INDIALINE
Complete India Travel Guide

The Leela Beach Resort

Leela Beach Resort, Margao- Goa

The Leela beach resort in Goa is heavens on earth. Spread in a whopping 77 acres of land, every corner of the complex is styled to perfection. Interlaced with artificial lagoons and gardens, The Leela carries you with itself into a world of blissful living.

Nestled in the serene South Goa, The Leela is away from all the hustle bustle. Tucked in by the secluded Mobor beach and the fishing villages, a stay in The Leela will unravel before you luxury unlimited.

What sets Leela apart is that its looks and architecture bring together two entirely different eras of Goan history. Indo Portuguese blend will be common in Goa but what Leela offers is different and attractive. The architecture is that of a 13th century Vijaynagar palace, but the designs are Portuguese in style. And cleverly done lighting makes the resort a visual treat in the darkness of night.

The Leela not only attracts holiday and luxury seekers in its abode but also offers an ideal venue for corporate retreats and business events with its elegant atmosphere. The hotel has been chosen by many known personalities and dignitaries time and again, Bill Clinton stayed here during his visit to India and felt every moment of it. What speaks volumes about The Leela is that it has been named as the best beach resort in the country by Forbes magazine.

A Perfect Setting

With green tropical gardens and coolness in the air courtesy the artificial lagoons, you are in an abode of serenity. Irrespective of whichever room you take, there is an attached 'full' balcony or a patio. You wake every morning to the serene view of the palm groves and sun rays shimmering in the waters of peaceful lagoons. The setting is perfect for a morning breakfast or an evening candle light dinner and all this within the stretch of your hand!

Elegance is the trademark of its 151 spacious rooms and suites touched up with aesthetic sense. There are many options to choose from to make your stay special in Leela. All rooms have different unique features which make them all the more special. The 'Pavilion Rooms' (54) are marked by a private garden entrance, the 'Lagoon Suites' (74) have a private terrace overlooking the lagoons and the 'Lagoon Deluxe Suites' (4) are set like villas spread in 1000 sq.ft. full of luxury. To pamper yourself to utmost go for the Royal villas (4) spread in a whopping 1800 sq.ft. and you can't help feeling like a king. Complete with a private pool and a terrace, the villas overlook the golf course and the Arabian sea beyond. The resort also has 1 Presidential Suite spread over a whopping 5000 sq.ft. and every bit of it is done with detail.

The Club Leela

Club Leela is an exclusive feature of the Leela, bestowing on its guests hospitality with more style and exclusivity. The Club is housed in a separate conclave adjacent to the main resort and a stay here will make you feel more exclusive all together. It has 15 one bedroom suites and six of them have private pools. There are private butlers at service in each suite and on top of all this the club guests have a separate private beach all to themselves.

The suites in Club Leela are designed to perfection, with each detail being taken well care off to ensure maximum comfort to guests. The suites have been tastefully done, with spacious living room and bedroom and lifestyle interiors lending an open environment look. Exclusively designed furniture for Club Leela by renowned interior designer Jaya Ibrahim adores the each of them. Things like coffee machine, CD player, DVD player etc add personal touches.

Guests in Club Leela can enjoy drink anytime from their mini bar and Club beverages or can drop in 'The Club Lounge' for breakfast, lunch, dinner, cocktails or light snacks.

Match the Ambience

Every restaurant in Leela is marked by not only the food but also by its distinct dining experience. Each of them offers a distinct setting, each has a different ambience to match your mood. 'The Cafe' set near a free form pool offers a fusion of Western, local and Asian specialities. What's more you can either sit on the upper level and enjoy the view of the resort or you can sit below on the lower terrace for relaxed dining. Wherever you sit, just relish the food and enjoy the view of pool with its waterfalls.

But for an experience true to the feel of Leela you have to dine in 'Jamavar', the resort's signature restaurant. Serving Indian Cuisine of the finest quality, the restaurant is adorned with intricate woodwork and Jamavar shawls.

'Riverside' is a dining experience unique in Goa. While you gorge on the different flavours of Italy, river Sal flowing nearby casts its magic. During daytime you see the sparkling waters and colourful fishing trawlers on the far end while in night a moonlit river view invites you for a romantic dinner.

Lest you should miss the fun of a beach shack there is 'Susegado' for you, but it is different from other beach side restaurants since it is very elegantly done. Located on Mobor beach, it's a delight for sea food lovers. Grilled and tandoori seafood and meats, fresh salads, and chilled cocktails are complimented with live and recorded music for a complete beachside experience.

To relax in the afternoons with a cup of tea, or you need a pre-dinner cocktail or a drink to end the day, just drop by Yali lounge. The setting is under majestic Vijaywara styled domes and the antiques all together create the look of ancient India. To complete the experience, the landscape offers views of waterfalls, tropical gardens and the lagoons.

And finally there is 'Aqua', the entertainment lounge. It is a multipurpose place where you enjoy sports events on a big screen in the evening and as night approaches, it is turned into a discotheque. Besides there are three semi private lounges to relax and a cigar divan also.

For Some Sporty Thrill

The Leela has a 12 hole golf course set in amongst the scenic beauty of tropical gardens and beach. Besides that there is a tennis court also. Or what you can do is take a cycle and explore the resort, that will be real fun! The hotel also offers several activities to keep its young guests hooked (5-12 yrs). There is a 'just kids ' room next to the gym where children have all the fun with arts and crafts, music and dance. There are outdoor games also for kids.

If you have a desire to hit the adventure track, then the resort has a wide range of water activities to offer you. The water sports available with the resort are parasailing, windsurfing, knee and wake boarding, speedboat ride, jet skiing and water skiing. If you just want some fun with water then go for banana rides, fishing trips or great island trips. For some laid back experience or a picnic with family choose from Dolphin Cruise, Sunset Cruise or take a cruise to Palolem and enjoy the scenic beauty of Goa's sunset and sunbathed coast.

Ideal Business Setting

The Leela is one of the most preferred locations in Goa for business events and meetings etc. The reasons are many. Leela not just offers an elegant venue with its Vijaywada style settings and numerous luxuries, but it also has four indoor and two outdoor venues specially designed for meetings and events.

'Aparanta' has a lower lobby level with a capacity of 400 each for reception and pax theatre style conference. It also has a sitting dinner capacity for 350. Attached with it is a lawn which could be used for coffee breaks.

'Hampi', also at the lobby level has the theatre style seating capacity of 200 and 100 for classroom style . 'Bidar and Badami' each have 16 boardroom style and 24 theatre style seating capacity.

For outdoor venues there is 'Leela Gardens' just next to the beach with a capacity of 400 for reception and 300 hundred for sit down dinner. And for informal events, theme nights 'Beach Front' is there with an open air barbeque with a capacity of 400 for reception.

The Healthy Way of Vacations

The spa at Leela the 'Health Spa' makes your holiday every bit of mind and body refreshing. With its variety of treatments for your body, mind and skin, it promises that you look every bit of fresh even after an exhaustive vacation. The spa also offers specialized spa packages for three to five days for particular treatments like revitalising system of the body and overcoming mental stress. The spa specialises in hot stone massage, reflexology, Swedish massage and scrubs. In case you have any health concerns, ailments, allergies there are spa doctors ever willing to advise you.

Apart from massages and therapies, the spa also organises classes in Yoga, Meditation, Pranayama and stress management. Yoga aims to unite your mind, body and soul and different asans suit different people. The spa offers individual guidance to each of its guests and takes them to higher energy level. Meditation on the other hand is a soul enriching experience which will relieve you from the stress and help you find a higher purpose of life. The stress management programme is for relaxing body and mind and helps you control yourself under stressful circumstances.