Ahilya by the Sea

Where do I begin? My affair with Ahilya started last year when I visited & it was love at first sight! For me: It is the most “PERFECT” place I have been to! Being a nature-lover & a monsoon-lover, there is no better place to visit in the rains to slow down, unwind, breathe & find peace . . which you get, the minute you enter this place. Like Ghalib would say – “Jaise bemaar ko be-wajha karaar aa jaye” Full marks & more to the Management Team Of course, you have a “Gem” in terms of location, views, landscaping, décor & vibe – but it is you who deserves all the kudos for training & managing the place & staff in the unique way you do. STAFF : always around yet invisible. Constantly working at customer delight. Perfect attention to detail – the right mix of personal, yet so professional FOOD : The bestest! Taste, presentation – full points. I requested Chef Shamsher Singh for a kathi roll (once I got to know that he’s from Kolkata) & he churned out an exceptionally yummy one Special mention : Samson, Anjana, Brigita, Ajay, Anish, Cynthia, Denzil, Aman & all others not mentioned here – you are all doing a great job! I will keep coming back every year. Hopefully, multiple times a year! My regards to Sir Richard Holkar! Best wishes

My wife and I stayed at Ahilya ByThe Sea for eight nights at the end of a four week trip in India. We felt that by the end of our travels we would need somewhere to just relax, unwind and reflect on our journey. We could not have chosen a better option than Ahilya. This hotel is simply superb. Being only small, it has that special boutique feel to it that adds a very welcoming ambiance. There are only about ten guests maximum if the hotel is full and, if you are lucky as we were on several days, you may find yourself almost alone. Situated right on the water’s edge overlooking the small fishing beach, Ahilya offers a tangible sense of escape and relaxation. The charm of the hotel is in the way the buildings have been furnished and the grounds landscaped. Every area is different and it is worth exploring the property to take in the wonderful art and artefacts on display. I cannot speak highly enough of the whole team at Ahilya who really do understand what customer service is all about. The team is always there to assist as required but their presence is unobtrusive and they allow guests the freedom to enjoy themselves without hovering around them. The meal options are simply delicious and are a real highlight of staying at Ahilya. There is also a good choice of wine and beverages for guests to enjoy. There are two pools to relax in, one larger pool that is deeper and a smaller, swallower pool. Both are excellent and directly overlook the beach. A highlight of our stay was watching the local fishermen going about their day. It was fascinating to gain this insight into local life. Watching the dolphins from the breakfast deck was also special. There is a small local market at the end of the beach that guests can visit by a short walk ***** the sands. Ahilya is a far cry from many of the accommodation options in the Goa area. It is quiet, secluded, peaceful, calming and, quite simply, outstanding.

This is a small, very comfortable 'boutique' hotel. All of the food was superb, served outdoors in lovely surrounding. All of the staff were excellent. The gardens/ grounds are delightful. The views over the sea make for a very relaxing setting. Rooms very nice. We would certainly visit again.

Very seldom on this journey through life does one encounter a place that evokes and authentically celebrates the quintessential nuances of place with such style. From the breathtaking gardens to the tropical architecture, to the curated rooms. The staff are impeccable and dinner over looking th gorgeous pool and beach beyond will remain an indelible memory to cherish. Thank you for creating a very special space

Stunning series of 3 villas set right on the beach with two pools looking out to sea. Everything about this place is thoughtful and tasteful. Staff are the secret to its success though, attentive, friendly and there to make your stay a great one. Only thing that I was a bit taken aback by was on arrival the member of staff checking us in honestly advised that they don’t recommend swimming in the sea due to the heavy presence of local fisherman nets, and if you did walk on the beach to take a stick to keep the roaming dogs away!

This is a wonderful small hotel where the staff really care and you can escape from the hussle and bustle of mainstream India. The staff were friendly an attentive without ever being 'in the way' . The food was delicious with different specials being produced each day, and the ability to choose something 'off menu' if you wished. bedrooms and seating areas are beautifully decorated and furnished. The only small disappointment was the warnings not to swim in the sea - but hey with two pools for so few rooms who is to complain!!

Absolutely beautiful place. We had been on a whirlwind tour of India (third time) and never been to Goa because we had always wanted to avoid the tourist/non Indian part of India as we perceived Goa. We had friends nearby so thought we should try. The hotel was gorgeous, small and intimate and attention to detail was second to none. We had cocktails as the sun went down, watched the fishermen in the morning and generally had an incredibly chilled time, reading and eating delicious food. The staff were exceptional. Nothing was too much trouble and we had an absolutely gorgeous lady serving us at breakfast who as we got to know her better, and she us, made everything so easy and she had a great sense of humour. I would highly highly recommend this place. It is glorious. We will be back. Jo and Simon Bates

We stayed in this wonderful place post my brothers wedding. My daughter went back with her grandparents so my husband and I took our first holiday as a couple in 3 years and it turned out to be such a special vacation thanks to the people that work at Ahilya. The place is so wonderfully anointed. Every detail, every artwork is gorgeous. I felt like I stayed in someone’s very welcoming house. If you enjoy design and art, the aesthetics of this place will certainly impress you. That infinity pool is second to none. We stayed in the Trinidad Suite and I loved the experience of listening to the waves crash or watching the fishing boats from my bed. Also loved the little seating area, where I had my morning coffee everyday while reading the papers . Laundry is included in your room fare and their turn down service is wonderful. I love these little touches they really elevate your experience. The in house restaurant makes the most delicious food. Their breakfast, which was included in the room fare didn’t seem like a regular opulent buffet but a well thought out menu with something for everyone. I enjoyed their Indian offerings the most, the poha being my absolute favorite. But everything was scrumptious. We also had lunch on the day we checked in, at their restaurant. I had a lovely shrimp salad and my husband had a sandwich both of them were finger licking good. If you stay here please don’t miss their goan thalis, they serve them for dinner. So so good and such an immersive experience. They make some very creative cocktails as well. I have to shoutout everyone who works here, we didn’t encounter one person who wasn’t gracious or trying their best to accommodate us. We communicated through WhatsApp and nothing was too much for them. If you wanted a picture taken a certain way they were game, if you asked them for recommendations, they made ones that were excellent. They really made our trip special. We had rented a car, so we were able to visit a few other places. Even if you don’t rent a car I think you can use a cab service or apps like Uber to travel around. Lots of things to do in the area. The only problem is you will never want to leave.