The best hotels, hotel architecture, interiors, construction and design across the entire Asia Pacific region were celebrated at the J W Marriott Hotel in Kuala Lumpur on April 27.

The leading companies behind these winning hotels and hospitality projects were invited to attend to receive prestigious awards. The Asia Pacific Hotel Awards in association with HSBC Bank Malaysia Berhad is a hotly contested competition, which includes categories for specific types and sizes of hotel.

The Fortress Resort and Spa which has registered a strong presence at the awards ceremony over the years was once again the recipient of prestigious international recognition; the resort was awarded the Best Resort Hotel in the Asia Pacific region, the Best Resort Hotel in Sri Lanka and the Best Resort under the Small Hotels Sri Lanka category.

Expressing his pleasure over the success, Sumith Adhihetty, Managing Director stated, “The Fortress has once again made an impact on the international stage. This is not only heartening news but is also an encouragement for us to continue to uphold the high standards that the resort is synonymous with. The Asia Pacific region is firmly placed on the global tourism map and winning accolades among such noteworthy competition is truly encouraging.”

A subsidiary of the dominant Vallibel One group, the Fortress Resort and Spa has played an important role in shaping the economic landscape of the South of the country and putting Sri Lanka on the map. “Having a presence in the Asia Pacific Hotel Awards is not just a personal win for the resort or the group. It is a win for the nation, which is gradually reaching 5-star status among the tourism stalwarts of the world”, says Dhammika Perera, Chairman of ‘The Fortress Resort & Spa’. He went on to say that although the resort is built along the lines of the most exclusive international hotel franchises, traditional Sri Lankan hospitality and warmth form its base.

These awards, combined with the other regional hotel awards’ programmes for Arabia, Europe, Africa and the Americas, form the globally renowned International Hotel Awards. Judging was carried out through a meticulous process involving a panel of over 20 experts covering every aspect of the hospitality business. Top scoring winners of five-star awards will now go forward to be re-judged against those from the other regions to determine the ultimate World’s Best winners.

President of the International Hotel Awards, Stuart Shield, says, “Speaking on behalf of myself and the judging panel, I can say that we have been staggered by the response from the Asia Pacific region in this, the second year of the specific Hotel Awards’ programme. I was delighted to have the opportunity to meet so many professionals from the pinnacle of the Asia Pacific hospitality industry and wish them every success in the future.”