Goa! Say, think or speak the word and visions of miles of gorgeous, golden, sun-drenched beaches pops into our mind. Close on the heels of those images comes the aromatic, tantalising taste-bud pleasures of Goan seafood; stately, dazzling, white-washed cathedrals; colourful tree-shaded Portuguese style haciendas; lively, foot-tapping Goan mando music and you are instantly swept away to paradise.
This laid-back paradise has several, quiet exclusive enclaves of the ultimate in relaxation. Here you will be spoiled by attentive services catering to your every need. Their serenity, beauty and lavish comforts will rejuvenate you like never before.
Here is our selection of those heavenly retreats.
The LaLit Golf & Spa Resort (TripAdvisor Rating: 4.5/5)
Image Courtesy: Official website
The LaLit Resort is located on the incomparable Raj Baga Beach, Canacona. It offers wonderful views of both the Arabian Sea and the Talpona River. Ringed by the seashore, manicured gardens, and numerous trees and guarded by the Sahyadri Hills, The LaLit Resort is a sprawling 85 acre haven in quiet South Goa.
The whole complex, including the luxurious suites, is characteristic of the rich and ornate Portuguese architectural style with possibly a bit of Goan influence too. The place exudes grace, elegance and luxury without being ostentatious. The intricate chandeliers, hand-painted tiles in the lobby and slow-spinning antique ceiling fans will set the stately mood right away.
The landscaping and service at The LaLit Golf & Spa Resort has won numerous awards, which is self evident and truly deserving. The 18 hole golf course (which is a major enticement for many guests) has won the “Best Golf Resort, India” awarded by the International Awards for Asia-Pacific Hotels.
The LaLit Golf & Spa Resort has several private villas, each of which has 3 bedrooms, a drawing room, kitchen and its very own private swimming pool. There is dedicated staff to cater to your needs. It is better than ‘home away from home.’
There are also five superb restaurants offering a number of cuisines to pamper your taste-buds. It also has cycling, parasailing and windsurfing facilities. There are also sunset and fishing cruise options. There is a recreational and sports complex that has children play area and tennis courts.
For all its sprawling area, The LaLit Golf & Spa Resort is about privacy and luxury.
Taj Fort Aguada Resort & Spa, Goa (TripAdvisor Rating: 4.5/5)
Image Courtesy: Official website
The Taj Fort Aguada Resort & Spa is located in North Goa. The Resort is encompassed by and co-opted into the historic sixteenth century Portuguese Fort Aguada. Its elevated location ensures that guests are gifted an unrestricted view of the Arabian Sea. The resort comprises of more than 140 rooms and suites but the surrounding eighty some acres of tropical vegetation, gardens and trees camouflage that. The atmosphere stimulates in quietness and privacy.
The air-conditioned rooms and other built up spaces reflect the distinctive Goan-Portuguese building patterns. The environs of the Taj Aguada Resort breed a feeling of unhurried, attentive (twenty-four hours) service and tasteful comfortable luxury.
Dining is simply a superb experience at the Latitude restaurant that serves Italian, Goan and other European cuisine. There are two bars – SFX Lounge and the Martini Bar where you can get your ‘SPIRITual’ fix.
One of the highlights of the resort is the totally natural Jiva Spa. Indulge in their wonderful Indian-based aromatherapy sessions. There are also traditional Indian body scrubs and massages. There are a whole range of therapies and treatments that will help you unwind and let you get rid of all those stresses and tensions that your nine-to-five life gives you.
At the Taj Fort Aguada Resort & Spa the emphasis is on relaxation, luxury and self-indulgent pleasure. So go immerse yourself.
Mayfair Hideaway Spa Resort (TripAdvisor Rating: 4.5/5)
Image Courtesy: Official website
Located at the southern tip of Goa, Mayfair Hideaway Spa Resort is an amazing place. Bounded by the Arabian Sea, the Sal River and lush forests, the resort really lives up to its name. Once you enter the property, via the country road and through the typical Goan village of Betul, you are enveloped by a welcoming green tropical embrace.
The living space consists of 30 rooms and suites made and decorated in the ornate Portuguese architectural style including gold-plated furnishings. The rooms offer a choice of views – river, sea or pool facing. The infinity swimming pool is a great attraction and a perfect hang-out place for guests.
The Nautica is a multi-cuisine buffet-style restaurant offering genuine Goan food along with Thai, Indian, Chinese and Continental cuisines. Then there is the Aquarium Bar that offers a range of lively wines and spirits. The Grill Bar, right next to the infinity pool provides you a selection of some amazing food and drinks.
Also, remember this is a spa with a number of relaxing and soothing spa service options – therapies, massages, steam baths and other wellness offerings – to refresh your city-weary body and mind. If you are looking to stretch and test your muscles, there is a modern and really good gymnasium where you can do so.
Calm and serene is the understated description, which makes the ‘Hideaway’ part of this resort so resoundingly appealing.
Novotel Goa Dona Sylvia Resort
Image Courtesy: Booking.com
The Novotel Dona Sylvia Resort is discreetly tucked away among the greenery that verges Cavelossim Beach in South Goa. Its compact yet spacious structure marks as the first striking impression of the resort It is sheltered amongst twenty-six acres of trees, palm trees, lush greenery and carefully landscaped gardens. There is airiness to the whole place, including the one hundred and eighty rooms and dining areas, that is reminiscent of Mediterranean architecture combined with a Goan touch.
You will be delighted and might never tire of the Sylvia Resort’s food choices. The buffet at the Seagull has a wide range of seafood and different meats. Mama Mia mixes different cuisines in their dishes that are eclectic and tantalizing. Kebabs and Kurries give the best of Indian fare.
Its compactness conceals the fact that it has excellent facilities that can handle conferences and off-site meetings. Above all it is a spa. The treatments include Ayurvedic and western massages and wellness practices. The treatments are administered by qualified and highly experienced doctors and professionals.
Caravela Beach Resort
Image Courtesy: Official website
Set amidst 24 acres of greenery that adjoin beautiful Varca Beach, the Caravela Beach Resort is also a golfer’s dream. The Portuguese style buildings with their red-tiled, sloping roofs are a joy to the eyes as they hint at cool, high ceilinged, quiet elegance. In keeping with the adjoining golf course, the property is beautifully landscaped and the lawns trimmed.
The rooms and suites exude a traditional Goan warmth, comfort and lightness with extensive views of the vast Arabian Sea and the white sand beach. Possessing one of the largest swimming pools around, adds to the spacious impression. The open planning of all the facilities, be they the dining areas or rooms, is instrumental in bringing in natural light and allowing the cool sea breezes to caress your skin. There is no better therapy!
There is no shortage of food choices at the Caravela Beach Resort. The Beach Shack dishes out some of the best traditional Goan food you will ever taste. The Carnaval is where you can indulge in a wide variety of seafood, while Castaways offers light snacks and finger food. The Lanai & Café Cascada are open 24/7 and should help you with those mid-night cravings or an early morning coffee. You can get a whole lot of refreshing beverages – alcoholic and non-alcoholic and cocktails – at the Sunset, Island and Atrium bars.
The Caravela Beach Resort has some of the best Ayurveda spa services. The treatments include massages, body scrubs and aromatherapy. One can even opt for yoga here.
The services, amenities and therapies all combine harmoniously to make you a new person.
The Leela Goa (TripAdvisor Rating: 4.5/5)
Image Courtesy: Official website
Located in South Goa, The Leela Goa is the ultimate in serenity, heart-warming beauty and seemingly unending greenery. It is both a riverside and sea beach resort – the beach being private and exclusive to the resort.
The Leela Goa encompasses an area of about seventy-five acres that holds large expanses of tropical and fragrant trees and gardens, a 12-hole golf course, tennis courts and several enchanting water features and lagoons.
The resort is a seamless blend of the traditional and modern in terms of its structures. There are over 200 terraced rooms, suites, and villas to choose from. All of them have a view of the pleasing lagoons and several even have private sundecks.
The dining options are heartening and the spread of cuisines are large and wide. You have a choice of The Restaurant, Italian fine-dining in the form of The Riverside, the Jamavar (Indian food), Susegado-Beachside (authentic Goan and seafood restaurant). There is also a poolside bar and lounge.
The spa facilities at the Leela Goa are among the best. The therapies include Ayurvedic treatments, massages and yoga sessions.
The stunning location, incredible views, superb food, impeccable and attentive service all add up to luxury and relaxation at its most gratifying.
