Alila Diwa Goa

Stop the search, Paradise found! Head to Goa's golden shores

ARTICLE BY : Abha Shah

With palms swaying in the sun and attitudes as laid-back as sun-loungers by the pool, it’s easy to see why so many newlyweds flock to the golden shores of Goa.

The former Portuguese colony is celebrated for its sandy beaches, party vibe and spiritual soul. It’s a real mix of cultures and characters - sun-bleached churches rub shoulders with traditional temples and you’ll find everyone from aged hippies to Mumbai weekenders relaxing on the shores of the Arabian Sea.

Sure it’s small, but you'll soon find that there’s a version of Goa for everyone. Befriend the local wildlife at the state’s national parks or shop for trinkets in Anjuna, where a market, nightlife and casinos attract visitors from across the state.

To find your very own backpacker- and crowd-free slice of paradise, head south to Majorda. The beaches are quieter, the paths are less trodden and the resorts take luxury to another scale.

The resort

Set a short drive from the beach, the chic 5-star Alila Diwa Goa sits embedded in emerald paddy fields with a look that’s a stylish reimagining on traditional local décor. Elegantly designed for honeymoon escapes, Alila Diwa Goa offers couples an exceptional Goan experience.

The resort makes slipping into honeymoon-mode incredibly easy. There's a refreshing sense of space about the resort; lots of open layouts with passages leading from the reception to the restaurants, bars and pools. The look is modern elegance – high columns, cool verandas and tranquil courtyards.

The Spa Alila
The Spa is among the jewels of the resort. Designed to collaborate with its surroundings, the huge choice of treatments and therapies combine the wisdom of ancient Asian healing techniques and the proven goodness of age-old beauty recipes with the curative benefits of fresh, natural ingredients.

The spotless spa features two double treatment rooms, two Ayurveda rooms and five single treatment rooms, each with their own steam room and shower set on an outdoor patio.

The double rooms have a private Jacuzzi and chilled shower - perfect for relaxing in his and hers tandem.

Fine dining

There are two perfect venues for your celebration meal at Alila Diwa.

VIVO is a relaxed bistro with views over the paddy fields serving a mix of Indian, Oriental and European fare. Breakfast involves a huge buffet while at dinner, ‘live’ interactive counters with different themes entertain while you eat. Although it can get crowded in the morning, we recommend you dart in for a breakfast dosa, one of the best we've had, ever (and we've eaten a LOT of dosas).

Spice Studio does grown-up Indian dishes with aplomb. The menu is inspired by India’s culinary traditions and spice history. Begin with the classic Northern tandoori starters, dip into cuisine from Western India and finish with a typically Goan dessert. The restaurant also hosts cooking classes, focusing on how to transform the day's catch into a succulent and spiced supper, Goa-style.

Diwa Club

Housed in The Diwa Club, the Club Rooms are a haven of tranquility. The rooms are huge and each have king beds, private balconies overlooking the Club pool and beautiful bathrooms. Best of all was the egg-shaped tub - ask the spa to send over a therapist to fill it with hydrating oils and rose petals. Princess living at its best.