LF Says: ★★★★.5
A roughly hour-long drive from Goa’s Dabolim airport brings me to the busy Candolim area, and my destination, The Astor Goa. A newly opened all-suite luxury boutique property, this is the second outpost by The Archer Hospitality group, with the first one being The Astor Kolkata – a heritage property.
I am welcomed with a refreshing kokum drink, a bracelet of shells and a cold towel before being whisked off to my suite.
Room story
My Astor Suite is expansive at 60 sq. mt. and comes with a large living area that has an attached kitchenette and a separate bedroom with an attached bathroom. The room is done up in hues of beige with pops of blue. The rattan furniture adds a cool interior quotient. A hand written postcard and some fresh desserts add a personal touch to the welcome here.
The room has a comfortable study table as well as two large televisions. The fully complimentary mini bar is stocked with soft beverages and alcohol. The room has a large balcony that overlooks the pool and the room is a great place to relax.
Chocolates for turn down service are now passe! The staff had soaked almonds on my bedside table with a sweet handwritten note that read “Claim your Desire. Happiness is a choice, and today I choose to be happy. #AstorExperience.” I couldn’t agree more. On the next day I had a dream catcher placed on the head rest of my bed with a sweet note for good dreams.
I am told that the all-suite hotel has an inventory of 70 suites (63 of which are currently operational) and have Luxury Suites, Astor Suites, and Studio Suites as part of the experience.
The bathroom amenities include a range of toiletries from the brand The Apothecary. The hotel also offers the third person free stay in the room as part of its differentiated services.
Culinary experiences
All meals are served at the inhouse restaurant Deck 88, which is managed by Executive Chef Divyanshi Patel and her team. The menu here is a fusion of European small bites fused with Moroccan flavors and Goan coastal influences. If you want to chill with a drink, the plush Pool Bar is where you head to and soak in some warm Goan sun and indulge yourself.
In-room dining options are also available, and if you want a midnight snack or a leisurely breakfast in bed, it is only a call away. All baking, including breads, are done in house and the Astor Baking Company has a bunch of creative chefs who make these goodies every day.
However, if there is one experience that I recommend you try here, it is the Chef’s Table. This is a specially curated six course meal that is made for you. The Chef asks you a lot of questions relating to the kind of food you enjoy, what food means to you, your food memories, where and how you grew up, what you ate, and makes notes during the interactive conversation. But probably nothing could have prepared me for the meal that was showcased. Each course had a dish that resonated with my personality. From a soup sampler to hand rolled pasta in a pumpkin mango sauce to an entire Mediterranean meal with Indian ingredients – this was a meal that I will not forget. And after the meal, as a very sweet gesture, you are taken to a wishing well to toss a coin. This property was earlier part of a church land and the well has been retained as such.
Do more
The hotel has a swimming pool, high-performance gym, and a luxurious executive lounge as well. A trip to the inhouse spa is a must to truly relax and rejuvenate. The hotel also offers complimentary buggy rides to the nearest beach and market so you can enjoy a sunset or sunrise as per your convenience.
The Candolim area is well developed and offers a plethora of shopping options too, so if you are looking to indulge in some retail therapy this is well covered here. In all, if you are looking for a refreshing break and want to indulge in Goa’s famed susegad to recharge yourself, head to The Astor Goa. Speaking to Vaibhav Gupta, General Manager of The Astor Goa, I get a sense of why the property is favored by guests. “Many of our travelers find themselves perfectly at home without even venturing beyond our doors. Additionally, our staff consistently emanate a sincere warmth, effortlessly easing guests into a sense of comfort,” he explains.
With their top-notch service, attention to detail and plush rooms, you have the perfect recipe for a holiday that will help you relax and rejuvenate. Bookmark this one for your next visit to Goa and experience the destination in a new way.
LF Says: ★★★★.5
Coordinates: 22/7 Bammon Vaddo, Candolim, Bardez, North Goa, Goa, India
