Resort · Galle

The Fortress Resort & Spa

On Koggala Beach on the south coast, about 16 km east of Galle, across the road from the Martin Wickramasinghe Folk Museum

About The Fortress Resort & Spa

Rooms: 6 types
Dining: 5 places
Wellness: Spa
Swimming: Pool

A beachfront resort at Koggala, about 16 km east of Galle, with 51 rooms and 2 suites on 2 floors, its architecture drawing on the Dutch colonial forts of the south coast.

The upper-floor Ocean Rooms have balconies facing the Indian Ocean, the ground-floor Beach Rooms open onto the garden and the beach, the 9 Courtyard Rooms each have a garden patio or balcony of their own, and the 2 Fortress Residence Suites each have a private infinity-edge pool.

A free-form infinity pool about 52 metres long runs along the beach, beside The Terrace, Itameshi (Italian and Japanese) and the Time Out Bar. Senses Spa is built around Ayurvedic treatments chosen with a specialist Ayurvedic doctor, and the resort runs its own sea turtle hatchery, where guests can release hatchlings in the October to April nesting season.

Rooms and suites

Courtyard Room
70 sq mKing or twin bedsUp to 2BathtubRain showerBalconyGarden
70 sq m, 9 rooms on the upper and ground floors, king bed, own garden patio or private balcony, open-plan bathroom with twin sinks, deep soaking tub and rain shower, 2 adults and 1 child or 3 adults on a rollaway bed
Ocean Room
65 sq mKing and twin bedsUp to 2Hot tubRain showerBalcony
65 sq m on the upper floor, king bed and a double sofa bed, high vaulted ceiling, balcony with a direct view of the Indian Ocean, open-plan bathroom with twin sinks, Jacuzzi bath and rain shower, 2 adults and 1 child or 3 adults
Beach Room
65 sq mKing and double bedsUp to 2Hot tubRain showerVeranda
65 sq m on the ground floor, king bed and a double sofa bed, private veranda with easy access to the garden and the beach, views of the garden and the ocean, open-plan bathroom with Jacuzzi and rain shower, 2 adults and 1 child or 3 adults
Premium Ocean Room
65 sq mKing or twin bedsUp to 2Hot tubRain showerBalcony
65 sq m on the upper floor, king bed, high vaulted ceiling, balcony with a direct view of the Indian Ocean, open-plan bathroom with twin sinks, Jacuzzi bath and rain shower, 2 adults, or 2 adults and an infant in a cot
Premium Beach Room
65 sq mKing and double bedsUp to 2Hot tubRain showerVeranda
65 sq m on the ground floor, king bed and a double sofa bed, large private veranda opening to the garden and the beach, open-plan bathroom with Jacuzzi and rain shower, 2 adults and 1 child or 3 adults
Fortress Residence Suite
240 sq mFour-poster king or twin bedsUp to 4Hot tubRain showerBalcony
240 sq m on the upper floor, 2 in the resort, king four-poster bed, living area, private infinity-edge pool and a balcony facing the beach and the ocean, bathroom with Jacuzzi, twin sinks and rain shower, up to 4 adults and 2 children

Dining

The TerraceThe all-day restaurant on the ground floor, with outdoor seating facing the pool and the ocean, serving Sri Lankan and international dishes, live cooking stations at breakfast and a daily set menu.Breakfast 07:00 to 10:00Lunch 12:00 to 15:30Dinner 19:00 to 22:30
ItameshiItalian and Japanese fusion, with a teppanyaki menu and a list of old and new world wines, in a glass cellar on the ground floor seating 14.Lunch 12:00 to 15:30Dinner 19:00 to 22:30
Time Out BarA lounge bar overlooking the ocean, for cocktails, wines and spirits, open 07:00 to midnight.
In-room dining24 hours a day, from the menus of all the resort's venues, with a separate late-night menu.
On the beachCandlelit seafood dinners on Koggala Beach, and a catch of the day bought from local fishermen and cooked on the shore.

Wellness

Senses SpaAyurvedic and classical treatments, from Shirodhara, Pinda Sweda and Udvartana to massages, facials, scrubs and wraps, chosen with a specialist Ayurvedic doctor to suit the guest's body type.09:00 to 21:00
Sauna and steam bath in the spa, with the Jacuzzi and sauna free for resort guests during spa hours.
Ayurveda programmes over 3 days (3-Day Ayu) or 4 days (4-Day Detoxification), with treatments scheduled through the stay.
Sunrise yoga on the beach, free on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays, with private and couples' sessions of 60 minutes.
Fitness centre with cardio and weight equipment, personal trainers and a steam room.

Amenities

Pools and spa

Free-form infinity-edge pool about 52 metres long, open 07:00 to 19:00, with a children's section and water jetsPrivate infinity-edge pool in each Fortress Residence SuiteSenses Spa with a specialist Ayurvedic doctorSauna, steam bath and JacuzziFitness centre with a steam room and personal trainersSunrise yoga on the beach

More dining

Wine cellar24-hour in-room diningSeafood dinners on the beachSri Lankan cooking demonstrations on Mondays and Fridays

Activities

The resort's own turtle hatchery, with hatchling releases from October to AprilKoggala Folk Museum, the family home of the author Martin Wickramasinghe, across the roadBoat trips on Koggala Lake to Cinnamon Island and Madol DoovaPrivate sunset cruises by yacht from KoggalaScenic helicopter flights of 20 to 40 minutes from a helipad near KoggalaGuided village cycling on hybrid bikes, 20 to 40 kmSurfing around Koggala, with larger waves from November to AprilWhale watching from Mirissa or DondraScuba diving at Unawatuna, arranged on request9-hole golf at Eagles Catalina Golf Course nearbyTrips to Galle Fort, Yala and Udawalawe

For families

Children's section in the poolBabysitting on requestBaby cots, reserved when bookingExtra beds on requestFortress Residence Suites for up to 4 adults and 2 children

Services

24-hour concierge and chauffeur servicePrivate car transfers from the airport arranged24-hour laundry and pressingIn-house floristBeach and garden weddings with wedding hostsMeeting room of about 120 sq m for up to 60 guests

Rooms

King-size beds with Sealy mattresses and down duvetsOpen-plan bathrooms with twin sinks, deep soaking tub and rain showerMinibar and tea and coffee making55-inch smart TVFree WiFiIn-room safeTwice-daily housekeeping

Good to know

Check-in from 14:00, check-out by 12:00; to be sure of the room on an early arrival or a late departure, the resort suggests booking the extra night
Children are welcome: children of 12 and over count as adults, and a cot for an infant must be reserved when booking
The Premium Ocean Room takes 2 adults, or 2 adults and an infant in a cot; the other rooms take 2 adults and 1 child, or 3 adults
Courtyard Rooms face the gardens and their own patios rather than the sea
No smoking in the rooms; smoking is allowed on balconies and in public areas such as the terrace, the lobby and the T Lounge
No swimwear at dinner: The Terrace and Itameshi ask for resort attire in the evening
About 2.5 hours by road from Bandaranaike International Airport by the Southern Expressway, and about 16 km from Galle