CULTURE & CALM ON HOLIDAY

Heritage Village Resorts & Spa near Arossim beach brings the ethos of Goa to the tranquility of its beautiful seaside property to create unforgettable vacations

For quiet seaside getaways, South Goa has always been the top choice among locals. But uber-luxurious five-star hotels often need rather deep pockets. So when a stylish, upmarket resort comes along offering all the amenities you’re looking forward to at a more affordable rate, it’s certainly an option one would jump at.

Heritage Village Resorts & Spa in Cansaulim artfully combines the culture and ethos of Goa with contemporary luxuries to create a space that treats all the senses. Ably led by general manager Guitry Velho, the hotel dispenses focused attention on maintaining hygiene and providing the ideal mix of value, comfort and convenience.

Inspired by Portuguese design styles and featuring gorgeous sloping roofs, carefully cared for landscapes and lively interiors, the resort brings a breath of fresh air to an otherwise chaotic life. With the beach barely walking distance and major transport hubs a half-hour drive away, Heritage Village Resorts & Spa works wonderfully well as a staycation spot for both locals and tourists.

ACCOMMODATION

With just 97 rooms and suites, Heritage Village Resort & Spa is able to offer expansive accommodation to every guest. Its Superior rooms look out across the sublime village outdoors or give guests a peek of the pool. In the Deluxe rooms, windows open out over the shimmering blue of the swimming pool, and the diwan-cum-bed in the extra space offers the perfect option for small families.

For a little more of that sussegado village life, choose the Grande Club Rooms with pretty sit-outs near quaint gardens where little ones can frolic as you soak up the rays of the early morning sun.

Go all out with the resort suites that come with sweeping views of the pool, antique furniture, a private balcony and your very own jacuzzi. You’ll want to spend as much time indoors as you do out and about during your stay here.

DINING

The talented chefs at Heritage Village Resort & Spa create a range of flavours to suit all preferences, each plated to reflect the cultural background of the dish. At Chutney, guests can feast on various cuisines in a casual setting on the patio or indoors surrounded by tropical Goan-Portuguese design motifs.

Mango Terrace is the resort’s seasonal restaurant, coming to life during the winter months under the shade of the property’s magnificent mango tree. The alfresco restaurant specialises in seafood, continental and Konkani flavours.

Nightlife in south Goa is not something spoken of too often, but here at Blue Lagoon, guests can bring the party home. With contemporary decor, comfortable seating, and full-scale service of premium spirits, beverages and innovative cocktails, upbeat music and the right company make for a very memorable evening.

Forrest takes things up a notch with a handcrafted selection of fine wines, freshly brewed coffees and gourmet delights. Its woody rustic vibe and food that looks just as good as it tastes make this the ideal place for a fancy date.

And if laidback is right up your street, then hit Swim up, the pool sunken bar where premium Indian spirits, beer and wines come together over lip-smacking finger food for endless days of relaxation and good vibes.

EVENTS

Dreamy weddings by the sea, leisurely corporate getaways, formal conferences and vibrant parties are conjured up with ease at Heritage Village Resort & Spa. The helpful staff is professionally trained to assist you with event management and to troubleshoot any issues during the event.

The resort offers a spacious air-conditioned hall – Villa Arossim – which can accommodate up to 120 guests indoors and features a pre-function area, free high-speed wireless internet access and audio-visual technology.

AMENITIES

Vacations ought to feel completely stress-free, and this is what Heritage Village Resort & Spa aims for. Its travel desk helps optimise your limited vacation time with signature experiences across Goa, including relaxed beach picnics complete with a goodie hamper, e-bike tours, trips to spice plantations, island explorations, visits to heritage sites, and food and tavern trails.

Close by, the beach offers adventure sports activities including parasailing and jet ski rides. If staying within the property is preferable, you can still enjoy an activity-filled day with lawn tennis, yoga classes, indoor sports such as table tennis and pool, board games, with a special play area for little ones.

To stay fit on vacation, the resort offers a well-equipped gym and a large pool with an adjoining children’s section so everyone can safely be part of the fun. Relax, rejuvenate and unwind at Ayura Spa, where experienced physicians and therapists bring their extensive knowledge of aromatic essential oils and techniques in European and ayurvedic treatments to the table.

EXPERIENCE

Heritage Village Resort & Spa has taken full advantage of the lockdown to spruce up to a more colourful look with more modern comforts without losing that charming Goan-Portuguese vibe. I was delighted to return after more than a decade, and even more so when some of the staff remembered me from my last visit!

It was a warm welcome that included strict adherence to all the recommended safety procedures, including disinfecting of luggage, hand sanitisers, face masks on staff and more. After soaking in our gorgeous garden-view Grand Clube Room, my friend and I headed down to lunch. We enjoyed a lovely chat with general manager Guitry Velho, who misses his regular international guests and is now catering to the expanding domestic market. It was encouraging to hear that the hotel is running almost at full capacity – excellent news for the tourism industry.

Given that the resort is located near one of my favourite beaches in Goa, Francine and I allowed ourselves to be treated to a picnic on the beach, chasing the sunset with our goodie basket in tow. The beach delivered, like it always does – long, empty stretches of sand as far as the eye could see offering the perfect backdrop for a sunset picture.

The evening brought us myriad choices and we settled on starting with a great selection of cocktails at Blue Lagoon to get us in the mood. With its lively ambience and the company of other guests, we could sit here for hours. We finally moved to the garden area outside our room, where a beautiful dining space was set up for our evening indulgence. The talented Chef Ramesh & his kitchen staff brought out course after course of mouthwatering Continental cuisine, cooked using the freshest fish and vegetables and accompanied by white wine. It turned into the perfect evening under the stars.

Our little garden also played host to our breakfast the following morning, packing us with wholesome goodness before we set off for a morning filled with activities. The resort staff led us around the area for some local sightseeing; first up was an old Portuguese home whose residents Mr Savio Sequeira and his family have had the house handed down to them through the generations. It was enthralling to listen to their stories and I found some wonderful similarities with the village life in Ireland. We followed this up by a quick trip to the Three Kings Chapel on the hill with stunning panoramic views.

As we returned to the hotel to leave, I looked back on all I was able to do in barely 24 hours at Heritage Village Resort & Spa. Just imagine what I could do with more? Driving away, I knew I had made many fond memories and would certainly return for more.

With ever helpful staff, the perfect location and wonderful on-site amenities, Heritage Village Resort & Spa offers the ideal stay for short and long getaways.

Still to come: The reopening of their Wellness & Ayurvedic Centre, Spa Ayura with Dr Navhin Rao