Ahilya by the Sea

from £203
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Photo of Ahilya by the Sea
Poolside Villa
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Exterior of Villas
Poolside Villa
“Charming villas tucked away amidst coconut trees and lush vegetation. Choose from two sparkling pools with plenty of sun loungers, verdant gardens and a tree-top spa in which to relax. Lovely rooms are packed with antiques. Savour healthy breakfasts & candlelit dinners. Delightful.”

Hotel review

First things first: Ahilya by the Sea is run to feel like a home, not a hotel. Every room is filled to the brim with objets d'art, trophies from around the globe, and personal touches. Its three villas and nine bedrooms are spread across a patch of luscious green, directly overlooking the working fisherman's beach: Coco Beach. The ocean if not seen can be heard from every spot in the property and watching the fisherman drag home their haul is an evocative site. A Goa not for the tourists. This is, however, a working beach, and therefore not good for sunbathing - save that for your sunlounger. The downside of this homestyle living means no room service, but there are always plenty of staff happy to help a short distance away. The food is superb and a daily changing menu means that the food is fresh and never repetitive. So much effort goes into each of the meals (you only need to ask what it is in them). Rucola cheese with yoghurt and herbs, wrapped in grilled courgette for starters, fresh king fish with quinoa salad, chocolate tarts with roasted almond ice-cream. I could go on. The Arjun Treehouse, is the smallest of the nine rooms and fulfils that childhood dream of sleeping amongst the trees. Watch chipmunks scurrying and birds hopping between the branches as you sip your morning coffee. It is bijoux, suited for solo travellers or cosy couples. The Leela, Sunrise and Sunset Villas offer a lot more space, and are perfect for taking over the whole place as a family. There are two pools, with the sunrise (the larger of the pair) getting the sun in the morning and the sunset, a smaller lap pool (you guessed it) in the evening. Witness the most spectacular sunset along the neighbouring beaches.

Megan Lambert

Recommended for

  • Honeymoons

    • Ideal for intimate honeymoons, the hotel has individually decorated guest rooms, a soothing spa & delicious cuisine

  • Museums

    • The Funde Çao Oriente Museum in Panaji is excellent, as are guided tours of the historic Fontainhas neighbourhood

  • Fishing

    • Head out to sea with a fisherman from nearby Nerul, or navigate the Sinquerim River for some fun crab catching

  • Hideaway

    • A beautiful hideaway for romantics and art aficionados set within leafy gardens

  • Learning

    • Discover the beauty of Old Goa - a UNESCO World Heritage Site and home to the Basilica of Bom Jesus

  • Owner managed

    • Owned by an artistic family whose collection decorates the hotel's guest rooms & shared spaces

  • Great walks

    • Amble along Dolphin Beach, admiring traditional wooden fishing boats as you wander

  • Local markets

    • Day trips to the lively markets of Candolim and Panaji are great fun

  • Artworks

    • Filled with pieces by artists from across Goa and beyond

  • Sights nearby

    • A day trip to Turtle Beach is a must

  • Views

    • With gorgeous views of Dolphin Bay

  • Intimate

  • Quiet

  • Family Suites

  • Rooms with balcony/terrace

  • Sit-out Terrace

  • Full of character

  • Wellbeing

  • Spa

  • Sea Views

  • Boutique

  • Antiques

  • Quirky

  • Child friendly

  • Beach nearby

  • Secluded setting

  • Traditional

  • Charming

  • Luxury

  • Four poster beds

  • Air conditioning

  • Romantic

Facilities

  • Rooms

    9 rooms in this hotel

  • Sitting Room

    Multiple shared sitting areas with original artwork and books

  • Bar

    Small outdoor bar offering drinks each evening

  • Swimming Pool

    Refreshing outdoor pool with views of the sea

  • Garden

    Beautifully maintained gardens

  • Bath robes

  • Parking

  • Family Suites

  • Rooms with balcony/terrace

  • Airport transfer

  • Outdoor dining

  • Massage

  • No pets

  • Sit-out Terrace

  • Private villas

  • Spa

  • Child friendly

  • Room service

  • Suites

  • Safe

  • Four poster beds

  • Air conditioning

  • Wifi

Activities

  • Museums

    • The Funde Çao Oriente Museum in Panaji is excellent, as are guided tours of the historic Fontainhas neighbourhood

  • Fishing

    • Head out to sea with a fisherman from nearby Nerul, or navigate the Sinquerim River for some fun crab catching

  • Learning

    • Discover the beauty of Old Goa - a UNESCO World Heritage Site and home to the Basilica of Bom Jesus

  • Great walks

    • Amble along Dolphin Beach, admiring traditional wooden fishing boats as you wander

  • Local markets

    • Day trips to the lively markets of Candolim and Panaji are great fun

  • Sights nearby

    • A day trip to Turtle Beach is a must

Map & Location

Other reviews

The Hotel Report: Ahilya By The Sea Is 'The' Place

Ahilya by the Sea is thetalked-about property of the moment in India, spread across two converted Portuguese-colonial mansions at the southernmost edge of Coco Beach in Goa. Formerly the private estate of the prominent local Trinidades family, it functioned briefly as a basic guesthouse before being closed last year and reimagined as a full-service boutique hotel, its seven suites awash in the owners’ art collection and provincial hardwood antiques. (Its private chef, who is supremely well versed in the famously piquant local curries, is also in residence.)

Originally published by Condé Nast Traveller

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