress have been designed to reflect the resort’s colourful charm and tranquillity, allowing guests to relax and unwind in the most stylishly decorated rooms equipped with all the amenities that ensure an experience of absolute comfort. 53 luxurious rooms await you at The Fortress, with full-length French windows, modern residential-style décor with contemporary Sri Lankan furnishing, and fashionable soft earth-tone shaded upholstery and cushions.

All resort accommodations are smoke-free and feature spacious open plan bathrooms, full-length mirrors, dual designer sinks and luxury hardwood flooring. All rooms are also equipped with mini cinema size LCD TVs with Bose DVD players, mp3 players and satellite channels.

In-room amenities include a private mini-bar in each room, tea and coffee making facilities, as well as IDD activated telephones. Fortress Residences, Ocean Lofts, Beach Rooms, Beach Splash Rooms and six Ocean Rooms also have the added luxury of a private jacuzzi in each room.

Retreat from reality into the cosy confines of your very own home-away-from-home and surrender to the sublime serenity of the tropics.

Fitness facilities

The Fortress offers guests a state-of-the-art fitness centre which allows them to keep fit and maintain exercise regimens during their stay. Open 24 hours a day, the fitness centre is equipped with cross-trainers, treadmills, upright bikes, recumbent bikes, multi stations, 6-position FID benches, fold-up Olympic Combo benches, adjustable ab benches and dumbbell racks. Guests may also obtain assistance from personal trainers who are available from 11:00 am to 8:00 pm

Pool

Bask in the sunshine, close your eyes and relax in one of the sun loungers surrounding the pool area. The Fortress poolside is the ideal place to unwind and laze the hours away by lounging on a comfortable sun bed with a refreshing cold drink in hand while listening to the gentle murmur of the waves crashing onto the shore. Blissfully sink into the warm water of the pool and savour the warmth as it envelopes your skin. Surrender to the sunshine and feel your cares float away as you lie under the sun. A day at the poolside is the perfect way to relax on a tropical sunny day.

Spa

Slip out of the real world, take a journey down the pathway to relaxation at Spa Naturel and discover the true meaning of bliss. Awaken your inner spirit with a wide array of signature Ayurvedic therapies that are designed to rejuvenate and replenish your body and soul. A special bath with delicate flower petals is offered complimentary along with other water therapies where you can luxuriate in a hot steam bath or lounge in the soothing warmth of the sauna. Ride on a wave of renewed serenity amidst flickering candlelights as our expert masseurs knead your body with long deep strokes and feel the tension and stress ooze out of your sore muscles. A day at our spa will calm your senses and leave you feeling refreshed and ready to face the world again.

Our spa offers: Six dual spa suites

Ayurvedic lounge and treatment sanctuary – don’t miss the Ayurvedic herbs on display!
Manicure/pedicure and facial zone
Sensuous relaxation spaces
Aroma steam, sauna, jacuzzi and vitality showers
Yoga pavilion and fitness studio

Dining

Delight your taste buds with a symphony of flavours as you savour your way through exquisite dining options offered at The Fortress. Delve into superb culinary creations at our restaurants which offer a vast selection of Sri Lankan and Asian cuisine. At The Fortress, you have the comfort of dining at any location in the hotel that your heart desires. Be it a meal by the swimming pool with your feet skimming the water, or a romantic beach-side dinner under the stars; our staff will be more than happy to comply with your request to give you a unique Destination Dining experience. You may also step into the courtyard and enjoy a private Sri Lankan culinary experience, specially served for an intimate dinner on our perfectly groomed lawns. Guests may also learn to cook the Sri Lankan way under the guidance of our Chef’s expert tutelage. With an à la carte menu available with 24 hour exclusive personalized butler served meals in Fortress Residences, Lofts, Beach Splash and Beach Rooms, dining at the Fortress will truly be a memorable experience.

Pepper
Enjoy authentic Sri Lankan food in an elegant setting with lacy waves and the distant horizon forming the backdrop. Pepper perfectly captures the ancient traditions and distinctive flavours of Sri Lankan cuisine, infused with a touch of contemporary flair. Look on as our skilled chefs create sensational masterpieces that showcase the true art of Asian cooking before your very eyes. Experience first-hand the aroma of the exotic spices native to Sri Lanka, and get a taste of what Old Ceylon and Modern Asia is all about.

Heat
Indulge your senses with mouthwatering dishes from around the globe. Offering a delectable assortment of international cuisine, Heat will sweep you across the world’s kitchens, giving you a chance to sample flavours of different cultures. Shaded by canopies of cascading trees, this al fresco restaurant offers magnificent views of the hotel’s swimming pool as well as the glittery blue waters of the Indian Ocean. Tuck into a Greek or Lebanese wrap as you watch the waves roll in the moonlight. Whether it is a Sri Lankan curry or a savoury hot creation from the wood-fired pizza oven, you will relish every meal here.

Wine3
At Wine3, the ambiance is mellow and the lighting is soft with candlelight, creating the perfect atmosphere for a romantic evening with that oh-so-special someone. Clink your glasses in style and celebrate the true essence of wine at this restaurant which offers a diverse selection of over 2000 Old and New World wines, ranging from rare vintages to great classics of the Old World. Our great wines enhance the flavours of the menu as you step into a world of irresistible sensations with every sip you take at Wine3.

In-Room Dining
Twenty-four hour In-Room Dining is available for guests wanting to indulge within the intimate settings of their room, loft or residence. Menus from all open outlets are served in the room personally, and if the guest wishes, course-by-course.

The Fortress Stilt Fisherman Indulgence
The little island of Sri Lanka seems to be an unlikely place to be home to the world’s most expensive dessert. Sri Lankans who are used to leading simple and modest lifestyles, do not place much importance on such matters which they consider trivial. However, unlikely as it seems, this tiny country has done exactly that – given birth to what is thought to be the world’s most expensive dessert.

Priced at a whopping $14,500, this first-class delicacy is perfect for those who crave the thrill and satisfaction that an ordinary dessert simply cannot deliver. Named ‘The Fortress Stilt Fisherman Indulgence,’ this dessert is not just any sweet course dish eaten at the end of a meal, but is looked upon as a challenge for those adventurous at heart.

A delicate, mouth-watering treat, the dessert is a gold leaf Italian cassata, flavoured with Irish cream infused with tender fruit. It is served with a mango and pomegranate compote, and a bubbly-based Dom Perignon champagne sabayon, forming the base of this delicious dessert. It is decorated with a signature Fortress handmade chocolate carving in the shape of a local stilt fisherman clinging onto his stilt – an ancient local fishing custom which is still in practice today. However, the highlight of the dessert would be the magnificent 80 carat Aquamarine stone that adorns the dish. With a diameter that spans the head of a soup spoon, the stone rests majestically next to the chocolate carving, completing this artistic masterpiece.

Apart from the obvious attractions, the legendary charms of the Aquamarine stone also adds an element of mystery to the dessert. Known as the stone of courage, Aquamarines are said to possess certain healing properties that soothe away fear and invoke tolerance. They are believed to emit calming energies which reduce stress and ease the mind. Many people also believe that aquamarines have a positive effect on relationships by bestowing the owner with foresight and happiness, making it the perfect recipe for a long and happy marriage. It has been used over the years by fishermen and sailors for protection and luck.

The dessert has to be specially ordered at the hotel’s wine restaurant Wine³, a sensational glass wine cave which houses more than 2,000 of the world’s finest vintages, and comes served on handmade studio flared glass cutlery – exclusively designed for The Fortress by Glass Studio and is the first glass cutlery of its kind in the world. The dessert’s fame has caught the interest of many people around the globe and inquiries have have been made about the item from as far away as Japan.

Created to give visitors to The Fortress a one-of-a-kind experience, the dessert has earned itself and The Fortress a marked reputation around the world. By deciding to try this exquisite delicacy, not only do visitors get to savour the luscious flavours of the dessert, but etch their names into the history books.

Weddings

Exchange vows under a palette of golden hues, with the distant sun dissolving into the horizon. Your dream wedding awaits you at The Fortress, where your special day will be imbued with a feeling of peaceful enchantment. Celebrate your love with the ultimate romantic beach wedding or a wedding at the hotel’s beautifully groomed garden with the breathtaking view of the sun-drenched beach in the background. Traditional dancers who perform to celebrate your union and flower girls who sprinkle sweet-scented Araliya flowers along the bride’s path as she makes her way towards her awaiting husband-to-be cast a spell of romance and create exotic memories that will last a lifetime. Our dedicated wedding host will guide you throughout the entire planning process and will help you orchestrate the most memorable day of your life. The picturesque setting of exotic colours, the romantic spirit of the ocean’s melody, all ensure that your wedding will be your own personal fairy tale come true. Discover life’s pleasures, together.

Celebrations or events

Special events are more memorable at The Fortress where the pristine beaches and the immaculately groomed lawns provide the perfect backdrop for any occasion. Wow your guests by holding a unique event surrounded by the distinctive ambience of The Fortress. Sit back, clink your glasses and make a toast to celebrate your special day. Celebrations at The Fortress add flavour and flair into life’s shining moments.

Holidays to Sri Lanka via Crewconnected

Fortress Resort and Spa offers a 30% discount for Crewconnected members

Make your booking request here – reservations@thefortress.lk Quote “Crewconnected” to ensure Interline rates

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