Alila Diwa Goa: Your Dream Indian Getaway Awaits!
Alila Diwa Goa: My Goa Getaway - The Good, The Bad, and the "OMG, Did That Just Happen?!"
Okay, folks, let's talk about Alila Diwa Goa. Forget the glossy brochures, I'm giving you the real deal, the messy, sun-kissed truth. I'm one of those people who needs a good vacation, like, oxygen-level essential. And Goa? Well, let's just say it called to me in the middle of a particularly brutal Tuesday, and I, being a sensible adult (ahem), answered.
First Impressions & Accessibility - A Mixed Bag, But Promising
Getting there was… an adventure. The airport transfer (thank goodness for Airport transfer!) was smooth, thankfully. The whole place has a real "wow" factor. The architecture is stunning. It’s very lush, like a tropical dream. The entrance is wide and easy to navigate, which, as someone who sometimes trips over air, is much appreciated. Then I realized I'd forgotten to mention my knee injury as a disability when booking, and I felt like a complete idiot! Getting around was surprisingly good overall, but there are some areas that, while technically Wheelchair accessible, might need a little extra assistance. The Elevator was a lifesaver, let me tell you. Definitely a tick for Facilities for disabled guests, but be sure to specify your needs when you book.
Accessibility (Deep Dive):
- Okay, let's get real. Accessibility is a big thing. And Alila Diwa Goa isn't perfect, but they're trying. The main areas like the lobby, restaurants, and pool are pretty accessible. The elevators were great. However, some of the walkways and pathways can be a little uneven, especially if you're a bit unsteady on your feet. I noticed a few areas that could use ramps or smoother surfaces. Definitely call ahead to discuss your specific needs and see how they can accommodate you. They seem genuinely willing to help, but you’ll want to plan ahead.
Rooms & Comfort - My Sanctuary (Until the Mosquitoes Arrived)
The rooms? Oh. My. God. They were gorgeous. I'm talking Air Conditioned heaven, complete with Blackout curtains (essential for beating that Indian sun), a Seating area to collapse in after a long day, and a ridiculously comfortable Extra long bed. Seriously, I could starfish without fear! The Bathroom was spacious, with a heavenly Separate shower/bathtub, stocked with lovely Toiletries. They have Bathrobes! I wore the bathrobe basically my entire trip. The Free Wi-Fi (thank you, Lord!) was strong – vital for stalking… I mean, checking in with the world.
- Available in all rooms: Additional toilet, Air conditioning, Alarm clock, Bathrobes, Bathroom phone, Bathtub, Blackout curtains, Carpeting, Closet, Coffee/tea maker, Complimentary tea, Daily housekeeping, Desk, Extra long bed, Free bottled water, Hair dryer, High floor, In-room safe box, Interconnecting room(s) available, Internet access – LAN, Internet access – wireless, Ironing facilities, Laptop workspace, Linens, Mini bar, Mirror, Non-smoking, On-demand movies, Private bathroom, Reading light, Refrigerator, Safety/security feature, Satellite/cable channels, Scale, Seating area, Separate shower/bathtub, Shower, Slippers, Smoke detector, Socket near the bed, Sofa, Soundproofing, Telephone, Toiletries, Towels, Umbrella, Visual alarm, Wake-up service, Wi-Fi [free], Window that opens.
Okay, a slight downside – those Goa mosquitoes are vicious! So, definitely bring repellent (or at least request it from the front desk). And when I say it got too hot, it got too hot. The Air conditioning was a lifesaver.
- Rooms & Imperfections:
- **The rooms truly were gorgeous, but during my stay, I forgot to get the mosquito repellent and regretted it. Waking up with a mosquito bite on my face. Even the mosquito net wasn't enough.
- I forgot to mention that while the high floor was lovely; the walk from the elevators to the room was a bit of a trek. I'm sure it's good for you, but after a day of sightseeing, it felt a bit long!**
Cleanliness, Safety, and Security – Feeling Protected (Mostly)
This is where Alila Diwa shines. Seriously. It’s spotless. The Daily housekeeping was impeccable. I even witnessed the Professional-grade sanitizing services in action – impressive! They’re clearly taking Cleanliness and safety seriously. I felt safe, even wandering around late at night. CCTV in common areas and Security [24-hour] give peace of mind. I felt a bit safer knowing the Fire extinguisher was nearby. There was a Doctor/nurse on call, if needed. They were really on top of everything. The Hand sanitizer was everywhere you looked. Felt very reassuring.
- Cleanliness and Safety (Stream of Consciousness):
- Oh my god, the cleanliness was borderline obsessive, in a good way! I saw staff constantly wiping down surfaces, sanitizing everything! The professional-grade sanitizing services were impressive. And the hand sanitizer? Everywhere! I’m a bit germaphobic, so this was a huge plus! The whole place seemed so safe. Even at night, I felt completely secure walking around the property. I even considered doing a little dance of joy in the elevator, just because I wasn't worried about getting mugged. The fire extinguishers were there, the doctor was on call, and they took things seriously. Excellent.
Dining, Drinking, and Snacking – Food Glorious Food (And Drink That Flows!)
Okay, let's talk food. This is where things get really interesting. The Breakfast [buffet] was a glorious spread. I'm talking Asian breakfast, Western breakfast, pastries, fresh fruit, made-to-order eggs – the works! I could have easily spent an hour just wandering around in a food coma. There were Restaurants galore, offering a range of Asian cuisine in restaurant, International cuisine in restaurant, and even a Vegetarian restaurant.
Dining and Drinking (Rambles):
- The food was a highlight, absolutely. Breakfast buffet was amazing, I'm talking every possible pastry, fruit, and made-to-order eggs. I swear I put on five pounds just from breakfast. There was so much great food, from the Asian to the Western cuisine. I even tried the vegetarian restaurant, which was surprisingly good! They had a poolside bar, which was perfect for those lazy afternoons where you just want to sip a cocktail and pretend you have no cares in the world. And yes, I indulged in many happy hours. And the pool was beautiful! I felt very spoiled. Definitely no regrets.
- **On the downside, sometimes the service was a little bit slow, when the resort got busy. But the friendly attitudes made up for it! The staff was super friendly, and the pool was perfect for relaxing. The [Poolside bar] was my favorite part of every day.
- Snack bar: Perfect for quick bites by the pool.
- Coffee shop: Great for an afternoon kick.
Dining, drinking, and snacking: A la carte in restaurant, Alternative meal arrangement, Asian breakfast, Asian cuisine in restaurant, Bar, Bottle of water, Breakfast [buffet], Breakfast service, Buffet in restaurant, Coffee/tea in restaurant, Coffee shop, Desserts in restaurant, Happy hour, International cuisine in restaurant, Poolside bar, Restaurants, Room service [24-hour], Salad in restaurant, Snack bar, Soup in restaurant, Vegetarian restaurant, Western breakfast, Western cuisine in restaurant.
Things to Do & Ways to Relax – Spa Time!
Okay, let's talk relaxation. I mean, hello, you're in Goa! The Swimming pool was the heart of the resort. The most beautiful highlight. The Pool with view offers so many selfie possibilities. Seriously, just perfect for lounging. The Fitness center (gym/fitness) was well-equipped, though I spent most of my time lounging in the pool.
But the Spa? Oh, that was something else entirely.
- Spa Time (The Unforgettable Massage):
- **Okay, the spa. I'm not a spa person, usually. I find the whole experience a bit intimidating. But I'd had a long, stressful year, so I thought, "When in Goa…" And oh, my god. I booked a massage, and honestly, it was pure bliss. The therapist was incredibly skilled, and the massage room itself was serene and beautiful. I'm not exaggerating when I say it was the best massage of my life. I emerged feeling like a new person. I'm still daydreaming about it! I am not a professional reviewer, I'm just a person who loves experiences, and this was THE experience. The best of the best massage! I'd pay just to get a repeat. The spa at Alila Diwa Goa is reason enough to go. Then I learned about a *Body scrub* and Body wrap and I was tempted to return. The Sauna and Steamroom were also
Okay, buckle up, buttercup, because we're about to dive headfirst into a Goa adventure at the Alila Diwa. Forget your pristine, perfectly-ordered itineraries. This is gonna be a delicious, chaotic, and utterly real experience.
Goa Gone Wild (Alila Diwa Edition): A Messy, Marvelous Itinerary
Day 1: Arrival & Immediate Regret (Just Kidding… Mostly)
- Morning (8:00 AM - 10:00 AM): Arrived at Dabolim Airport (GOI). Landed with a thud (both emotionally and physically – the plane was a bit bumpy). The sticky heat hit me hard. Instantly questioned all life choices that didn't involve air conditioning. Grabbed a pre-booked taxi (thank god, the airport chaos is the stuff of nightmares). The driver, bless his heart, looked like he'd seen a ghost, probably from all his airport runs.
- Late Morning (10:00 AM - 12:00 PM): Checked into the Alila Diwa. OMG. It's like stepping into a glossy magazine. Lush greenery, infinity pools glistening… I'm pretty sure I audibly gasped. The staff are ridiculously polite. Too polite. I half expected them to bow. My room? A haven of calm after the airport madness. Immediately flopped onto the king-sized bed, which I promptly christened my new best friend.
- Lunch (12:00 PM - 1:00 PM): Ordered room service. Because, duh. Samosas. Chicken tikka masala. Coke (because jet lag is a harsh mistress). Judged myself for the carb overload while simultaneously loving every single bite. The samosas? Crispy perfection. The chicken tikka masala? Possibly the best I've ever eaten and I've had some good chicken tikka masalas, trust me.
- Afternoon (1:00 PM - 5:00 PM): Attempted to be "cultured." Wandered around the resort. Found the infinity pool. Surrendered to its siren song of bliss. Swam. Read a book (pretended to read, really). People-watched. Observed a family of particularly enthusiastic kids building a fort (they were loud but also endearing). Realized I'd forgotten to put on sunscreen. Instant panic. Sunburn alert!
- Evening (5:00 PM - 7:00 PM): The Sunset. Oh. My. God. The sky transformed into a canvas of fiery oranges and purples. Found a spot on a comfy lounge chair overlooking a rice field. The gentle breeze was pure magic. The sound of cicadas. Took a photo. Couldn't capture the sheer beauty. Just stared in blissful silence. This, right here, is why I travel.
- Dinner (7:00 PM - 9:00 PM): Dinner at Spice Studio. The food was good, not great. I could have done with more flavour, but the atmosphere was pleasant, the lights were dim, and they had a very nice wine. I ordered too much (shocking, I know). The waiter, bless his heart, looked a bit concerned but didn't say anything. Ate most of it anyway.
- Night (9:00 PM onwards): Watched a movie on the TV. Fell asleep mid-film. Woke up at 3 AM with a crick in my neck. Regretted all decisions.
Day 2: Beach Bliss and the Great Coconut Water Debacle
- Morning (8:00 AM - 10:00 AM): Woke up, stiff from the neck crick. Stumbled to the pool. Did some semi-serious laps. Realized I'm definitely not a morning person.
- Late Morning (10:00 AM - 12:00 PM): FINALLY made it to Majorda Beach (a quick tuk-tuk ride away). Oh, the sand! So fine, so white, so utterly perfect. Spent the morning wandering on the beach. Sat in the shade of a palm tree, soaking in the sun, and watching the waves crash.
- Lunch (12:00 PM - 1:00 PM): Coconut water. Got my hands on some coconut water. This is where things get interesting. First sip. Bliss. Second sip. More bliss. Third sip… Eugh. It wasn’t… coconutty. It was bland. And I looked like a fool, standing there with a giant coconut and the vague memory of a tropical taste. I almost gave up. Decided to persevere. Eventually found a flavour I liked. So, the coconut water? Still a love-hate relationship.
- Afternoon (1:00 PM - 3:00 PM): Explored the beach shacks. Ate some fresh grilled fish. The fish was great, but the service… slow. Very, very slow. I'd already finished three beers before the food arrived. Not complaining, though!
- Afternoon (3:00 PM - 5:00 PM): Back to the beach. Napped under a palm tree just long enough to get a hint of a tan. Woke up sweating, and convinced I was being watched by a particularly nosey crab.
- Evening (5:00 PM - 7:00 PM): Back at the hotel. Booked a spa treatment. Decided to try something I never would – an Ayurvedic massage. I had no idea what to expect.
- Dinner (7:00 PM - 9:00 PM): Dinner at the EDGE restaurant. The food was amazing. I ordered way too much food. The waiter was charming, and put up with my indecisiveness with a smile.
- Night (9:00 PM onwards): The Ayurvedic massage. It was incredible. I did not know my body could feel so relaxed.
Day 3: Culture Shock and a Temple Run
- Morning (8:00 AM - 10:00 AM): Attempted a yoga class at the resort. Failed miserably. My downward dog looked more like a confused crab. Gave up halfway through and went back to bed.
- Late Morning (10:00 AM - 12:00 PM): Determined to embrace the local culture. Hired a driver (a necessity, trust me unless you're a masochist). Went to a spice plantation. The smells! The colors! The sheer exotic-ness of it all! Bought a ridiculous amount of spices.
- Lunch (12:00 PM - 1:00 PM): Lunch at the spice plantation. The food was authentically Indian. The heat. The flavours. My mouth was on fire, but it was delicious.
- Afternoon (1:00 PM - 3:00 PM): Visited a local temple. Felt a bit out of place. Watched the locals perform their rituals, and felt moved by their sincerity. Was definitely the only tourist there, which made the experience that much more genuine.
- Afternoon (3:00 PM - 5:00 PM): Panicked that I hadn't bought enough souvenirs. Spent an hour haggling with some vendors at a market. Got ripped off, probably, but at least I got some cool trinkets.
- Evening (5:00 PM - 7:00 PM): Relaxed by the pool. Read a trashy novel. Ate some more samosas.
- Dinner (7:00 PM - 9:00 PM): Dinner at the Courtyard. Chicken Biryani. Possibly the best thing I've ever eaten. Ever. And I've eaten a LOT of Biryani.
- Night (9:00 PM onwards): Packed. Drank a celebratory Kingfisher beer and reflected on how quickly the trip had gone.
Day 4: Departure & The Sadness of Leaving
- Morning (8:00 AM - 10:00 AM): One last breakfast at the hotel. Squeezed in as much food as humanly possible. Said goodbye to the staff, feeling a genuine pang of sadness.
- Late Morning (10:00 AM - 12:00 PM): Checked out. Ordered a taxi to the airport.
- Lunch (12:00 PM - 1:00 PM): Airport chaos. Found some snacks. Ate them quickly, to ease my pre-flight anxiety.
- Afternoon (1:00 PM onwards): Flew home. Already planning my return. Goa, you magnificent mess.
Quirky Observations & General Ramblings:
- Goa is hot. Like, face-melting hot.
- The drivers are insane. Seriously. Hang on tight.
- The food is a flavor explosion. Be prepared to be addicted.
- The people are lovely. Always smiling, always helpful.
- My tan is questionable.
- My bank account is crying. Worth it.
- I fell in love with this place. Hard.
Final Verdict: Alila Diwa (and Goa in general) is a chaotic, beautiful, and utterly unforgettable experience.
Luxury Green Olive Living: Your Dream South African Escape Awaits!
Alila Diwa Goa: Your Dream Indian Getaway? (Maybe!) Let's Figure It Out...
Okay, spill! Is Alila Diwa REALLY as dreamy as the photos suggest?
Alright, alright, let's be honest. The photos? Yeah, they're pretty darn accurate. The architecture is stunning. That infinity pool? You'll want to take a million shots of it. But dreamy? Well... it depends on your definition of "dream." I went expecting fairytale perfection and, frankly, that's just not real life. I mean, I got *there* and thought, "Wow. This *is* gorgeous. I've made it. I'm living the goddamn dream!" Then a rogue gecko dropped on my head during breakfast (true story, I swear), so... reality check! More like a beautifully designed, slightly lizard-infested paradise.
What kind of vibe are we talking about? Is it all couples holding hands and whispering sweet nothings?
Definitely NOT *all* couples, thank heavens! There were families with screaming kids (bless 'em), groups of friends taking selfies with abandon (me!), and the occasional honeymooning couple. It's a pretty chilled-out vibe, but it's not deathly silent. You'll hear the gentle clinking of glasses, the rustle of leaves, and the occasional, "MOM! HE STOLE MY FRENCH FRIES!" (Seriously, that happened. I was eavesdropping shamelessly.) Think relaxed luxury. Not stuffy. Mostly.
The rooms... are they worth the price tag? (And are they *actually* clean?)
The rooms are fantastic, I'll give 'em that. Spacious, beautifully designed, and the beds? Oh, the beds were like sleeping on a cloud. I'm pretty sure I snored the entire time, but I SWEAR I woke up feeling refreshed. Cleanliness was generally good, but I *did* find a stray ant marching across my desk one afternoon. (Ants in India, you learn to live with them, apparently!) Overall, yes, they are worth the price, because the design is lovely and they're BIG. Just keep an eye out for the critters. It's not a perfectly sterile environment, which, honestly, is part of its charm.
Let's talk food. What's the culinary situation like? (And is it safe?)
The food! Oh, the food. Veda is absolutely incredible - incredible. The Goan food is the star, obviously. I'm still dreaming of the fish curry. I have never, and probably will never again, taste such a combination of spice and flavor. And it's all beautifully presented. As for safety... I'm a bit of a nervous nelly, so I stuck to the hotel restaurants *mostly*. I did, however, venture into a recommendation or two and all was well. The hotel is very careful (as you'd expect) about sourcing ingredients and preparing food. Don't be afraid to try the local specialties, but maybe listen to your gut (literally and figuratively!)
Pool time! Is the pool as amazing as it looks? And are there enough sunbeds?
The pool. Oh, that pool. Seriously, that infinity pool. It's postcard-worthy. You'll want to spend approximately 80% of your time there. And yes, *usually* there were enough sunbeds. But get there early, people! The prime real estate (sunbeds right next to the pool) get nabbed quickly. I learned that the hard way, spending my first morning slightly further back, but hey, it's still a great pool! The service is attentive, too – they'll bring you drinks and snacks while you lounge. Pure bliss, until someone splashed right in front of you.
Anything else to do BESIDES lounging by the pool (although, honestly, that sounds great)?
Yes, but let's be real... you'll probably spend most of your time by the pool, and it's a completely valid choice. But, there is a gym (I used it once... out of guilt), a spa (OMG, go for it!), lots of beautiful walks. I did a yoga class at sunset on the beach! (Until the mosquitos started, but the view was worth it... mostly). I took a day trip to Old Goa. Seriously amazing and an incredible contrast from the laid-back life. The hotel can arrange tours and activities. There's lots to do if you want to, but honestly, doing nothing is perfectly okay, and frankly, *necessary.*
Speaking of the spa. Worth the money?
Okay, seriously, the spa is what sealed the deal for me. YES. WORTH. EVERY. PENNY. I had the most incredible massage of my entire life. I literally melted into the massage table. I think I actually drooled a little bit. It was that good. The ambiance is serene; the treatments are divine. Do yourself a favor and book a massage. Or two. Or three. You'll thank me later. Seriously. Don't skip the spa.
What's the staff like? Are they friendly and helpful?
The staff? Above and beyond. Seriously, they were fantastic. Always smiling, always helpful, always going the extra mile. They remembered my name, my usual coffee order (seriously impressive!), and, crucially, they knew how to get rid of a rogue gecko before it landed on my head *again*. They're genuinely lovely people, and they make the whole experience even better. They're the real stars of the show.
Are there any downsides? (Come on, the truth!)
Okay, the downsides... let's be real. It's not perfect. It's expensive (but you know that going in). Sometimes, service can be a *little* slow (but hey, you're on vacation, right?!). The wifi can be a bit spotty in some areas. And did I mention those rogue geckos? You've got to get used to them. They're harmless, but... unexpected. And, well, I *did* find myself having to tip the cab driver a pretty hefty sum and there were certain people who kept getting ahead of me in the breakfast line. But those are minor blips on an otherwise stellar experience. Don't get caught up in the little things.
