Ahilya by the Sea

Perched on a rocky promontory overlooking the charming Dolphin Bay – tucked away in the quiet fishing village of Nerul.

A blend of Goan and Indonesian style, the red rock villas are set in tropical gardens and just steps from the ocean. They are an airy mix of wooden trimmings, African masks, gilded altarpieces, tiled headboards, religious ceramic statues and Burmese bowls and are beautiful.
Though each room in each villa has a view, we’d recommend a room in the Sunrise Villa, which has a barrel vaulted brick ceiling, exquisite antiques and a reading alcove high above the stairs with a massive bay window looking onto the sea.

While breakfast is a delicious feast of fresh-pressed juices, granolas and yoghurts, crepes and eggs made to order, it’s the dinners that are worth writing home about. Serving inventive dishes with a focus on traditional Goan specialities, try the shrimp curry, the spicy pomfret wrapped in banana leaf or for a bit of everything go for the mixed Goan thali.

The emerald infinity pool overlooking the Arabian Sea is the perfect place to float away the hours, watching the local fisherman hauling in their catch. In keeping with the hedonistic theme, the treehouse spa offers an idyllic morning of recuperation and relaxation, which is best followed by an afternoon spent on a sun lounger by the pool or in the garden under an ancient banyan tree keeping an eye out for dolphins on the horizon.

Take a day trip to Turtle Beach to sink into the golden sands and swim in the ocean or take a stroll around the colonial centre and the UNESCO World Heritage churches of Panjim, just across the river. For history buffs, the historic Reis-Magos fort is just a short wander away and for art lovers, there are plenty of contemporary art galleries offering fascination insights into the very colourful local culture.