Ahilya by the Sea

The hotel was designed in traditional Goan architecture, with an Indonesian twist, and built on the site of the former Portuguese custom houses. Ahilya by the Sea is located right on the beach (although this one in non-swimmable). There are two delightful swimming pools to relax beside (14m x 3m and 10 x 2.5m). You can easily head off to Goa’s more populated, swimmable beaches.

There are three Portuguese style villas, made of hand-hewn local red laterite rock. There is one tower room over the ancient Banyan Tree, and one partial sea view room called the Music Room. The gardens are stunning; think shaded verandas, and secret nooks and crannies to curl up with a book. The 9 rooms all have sea views. The Sunset Villa has four bedrooms (3 en suite and a bedroom with a private bathroom across the corridor). The Sunrise Villa has three en suite rooms. The Trindade Suite is on the first floor of the Leela Villa and has two entrances, with a separate bedroom and living room. In addition, you find Arjun’s Treehouse which is an artists studio above a Banyan Tree. The Music Room which has an adjacent bathroom and partial sea views.

Each room is named after a painting by Antonio Xavier Trindade. He was the grandfather of the present owner, and the interiors are adorned with family antiques and Goan art. You won’t find TVs or bathtubs in the rooms. Extra beds are available in some rooms for one child. Ahilya by the Sea doesn’t have interconnecting rooms. Some families like to take an entire three or four bedroom villa.

Dining is set up, al fresco, at various locations around the gardens. Depending on the weather and you can feast in Indian, Goan or Western dishes. If the weather is looking worrying, you all head into the lovely dining room. 

Ahilya by the Sea is a delightful place to base yourself in Goa, and it is possible to combine three or four nights here with another hotel in the south of north Goa. Combine with a visit to Hampi to the east, Gokarna to the south or Mumbai to the north. There are flights to almost all areas of India, so you could work in a wildlife life experience to see tigers, a visit to Kerala or use Ahilya as a beach finish to a tour of Rajasthan.