Europeans and international travelers have flocked to Goa, India since the 1940s. Once inhabited by the Portuguese who have since left their imprint on the culture and food, it is blessed with soft sand beaches, gentle waves, and a vibrant tourist scene. After 100 years of hosting travelers, Goa just got better. The W chain of uber sexy hotels has now made its Indian debut and will sure to be the destination of millennial and gen x travelers for years to come.
Goa is a place of contrasts. It was once the place for American Hippies during the '60s and then evolved to European backpackers and other off-the-beaten-path travelers. In more recent times it was the place for hard core partiers; remnants of that lifestyle are still here, with night clubs that close at sunrise.
But for others, Goa is a place of serenity and natural beauty: secluded beaches, coconut palms and a place to sit and contemplate in front of cliff side views of a beautiful sunset. A place to stroll through simple fishing villages or to find solitude in the many Hindu temples.
And there are plenty of experiences in between to be had at the exceptional shops, café’s and bistros. There are many artisans living there so delightful art galleries and boutiques are plentiful.
Now the W Goa is the place where you can pick your own Goan experience. From the serene to hard core, guests will find relaxation in the world-class Clarin's spa or envigoration in the property's entertainment areas. For those looking to shed a few pounds or keep their body toned, the W Goa has their FIT gym with plenty of top-notch equipment and high energy trainers there to help you reach your fitness goals.
Spread over 25 acres overlooking Vagator beach in North Goa, every square foot of the W Goa is used to make a design statement. The property fuses art and entertainment with hospitality. Color, light, music, art and sculpture are the key elements that floods the senses on the grounds, in the common areas, restaurants, as well as in the accommodations.
Created to "wow" the well-traveled and easily-bored guest, music, dramatic lighting and design elements always surprise. As you enter the resort, the 10-foot golden W greets guests as they pass into the lobby or Living Room. The lobby is designed with a '70s disco-retro feel, but is also ultra-contemporary. The lighting shifts from purples to oranges and falls just short of psychedelic to create a hip mood. Up-tempo lounge music plays to keep the energy level high, for those who congregate at the Woobar to meet with friends or to have a few cocktails.
This is a W hotel, so entertainment is built into the brand’s DNA. The W Goa is set to be the place to be in India for a fusion of entertainment and hospitality. Without question the stand out among the cool places at the resort is the Rock pool. The amphitheater style lounge and beach club is set upon the hillside overlooking the sea with Phillipe Stark-esque oversized neon color chairs and sofas. There is a pool and bar in the center making this one of the sexiest places on earth—especially on the weekend when the hot crowd congregates for cocktails and mingling.
The W is known for its glitz and glamour and this aspect is most apparent in the guest rooms. There are 160 rooms, chalets and villas with an edgy and irreverent design. It is accommodation as art so expect bold and quirky décor such as whimsical chandeliers or the wall prints which resemble an old Portuguese city scene. All this, incorporated with state-of-the-art technology and high level in-room entertainment.
The rooms in the main building are spacious, featuring large bathrooms with soaking baths and rainforest showers. The rooms features their signature king-sized, uber comfy W bed. Outdoors there’s a large terrace.
The villas and chalets are ocean-facing and spread over the expansive grounds of the property. The chalets are great for couples with larger spaces, slanted roofs, separate living and sleeping area and a private lawn and outdoor lounge area. The bathrooms are even more spacious with an even more irreverent décor.
There are several dining options at the W Goa. Spice Traders is their signature restaurant serving a diverse menu of Asian cuisines with a focus on Shrilankan and Goan cuisine. The décor is stunning with bright brick colored surfacing, dramatic lighting, and gorgeous views from the second floor of the ocean. There’s also a sexy rooftop lounge perfect for taking in the Goan sunset and setting the tone for the night ahead.
The Kitchen Table is their all-day dining restaurant, which serves a varied menu of local and international dishes. There are lively open kitchens and indoor and outdoor seating.
Goa's allure is based on the fact that it offers a holiday of many options, so each guests will create their own exotic adventure. And now they can do it in W style.
