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The Best Boutique Places to Stay in Goa, India

Luxurious amenities, stunning beaches and buzzing nightlife are never far away during your stay in Goa
Luxurious amenities, stunning beaches and buzzing nightlife are never far away during your stay in Goa | Courtesy of Hotel Amrapali / Booking.com

For the ultimate beach holiday in India, book Goa with its intoxicating blend of white sand beaches, fresh seafood, yoga studios and vibrant nightlife. Here’s our guide to the best places to stay in Goa for a boutique experience.

Alongside palm-fringed shorelines and lively bars, Goa also boasts many boutique hotels, located in historic, Portuguese architecture and boasting chic, contemporary facilities. To experience all that India’s smallest state has to offer, check into one of the most unique places to stay in Goa – bookable with Culture Trip.

Andores Resort & Spa

Boutique Hotel, Resort, Spa Hotel

The luxurious pool area and villas at the Andores Resort & Spa.

A leafy refuge from the more touristy Calangute and Baga areas nearby, Andores Resort & Spa is the perfect place to stay in Goa for relaxation. A massive swimming pool along with a smaller pool for children, lawns, coconut trees and a powerful sense of calm pervade this lush estate – all viewable from your private terrace. When it’s time to venture forth, Calangute beach is within walking distance.

Anahata Retreat

Boutique Hotel

Beach huts and dining tables on the beach at the Anahata Retreat.
Courtesy of Anahata Retreat / Expedia

Located on Ashvem Beach in north Goa, this boho-heavy boutique hotel offers relaxed Goan seaside charm with lots of tranquillity. There are twice-daily yoga classes, so – whether you’re staying in a beachside stilt cabana, a Portuguese-influenced suite, or a roomy villa with a small garden – inner peace (and the sandy shores of the Arabian Sea) are never far away.

The Postcard Velha

Boutique Hotel

A luxurious hotel suite is decorated in bright colours and has a private terrace at The Postcard Velha.
Courtesy of The Postcard Velha / Expedia

The Postcard offers a serene experience. Six breezy, sunlit rooms come with terrace views over a centuries-old banyan tree and Goan greenery, while Portuguese architectural touches are evident everywhere, adding to the oasis vibe at this boutique hotel in Goa. Surf lessons and cycling tours to Divar Island can occupy your time when you’re not lounging poolside or tucking into the local fare – try the pickled and curried prawn balchao.

Ahilya by the Sea

Boutique Hotel

The red-brick villas at Ahilya By the Sea sit in front of the shaded pool area.
Courtesy of Ahilya by the Sea / Booking.com

Dolphins frolicking in the bay, rustic villas and a treehouse suspended in an ancient banyan tree await at this Goa beach hotel. A pair of swimming pools (one for sun, one for shade), along with arty knick-knacks, sculptures and well-groomed grounds, make this boutique hotel a joy at every turn. Extend the experience by heading to the wellness centre on the first floor of the tree tower for a massage.

Sur La Mer

Boutique Hotel

A brightly coloured hotel suite with grand four-poster bed at Sur La Mer.
Courtesy of Sur La Mer / Expedia

Sur La Mer, with a mix of 14 royal and deluxe rooms, is a homely and elegant luxury boutique hotel in Goa – perfect for an extended stay in Morjim. For a special night, there’s a swish treehouse cabin, with dark-wood interiors and canopy views through the windows. If you’ve got a big appetite, opt for the F&B experience which includes a seasonally changing selection of fresh and locally sourced delights.

Surya Kiran Heritage Hotel

Boutique Hotel

A spacious hotel room with a grand four poster bed with button-tufted headboard at Surya Kiran Heritage Hotel.
Courtesy of Surya Kiran Heritage Hotel / Expedia

Portuguese influences are everywhere at this historic villa hotel alongside the Mandovi River. The pace of life at Surya Kiran Heritage is laid-back. And although the five colour-coded rooms – azul (blue), amarelo (yellow), pessego (peach), marrom (brown) and verde (green) – aren’t massive, they radiate old-fashioned colonial charm. Wood architecture, a gorgeous inner courtyard, and lots of surrounding greenery will make you murmur many soothing “ahs” during your stay.

Hotel Amrapali – House of Grace

Boutique Hotel

The riverside dining terrace at Hotel Amrapali looks out over the Goan landscape.
Courtesy of Hotel Amrapali / Booking.com

Elegant Goan wall art and an ornamental pond await you at the boutique Hotel Amrapali. Rooms have calming names such as Peace, which includes an inviting copper tub and lake views, and Compassion, overlooking the central courtyard pool. On the outskirts of Velha Goa, this is the spot for French-infused Indian cuisine, available at the in-house Cafe Amrapali. The hotel, next to the Zuari River, has a private lake, along with all the amenities (masseuse services and personalised dining options) you’ll need for a restful stay.

Casa Palacio Siolim House

Boutique Hotel, Hotel

A luxurious lounge area in a hotel suite has traditionally styled furniture and a beamed ceiling at Casa Palacio Siolim House.
Courtesy of Casa Palacio Siolim House / Booking.com

Be transported back to the Portuguese colonial days at Siolim House, which was once the home of the Governor of Macau. Nominated for a Unesco Heritage Prize, Siolim House has seven rooms, which perfectly blend Goan and Portuguese architecture. This boutique hotel in Goa offers serene surroundings, lush greenery, deluxe amenities and impeccable service. For a taste of popular Goan cuisine, head to the dining area in the central courtyard. They also offer yoga, massages and Ayurvedic treatments.

Shanti Morada

Boutique Hotel, Hotel

Two elephant statues sit either side of a brightly coloured walkway fringed by tropical plants at Shanti Morada.
Courtesy of Shanti Morada / Expedia

Within a 19th-century Portuguese family mansion in Saligão, Shanti Morada has luxurious rooms with clawfoot tubs, antique wood fittings and Goan pizazz. The outdoor pool, with an elevated kiddie pool attached, is next to a cascading artificial waterfall, which you can view from your private terrace. If you don’t want to swim, why not try your hand at the pool table in the salon?

The Tamarind Hotel

Boutique Hotel, Hotel

The outdoor pool area is surrounded by the stone buildings of The Tamarind Hotel.
Courtesy of The Tamarind Hotel / Expedia

In the heart of Anjuna, the Tamarind Hotel offers an all-round top experience, with the best restaurant, cafe and bar right on your doorstep. There are 26 beautifully designed airy rooms to choose from, as well as a library. The beautiful azure pool surrounded by palm trees makes for a refreshing dip. Its lounge bar, with an Alice in Wonderland theme, and the on-site Cotinga Cafe are also popular afternoon hangouts.

The Park

Boutique Hotel, Hotel

The contemporary lobby at The Park, Calangute, is decorated in white and features modern, bright-pink chandeliers.
Courtesy of The Park / Expedia

The Park is a classy seafront luxury boutique hotel overlooking the beach in Goa, comprising 30 modern rooms and suites. They’re decorated in lively white and purple hues. It’s a stone’s throw from Calangute and Candolim beaches – the best spot for spectacular sunset views. With days spent reclining in a poolside cabana, we won’t blame you if you never want to leave.

Panjim Inn

Boutique Hotel, Hotel

A canopied four-poster bed in a hotel room at the Panjim Inn.
Courtesy of Panjim Inn / Booking.com

History comes alive in this 19th-century property. Nestled in the historic Fontainhas Latin Quarter of Goa’s capital, the Panjim Inn is a cherished heritage boutique hotel. It has 37 rooms filled with period furniture and antique four-poster beds. The in-house restaurant, the Verandah, offers the freshest local cuisine. Try the Sambarachi Kodi (a typical Goan prawn curry). If the kitchen isn’t too busy, you’re welcome to pop in and learn about Goan cooking.

Fort Tiracol Heritage Hotel

Boutique Hotel, Hotel

A luxurious dining terrace is set for breakfast overlooking the sea at Fort Tiracol Heritage Hotel.
Courtesy of Fort Tiracol Heritage Hotel / Expedia

Surrounded by lush greenery, the Fort Heritage Hotel is an oasis, tucked away from the bustling streets of Tiracol. It offers five double rooms and two suites filled with Portuguese touches and modern amenities. Enjoy the ocean views from your balcony, or head to the terrace restaurant overlooking the River Tirakol. Here, you can dine on Portuguese dishes and sample the finest wine.

Mayfair Hideaway Spa Resort

Boutique Hotel, Hotel

A wooden walkway crosses a river to the open-air lobby at the Mayfair Hideaway Spa Resort.
Courtesy of Mayfair Hideaway Spa Resort / Expedia

Couples looking for romantic seclusion should book a suite at the Mayfair Hideaway Spa Resort. The clue is in the name at this luxury Goan boutique hotel. Choose from a Deluxe Room (with either river or pool views) or upgrade to the Suite with its own private plunge pool. During the day, recline by the palm-fringed pool with a book from the well-stocked library or enjoy a spa treatment. Come nightfall, dine on lobster, freshly caught from the Arabian Sea, at the Nautica seafood restaurant.

Casa Vagator

Boutique Hotel, Hotel

A private sun deck with sun loungers is fringed by palm trees and looks out over the sea from Casa Vagator.
Courtesy of Casa Vagator / Expedia

If you’re in Goa to party, book the Casa Vagator, located on a cliffside overlooking Vagator beach. The area is known for its trance and deep-house music scene; nearby Hill Top hosts international DJs every Sunday. Inside, you’ll find 20 rooms, five luxury suites and an exclusive penthouse with magnificent views. Enjoy a cocktail on the beachfront deck, flanked with palm trees, or unwind with a massage before another night on the dance floor.

Still looking for a good place to stay in Goa? Treat yourself to one of the best luxury hotels in Goa, or indulge shore-side at one of Goa’s best beach hotels or top beach huts – bookable now on Culture Trip.

Poonam Binayak contributed additional reporting to this article.

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