The Diwa Club by Alila

The Diwa Club by Alila follows the resort-within-a-resort concept, as an exclusive section of the larger Alila Diwa Goa Hotel. Club guests have  a separate entry gate and reception area, plus a private restaurant and exclusive swimming pool. The semi-open-air reception area is quiet and intimate, with light-wood and wicker furniture and black-and-white rectangular tiled floors that give it a more contemporary look than the darker,  Balinese-influenced main resort. The heart of activity takes place around the pool or at the poolside Bistro restaurant, which has lovely interiors decorated with intricate tile floors and light-wood wall paneling adorned with traditional brass statuary. A gorgeous centerpiece fountain featuring long strings of bells (a nod to what are often found in Hindu temples) completes the look. This part of the resort is more geared toward adults, but there are still plenty of families who stay here, and those with kids can always pop over to the main resort where there are lots of facilities for children.

The Diwa Club is situated on the northwestern end of the larger Alila Diwa Goa, just outside the South Goan town of Majorda. There's not a lot within walking distance, except for a few shops and restaurants catering to tourists -- plus a mix of lush forests and fields. It's a five-minute drive from the small city center, where there's a church, shops, banks, and a small rail hub. Majorda Beach can be accessed in under 15 minutes on foot from the back of the hotel, and a shuttle ferries guests back and forth throughout the day, from sunrise to just after sunset. The airport at Vasco de Gama takes around a half-hour to reach by car.

The Diwa Club offers three room types: 66-square-meter (710-square-foot) Diwa Club Rooms, 85-square-meter (915-square-foot) Diwa Club Suites (with separate bedrooms and living rooms), and 128-square-meter (1,377-square-foot) Diwa Club Two-Bedroom Suites. The units are bright and a mix of light-wood with vaguely Mid-Century Modern furniture and geometric print rugs. Amenities found across categories include flat-screen TVs, kettles with tea and French presses, free Wi-Fi, and gourmet minibars. Big bathrooms consist of double vanities, deep soaking oval-shaped tubs, and tiled walk-in rainfall showers. A large selection of toiletries, hairdryers, bathrobes, and slippers are also provided. All units have furnished, covered balconies with ceiling fans. Some rooms overlook the lovely pool.

The Diwa Club has lots of exclusive amenities, including free airport transfers and welcome neck massages. The main feature is The Bistro, an exclusive all-day restaurant with a free a la carte all-day breakfast, free evening cocktails, and a free afternoon offering of Indian chai and traditional street food-style snacks. The Bistro overlooks the private swimming pool, a long, quiet pool surrounded by grassy lawns shaded by tropical trees, with lots of lounge chairs and umbrellas.Of course, guests also get access to all of the regular amenities found at Alila Diwa over in the main part of the hotel. Dining options in this section include the 24-hour VIVO restaurant, with room service and all sorts of Indian, European, and East Asian offerings. There's also the more formal Spice Studio features a variety of regional Indian dishes -- including some creative dishes from the Northeast. The hotel also offers a dine-in-the-dark experience once a week held in the ballroom, with special diet options available. Light meals are also available at the Edge Bar, with poolside and indoor seating plus an impressive selection of liquors, though most Diwa Club guests stick to Bistro. Other main resort features include event spaces available for meetings and weddings, free loaner bikes, a kids' club with attendants on hand to watch children over age 3, a separate teen zone, and a mini-cinema with afternoon family-friendly movies. There's a kids' pool with mini daybeds next to the main infinity pool. The spa is also in the main part of the hotel and offers all sorts of treatments, including Ayurvedic massages. Each spa room has its own steam room and shower -- there's also a couples' room with an outdoor whirlpool. The spa has its own fitness center with cardio and weight-training equipment, plus a yoga room with private lessons available for a fee.  Wi-Fi is free throughout the property. Valet parking is free for all guests.