Ahilya By The Sea, Goa India, Goa

Three villas combine Balinese-style and quintessential Goan charm at Ahilya By The Sea. Tucked away on Coco Beach away from the tourist hub in Goa, the property is rich in artwork and sculptures hand-picked by the owner herself during her travels around the world.

Ahilya is home to a welcoming, attentive service, the kind you’d come across in a top class hotel but with the warmth and friendliness of a family run property. It is home to two swimming pools; we highly recommend taking a dip in the Sunrise infinity pool early in the morning, as the name suggests, or the Sunset plunge pool in the afternoon to cool off from the heat. You’ll find there are plenty of little nooks to relax in, perhaps with a book from the library. If you’re looking to venture out of the property, inland Goa is your oyster with Old Goa not far away and Pousada by the beach, an exclusive beach lounger area, before returning to the elegance and intimacy of Ahilya in the evening. Guests can dine al fresco at a different location throughout the property each night where the food is known to be tasty, with the chef serving up both Indian and European cuisines using fresh produce from the local markets.

With 9 rooms spread across 3 villas, guests can opt for just one room or a whole villa, making the property ideal for large groups and families. Rooms are filled with warm tones and artwork, making them cosy and intimate while filled with plenty of character. They don’t include the usual amenities such as a TV and minibar but surely you won’t miss these as the waterside location provides constant interest and the property is primarily somewhere in which to relax and enjoy your surroundings.

While Ahilya by the Sea is situated on a beach that isn’t ideal to swim from, we think the lovely pools more than make up for this and we highly recommend this beautiful, remote setting for those wanting to escape the busier, more touristy parts of Goa.  Watching the local fisherman go about the business early in the morning is well worth it too.