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The Best Luxury Hotels in Goa

Part of the mile-long white crescent of sand that makes up Palolem Beach, studded with fishing boats, beach huts and ringed by swaying palms.
Part of the mile-long white crescent of sand that makes up Palolem Beach, studded with fishing boats, beach huts and ringed by swaying palms. | © Prisma by Dukas Presseagentur GmbH / Alamy Stock Photo

From gargantuan coastal resorts to jungle eco-lodges and serene boutiques, here are some of the best places to stay in Goa, all bookable with Culture Trip.

Goa and luxury hotels go together like coconut and rum, thanks to the south Indian region’s long, sun-baked beaches, distinctive cuisine and colonial heritage sites. Unwind with a yoga retreat or immerse yourself in the all-night party scene. Passport at the ready? Check. Flip-flops? Check. Now make your way to a beach paradise.

Alila Diwa Goa

Boutique Hotel, Resort, Hotel

The entrance to Alila Diwa Goa hotel with greenery outside
Courtesy of Alila Diwa Goa / Expedia

Alila Diwa Goa has uninterrupted views of paddy fields and coconut palms, best enjoyed from the tiered infinity pool. Majorda Beach is a 15-minute walk or quick free shuttle away. Food lovers will love the masterclass in Goan cuisine led by an Alila chef. Afterwards, let a mixologist mastermind the perfect blend of flavours for you at the old-school courtyard bar (hint: the kaffir lime and cardamom-infused cocktails are a treat).

ITC Grand Goa, a Luxury Collection Resort & Spa

Hotel, Luxury

A spa room at ITC Grand Goa with a treatment couch and an open door leading to a garden
Courtesy of ITC Grand Goa / Expedia

This Indo-Portuguese village-style resort spans 18 ha (45 acres) of tropical beach near Arossim Beach. The lagoon-style pool is one of India’s largest, and is particularly refreshing after a sunrise yoga class. Enjoying Goan cuisine? Ask your concierge to arrange a spice plantation trip – the tours of Sahakari Spice Farm in Ponda are enlightening (though it’s best to avoid the elephant rides).

Kenilworth Resort & Spa

Hotel, Luxury

Couches, seating and a TV in the sitting area of a hotel room at Kenilworth Resort & Spa
Courtesy of Kenilworth Resort and Spa / Expedia

Just a 30-minute drive south of Goa International Airport, Kenilworth Resort & Spa sits behind the white sands of Utorda Beach. The comfortable rooms feature pitched roofs, rattan furniture and private balconies, some of which overlook the meandering pool and outdoor jacuzzi. Save time for a morning at Margao Market, where you can browse stalls selling mountains of dried chillies and fresh seafood to glittering bangles.

Taj Resort & Convention Centre

Hotel, Luxury

A bed and chaise lounges in a hotel room at Taj Resort & Convention Centre, with a large window overlooking the sea
Courtesy of Taj Resort and Convention Centre / Expedia

Taj Resort & Convention Centre is a modern masterpiece with a cathedral-like lobby and chic sea-facing rooms. There’s a slim rooftop infinity pool with a sunken bar, 40-seater cinema and ayurvedic spa – not bad for a self-proclaimed business hotel. Nearby Vainguinim Beach is pleasant enough – take a quick taxi to Caranzalem Beach for broader golden sands.

Cabo Serai

Hotel

A tray on the bed in a hotel room at Cabo Serai, with a balcony looking out to palm trees and the sea
Courtesy of Cabo Serai / Booking.com

Leave your smartphone in your suitcase and swap digital distractions for forest trail walks, yoga lessons and post-dinner stargazing sessions at Cabo Serai. Here, a clutch of hillside eco-luxe cottages and safari-style tents look out across the Arabian Sea. Take in the views from your wraparound cantilevered balcony, or descend the steep paths to reach the white sands of Cabo de Rama Beach.

Ahilya by the Sea

Boutique Hotel, Villa

The wooden buildings and outdoor pool with sunbeds at Ahilya by the Sea in Goa
Courtesy of Ahilya by the Sea / Booking.com

This Indo-Balinese boutique comprises eight rooms spread across three villas, plus another perched amid the branches of a 200-year old banyan tree. The eclectic art collection of abstract paintings, Burmese bowls and African sculptures gives the place a homely feel – many of them were collected by the owner on her own international jaunts. Feeling inspired? Spend an afternoon pondering Indian modern art at the Museum of Goa, or shopping for your own trinkets to take home at Mapusa Market.

The Leela

Hotel, Villa

The pink buildings of Leela Goa, Cavelossim, overlooking the water with flowers and palm trees around it
Courtesy of the Bougain Villa / Expedia
Set between the River Sal and the Arabian Sea, The Leela is one of Goa’s most luxurious resorts. Plush rooms overlook a large, lotus-filled lagoon, with views of the hotel’s 12-hole golf course and Mobor Beach beyond. Technically you never need to leave – everything from Pilates to pottery-making classes are bound to keep you busy – but save time for a trip to Cavelossim village, where you’ll find funky beach bars and colourful colonial churches.

Taj Exotica

Resort, Hotel

Drinks on a table at an outdoor pool at the Taj Exotica in Goa
Courtesy of Taj Exotica / Expedia
Hugging the wide sands of Benaulim Beach, Taj Exotica is a vast luxury resort with exceptionally welcoming staff. Villa rooms have freestanding tubs, huge comfy beds and private gardens (upgrade for a private hot tub or pool). Refreshing swims and hammock swinging not hitting the spot? Try one of the spa’s ayurvedic treatment and yoga pairings to experience total body and mind relaxation.

Marriott Resort and Spa

Spa Hotel, Hotel, Luxury

A bed, desk and balcony with sea views in a hotel room at Goa Marriott Resort and Spa
Courtesy of Goa Marriott Resort and Spa / Expedia

Situated on the edge of Miramar Beach in Goa’s state capital, Panaji, Marriott Resort and Spa is ideal if you’re looking for a beach holiday with easy access to a little urban buzz. The centre of town is just a five-minute taxi away; the riverfront is cluttered with cruise ships and casinos, but wander a while and you’ll find museums, art galleries, boutiques, and Portuguese colonial architecture – including the grand whitewashed Church of Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception.

Grand Hyatt Goa

Resort, Hotel

The indoor pool at the Grand Hyatt Goa
Courtesy of Grand Hyatt Goa / Expedia
Rooms at the palatial Grand Hyatt Goa are adorned with Indian latticework and have broad sea- or garden-facing balconies. As well as the sunken fire pits and expansive pool, the 28-acre garden – overlooking Bambolim Bay – is dotted with ancient banyan trees and the creeper-engulfed ruins of a little old chapel. Want to see more local history? It’s a 15-minute drive to state capital Panaji’s Latin Quarter, Fontainhas, where azulejo tiles and narrow colonial streets transport you back to the Portuguese era.

For more options, discover our guide to the best luxury hotels and resorts in Goa, now bookable on Culture Trip.

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