Goa is mostly famous for its beaches and night scenes but a seasoned traveler knows that there is much more to Goa. The offbeat part of Goa has forests, rivers, islands, backwaters, national parks, bird sanctuaries etc. and those who have explored Goa beyond the beaches know how beautiful this part of Goa is. Our trip to Goa this time was mostly about exploring untouched places away from the crowd and we decided to stay in a resort that reflected the same concept. DoubleTree by Hilton Goa Panaji is an epitome of luxury that is nested in the lap of luxury and we found it to be the perfect base to explore the heritage of Old Goa and the nearby islands in Mandovi River.
DoubleTree by Hilton Goa Panaji is located about 45 mins away from the airport, overlooking the Mandovi river. The first look of the resort is really grand yet reminds one of the rustic Goa charms. As you enter the lobby, you will notice that many parts of the building are made of the old Goa red bricks which is a signature brick that was used in many old Portuguese and local buildings in Goa.
The view towards the Mandovi river is mesmerizing and the floor-to-ceiling glass windows just accentuate the view. The lobby also stands out due to its architecture that redefines grandeur not horizontally but vertically. The dome which has the rustic brown and white combination from inside and is covered with reddish-brown tiles from outside stands out distinctly and is visible from a distance while driving to DoubleTree by Hilton Goa Panaji.
Warm welcome and Check-In
As we entered the lobby we received a very warm welcome from the DoubleTree team with tilak, garlands made of seashells and welcome drinks. Every guest is welcomed in DoubleTree by Hilton Goa Panaji with their signature warm and freshly baked DoubleTree cookie which indeed is delicious.
Our check-in was quick and we were escorted through a series of very chic-looking corridors to our suite. Every room is sanitized and kept closed for the advised time as per the safety protocols being followed in the current times, before a new guest checks in.
The One Bedroom Suite
The one-bedroom suite in DoubleTree by Hilton Goa Panaji is a visual treat and immediately makes you feel at ease with its contemporary decor in Goan style and comfortable furniture. The spacious living room has a fine sitting area in front of the flat-screen TV and a small dining table along with an attached bathroom. It also opens up to a cozy balcony that overlooks the infinity swimming pool and the Mandovi river.
The connected bedroom is the definition of luxury with a comfy king-size bed, a stocked mini-fridge, a flatscreen HD TV and a huge bathtub. What adds to the holiday vibes is the balcony that boasts of a beautiful sunset with panoramic views of the Mandovi river and greenery around it.
We loved the beautiful welcome that the team had planned in the room in form of a cookie plate and some sweet treats. After a quick rest, we were tempted to step out of our room to explore the resort to the fullest.
Exploring DoubleTree by Hilton Goa Panaji
Our first stop was the extended lobby space which had a beautiful deck with a great view. Just below this, is their all-day dining restaurant, Comida which is inspired by Portuguese architecture and the Goan lifestyle. The restaurant and bar looked perfect for a fine dining experience with family and friends and the adjoining alfresco deck looked just right for a sundowner. 
The little one by now had started getting restless to go out and we decided to go for the evening tea and snacks outside. We loved the rustic arrangement for evening tea which is a complimentary experience for all guests staying in. The rustic ‘thela’ setup amidst the trees looked really interesting and the chai was being prepared fresh along with some local treats.
The mango doubletree, a 130-year-old botanical wonder
My eyes went to a board hanging from a huge mango tree in the center of the courtyard and it spoke about the 130-year-old tree that is a doubletree and flowers one-half every alternate year. I wondered how the tree stood strong and tall witnessing the transition from the bygone era of Portuguese rule to modern Goa. And what a coincidence that it was located in a place that is its namesake, the DoubleTree.
After spending some time in the courtyard having chai while the little one was enjoying painting with the paints that the team at DoubleTree by Hilton Goa Panaji had given him, I looked over to see Feliz, the outdoor seating restaurant which serves Coastal, Goan and Mangalorean cuisine. It looked quite chilled out with a typical Goan-style bar with a fun-looking collection of unique cocktails some with Goan brewed spirits.
Kids Playzone and the swimming pool
Our next stop was the kid’s playroom which was obviously my son’s favorite place so far. They had multiple activities for kids of different ages and have caretakers to care for kids while parents can enjoy some “me time”. The library had a good collection for kids as well for grown-ups. It was interesting to know that they sanitize the rooms regularly and take care of safety protocols utmost in the current times. There was an entertainment room next door which had some indoor games like pool, foosball, video games etc.
On the same floor is the infinity swimming pool which was my favorite space in DoubleTree by Hilton Goa Panaji. The water sparkles blue and the view from the pool is gorgeous. A swim at any time is really refreshing and it really feels like you are in connection with nature as the pool overlooks a forest as you look down and the Mandovi river as you look ahead.
Dining experiences at DoubleTree by Hilton Goa Panaji
Being foodies, we always love a staycation that includes delicious food. What made our staycation at DoubleTree by Hilton Goa Panaji even more special is that every meal was an experience in itself with delicious food and amazing ambiance.
When it comes to Mangalorean and Goan food, the authentic flavors served by Feliz are unbeatable. And to add to it the ambiance of the open-air overlooking the river which is just unmatched.
One of the evenings we had a barbeque dinner by the poolside and it was an amazing experience. We really liked the kebabs and the fresh seafood that was cooked on the live grill and served with some delicious dips and chutneys. Despite the sultry weather during the day, the evening breeze was quite pleasant and we spent time outside till late at night.
Our next day’s breakfast was this huge spread that was served on our balcony making it one of my favorite experiences in DoubleTree by Hilton Goa Panaji. Imagine enjoying your breakfast in the privacy of your room with fantastic views of the greenery around.
A little ahead you will find the panoramic views of the Mandovi river with specks of mangrove and green islands in between.
Cooking under the DoubleTree
There aren’t many chances that you get to learn the cuisine of the place that you travel to but DoubleTree by Hilton Goa Panaji gives you this amazing opportunity. We wanted to learn a bit about Goan cuisine and it was wonderful that the Chef spent some time with us teaching us how to cook Goan pomfret curry under the 130-year-old mango doubletree.
They also arranged a family cookie baking session in which we learned how to bake the DoubleTree signature cookie. My son thoroughly enjoyed baking cookies with the Chef.
Visiting Chorao Island
The views of the Mandovi river and the curiosity of what lies beyond the mangroves finally got the better of me. We decided to explore the offbeat Charao island which is located in between the Mandovi river and is connected to the mainland by a ferry from Ribandar jetty. The journey to the island is an exciting one as the ferry takes 2 wheelers and 4 wheelers along with the passengers to the other side.
Charao island has an old and diverse history that you wouldn’t come across so often. We did this tour with Soul Travelling Goa and our guide was very knowledgeable. We took a backwater birdwatching boat ride through Dr Salim Ali bird sanctuary, trekked to St. Jerome Chapel, visited Our Lady of Grace Church and St Bartholomew’s Church and learned the process of making Urrack and Feni.
Hard to believe that all this can be fit into a 3 hours tour right! I will be writing another post shortly detailing our trip to Chorao island.
Our overall experience at DoubleTree by Hilton Goa Panaji is really memorable as it was a staycation filled with “not the usual Goa” experiences and that made our holiday even more special. The property is just perfect for families and the team makes sure you have a great stay with them. Highly recommend them for a staycation the next time you are in Goa with your family.
We were hosted by DoubleTree by Hilton Goa Panaji however all views and opinions expressed are mine.
