A little gastronomy, a little gluttony…
A little leisure, a little lax…
A little recreation, a little restoration…
A little amusement, a little adventure…
A little pleasure, a little play…
Little mirth, little merry…
Little elation, a lot of exhilaration…
If there is a destination in South Goa that tells all of the above stories, it is The Lalit Golf resort and Spa Goa.
There is no dearth of beautiful properties when it comes to Goa. And truth be told, I was slightly skeptical when I found out that the resort is located in the quieter, South Goa. But then again, in the wise words of great Anthony Bourdain), “Nothing unexpected or wonderful is likely to happen if you have an itinerary in Parris filled with Louvre and the Eiffel Tower”. And it only kept getting reiterated for me as the next three days unfolded.
Spread over 100 acres, The Lalit Gold Resort Goa boasts of being the only 9 holes- 36 par golf course in Goa. And I knew a world of abundant green merrymaking is ahead of me the moment we were welcomed with a traditional Goan dance, a bouquet of flowers, paying homage to the founder and a refreshing kokum sherbet.
It is not difficult to see that the owner has a knack for blending contemporary luxury with his affinity for restoration in just the right proportions. Right from the lobby to the doorways, colorful, ornate windows, high ceilings, grand staircase, all the little details are reminiscent of the Baroque Portuguese architecture.
The resort has 255 suites of which 14 are luxury and 3 presidential. Bigger groups can choose to stay at the luxury villas of which there are 10, each with a private pool and Jacuzzi and a butler at your service. As I entered my abode for the next three days, my eyes caught sight of a handwritten note by the GM of the property, an assorted cheese platter and a pretty selection of Goan delicacies. The long drive from the airport to the hotel had certainly worked up an appetite and soon I found myself gorging on the most delicious Alfredo pasta I’ve had in recent times; and you had better take my word on this one because I’ve never been a fan of creamy, white sauce pasta. And with a beautifully laid out plate of fish, my partner was in his own little food heaven.
Lasting experiences make for interesting places. And The Lalit Goa leaves no stone unturned in providing a holistic experience to its guests. The foodies can take their pick from the many restaurants, Oko, that overlooks the pool and the sea, the multi-cuisine Canacona, SeaBQ for the grills, and Cortas, beautifully made beach shack, for a perfect evening on the beach.
If you’re the kind to believe in gifting your loved ones a little adventure, you can choose from an array of activities like sports, archery, cycling, ATV bike riding, yoga at the beach, water sports or paramotor gliding, a first for a resort in Goa city.
If all that adrenaline rush calls for some slowing down, you could relax at the Rejuve spa that offers ayurvedic, aroma, and herbal and natural therapies along with salon treatments. And now imagine being able to relax like this while your kids are busy with their own little playdates in a specially created play area under the watchful eyes of a sitter and security cameras.
And if you’ve been looking for ways to waltz into your partner’s heart, a poolside candle-lit dinner date could be the perfect starting point.
Now if you’re starting to think that the resort is all play and no work, you might want to pause there, because ladies and gentlemen, the resort houses the largest banquet and conference facility in Goa. And if you’re a fan of destination weddings, between two large ballrooms and a variety of party rooms, you should be sorted.
Whether it is a walk on a private secluded beach or a quiet evening reading a book on your porch with the splashing of the playful waves in the background, this destination has something for everyone.
