Disclaimer: Top 10 Lists are created keeping in mind only our opinion. Rest assured that IH Aviation and Travel is not biased whatsoever.
Goa, a pocket-sized paradise located on the west coast of India, is a kaleidoscopic blend of Portuguese-Indian heritage, delicious delicacies, and serene beaches. Goa stands out in India for its Portuguese colonial architecture and heritage. The Portuguese arrived in Goa in 1510, lured by the exotic East and the promise of lucrative spice routes, before being booted out in 1961. Their indelible mark is still evident in the state’s baroque architecture, whitewashed churches, crumbling forts, colourful Catholic ceremonies, mournful fado music and the stunning cathedrals of Old Goa. Boasting a 100-kilometer long coastline, Goa is home to a string of uninterrupted golden sand beaches that propel many tourists all year round. Also pesent in Goa are some of the best beach hotels in India. Now wasting no time, let’s take a look at the Top 10 5 star hotels in Goa.
10. Hilton Goa Resort
Located in Candolim, Hilton Goa Resort is located atop the scenic, terraced slopes of Saipem Hills, overlooking the Nerul River. The property has 104 rooms on offer that open to balconies or patios. Bathrooms include a separate bath and shower with a deep soaking bath and a rainfall showerhead. Guests can choose from 3 restaurants namely @Saipe – all-day dining restaurant, Coco – offering Mediterranean cuisines and Doce – a café serving an assortment of artisanal teas, single estate coffees and light bites. Guests at Hilton Goa Resort will be able to enjoy activities in and around Candolim, like cycling, snorkeling and scuba diving. Other facilities include 4 outdoor pools including children’s pool and a health club.
Hotel Website: Hilton Goa Resort
9. Goa Marriott Resort & Spa
Goa Marriott Resort & Spa is situated on the edge of Miramar beach, with picturesque views of the Arabian Sea and Mandovi River. The hotel consists of 182 rooms and 8 suites with sweeping views of the bay or our hotel’s gardens. Dining options include international cuisine at Waterfront Terrace & Bar, Cantonese themed dining at Wan Hao, seafood at Simply Grills and baked breads, delicate pastries, gourmet coffee and local savories at Goa Baking Company. 14143 square feet of event space, a fitness centre, a outdoor swimming pool including a whirlpool, Quan Spa, Quan Salon and sauna are some of the facilities provided in the hotel.
Hotel Website: Goa Marriott Resort and Spa
8. Alila Diwa, Goa
Alila Diwa Goa, a Hyatt property, is located along Gonsua Beach. The main highlight of this hotel is its infinity pool overlooking lush green paddy fields. The Diwa Club by Alila is a resort within the resort that allows guests the privilege of privacy and exclusivity while enjoying all the facilities at Alila Diwa Goa. The hotel consists of 118 rooms and suites with garden or pool views from most rooms. The resort houses Vivo, an all-day diner, The Edge, the poolside bar & lounge, Courtyard Bar, an evening cocktail bar and the award-winning Home-style Goan restaurant, Spice Studio. 24/7 Gym, Play Alila Kid’s Club and Teen Zone, Alila Spa and the infinity swimming pool are facilities present at the hotel.
Hotel Website: Alila Diwa, Goa
7. Taj Resort and Convention Centre, Goa
With a forested hillside perch and gorgeous Sea views, Taj Resort and Convention Centre, Goa, is situated near Dona Paula in Panaji. It shares neighbourhood with its sister property the Cidade de Goa – IHCL SeleQtions. Majority of the 299 rooms including 17 themed suites offer sweeping views of the bay. Taj Hotel & Convention Center Goa features an all day dining restaurant BLD located off the main lobby with a beautifully landscaped garden on the north and a vast deck garden on the sea side. The hotel also offers a lounge bar and a Coastal Cuisine specialty restaurant. The vast elevated deck at the rooftop with infinity pool along the Arabian sea offers panoramic views of the Vainguinim beach, the Zuari bay and the sea beyond, and sun bathing opportunity to the guests and a second 25 metre lap pool at the lower deck. Multiple event spaces, water sports, sunset cruise, activities at the beach, e-biking, kids activity zone, a state of the art fitness facility, Jiva Spa, 40-seated cinema and Club Lounge are some of the facilities provided by the hotel.
Hotel Website: Taj Resort and Convention Centre, Goa
6. Grand Hyatt, Goa
Grand Hyatt Goa, situated in Bambolim, overlooks the visually stunning waters of the Bambolim Bay. The hotel is spread across 28 acres of colourful, tropical gardens and lush lawns that roll down to the water’s edge of the Bambolim Bay. The 313 rooms and suites are decorated in a warm palate and all come with a balcony. Choose from an array of cuisines ranging from, local Indian, Mediterranean, Asian and seafood specialties Grand Hyatt’s various restaurants. Cocktails and Wines can be enjoyed at The Capiz Bar and The Pool Bar & Grill. Enjoy refreshing workouts and soothe tense muscles at The Shamana Spa and sauna facilities. 23 metre outdoor pool, indoor lap pool, a business centre and multiple event spaces are some other facilities.
Hotel Website: Grand Hyatt, Goa
5. Taj Fort Aguada Resort and Spa, Goa
Overlooking the Arabian Sea, Taj Fort Aguada Resort & Spa, Goa, is situated just 100 metres from Fort Aguada. This hotel, spread in a massive 73 acres, is where royalty, heads of government agencies and the biggest celebrities are known to frequent. The Taj property offers 143 rooms, suites and villas across an emerald and turquoise-washed paradise with splendid views of the Arabian Sea, and the twin luxury of hillside and sea-facing residences. Offering varied international and local menus, Latitude provides a trendy setting and all-day dining. The resort also has Italian and seafood restaurants as well as 2 bars. Guests can enjoy relaxing spa massages at Jiva Spa after active workouts at the tennis and squash courts. The property also houses a library, mini golf course and water sports facilities in addition to a outdoor swimming pool and a fitness centre.
Hotel Website: Taj Fort Aguada Resort and Spa, Goa
4. W, Goa
W, Goa, is located right next to Vagator Beach in Bardez. It is the 1st W hotel to open in India, and true to its name, W Goa brings the best of music, fashion, design and fuel. Kick back in one of 121 luxury hotel rooms or villa-style suites discreetly spread out across the private coastline, where scenic views complement custom furnishings that drawn from local traditions, adorned with creative and modern nuances. Each hotel room includes a Portuguese-style balcony and our Marvelous Suite features garden views and terrazzo floors. W Goa offers a variety of restaurants including The Kitchen Table serving local cuisine and Spice Traders offering Pan-Asian cuisine specially curated by the Director of cuisine. Guests can refuel at the Rock Pool consisting of a naturally carved facade ideally located to enjoy the breath-taking views of the sunset. 50500 square feet of event spaces, Spa by Clarins, FIT – the fitness centre, a outdoor swimming pool and Rockpool.
Hotel Website: W, Goa
3. ITC Grand Goa, a Luxury Collection Resort and Spa
ITC Grand Goa Resort & Spa is set within 45 acres of landscaped gardens with glimmering waterways and lagoons along the pristine Arossim Beach. This beach-side, village-styled resort’s architecture draws inspiration from the Indo-Portuguese vintage and blends classical elegance with a distinctive regional allure that’s infused in its service, cuisine, rituals and more. The 252 well-appointed rooms and suites look out in to the tropical gardens, the lagoons and water bodies. All rooms and suites feature personal outdoor spaces in the form of a balcony or patio with some rooms also featuring outdoor rain showers and secret gardens. Pavilion At the Village Square brings to you the finest Indian and International fare round the clock. It also features an outdoor open kitchen, allowing guests to interact with in-house culinary masters. Kebabs & Kurries offers heritage cuisine while Ottimo Cucina Italiana is inspired by the concept of a homely Italian kitchen. Guests can also try the Signature Goan restaurant or The Royal Afghan – Seaside Barbecue and Grill offering charcoal-grilled flavors of the North-West Frontier. Facilities include multiple event spaces, Kaya Kalp – The Royal Spa is nestled amid lush beachfront gardens, 24/7 fitness centre and a outdoor swimming pool.
Hotel Website: ITC Grand Goa, a Luxury Collection Resort and Spa
2. Taj Exotica Resort and Spa, Goa
Spread across 56 acres of landscaped gardens, the Mediterranean-style Taj Exotica Resort & Spa, Goa sits along a private beach overlooking the Arabian Sea. All this space is coupled with old-world architecture, flower-lined patios and a sunshine-laden atrium. Tropical design elements pervade this 5 star resort in Goa’s magnificent rooms and villas. Tiled roofs, textured walls, and warm and earthy colour tones create the essence of this luxury seafront getaway. Each of the 140 rooms comes with a balcony overlooking the garden, pool or sea and select rooms offer a private pool or hydromassage bathtub. Guests can try a range of Indian and international delicacies, along with refreshing drinks. Dining options include Alegria (Goan cuisine, seafood), Li Bai (Asian cuisine), Lobster Shack (beachfront), Miguel Arcanjo (Mediterranean food), Eugenia (multi-cuisine restaurant). The lounge bar Adega Camoens offers cocktails and light snacks. Sunny afternoons can be spent playing tennis or getting a relaxing massage at The Jiva Spa. The resort also provides a fitness center and Children’s Activity Centre. There are also multiple event spaces and a outdoor swimming pool.
Hotel Website: Taj Exotica Resort and Spa, Goa
1. The Leela, Goa
The Leela Goa is a unique property set amidst the sprawling 75 acres of lush greenery and beautiful lagoons with a winding river on one side and the azure blue sea on the other. The resort offers 206 rooms and suites that are elegantly furnished and balconies that open up to majestic views of the lagoons and the Arabian Sea. For guests seeking unparalleled luxury, The Leela Goa has its very own – The Club. Private and exclusive, The Club has twenty lavish suites, each with a personalized 24-hour butler, all-day dining at the Club Lounge and private access to a 25-metre swimming pool and beach. Built around the concept of ‘A Hotel within a Hotel’, The Club within The Leela Goa epitomizes luxury and offers exclusivity beyond imagination. Leela Goa offers 7 food and beverage options served buffet style, with cuisines ranging from local Indian dishes to Italian food, namely The Restaurant (all day dining); Riverside (fine-dining Italian restaurant); Jamavar (signature Indian restaurant); Susegado (Beachside Sea food restaurant); Aqua (Entertainment lounge), The Pool Bar and Yali Lounge. Guests may enjoy Ayurvedic massage and yoga sessions at the spa, or arrange a sunset cruise at the tour desk. The Leela also provides a tennis court and pottery making classes. Over 20000 square feet of event spaces, a 12 hole golf course and a outdoor swimming pool are available at the hotel.
Hotel Website: The Leela, Goa
If you think that we have missed any of the hotels present in Goa that you think should be included in the list, let us know in the comments section below.