One of the best things about living in Mumbai is that Goa is just a hop away and whenever the busy city life gets onto us, Ajay and I just dash away for a weekend to Goa. In this case, Ajay just got back from a long trip, and we decided to get some us time, so off we went.

We just got back after spending a relaxing weekend at the W Goa. The W Hotels is one of Starwood’s top luxury brands, of course now owned by Marriott International. It’s a fairly new brand with the first W hotel having opened in New York in 1998. The Resort in Goa opened its doors only 6 months back, and it was on our much anticipated list of hotels to check out. It is the newest W addition and marks the completion of 50 W hotels worldwide.

The W is a brand which signifies a mix of design with luxury, and takes in significant local experiences as well. Think of it as a luxurious boutique hotel, which also explains only 130 rooms around here.

Here are my first impressions and a glimpse of this 30-acre resort property in 10 pictures.

True to its brand value the W in Goa has immense focus on design and creating an experience through amplified environment.

The reception lobby, known as the ‘Living Room’ is done up in vibrant colors, has mood lighting and there’s a fully functional bar called WooBar. The entire space is one psychedelic lounge, where a DJ sets up a console every evening.

 

The bright color and local influences are also evident in the room interiors. Our room was done up in rich gold with purple and pink hues. The standard rooms are very spacious and probably the largest that we’ve seen for any luxury resort in Goa.

The resort is built in one slope of the hill right next to the Vagator beach. The landscaping is beautiful with gardens & lawns.

There is also a second pool, called the Rock Pool and that offers great Sunset views.

The Rock Pool area has a bar, cabanas and lounge seating and after sunset transforms into a party place with DJs playing music and drinks flowing in the night.

The breakfast spread was scrumptious with a good mix of Indian and Western selection, and local influences as well!

If you do choose to wake up early and get to the breakfast table you can enjoy unlimited beer with compliments of the hotel. If you choose to stay healthy, replace beer with coconut water.

We had a short stay here, but it was a party when we were not sleeping. Can’t blame us for trying to arrive early in the morning to find out they are sold out and starting our day with a beer breakfast after no sleep for 36 hours straight.

The hotel has its heart in the right place, and they are still finding their feet with crowd management because perhaps they are so good that everyone arrives early and does not want to depart till way after check-out time! No management types were sighted in the operation of this hotel.