An Idyll called the Taj Exotica, I read somewhere. I had to find out for myself of course. So, 45 minutes away from the airport we drive into the actual Hotel overlooking the Salcete Beach, in Goa. Taj is indeed famous for its complimentary coach transfers. Greeted by the wonderful staff, we were led to the lobby, to taste of Goa’s finest hospitality drink. A complete retreat, with a colonial feel, tropical décor and grand architecture, the Taj Exotica is steeped in sepia toned romantic history. It is a 56 acre garden of Eden.
The Exotica is divided into the main hotel building, with spacious deluxe rooms, and luxury rooms. Not all the rooms have a sea view; some villas have the garden view and one could easily make up for that with a soothing reprieve in one’s very own Jacuzzi. Private balconies offer a panoramic view. The Sunset Villas are designed in a completely elegant blend of Goan and Portuguese styles. The lush greenery ensconces every step of the guest’s way.
Innate luxury is the word at The Exotica, as the luxury suites even offer a kitchenette. The Presidential Villas come equipped with two bedrooms, a living room and a dining area, filled with the choicest antiques and to cap it all, a private pool. But how can a luxury suite like this go without a private butler service? It does not, and the kitchen is a delight in itself.
A hotel that is very self sufficient in its attitude, The Exotica offers an array of mouth watering cuisine at its Mediterranean restaurant called Miguel Arcanjo. For the lovers of good wines and spirits, the tastefully done-up lounge bar Adega Cameons comes to life as the musicians softly serenade the guest. And one cannot miss having a nightcap at Eugenia the coffee shop on the same floor.
For the next day, a Goan meal absolutely cannot be missed out and for that one can stroll into the Alegria, and demand to be served the finger-licking Chicken Xacutti and the traditional Goan Fish Curry. The choices are many in a hotel of this stature. The Taj has taken care to provide most of the well liked cuisines. Le Bai, the Oriental Restaurant, brings forth the food from Sichuan, Canton and Hunan. We were feted by the chef at the Lobster Shack, a menu that was hard to resist, consisting of seafood grills and South African wines. And all of this by the gentle breeze being fanned by the moonlight. Pure heaven!
Weddings in this atmosphere would be delightful as the Taj Exotica is more than equipped with its 4600 sq feet Ballroom, heralding a reception capacity of 1000 people. The newly weds would be treated to the Jiva Spa indulgence package. The treatment includes a Narikela body scrub, (that has a brilliant cooling effect on the body), followed by Vishram, a relaxation massage (made of a blend of sandalwood and Sesame, Frankincense, Palmrosa, Brahmi and Amla oils). The Champi (Indian head massage) is followed by half an hour Jacuzzi tub bath filled with rose petals. A bottle of the choicest bubbly completes the picture!
An hour and half away in South? Goa are two of Taj’s other luxury hotels-The Fort Aguada Beach Resort and the most acclaimed Taj Holiday Village. The Aguada has a stunning view of the Arabian Sea and the ancient ramparts of the Fort. Spread over 88 acres it is airy and open. The hotel consists of Luxury suites and charming cottages and villas cocooned on a hillock. It resembles an exotic tropical retreat filled with thick foliage, flowers, butterflies and birds. The Hermitage Villas have their own private lawns and are a haven of privacy.
From dining at the elegant seafood restaurant Morisco, (a specialty restaurant), to sipping coffee at the newly renovated coffee shop Latitude, to sipping a long Island iced tea at the SFX lounge Bar facing the Fort, the Aguada also offers fine dining at its Italian restaurant II Camino and the Martini Bar at the Poolside.
Getting married at the Fort Aguada would be the most mesmerising experience for a couple, as most have vouched for the last few years. A destination wedding would be in tandem, as the Fish tail, a seasonal Al Fresco restaurant overlooking the sea, doubles up as a party area and can be used for functions other than just dining and most times has private gazebos too for romantic dining. (Ideal for a mehndi).
The lush lawns, the scenic beach front, are just ideal for hosting theme parties. The hotel does not stop there; it goes on to hosting the theme party cruises along the Mandovi River as well, adding a complete different dimension to the event. Further upwards into the Hermitage is an area called Bay view, far from the madding crowd, completely overlooking the ocean and suitable for the Wedding Sangeet. Staid Banquet Halls sound passé, as the Aguada goes on to offer even more and more picturesque areas for different parts of the same ceremony. But having said that, the banquet Hall (2,400 sq ft) is a choice and holds upto 200 guests at time. So go ahead and plan that wedding and take your vows by the whispering laps of the waves in the Arabian Sea.
Down below is the Taj Holiday Village (Sinquerim) that has probably seen more than three generations in the same family visiting year after year. People actually return to spend their silver anniversaries, their children’s birthdays and the now famous destination weddings.Taj has come a long way and full circle. Moving to the Taj Village, one cannot but help notice that the lobby is like the Village Central, almost like the verandah of an old Village home, opening out into a largish courtyard in the middle. It has a huge rustic feel and resembles a village where all the homes are painted brightly in all the mithai colours of fluorescent green, turquoise, lavender, red, and electric blue. Newly renovated, the Village boasts of 28 acres of landscaped gardens, a hamlet that consists of 142 rooms, terracotta roofed cottages, independent one room, two bedroom villas, all air conditioned.
The Caravela serves as the all day dining, Drift, the Island Bar serves sushi, Sake and Tapas menus. One cannot do without a Goan Specialty restaurant so it’s the Beachouse that serves the sumptuous cuisine. Can Thai Food be anywhere behind? The Banyan Tree, set under a huge 300 year old banyan tree serves us a meal that is hard to forget. But to top it all is the way the Taj serenades you with the experience of private dining. Exclusive, private dining is a something that the Taj does with aplomb. Dizzy with the week’s wining and dining, the sun and the sea and the Taj hospitality, I decide I am getting married again, this time by the sea….amidst a 1000 guests on the Village Lawns.
Previously published in the Sindhian
Image Credits : Maya Lalchandani, Google, TripAdvisor
