Goa caters to every kind of traveller. From hotels promising exclusive views of beaches and rivers to those offering an intimate insight into village life, from resorts offering curated dinners to others promising supper clubs and meals in tree houses, from starred luxury hotels to exclusive villas and boutique spaces…Goa has a lot to offer.
The hospitality industry is booming in the state. Already a tourist favourite, Goa shot into the limelight post the pandemic. It has led to an increase in footfalls, with people seeking holidays that are memorable, unique, experiential, Instagram-able, and fun for the family. And luxury hotels, from North Goa to South Goa, are delivering the goods. Here are some of Goa’s best hotels.
HOTELS IN NORTH GOA
Stay in Goa’s vibrant north to be close to the party spots, new cafés and happening events. This area is home to the most popular beaches in Goa—Baga, Vagator, Candolim, Calangute, and Morjim—dotted with shacks, and offering water sports and adventure activities. Stay here for the flea markets, historic forts, nightlife and happenings bars, the live gigs and a variety of food.
1. Ahilya by the Sea, Nerul
A quiet corner of Dolphin Bay is home to the three villas, and two standalone rooms, which form part of Ahilya by the Sea. The villas have tiled roofs, private balconies, French windows and African tribal art. Step out of your room into a lush garden, and take a dip in one of two pools. The Banyan Spa, shielded from the outside by oyster shell windows is where you go for some rejuvenation. Dining is al-fresco and Ahilya offers an a-la-carte menu with touches of Goan, Italian, and French cuisine. The property offers different kinds of excursions, from fishing to guided tours through Fontainhas. Doubles from Rs 21,000*.
Ahilya By The Sea, Nerul Hotels – Skyscanner
2. Ānamiva, Anjuna
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One of the newer properties in north Goa, Ānamiva is a designer boutique property part of the AM Hotel Collection. It has 23 rooms and penthouse suites, a café, a poolside restaurant and bar, an event space, and a salon. The rooms and suites are tastefully decorated with handpicked furniture, a contrast of dark and light tones, artwork, and allow in plenty of natural light. Curl up with the latest bestseller at the 24-hour library-themed café BOOKED! or enjoy some craft cocktails and classic European dishes at Omerta: Kitchen & Bar. Doubles from Rs 6,500*
3. Elsewhere, Ashvem
Located on a private bit of land overlooking the ocean is Elsewhere. Cross a bamboo footbridge over a saltwater creek to reach Elsewhere, which has four houses with thick cool walls, shuttered windows, natural flooring, and lofty terracotta tiled sloping roofs. Or you can opt to live in Otter Creek Tents, which face the creek, and have their own sit-out and a bamboo jetty. Order meals from the dining shack area where a cook will whip up meals from different cuisines. You can also hire a car and driver and go explore the nearby beaches and tourist spots. At Elsewhere you have the opportunity to cook fish over a fire, spot otters and if lucky, witness the hatching of turtles. Doubles from Rs 5,500*
4. MansionHaus, Anjuna
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The luxury hotel took birth from the restoration of a 300-year-old ancestral home in Anjuna. The house has nine suites detailed with porcelain floor tiles, Italian marble walls, high-vaulted ceilings, metal accents and eclectic local art. An in-house chef can prepare meals according to your preference using organic and locally sourced products. The plastic and paper-free property uses recyclable glass packaging and ethically sourced products and produce. There’s even a tastefully designed co-working space. There’s a masseuse to help relax the body and you can keep busy with a cooking class, a private chef’s table with food and wine pairing, sound meditation, yoga or pilates. Doubles from Rs14,000*.
5. Siolim House
Built in 1675, Casa Palacio Siolim House is a 350-year-old beautifully restored heritage hotel. The unique house, an example of aristocratic late 16th-century ‘casa do sobrado’ style of Goa-Portuguese architecture, stands tall behind a row of Ashoka trees. There are nine guestrooms including five suites, some with high wooden ceilings, four-poster beds, polished wooden floors, antique furniture, and private patios. Breakfast is complimentary and meals are cooked fresh, and feature local produce. Soak in a luxurious pool with an attached lounge, or step outside and explore the surrounding village. Siolim is situated close to major attractions and beaches in the North. Doubles from Rs 6,500*.
6. Taj Fort Aguada Resort & Spa, Candolim
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History abounds in every part of Taj Fort Aguada Resort & Spa, perched on a cliff near the historic Fort Aguada. Goa’s first luxury hotel has hosted dignitaries and celebrities and seen the state transform as a tourist destination. Soak in the ambience and history of the space at any one of 143 rooms, suites or private Hermitage villa. Morisco is where you can find thalis, Paper Moon is an option for delicate Italian fare, and for a sundowner, head to Martini Bar or SFX lounge. To relax, you can walk down to Sinquerim Beach, or opt for a therapy at J Wellness Circle. If you prefer something adventurous, a professional adventure team will help plan activities like rappelling up the fort façade. Doubles from Rs 19,000*.
7. Taj Exotica Resort & Spa
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Overlooking Benaulim Beach, Taj Exotica is a Mediterranean-inspired resort spread over 65 acres. You can stay in one of 140 rooms, including luxury villas and suites with plunge pools, balconies, sea and garden views, and private garden areas. Sample Goan flavours at the speciality Miguel Arcanjo, or enjoy cocktails at the lounge bar Adega Camoens, or savour a meal under the stars at the beachfront Lobster Village. Lounge by the pool or de-stress with rejuvenating therapies at J Wellness Circle. The concierge service will help customise your itinerary, planning tours to a bird sanctuary or spice plantation or visits to a Goan-Portuguese home to view antique artefacts and paintings. Doubles from Rs 20,000*
8. Taj Holiday Village Resort & Spa, Goa, Candolim
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Lying near Sinquerim Beach and surrounded by coconut trees, Taj Holiday Village Resort & Spa is a resort featuring Indo-Portuguese architectural elements like Romanesque arches, pillared verandahs and sunny saquãos. For a touch of luxury, check into the Luxury Goan Villa Sea View. Enjoy a three-course Thai meal at the Southeast Asian Banyan Tree, party al fresco style at Drift, and grab a drink at House of Nomad or the newly opened Seven Rivers Brewpub. For a true Goan feast, check out the contemporary Beach House offering delicacies by the famous Chef Rego. Work off those indulgences with a round at the Fitness Centre or a game of tennis. The J Wellness Circle is for energising treatments, wraps and body scrubs. If needed, the staff will help you plan adventure activities or exploration trips in Goa. Doubles from Rs 17,500*.
9. The Park Calangute
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This bohemian boutique resort is an adult-only space situated on the popular Calangute Beach. There are 30 rooms, including two terrace suites done up in white, with quirky art, rain showers, retro finishings and touches of purple. The corridors are decorated with prints by photographer Rohit Chawla and the resort’s all-white look gives it a Mediterranean feel. Spend some time at the purple pool in the hotel’s centre or savour world cuisine at the all-day beach restaurant Love, or catch a sunset at the elevated bar Peace with its white stone bar and poolside cabanas.Doubles from Rs 7,500*.
10. The Postcard Velha
Tucked away in a two-acre estate, The Postcard Velha is a boutique hotel combining colonial architecture with modern luxury. The six suites are minimalist, with high ceilings and private balconies that offer a view of Mandovi and Zuari delta, or of the garden and its 300-year-old banyan tree. Enjoy a taste of the complexity of Goan food like fish dangar, xacuti or pork feijoada in dining pavilions overlooking the river. Rent a cycle and explore the neighbourhood or take the ferry and cross over to the Salim Ali Bird Sanctuary. Doubles from Rs 19,000*
11. Vaayu Kula, Mandrem
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Vaayu Kula in Mandrem is a luxurious, creative abode for those seeking peace. Choose from 10 beach-facing rooms or a pet-friendly beach cottage, with furniture built using up-cycled antique and reclaimed wood, Indian handicrafts, and an organic mini-bar. Attached to Vaayu Kula is their sister brand, the all-day, restaurant Prana Mandrem serving food inspired by coastal India and South-East Asia. Vaayu has its own surf school offering daily surf lessons and Stand Up Paddleboarding; in addition, you can avail of HIIT beach classes, or yoga classes. To reduce their carbon footprint, they treat black water with a biodigester, have limited single-use plastics and most of the waste generated is recycled and composted. Doubles from Rs 16,000*
