*Denotes local charge
*Denotes local charge
Set by the sands of Mobor beach in south Goa, this legendary resort sits in 75-acres of manicured gardens and natural lagoons. The focus here is on the natural beauty, the peaceful stretch of golden sand and the welcoming and incredibly hospitable service. A 12-hole golf course sits between the resort and the beach and there‘s a spa where you can treat yourself to a combination of Ayurvedic and eastern treatments. India is the home of yoga and there are few better places to practice this ancient art than in tranquil surroundings of the Leela Goa. Days here begin with a buffet breakfast at The Restaurant, which is also open for lunch and dinner. There are two fine dining options including the signature restaurant Jamavar, where you can enjoy Indian dishes from both the south and the north of the country, and the Italian Riverside which as the name suggests, overlooks the River. During the dry season a highlight of your holiday is a night at the al fresco eatery Susegado where you can enjoy grilled meat and seafood amidst the palms on the beach. Many of the hotel’s rooms and suites are located on the edge of the lagoon.These include the Lagoon Terrace Rooms, the Conservatory Rooms — which feature a seating area with daybed overlooking the water — and the the spacious Lagoon Suites. For views over the golf course and towards the sea, butler service and an indoor/outdoor bathroom upgrade to a Club Suite or treat yourself to a Club Pool Suite which features a plunge pool on the terrace.
When you combine the impeccable and world-renowned Taj service, where nothing is too much trouble, with an enviable setting on a quieter stretch of Goa’s coastline the result is one of Goa’s most exclusive and popular resorts. Echoing the region’s Portuguese heritage, there’s a European ambience, as well as a similar laid-back pace of life. The vast gardens are a joy to wander through, while the beach is one of the resort’s real highlights. Although not private, it has a really secluded, untouched feel to it. The Jiva Spa, where personalised Ayurvedic therapies are available alongside more traditional treatments, is also an amazing place to while away your time. The Taj Exotica is a popular place for a luxury family holiday with a children’s pool, kids’ club and mini golf-course all on site. There’s plenty of choice when it comes to dining with five restaurants to choose from the open-all-hours Eugenia to the much-admired Lobster Shack which is located down by the beach. Dining under on catch-of-the day seafood under the stars is an unmissable Taj Exotica experience. The region’s varied heritage can be sampled at the fine-dining restaurant Alegria where Goan specialities, west coast Indian cuisine and Portuguese dishes are all served. The rooms and villas have a mix of local Goan style and Portuguese design with terracotta and other natural shades, as well as dark-wood furnishings. The Luxury and Deluxe Seaview Rooms are located in the resort’s main buildings, close to the main facilities while the Garden Villa Rooms are set within shared villas throughout the gardens. For the ultimate in luxury, we highly recommend upgrading to one of the villa rooms which feature a private pool, in particular the Sunset Villa Rooms with Plunge Pool that overlook the gardens towards the beach and Indian Ocean.
The Leela Goa
Taj Exotica
