Goa is arguably one of India’s earliest ‘global’ destinations that became a hub for globetrotting tourists, hippies, non-confirming mavericks, and wandering vagabonds as early as the 1950s and 1960s. The state has, therefore, realized the importance of tourism and its supporting infrastructure which makes a huge part of its GDP. Tourism is also what makes the smallest state of India its richest.
You will find some of the best modern hotels and resorts in this state. If you want a more vintage and heritage experience, many Portuguese-era houses, mansions, and forts have been repurposed as 5 star hotels in Goa. When it comes to choosing the top hotels and resorts in Goa, you’ll need help. That’s why we have selected 12 of the best hotels in Goa for you. Handpicked with painstaking attention, the list features property from all parts of Goa, and includes all kinds of establishments—beachside, country-side, up-country paddy fields, and Old Portuguese “Valha Goa.”
Fort Aguada is a Portuguese fort that was built in the 16th century. Housed in this heritage property, the Taj Fort Hotel near the Sinquerim Beach in Candolim is romantic and charming, and a Goan institution! It was the first ever 5 star luxury hotel established in the state and is still one of the best. North Goa’s shoreline is quiet and secluded. The Taj has its own private beachfront. Overlooking the Arabian Sea, Taj Fort Aguada is a world-class luxury hotel with a pool that overlooks the sea.
Alila Diwa Goa is a 5 star luxury hotel and resort with a tropical touch. Set in a grove of coconut palms with the white-sand Gonsua beach lying only 500 meters from the property, you get a beach experience that’s unrivaled in Goa. You get the full range of 5 star amenities that the world of Hyatt is famous for. Its in-house spa Spa Alila is spacious and luxurious. You get Asian, Western, and Indian Ayurveda treatments. The property also has a large outdoor swimming pool surrounded by tall palms.
Taj Exotica is a 5 star deluxe resort in South Goa located on the Benaulim beach. It has a theme inspired by the grand resorts of the Mediterranean. The Taj Exotica boasts a private 800-meter white sand beach. Set on 56 acres of tropical greenery, the Taj Exotica offers villa rooms and luxury suites that are generously spacious. Each unit comes with a flower-lined patio and an atrium. It has one of the largest ballrooms in Goa which is ideal for a destination wedding event. The J Wellness Circle offers a variety of spa programs. The poolside bar serves up delicious cocktails.
Saint Regis Resort is a 5 star luxury hotel set in 50 acres of tropical gardens, one hour drive from the Dabolim Airport. It has 5 on-site food and beverage outlets, a fine spa, a 12-hole golf course, a Children’s Club, an outdoor swimming pool, and a bar. Suites at the St. Regis come equipped with private dip pools. Miri, the indoor all-day dining is homely and warm and it specializes in Goan delicacies. The Drawing Room is the property’s coffee and tea outlet that offers delicious snacks. Oliveto offers fine Italian with a dolce vita flair. You will enjoy Regis’s sea-viewing seafood grill Susegado which serves catch of the day, smoked grills, and handcrafted cocktails.
Caravela claims to be a ‘5 star deluxe’ resort, and that claim is not without merit. Set in 23 acres of private estate dotted with tropical trees and palms, the Caravela Resort has a white-sand beachfront. For its style and design, the Caravela Beach borrows the “flying buttress” theme that is a hallmark of old churches of Goa, with pointed arches and prominent columns. Like the traditional Goa houses, the giant Atrium of Caravela is supported by huge beams. The interior décor of the hotel has been stylishly done by Mario Miranda using local wood and stone carvings and Goan flowers and birds as motifs.
Cuelim is a quiet part of South Goa. Secluded, quiet, and very historical. This six-room hotel is housed in a heritage property that overlooks 3,500 acres of lush green rice paddy fields. Inside the premises of the Postcard lies a 350-year-old chapel built in a Portuguese style. The Postcard is as Portuguese as it gets. Tall, spacious, and rich in light. Each room gives you a view of the paddy fields. The beach lies only 15 minutes walk away. The fields are ideal for morning and evening walks. The in-house restaurant prides itself on its Port Sorpotel, Mushroom and Green Pea Xacutti, and fresh Pomfret.
The ITC Grand Resort and Spa is tucked away on a secluded Arossim beach in South Goa. You get exclusive access to a sun-kissed white sand beach in this 45-acre tropical resort with 6 beverage and food outlets. The ITC has a design style that is inspired by an Indo-Portuguese village. Five distinct units are linked together by a network of cobble pathways, and landscaped by fountains and flowers. Kaya Kalp, a signature spa brand of the ITC, offers a wide range of Indian, European, and Chinese therapies and is set in a lush beach-facing garden.
The 75-acre Leela Palace is a cross between an opulent Indian palace and a medieval Portuguese Villa. This grand property marked by towering pavilions, tropical gardens, and lagoons offers 150 rooms and suites that come with a view of the Arabian Sea. It also has 15 private villas, each with a lap pool and courtyard. The Leela even has its own 12-hole, par-3 Golf course. Jamawar serves some of the best Indian food in town. Susegado serves fresh catches from the sea and grilled meat dishes. There is also a Pool Bar that serves fresh cocktails and botanicals.
Champakali is a homely villa located in Old Goa near the Mandovi River delta that is perfect for an immersive experience in the heart of the old city. Set on two acres, the villa has two units, each of which comes with three en-suite bedrooms and a private balcony. Each unit is a stand-alone house with all the amenities you get at your own house, including a kitchen. There’s an in-house restaurant that makes fresh homemade food. The property has beautiful courtyards lined with patios. Gardens have relaxing gazebos and hammocks, And, there is a splendid swimming pool. You can even order a massage at a private outdoor spa space.
W Goa is swanky, chic, and modern. It is one for the multicultural globetrotters. Vagator is the hub of New Age beach rave parties in Goa. W Goa puts you close to the “psytrance” music party scene. It is perched on a cliffside base that towers above the sea and has a private beachfront. The two outdoor beaches, Rockpool and WET Outdoor overlook the sea. Away Spa, the in-house W Spa, is equipped with several steam rooms and therapy baths. The 24/7 W Gym comes with a personal trainer and even offers a healthy Fish Thali Meal.
Another 5 star offering of the Marriot Group, the Westin Goa is located in Anjuna, famous for its nightlife and golden sand beaches. The Market restaurant overlooks a lotus pond and serves a large multi-cuisine menu. Drift, the BBQ outlet of Westin, also overlooks the pond and serves flaming hot grills. Anjuna Coffee And Co is a chi café that offers great coffee and hot beverages from around the world. The Heavenly Spa by Westin offers a wide range of massage and treatments. The property also has a well-equipped Workout Fitness Studio and an outdoor swimming pool.
The Siolim House is an Indo-Portuguese country house that was originally built in the 17th century and converted into a luxury boutique hotel in 1996. It is believed to be one of the earliest Palacios built by the Portuguese in Goa. Nominated for the UNESCO Heritage Awards for Conservation in Asia in 2001, Siolim House offers 9 rooms that are meticulously restored to their original form. This fine boutique stay has an in-house restaurant and a swimming pool.
