One of the best things about travelling to Goa is admiring its unique Indo-Portuguese buildings from the 16th to the early 20th centuries. The dramatic colours, grand staircases, wide hallways, detailed railings, and openness to the elements through verandas and balcões (covered porches) captivate visitors to no end, particularly as they stroll through the Fontainhas quarter of Panjim which is home to many of these architectural gems.
Just seven km from this district is a heritage hotel that has since been converted into a luxury resort for travellers seeking modern comforts in a traditional space. The five-star Taj Cidade de Goa Heritage property on the shores of Vainguinim Beach invites guests to relax in a breezy Indo-Portuguese hamlet that has been delicately restored for the 21st century.
Built in 1982, the Cidade de Goa hotel (the original Portuguese name for Panjim) was designed by Charles Correa, one of India’s most celebrated architects and urban planners. His vision was to bring to life a traditional Portuguese stay that evoked the communality of life in a small town or village. Thus, the property was marked by interconnected rooms, intimate courtyards and narrow pathways that wound through it like a street—the effect being to transport guests to an era when life must have been much slower.
When the Indian Hotels Company Limited (IHCL) took over the building in 2019, they partnered with Studio IV Designs to convert the property into a high-end Taj stay. The result is an accommodation that not only retains its historic essence but is also climate resilient.
Key architectural elements, such as the chequered Rue de Sol flooring, Jaisalmer marble lobby floors and the original otla seating were restored and reframed with contextually relevant material and colour. New elements from Portuguese architecture were introduced throughout the interiors—from the azulejos-inspired blue tiles and patterns, to hand-painted ceiling details and custom furniture details reminiscent of 1940s Goan-Portuguese homes. Murals by Vijay Bhandari, originally commissioned by Correa, were restored and supplemented with newer murals by the same artist to enhance the interior storytelling.
Across all 91 rooms of the Taj Cidade de Goa Heritage, three distinct colour palettes of earth orange, green and Mediterranean blue were introduced to synchronise with the local culture and terrain of Goa’s laterite soil, Indo-Portuguese homes and Fontainhas’ iconic hues. The number plates for each floor have custom motifs that were hand-drawn by a local artist on baked ceramic tiles, strengthening the connection to the place while supporting the local economy.
Vandana Dhawan Saxena, the founder and design principal at Studio IV Designs, says that Goa’s tropical monsoon climate, characterised by heavy rainfall and high humidity, had significantly impacted the resort’s livability.
"Over time, skylights—an integral part of illuminating the interior spaces—were sealed off with makeshift solutions to prevent rain ingress, resulting in dark and uninviting spaces. To restore both their functionality and the resort’s architectural integrity, multiple skylights were reopened or reimagined, using a refined metal-and-glass structure, which allowed natural light to flood the spaces while mitigating rain," she says.
"The Sea Lounge façade was optimised for the harsh climate by introducing custom sliding door systems. The false ceiling, flooring and furniture are designed with outdoor-grade materials, ensuring longevity in the saline air."
A stay at the Taj Cidade de Goa Heritage is more than comfortable; it’s positively glamorous. Each room and suite has enviable sea views with natural lighting, private sit-outs and plush bathrooms. While visitors can enjoy Indian and international cuisine, the focus on Portuguese-inspired delicacies alongside fado evenings immerses guests in a cultural setting like none they have experienced before.
Dhawan Saxena hopes that guests and visitors feel an instant sense of homecoming and calm when they enter the property. "We want guests to be unencumbered by heavy or overly elaborate interiors, but instead feel embraced by a palette that lets them feel free and comfortable, encouraging true relaxation and a sense of freedom. The hotel’s minimal and laidback interior vibe allows guests to be themselves, to rest and to fully soak in the place," she says.
In fact, in addition to the airy and light-filled spaces meticulously put together by the Studio IV Designs team, guests can enjoy a range of J Wellness Circle therapies to rejuvenate themselves, choosing from aromatherapy massages to body treatments, scrubs, and wraps after a day of exploring Panjim’s attractions.
Tariff: A two-night stay for one person in September 2025 starts from INR 12,750
Address: Dona Paula, Vainguinim Beach, Panaji, Durgavado, Goa 403004