Seaside curio household
Balinese-influenced verandahs and lush frangipani gardens catch sea breezes, giving the secluded oceanfront retreat the relaxed intimacy of an inhabited private home.
“its seven suites awash in the owners’ art collection and provincial hardwood antiques.”
What it’s good at
Remarkable
Laterite stone villas, vaulted terracotta roofs, and rooms curated with António Xavier Trindade paintings and global antiques.
Remarkable
Overlooks working fishing boats on Dolphin Bay, serving Goan catch-of-the-day curries, local feni, and authentic coastal hospitality.
Notable
Highly attentive personal service where staff remember drink preferences and arrange custom candlelit dinners around the grounds.
What they say
Michelin Selected
Michelin
UK Readers' Choice Awards – Asia
Condé Nast Traveler
2025
Ahilya by the Sea is a ten-room retreat on Dolphin Bay where the owner's personal collection of art and sculpture… gives the property a distinctly lived-in quality.
Somewhere quiet
Away from the crowds. Getting around takes intention.
Nerul remains a tranquil fishing village, a twenty-five-minute walk from Reis Magos Fort and far removed from Goa's busier northern party strips.
The rooms
Bedrooms across the three villas feature hand-carved hardwood antiques, azulejo tiles, and step-out balconies gazing over the Arabian Sea.
The pools
Bring a swimsuit.
An oceanfront infinity lap pool faces Dolphin Bay, and a second plunge pool rests tucked among the coconut palms.
The spa
Tented waterfront treatment pavilions look out over the ocean, hosting Ayurvedic therapies and massages open to the sea breeze.
At the table
Meals are served al fresco across shaded terraces and garden corners, moving each day to follow the sea breeze.
How it began
Originally built atop historic Portuguese customs posts, the retreat began as a private family estate before welcoming guests in 2015.
Good to know
Stay here
Ahilya by the Sea
Choose your dates to see every room and rate, and book in a few steps.
Add dates to see the price for your stay.
Or book with
Booking.comWe may earn a commission when you book through Booking.com. It never decides which hotels we include or how we rate them.
Goa
More like this
Brij Paraiso Saligao
“Restored Indo-Portuguese villa”
The app
Like this one? There are so many more.
Swipe any city’s hotels and heart the ones you love. The app gets your taste.
Our shorthand
How we rate hotels.
The medals
Gold
Extremely rare. Sets the global standard.
Silver
Brilliant execution. And we’re picky.
Bronze
They did this well. You’ll notice.
Listed
A defining trait. Makes the hotel what it is.
The eight vibes
Design
Built around a vision. Even the door handles have a designer.
Luxe
Cared for at every turn. The bath is drawn before you ask.
Local
It could only be here. You wake up knowing where you are.
Social
Where the city goes out. The bar is full and the night is young.
Heritage
A building with a story. Once a palace, a monastery, a station.
Wellness
You leave feeling new. Rest, sweat, soak and sleep like a stone.
Classic
The city grew up with it. Same rituals, same regulars, same bar.
Resort
A world of its own. Something to do from breakfast to nightcap.
The scene
Lively
Where things happen: restaurants, shops, people.
Central
Well-located: walkable to some things, a short ride to more.
Quiet
Away from the crowds. Getting around takes intention.
Secluded
A place apart: the property is the destination.