Picture a trader arriving in Goa in the in 17th century. The trader then builds himself a palatial house into which he welcomes his guests with open arms. But as his family and trade grows, so does his property and houses spring up around the main palace, each built in a different time period and by different arms of the family. Soon, his family has spread out over 28 acres of lush Goan land, along a quiet bay and stay on for years.
Sounds believable? I thought so. But I was quickly informed that the story is fictional and was created to give the newly launched Grand Hyatt Goa the feel of an all-encompassing concept. This new hotel is possibly the first one in India to be built keeping a fictional story in mind, which made it all the more interesting to stay in.
Indo-Portuguese style
Guests at this hotel are first struck by the style of the buildings. Sticking to the story, the architecture is Indo-Portuguese, harking to the 17th century, with sloping roofs, wide hallways and individually tiled floors that sparkle. The windows all feature capiz shell pieces, just like in the old days. The large skylight in the main ‘palace’ allows sunshine to flood the staircases while interesting chandeliers light up the building from within. The décor is warm, with cream and browns being the featured colours. This is the same across all the rooms as well. The main palace holds the restaurants, bars and banquet halls but the rooms are placed in seven villas spread across the property. A total of 314 rooms and suites are available to guests, which includes a Presidential Suite and a Royal Villa.
The Grand Rooms, which number 238 in the hotel, are large and furnished with lovely wooden tables and beds, along with a quaint metal ceiling fan made in the antique style of Indian homes. Black and white pictures of Goa adorn the walls, which add to the old-meets-new feel. The bathrooms are spacious, with a large tub, separate shower stall and even a dressing table placed close to the cupboards. But the beauty of the room lies in the private sit-out, made comfortable by sofas and padded loungers, which faces the gardens and Bambolim Bay. I spent the evenings sitting outside, listening to the waves endlessly crash on the shore. If you’re looking for more peace, visit the ruins of a real 16th century chapel in the garden. The hotel was built around this chapel and the many ancient banyan trees found on the property without causing any disturbance to them.
Menus and more
The Grand Hyatt Goa features seven restaurants and lounges, some of them named after the rooms of the palace they are meant to resemble, giving the guests ample choice for their dining preferences. For a pre-dinner drink, head to the Pool Bar and Grill which is an open-air venue beside the free-formed pool. Clinking, heart-shaped capiz shells hang from the table umbrellas, making it the perfect place to watch the sun set over the bay. The Capiz Bar features the same menu but is placed indoors, below the signature restaurant of the hotel called The Verandah. If water features are your pet obsession, pick The Bay View Lounge on the first floor, whose windows open on to an infinity pool. The bars and lounge offer premium liquor brands and innovative cocktails, as well as a selection of bar snacks.
For breakfast, try the buffet spread at The Dining Room, where the live counters are the centre of attraction. Continental and Indian dishes stretch out and the croissants here were too good to stop with just one. If you would like some home-style Indian food for dinner, step into Chulha, where the live chaat counter features a sugarcane crushing machine, used to make their special sugarcane mojitos. Chulha aims at getting the guests to try as many dishes as possible, so they specialise in the small plate concept. You can try the fried potato chaat, an innovative tomato and watercress number as well as vegetable kebabs covered in poppy seeds and still want more. The dals, breads and main dishes are those which you would expect in a traditional home, but made better by the use of quality local ingredients.
The Verandah draws in guests with an open grill and the freshest catch from the sea. It features a small menu but the portions are quite substantial. Guided by my server Shailesh, who also recommends wines to be paired with the dishes, I happily ate my way through a four course meal. Seafood lovers must try the crab cakes while the grilled free-range chicken with Dijon mustard comes highly recommended. Potato gnocchi and a coconut curry with paneer and pumpkin are good choices for vegetarians, but I personally loved the sweet chestnut soup and goat cheese fritters. Satiate your sweet tooth at Confeitaria, the in-house patisserie where toothsome pastries and cakes sit beside colourful candy and cups of strong coffee.
Step out
The Bambolim bay is at your doorstep and with hotel security and lifeguards around, it is the best way to enjoy your time in Goa. Pretty capiz shells are found on this beach alone and I watched adults be as fascinated by these lovely shells as their children. If, like the Executive Chef Mark Hagan, you are not a fan of sand, you can relax at the hotel’s Shamana Spa, touted to be one of the largest in India. It offers South-East Asian therapies and the 19 private suites decked out in warm brown and cream furnishings ensure calm. The outdoors-loving guest can opt for the tour of Sahakari Spice Farm in Ponda, a 40-minute drive away. The experience is educational as it shows you what Goans outside the tourism industry do for a living. Never mind the rat snake rustling around in the dried leaves next to you. The pool and gymnasium are also good options for a fun time.
The hotel is grand but it is the staff who make the biggest impression. Everyone smiles so much more here, and is willing to talk about his or her life in detail. Since many have come here from other states, their experience of Goa is fascinating. The stiff air of formality is given a miss for a more intimate, welcoming attitude which is refreshing. This is the side of Goa that travellers miss, if they are not in the right place with the right kind of people. A calm, virtually isolated beach, green gardens and peace, where you will not be jostled by people trying to speed by on motorbikes or trying to hustle into the hip club next door. Filled with people who know your name and let you into their lives with a big smile add to the allure of this hotel. Your trip will then be a real holiday.
What: Grand Hyatt
Where: Bambolim bay, Goa
How much: Rs 10,000 to Rs 14,000 onwards for the month of February, but the rates change on a daily basis.
archana.a@thehindu.co.in
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