Ahilya By The Sea, Near Nerul, Goa, India - Explore & Book

"Staying at Ahilya is like visiting the home of that wealthy, eccentric and extremely tasteful aunt you always wished you had. Three graceful, Balinese-style villas are stuffed to the gills with the most fabulous treasures, carefully curated from the owner’s lifetime of exotic travels: African masks, Hindu statuettes, Burmese bowls, a gilded altarpiece. Every nook holds something old and beautiful to be admired. The villas - each with 2-4 airy rooms - are tucked amidst lush, tropical gardens, but give out onto the wide-open bay, where fishermen work and cetaceans play. (We watched dolphins as we sipped our sundowners.) Elsewhere, two crystal-clear swimming pools provide cool retreat from the strong Goan sun. The food is inventive and delicious, produced with painstaking attention to each guest’s individual needs and preferences. Service could not be more gracious. If it’s adventure you crave, there are plenty of attractions outside Ahilya’s bougainvillea-covered walls: sturdy, colonial-era forts and churches, flashy new art galleries and museums, glittering night markets. But you'll be relieved to return to Ahilya in the evening - a serene, intimate and elegant retreat for the most discerning guests. Highs The peace, tucked away from Goa's tourist hordes All the fine touches and impeccable service of a top-class hotel, yet the warmth and intimacy of a family homestay A gorgeous infinity pool and a spa offering massages Great for all - couples, friends, a family or a small group. You can request 1 room, 1 villa, even the whole place, depending on your needs Feels like an Ali Baba’s cave, filled with handsome antiques, handicrafts and wall art Lows Don’t come for the local beaches. The nearest is a working fishermen's beach - it’s scenic (from a distance) but dirty. Decent ones are a day trip away With such personalised service, menus are planned well in advance; lunches and dinners have to be requested with 2 hours' notice The outdoor dining area can get very hot (though eating indoors, under the AC, is an option) A strict payment and cancellation policy" - Kate Darnton