We spent 3 days in Goa and chose to stay at the Alila Diwa hotel near Majorda beach. It’s located in South Goa – the quiet and sleepy bit of Goa. There are larger hotels in the area, but this stood out as somewhere a bit more personal and unique. About a 20 minute drive from the airport it was easy to get to along quiet roads. The location is deep in the paddy fields and is as green as you can imagine, but it is still only 10 minutes walk to the beach. It’s a sprawling site but doesn’t feel like a resort. As a member of Design Hotels it is of course incredibly well put together and very peaceful indeed.
I have never been in a hot country around Christmastime and it was a pleasure. On our final night it was the occasion of the turning on of the Christmas lights at the Banyan Tree. A stunning display and a beautiful tree. There was mulled wine, carol singing, Father Christmas and a local charity selling gifts made by young adults with special needs. This sort of event tells me all I need to know about a hotel’s management – that they’re excellent. Here they work with the community and the full team were having fun – the whole evening was warm, fun and jovial.
The Diwa Club
We were initially dropped off at the main entrance in error and service was a bit slow. As soon as one of the team from The Club whisked us away things improved. We took a stroll through the grounds (although there is a separate entrance) to get to The Club. The Club is a little bit more expensive and was very peaceful with larger rooms and separate pool and restaurant facilities. As with all club’s, there’s happy hour and afternoon tea which always prove popular. Breakfast can be taken all day rather than between certain hours. This meant that the restaurant was always relatively quiet and so service was attentive and fast.
Our room
A big space indeed and the decor is simple and relaxing. Our bed was immense – it must have been a super king-size – and super comfy. The bedroom also had a desk all the way along one wall, a chaise long and small table and large sliding doors onto a secluded balcony. Our room was to the edge of the hotel building and so very peaceful, others have better views of the pool.
The bathroom is impressive. A centrepiece bath is located right in the middle of the room and which was lovely and deep. Along one wall were twin sinks and plenty of space for toiletries as well as separate toilet and shower cubicles. The toiletries weren’t branded, it was a shame they weren’t the same as the ones in the spa as they were truly divine. Storage in the bathroom was superb – two large wardrobes with baggage storage meant we could put everything away tidily.
The pools
The nicest pool is the main pool. It is stunning. The Chedi in Muscat gave me #poolgoals issues and this is the first pool that’s lived up. A stunning infinity edge looking across the paddy fields which is also the perfect aspect for sunset. There are also shallow and shady areas for reading and it is long enough for lengths. 2 edges have loungers that are wooden and comfortable.
The pool at The Club was more peaceful and has dappled light off the surrounding palm trees. Unfortunately there’s a rush most mornings to put towels and books down on the loungers. But we are early risers so beat the towels at their own game. We also used our loungers! No view from this pool, but a relaxing and quiet spot.
The spa
Quite simply the best spa treatment I’ve experienced. I am very picky about spa treatments and never even book something that might be run of the mill. The 90 minute hot stone massage won my vote. I don’t recall what Mr P picked, but it was also 90 minutes.
We used one of the double treatment rooms which was lovely. 90 minutes is an excellent amount of time for a massage, I was so relaxed and there was no rush with the hot stones in that time. I was lovely and warm and incredibly zen like, and the Alila products were so good to my skin. The spa room has an outdoor shower and water garden to use after the treatment is complete. I also measure a spa by the herbal drinks before and after – here it was a divine herbal tea, with ginger, lemon and honey as well as jasmine. Basically what I would wish for even though they didn’t know!
We were very tempted to return the next day, especially since the two treatments were only about £130 together in total.
Food
We only ate at the bistro in The Club which looks across the club pool, with outdoor and semi-indoor dining. Breakfast was a feast – a little trolley of pastries, cereal and fruits to start followed by tempting a la carte. This was the most interesting breakfast menu as it took a european classic (let’s say eggs benny) and mixed it up with Indian spices and style. Really tasty. Soya was collected for me on day 1 from the main hotel, so I made sure to order plenty more lattes during our stay! We had a couple of small lunches here and the food was always good and fresh.
In the evening the restaurants were empty which was surprising, although a drink at sunset by the main pool was a popular choice.
Our driver had mentioned to us that there were great restaurants just outside the hotel. This was clearly where everyone went for supper. The food in the hotel isn’t expensive by normal standards. But when for £3 one can enjoy a goan fish curry of the day just across the road, it’s not a difficult choice. In December food is accompanied by a saxophonist with a Santa hat playing Christmas tunes! That was in FISH’ka and we also went to Zeebop along the beach (where Sam had to leave me for a while)…
We didn’t get a chance to try out Martins Corner which apparently is even better than these two!
Locale
The beach is a ten minute walk along a quiet road surrounding by rice paddies, palm trees and cattle. It is lovely and peaceful.
Majorda beach is a vast expanse, dotted with bars and restaurants and of course their staff trying to drag you in. We stuck to walking in the water where we weren’t bothered. Mr P had some early morning runs along the beach and enjoyed watching the morning fish catch come in.
The hotel does have bikes for hire – we were too lazy to use them. It is a cute Portuguese-like area that would have been superb to explore had we had the energy!
Final thoughts
We had arrived direct from the Oberoi in Jaipur so the odds were stacked against the Alila. But thankfully it beat them. Boutique and relaxed luxury, we really enjoyed ourselves. It wasn’t at all stuffy, not overly busy and it was a great location to really relax and enjoy the sunshine!
The Alila group have some interesting hotels that I’d love to explore more – a modern take on the local culture and architecture, beautifully designed and put together. They seem to appeal to a youngish crowd but not the rowdy type – our kind of people I guess. Probably another reason we liked it so much, we felt very much at home!
If you are tempted with Goa, read more about our 3 days there, as well as our time in Mumbai which is the easiest international airport to connect through.
Cover photo credit – courtesy of the hotel
The hotel looks so peaceful Anna and that pool looks gorgeous! You never really think of India all beautiful and green like your photos show, it looks like the perfect place to chill for a few days after the hustle and bustle of the north xx
Author
It was a really different place – it could have been the Caribbean and I am so glad we didn’t go for one of the big chain resorts. There is definitely something I liked about Alila, more to investigate! xx
Now *this* is how to chase away those winter blues!
Author
Debating if we can go back right now for that exact reason!
I’m beginning to thing that you and I have a similar obsession when it comes to hotel pools 🙂 – The Alila Diwa hotel looks stunning! I’ve never had a 90 minute spa treatment before…only ever 60 minute…must give 90 minutes a go next time!
Author
It isn’t just hotel pools though Maggie, it’s all pools – I can’t stay in a villa either unless the pool has one of those wretched infinity edges and views.
It looks so relaxed and peaceful. That pool is gorgeous, the perfect location for a sundowner. The rooms is really spacious and has a really calm air about it. Think I could manage a night or two here!
Author
Definitely the full package – space, relaxing, perfect pool and views and price too
I visited the Alila Diwa a couple of years ago and thought it a beautiful hotel, especially the main pool. There was a wedding in full swing and it was wonderful to see the hotel decorated for such an event. I was invited to join the wedding feast but sadly I couldn’t stay. Wish I could have test run the spa!
Author
I can imagine it must have been stunning – we had it dressed up for Christmas, but having seen a wedding at the Oberoi I know that the wedding decorating is on another level!
We were really impressed with the Alila in Uluwatu, it’s definitely a fantastic brand for the spas alone!
Author
It’s under the radar which is why it’s even more surprisingly fab! Very well put together brand – akin to GHM which I love too
That pool looks gorgeous. And it seems like a really relaxing and peaceful spot, just what you need after a few days in India!
Author
So glad we made time for non-culture, it was a real treat!
Looks gorgeous – what a lovely place to relax. I’d love to spend more time in Southern India
Author
Me too – it’s such a chilled way of life – it balances nicely as a trip with culture in the north and laid back vibes in the south
Oh man – those pools!! I’d be cock-a-hoop to spend the day there – it looks gorgeous and peaceful.
Author
It was very tough to leave that’s for sure!
Anna, I LOVE your measurement standards….herbal tea range and collaborating with the local community…these are indeed telling of quality and ethics 🙂
Author
I have impressed myself too! I had the best drink at a spa in Abu Dhabi and it was so pretty but I didn’t have my camera… I was so thankful to get to take a nice snap of amazing tea this time! As for working with the community – oh I hate staying at large hotels anywhere in the world where all the cash leaves the local area, so I love seeing somewhere do it right!
It’s a nice to blog about Alila diwa hotel in Goa, Some days back we have booked Alila diwa hotel for the wedding anniversary of our friend. The hotel is located in a nice place their service is so good and starting to end well enjoyed. This hotel is also very cheap I think this hotel is one of the budget hotels in Goa their staff is also well trained.
Author
There’s not many hotels in the sleepier south which is why we chose it, and yes the service (and the spa) was excellent. I wouldn’t call it budget, although it was far cheaper than the Oberoi we had come from – it is well priced given that it doesn’t have its own beach and there isn’t a lot surrounding it. The club wing was very affordable and just what you need in this kind of location. Thankfully it isn’t a big brash chain either, that was the selling point for us!
This is exactly the kind of place we would like to unwind – luxurious but not too stuffy. I always give hotels bonus marks when there’s enough storage in the bathrooms too… sounds silly but it makes me feel more at home if I can have my toiletries (even though there not many of them) in easy reach!
Author
Alila get the right things right at a sensible price, wish they’d come to Europe!! I hate living out of a bag so being able to hide all the clutter away in the bathroom is bliss!