Overlooking Fort Aguada and the Arabian Sea, the four-and-a-half-pearl Taj Fort Aguada Resort & Spa is an elegant option for those looking for a quiet spot near the action in Candolim and Calangute. The 143 rooms and villas vary quite a bit, but all are well equipped and impeccably maintained and a good number of them have views of the sea. However, rooms are a bit spread out, and some guests have found it inconvenient to wait for a buggy to move around the grounds. Amenities include a lovely lagoon pool with ocean and fort views, multiple restaurants serving everything from seafood to a breakfast buffet, an elegant spa, and a well-equipped fitness center with a squash court. Travelers looking for a more central, compact alternative may want to also consider the Hard Rock Hotel Goa in Calangute.
Overlooking Fort Aguada and the Arabian Sea, the four-and-a-half-pearl Taj Fort Aguada Resort & Spa is an elegant option for those looking for a quiet spot near the action in Candolim and Calangute. The 143 rooms and villas vary quite a bit, but all are well equipped and impeccably maintained and a good number of them have views of the sea. However, rooms are a bit spread out, and some guests have found it inconvenient to wait for a buggy to move around the grounds. Amenities include a lovely lagoon pool with ocean and fort views, multiple restaurants serving everything from seafood to a breakfast buffet, an elegant spa, and a well-equipped fitness center with a squash court. Travelers looking for a more central, compact alternative may want to also consider the Hard Rock Hotel Goa in Calangute.
The four-pearl Taj Holiday Village Resort & Spa is an expansive, family-geared resort, bordering northern Goa's Sinquerium Beach. Freestanding cottages form its 142 rooms and villas, where greenery or sea views are lovely, and interiors range from traditional to modern. Vast open-air lounges and colorful carvings form attractive, Indo-Portuguese layouts, but maintenance can be rough around the edges. Still, the property's location by the beach and shopping along the main road is excellent, and good features include a pool with sunken bar, tranquil spa, five-hole golf course, and restaurants that include an international buffet and fine-dining Thai, plus plenty for kids. Intimacy-seeking couples should consider the more romantic Vivanda by Taj- Fort Aguada next door, although it's pricier.
The four-pearl Taj Holiday Village Resort & Spa is an expansive, family-geared resort, bordering northern Goa's Sinquerium Beach. Freestanding cottages form its 142 rooms and villas, where greenery or sea views are lovely, and interiors range from traditional to modern. Vast open-air lounges and colorful carvings form attractive, Indo-Portuguese layouts, but maintenance can be rough around the edges. Still, the property's location by the beach and shopping along the main road is excellent, and good features include a pool with sunken bar, tranquil spa, five-hole golf course, and restaurants that include an international buffet and fine-dining Thai, plus plenty for kids. Intimacy-seeking couples should consider the more romantic Vivanda by Taj- Fort Aguada next door, although it's pricier.
Situated on a back road not far from the town of Vagator, Orritel Village Square is a three-pearl boutique that attracts travelers who are in Goa to relax rather than party. The 30 rooms range in size, but all feature a similar decor scheme dominated by earthy elements such as cracked mosaic tiling and exposed brick ceilings. Features include a lovely lagoon pool that stretches across a leafy central courtyard plus a swing set, and a game room. The covered rooftop restaurant serving Indian and Chinese food along with a decent selection of cocktails. There's also a conference space for up to 50 guests. Breakfast is included in room rates, as is secure parking, and while Wi-Fi is free throughout the hotel, the service can be spotty and slow.
Situated on a back road not far from the town of Vagator, Orritel Village Square is a three-pearl boutique that attracts travelers who are in Goa to relax rather than party. The 30 rooms range in size, but all feature a similar decor scheme dominated by earthy elements such as cracked mosaic tiling and exposed brick ceilings. Features include a lovely lagoon pool that stretches across a leafy central courtyard plus a swing set, and a game room. The covered rooftop restaurant serving Indian and Chinese food along with a decent selection of cocktails. There's also a conference space for up to 50 guests. Breakfast is included in room rates, as is secure parking, and while Wi-Fi is free throughout the hotel, the service can be spotty and slow.
In a quiet South Goan neighborhood right by the beach, Heritage Village Club Goa is a three-and-a-half-pearll vacation resort that attracts vacationers looking for a relaxing beach vacation. While the 97 well-maintained, air-conditioned rooms are pleasant enough, it's the facilities that really set this spot apart. There are tons of amenities, from a large pool with a kids' pool to an Ayurvedic spa, from water sports to karaoke nights. There are also four bars and restaurants. Loaner bikes are available for exploring the area -- a boon for those who like getting out and about, given that there's not much within walking distance except for the nearby beach. Travelers looking for something a bit snazzier in the area may want to splurge on the nearby Park Hyatt Goa Resort and Spa -- but rates are higher.
In a quiet South Goan neighborhood right by the beach, Heritage Village Club Goa is a three-and-a-half-pearll vacation resort that attracts vacationers looking for a relaxing beach vacation. While the 97 well-maintained, air-conditioned rooms are pleasant enough, it's the facilities that really set this spot apart. There are tons of amenities, from a large pool with a kids' pool to an Ayurvedic spa, from water sports to karaoke nights. There are also four bars and restaurants. Loaner bikes are available for exploring the area -- a boon for those who like getting out and about, given that there's not much within walking distance except for the nearby beach. Travelers looking for something a bit snazzier in the area may want to splurge on the nearby Park Hyatt Goa Resort and Spa -- but rates are higher.
The Park Hyatt Goa Resort and Spa is a 248-room luxury hotel located right on the beach, a 20-minute drive south of the Goa International Airport. The rooms and suites here are classically chic, and all have furnished balconies or patios and marble bathrooms with sunken tubs. The facilities here are extensive, and include a spa with Ayurvedic treatments, a white-sand beach with water sports, extensive event space, and a ton of activities for children. The resort also offers a great selection of restaurants and bars, including a Goan specialty restaurant, and room service is available around the clock. Travelers looking for a luxury alternative may also want to consider The Leela Goa, which is about a 40-minute south of the Park Hyatt.
The Park Hyatt Goa Resort and Spa is a 248-room luxury hotel located right on the beach, a 20-minute drive south of the Goa International Airport. The rooms and suites here are classically chic, and all have furnished balconies or patios and marble bathrooms with sunken tubs. The facilities here are extensive, and include a spa with Ayurvedic treatments, a white-sand beach with water sports, extensive event space, and a ton of activities for children. The resort also offers a great selection of restaurants and bars, including a Goan specialty restaurant, and room service is available around the clock. Travelers looking for a luxury alternative may also want to consider The Leela Goa, which is about a 40-minute south of the Park Hyatt.
The Diwa Club by Alila is a luxury resort within a resort, part of the larger Alila Diwa Goa in the south Goan seaside town of Majorda. This part of the resort offers 35 rooms, all of which mix contemporary decor with Balinese-influenced elements. Guests have access to all the facilities at the main resort along with their own private pool and exclusive restaurant, with all-day a la carte breakfast, cocktails, and a free tea and snacks service every afternoon. It's not on the beach, though the resort does offer a free shuttle service to a private section of nearby Majorda Beach, a five-minute drive away. Those looking for direct beach access may want to consider the Leela Goa instead -- though it's nowhere near as luxurious.
The Diwa Club by Alila is a luxury resort within a resort, part of the larger Alila Diwa Goa in the south Goan seaside town of Majorda. This part of the resort offers 35 rooms, all of which mix contemporary decor with Balinese-influenced elements. Guests have access to all the facilities at the main resort along with their own private pool and exclusive restaurant, with all-day a la carte breakfast, cocktails, and a free tea and snacks service every afternoon. It's not on the beach, though the resort does offer a free shuttle service to a private section of nearby Majorda Beach, a five-minute drive away. Those looking for direct beach access may want to consider the Leela Goa instead -- though it's nowhere near as luxurious.
Sandwiched between the main road and a lagoon, with Mandrem Beach in the distance, Riva Beach Resort is a quiet, elegant, three-and-a-half pearl boutique resort with 78 rooms. All the units are spacious and elegant, and come with air-conditioning, dark-wood furniture, balconies (some with sea views), and lovely marble bathrooms. The facilities aren't too shabby either, and while there's no fitness center, there is a yoga pavilion that guests can use along with bicycle, kayak, and ATV rentals -- plus an Ayurvedic spa. There's a restaurant with a free extensive breakfast buffet and lovely views over the hotel's large outdoor pool. Travelers looking for a similar vibe closer to the action may want to consider Tamarind Hotel in Anjuna -- just note that unlike Riva, it's not on the beach.
Sandwiched between the main road and a lagoon, with Mandrem Beach in the distance, Riva Beach Resort is a quiet, elegant, three-and-a-half pearl boutique resort with 78 rooms. All the units are spacious and elegant, and come with air-conditioning, dark-wood furniture, balconies (some with sea views), and lovely marble bathrooms. The facilities aren't too shabby either, and while there's no fitness center, there is a yoga pavilion that guests can use along with bicycle, kayak, and ATV rentals -- plus an Ayurvedic spa. There's a restaurant with a free extensive breakfast buffet and lovely views over the hotel's large outdoor pool. Travelers looking for a similar vibe closer to the action may want to consider Tamarind Hotel in Anjuna -- just note that unlike Riva, it's not on the beach.