The destination that every college gang, office buddy group or couple wait to tick off their bucket list is Goa. It is a place that resonates with nostalgia, fun times and relaxation. This scenic coastal state welcomed us to a soul-soothing nature getaway last month while it was experiencing its first spell of monsoon rain, making it ideal to enjoy nature at its best. Be it to celebrate friendships taking a cue from Bollywood movies or just relaxing with the family, this touristy place with mountains and beaches is for every type of vacationer. Needless to say, it is a great solo trip destination, too, for shrugging all troubles off your shoulder for a few days.
Set along the golden Goan coastline, the newest JW Marriott property in Vagator, JW Marriott Goa, welcomed us in the lap of nature with the very first sight of it. This property, a Goa debut for JW Marriot, lodged us wrapped in warmth for two days as we spent some relaxed and fun moments exploring north Goa. The lush green creepers decorating the entrance up to the outdoors of the reception area looked greener drenched in the rain. It was a sight to behold and a whisper to our souls of the much-needed break from the metro city life!
The infinity pool with a river view
Passing through the vibrant lanes lined with shops of beach essentials and pretty Portuguese houses, we reached the Marriott property situated at a distance of 27km from the new Mopa Airport in north Goa and 43km from Goa International Airport. It is close to landmark attractions, historic forts, pristine churches, beautiful beaches and buzzing nightlife spots, too, making it convenient for us to access several places easily during our stay. Leaving aside the tourist attractions that it conveniently caters to, the hotel itself is an ideal accommodation for a rejuvenating nature experience as well as enjoying a luxury stay in India’s coastal paradise.
Thoughtfully designed and enveloped in greenery, the property has a tranquil river view, a scenic fort view and a relaxing mountain view, giving a comprehensive Goa feel to a vacationer from the property itself. Putting the focus on holistic well-being, the hotel’s services are aligned with it and offer several experiences to revitalize the spirit.
“Guests arriving at JW Marriott Goa step into a luxury oasis, set like a rare jewel in one of India’s finest tropical beach destinations. Our hotel is a haven of tranquillity inspired by its natural surroundings where guests can seek well-being as well as explore all the vibrant attractions of Goa and the genuine hospitality of its people. We look forward to welcoming travellers to discover all that beautiful Goa has to offer,” said Neha Chhabra, general manager, JW Marriott Goa.
Situated along the Vagator coastline, our first stop on day one was obviously the serene Vagator beach, located just minutes away from the hotel by car. A barefoot walk along its cliffy shoreline, with the feel of a light cool sea breeze, was a therapeutic start to the two-day trip. The way to the beach from the hotel is scattered with plenty of churches big and small and we stopped by quite a few on the way to admire their structural beauty. On our way back, the car rerouted to the beautiful Parra Road, lined with trees on both sides and made famous by Bollywood movies like Dear Zindagi, for us to click some pictures and add to our Goa memories. The evening was all about enjoying a peaceful dinner by the beach at Antares, trying a variety of seafood cuisine with some fancy cocktails.
The stay: The property with greenery all around has rooms that come with a view
A relaxed first day allowed us to make an adventurous start on the second. The morning stroll in the property was refreshing and ideal for taking in all the fresh air we needed to prepare for the day filled with activities. The 151-room property in the maze of greenery was a pleasure to walk around. Our walkthrough started at the glass-enclosed reception that greets a guest upon arrival at the hotel with its imposing glass chandelier and a view of the trimmed outdoor greenery. The decor gives an impression of the local touch with mother-of-pearl and wooden detailing, mostly done up in soothing shades of grey and light sand. Strategic positioning of fountains at various places in the hotel accentuating the marble and stone decor reflects the overall serene ambience created with soft lighting, neutral colours and an abundance of greenery. Goan cultural references and elements of modern design interwoven in the decor complement the overall feel of the place. The rooms have attached balconies leading to breathtaking views, and luxurious suites offer private plunge pools. With all modern amenities in place, the rooms add the comfort aspect to the pampered stay at the property.
The property tour was followed by a calming swim in the outdoor infinity pool with a stunning view of the hills and sunbathing in the warm sun in the cabana on the poolside for a while before digging into the scrumptious buffet breakfast at JW Kitchen. Guests can avail of several relaxation offerings during the stay, including Spa by JW having Turkish and Moroccan steam rooms and workouts at JW Furness gym having many latest equipment. Apart from vacationing, the property with its indoor and outdoor event spaces is ideal for hosting corporate events, private family functions or the dream destination wedding.
Indoor and outdoor event hosting venues
Two meeting rooms and the aesthetically done-up Grande Salao ballroom with an outdoor terrace and well-equipped with the latest audio-visual technology, Wi-Fi and a dedicated events team add to the experience.
Post breakfast we set off to our first stop for the final day, the Chapora Fort, also popularised by Bollywood as the Dil Chahta Hai Fort. Located in Bardez, Goa, it was a five minutes drive from our hotel. Climbing flights of steep stairs was worth it to get that Dil Chahta Hai famous frame for a group photo. The fort has scenic views on all sides — the Chapora River on one side and the shoreline on the other. The afternoon was spent shopping before returning to the hotel to grab some quick bites.
From the menu
While you go shopping for souvenirs or your Goa faves, The Family by JW program is ideal for keeping your kids engaged. The entertainment centre offers virtual reality games, a bowling alley and a children’s play and fun activity area.
With four dining options, JW Marriott Goa is a great place for satiating oneself with an array of gastronomical delights. JW Kitchen is the hotel’s all-day restaurant with an open kitchen, serving globally-inspired cuisine and exquisite local dishes, along with indulgent Sunday brunches and a special children’s selection. Pérola, the French-style lobby bar with a daily afternoon tea service, is ideal for casual meetings and get-togethers over a glass of wine, signature coffee or tea, and light snacks. Aqua Bar and Cafe overlooking the infinity pool and the Goan coast gives a sky-dining experience with Mediterranean cuisine and exotic cocktails. JW Garden serves seasonal fresh produce to these restaurants, as a part of the hotel’s holistic well-being approach. The newly added Heliconia, a Nikkei cuisine speciality restaurant surrounded by greenery, is just ideal for the afternoon chill-and-eat scene.
Sip and bite corners in the property
We kept the last night in Goa reserved for experiencing the party scenes at Thalassa in Siolim, a 10-minute drive from JW Marriott. The Greek-vibe party place is ideal for stealing the views of a beautiful sunset sky and living it up with the night party scenes completing the Goa experience like no other. A Dj night interspersed with fire dance and the traditional plate-smashing dance along with a variety of cocktails and seafood delicacies, is an experience not to be missed during the stay. It was a perfect end to our trip to unwind.
Exploring North Goa
For reservations: Visit the JW Marriot Goa website