The Fortress wins global title in World Luxury Hotel Awards

Sri Lanka’s iconic The Fortress Resort and Spa has won the global title for best luxury coastal hotel in the coveted annual World Luxury Hotel Awards (WLHA) 2011 ceremony held in Croatia on Friday.

The award was received by The Fortress General Manager Jan van Twest at a gala ceremony at the Regent, in Zagreb, Croatia.

Established in 2006, the WLHA are the world’s most prestigious awards exclusive to the luxury hotel industry and recognise the best facilities and service excellence the industry has to offer.

The criteria to be successfully nominated and included in the official World Luxury Hotel Awards voting process is overall service excellence. Only hotels, lodges and resorts operating in a luxury niche market are able to participate in the World Luxury Hotel Awards. The WLHA do not recognise any other areas of the travel industry.

For winners the World Luxury Hotel Awards are a symbol of excellence and for the discerning traveller it is a stamp of confidence and assurance when booking a hotel recognised by it.

“Evidence is growing that luxury travellers are increasingly using our ultimate hotel guide and hotlist of award winning properties as a guideline to book their accommodation and the use of our logo increases international brand recognition, thereby building guest loyalty,” WLHA said.

The Fortress Resort & Spa in Koggala was recently crowned the winner of the ‘Best Small Hotel’ category for Sri Lanka at the Asia Pacific Hotel Awards, one of the regional awards programmes associated with the International Hotel Awards.

Renowned for its sensual elegance as well as its reputation for attracting international celebrity guests, The Fortress boasts 53 luxury rooms and private suites boasting, amongst other things, indoor plunge pools and daybeds. Inspired by the colonial Dutch architecture of the famous Galle Fort, its decor may be described as modern yet lavishly understated.

It is one of just six hotels in Sri Lanka recognised by ‘Small Luxury Hotels of the World’ and is also a member of The Kiwi Collection, an exclusive list of high-end locations aimed at the discerning traveller.

Recently The Fortress scored another first by launching a butler service with a batch of 15 internationally-trained butlers. The hand-picked team of butlers has graduated with honours following an intensive four week programme held by Australian Butlers Limited, whose philosophy is to train service professionals committed to the enhancement of gracious living within such luxury establishments.

WLHA says said luxury is changing. It’s not just about good food or service. It’s increasingly about discretion and simplicity. It’s a bold approach to exclusive hospitality! A combination of different factors such as facilities and service excellence, exceptional food, attention to detail, effective management, and many more not mentioned here, are part of the parcel that constitutes a ‘legendary hotel’.

The WLHA stands testimony to dedication, enthusiasm and leadership in the high demand luxury hotel industry. It aims to maintain overall service excellence and build guest loyalty. Acknowledgement of committed quality customer care is important to maintain a persistent level of service.

Evidence has shown that a guest feels confident when booking a World Luxury Hotel Awards recognised hotel that has been rewarded further to unsurpassed excellence, voted for by industry experts and guests who have experienced these hotels.

These hotels will serve as a source of useful information and render it easier for travellers to plan business trips and leisure breaks whilst feeling assured that each of these luxury hotels stand up to a high standard of quality and service.