The Covid-19 pandemic brought the entire world to a standstill when it first broke out in March 2020. It jeopardised the economies of many countries around the world. The tiny state of Goa, whose economy is highly reliant on tourism, too was badly affected by the pandemic. The state’s tourism industry took a massive beating due to the closure of interstate borders, suspension of international flights, and various other Covid-19 protocols that did not permit large gatherings in public places. Due to very few tourist footfalls, many hotels in Goa had to shut down their operations.
However, as the economy started to reopen in September 2020, Goa started to see a steady rise in tourist footfalls. As the state started to receive a decent amount of tourists, many hotels which had shut down operations earlier reopened for business. Apart from this, many new four-star and five-star hotel properties started operations in Goa to provide tourists with more choices and to offer even better services and comforts. In this article, we take a look at the top 5 newly opened hotels in Goa.
Vivanta Goa, Miramar
First on our list of the top 5 newly opened hotels in Goa is the Vivanta Goa at Miramar in Panjim. This hotel opened to the public in September 2021. This 77-room property is located in a colonial neighbourhood with coastline views, easy access to the Miramar beach, the best hotspots for art, culture and nightlife, and is just minutes away from the city centre of Panjim. It is ideally suited for both leisure and business travellers. The design of the hotel is modern and has a young and energetic vibe. Mynt, the all-day diner, offers a global menu, while the Rooftop Poolside Bar is an ideal location for sundowners. The hotel offers a meeting room, and the rooftop terrace is a perfect venue for meetings and social gatherings with scenic views.
Fairfield by Marriott, Benaulim
Next on our list of the top 5 newly opened hotels in Goa is Fairfield by Marriott, Benaulim. This hotel, which is the second Fairfield by Marriott property in Goa, started operations in September 2021.
Located within walking distance from the immaculate sands of Benaulim Beach, the hotel allows guests to enjoy the local charms of the beautiful village of Benaulim and its picturesque beaches. It offers 144 spacious, modern and well-equipped rooms, with separate work and rest areas. Each guestroom features garden or pool views, with its own balcony and patio seating for guests to relax and unwind.
Fairfield by Marriott Goa Benaulim features two signature restaurants and a pool bar. Kava, the all-day dining restaurant, serves authentic Indian and Western cuisine from the restaurant’s well-curated menu. Kava Lounge, another all-day-dining outlet, is a place where guests can enjoy light bites, coffee and cocktails. Those looking to relax after a long and tiring day can enjoy sunset cocktails with live music by the poolside at Azul.
The hotel offers a versatile meeting space with over 10,000 sq. ft., featuring an outdoor lawn area that can accommodate over 300 guests, making it the perfect venue for weddings, special occasions, or business events.
Guests staying at Fairfield by Marriott Goa Benaulim will have access to an array of amenities, including a 6,500 sq. ft outdoor swimming pool, an open-air pool bar and a 24/7 fitness centre. Families and young guests can keep themselves entertained with an array of fun activities at the hotel’s kids club
The Westin Goa
This hotel, which marks the entry of the Westin brand in Goa, commenced operations in April 2021. Located just 3 kilometres away from the famous Anjuna beach, this hotel provides a healthy dose of pampering, matched with holistic well-being offerings and access to a fun-filled nightlife.
It boasts 171 spacious guestrooms and suites, as well as deluxe patio rooms, where guests can relax over a dip in the outdoor pool accessible directly from the rooms. All the rooms are equipped with the brand’s iconic Heavenly Bed, which is uniquely designed to revitalise the body and mind with a night of restorative sleep. The sleek bathroom featuring the Heavenly Bath redefines the shower experience with a revitalising rain shower and features luxuriant White Tea Aloe bath amenities, extra-large bath sheets and plush bathrobes to help guests start the day feeling pampered and invigorated.
The hotel offers four food and beverage outlets on-site, where guests can enjoy delicious fare and drinks. The Market, the property’s all-day dining restaurant, offers guests a variety of health-conscious culinary adventures with live stations serving nourishing local and global favourites and healthy small bites. Guests can relax and unwind over cocktails and live music at Drift, the poolside bar and restaurant featuring a mesmerising sunset deck and an unmatched dining experience.
The lobby bar named Haven is a calm rejuvenating realm that blends the goodness of nature with the comfort and simplicity of design. Guests at Haven can enjoy signature cocktails inspired by the spirit of Goa. Anjuna Coffee and Co. a deli and patisserie welcomes every guest to the atrium lobby with a whiff of freshly brewed coffee, paired with wholesome delights like sandwiches, pastries and revitalising drinks, including the Westin Fresh by the Juicery program.
Guests looking to stay fit can make use of the 24-hour Westin Workout Fitness Studio that is replete with state-of-the-art fitness amenities. The outdoor pool offers the perfect complement to any workout and there is also a kids’ pool for families to enjoy.
Guests can pamper themselves at the Westin Heavenly Spa where each treatment room comes with a changing and steam area. They can enjoy a choice of healing massages, invigorating bath rituals, body wraps, facials and exfoliation treatments, covering all the five human senses.
The Westin Goa has over 14,000 sq. ft. of event spaces and features a Grand Ballroom with separate breakout spaces. The Grand Ballroom along with two modern and flexible function rooms are also available to host weddings, social events, conferences, or corporate meetings.
Hilton Goa Resort, Candolim
This Hilton property opened its doors to the public in November 2020. Located atop the scenic, terraced slopes of Saipem Hills, overlooking the Nerul River, the Hilton Goa Resort at Candolim extends Hilton’s signature hospitality and tranquil retreat to leisure and business travellers. The chic full-service resort is 34 kilometres from the Goa International Airport and is ideally located 10 minutes away from the popular Candolim and Calangute beaches. The resort with 104-guest rooms offers guests unparalleled views, 4 swimming pools, suites with private plunge pools and signature curated experiences.
The resort also offers three unique food and beverage options. Guests can relax at @Saipe, the all-day dining restaurant offering a unique menu with a modern twist and unobstructed views of the pools and river; or treat themselves to assorted artisanal coffees, sweet treats, bakes and brews at Doce, the charming coffee lounge. Alternatively, they can choose to unwind and lounge at Coco, the transformative high-octane bar and restaurant featuring a Mediterranean- inspired menu.
Taj Resort And Convention Centre, Dona Paula
And last on our list of the top 5 newly opened hotels in Goa is the Taj Resort and Convention Centre at Dona Paula. This latest addition to the roster of Taj properties in Goa started operations in February 2020.
Located just 10 minutes from Panjim and adjoining Cidade de Goa, Taj Resort and Convention Centre, Goa offers stunning hillside and sea views. Being centrally located, it is ideally suited for both – large scale business and leisure events. The 299-room hotel is designed in a contemporary style, evoking the spirit of Goa. The hotel offers multiple dining options such as BLD, the all-day diner open for breakfast, lunch and dinner; The Banyan, an ‘Eat-Bar’; and C2C, the coastal cuisine speciality restaurant. The rooftop sports a large infinity pool along the sea-facing edge as well as a bar. The hotel’s 24×7 Club Lounge, Jiva Spa and 40-seater cinema round off its extensive offerings.
The pièce de résistance of the hotel is the convention centre, which comprises an approximately 13,000 sq. ft pillarless hall in addition to six breakaway spaces, an open-air terrace and lawn – all totalling to 60,000 sq. ft. With an exclusive entrance and ample recreational options, Taj Hotel and Convention Centre, Goa is an ideal venue for large conferences and destination weddings.
With this, we conclude our list of the top 5 newly opened hotels in Goa. So, what are you waiting for? Pick up that phone and make your bookings at one of these amazing hotel properties in Goa, which are the perfect venue to host anything that you want – be it a grand wedding, a mega business conference, or simply a once-in-a-lifetime leisure vacation in Goa.
