MEET MARIA
Palolem and its surrounding areas in south Goa hold a special place in my heart – it’s where my life in India began. The heart-shaped beach skirted by swaying palms is now dotted with little beach huts where tons of Europeans enjoy a well-deserved winter vacation away from the cold.
However, the place has largely remained a sleepy coastal village over the monsoon, with the huts closing up as the rains come around. But over the last eight months, there has been a lot of curiosity around this upcoming hotel. When it finally opened doors, I was absolutely delighted to visit Sobit Sarovar Portico in all its glory.
Managed by Sarovar Hotels and Resorts, the property hit the ground running with impeccable service, friendly local staff and absolutely delicious food. Located right by the road, it offers easy access, and once inside, the gorgeous poolside area simply takes your breath away. Every room faces the pool, so there’s no way you’ll miss out on the hotel’s piece-de-resistance as you spend your days lazing about.
Still, there’s so much more to the hotel. Its bar Uzo is well-stocked with a large array of international beverages styled in a chic, friendly manner. Flavours is Sobit Sarovar Portico’s multi-cuisine restaurant with popular dishes from around the world, served with flair. At Balcão, guests can lounge by the pool as they sip innovative cocktails and nibble on delicious snacks.
The live counters at Flavours were an immediate hit, adding an additional facet to the restaurant’s all-day services and buffet spread from around India and the Mediterranean. My favourites included the chicken satay in peanut sauce and Goan special prawn rawa fry. The extensive menu has tons on offer, right from stir-fried noodles and biryani, to Thai green curry and classic Goan fish curry, and other Indian gravies. In the morning, I found the best way to wake up is to enjoy a freshly brewed cup of coffee with eggs done your preferred way.
I was ecstatic to be one of the first to visit Sobit Sarovar Portico and I can’t wait for others to experience its wonderful hospitality.
With aims to promote tourism in the area and offer high-quality service and a great alternative to currently available accommodation, this hotel has opened up more comfortable options of staying in and around the south. Spread across 5500 square metres, Sobit Sarovar Portico has 48 well-appointed deluxe rooms encased beautifully by quaint architecture that reflects Goa’s history and culture. Intricate woodwork, hand-selected art and sleek lines showcase a blend of Goan and Indo-Portuguese styles. Throughout the hotel, paintings by Pravin Solanke and other art narrate the tale of Goa’s heritage, culture, landscapes, events and daily life. As the ideal destination for leisure and business travellers, Palolem offers romantic escapes, surreal villages and an enlivened air of magic and mystery through the year.
With its gorgeous interiors, Sala de Cristal banquet hall offers the ideal venue for events of any sort, from weddings to private parties, exhibitions to corporate retreats for up to 350 guests. To reinforce that feeling of relaxation, Sobit Sarovar Portico offers O Spa, at which trained therapists ease and relax guests with a wide variety of treatments. In addition, the resort has a well-equipped gym, activity center for children and adults, and complimentary Wi-Fi.
