As soon as I stepped out of the airport in Goa, I was handed a chilled beer. It was mid-day, and I figured I still had a lot to learn, seeing as this was my first time visiting Goa.
"Really?" My companions could not quite believe the fact that I had never visited Goa before. The over an hour-long drive to the hotel gave us time to get acquainted with each other. The sudden spike in temperatures after the gloom and chill of Delhi in December took a little adjusting to. But once we were on our way and the sunny Goan skies opened up to us, it was the perfect way to ginger up the group.
We were passing by sun-kissed stretches of the road with scant traffic, and in no time, we were being greeted at the lobby of Cloud 9 Sarovar Premiere at Palolem with flutes of champagne and cool towels. At first glance, the property feels as though you've stepped inside a colourful tropical dream. With a huge mosaic depicting a beachside covering the entire wall behind the reception, the rest of the space held much of the same vibrant elements. "We wanted our guests to feel like they are in a lively space, somewhere they can embrace the very essence of Goa," said Arjun Kohli, general manager of the hotel, as he took us around the property, pointing at surfboards hung on walls and pieces made of sea shells.
Cloud 9 Sarovar Premiere comes with 160 plush rooms and suites designed with all modern amenities. Designed by architect Anil Badan of Studio B Architects, the hotel is a celebration of all things Goan, with art pieces and wallpapers in every room depicting some part of the state and its culture.
My deluxe suite had a balcony with a view of the hotel pool, and you could just glimpse the sea lightly peeking. Strategically located at the meeting point of Talpone River with the Arabian Sea with the Sahyadri range forming a stunning background, the hotel offers spectacular views. There are 44 sea-facing rooms in the hotel, and every evening during my stay, I made it a point to sit out on the balcony to take in the sunset. The property, which opened in November, is still coming up with new additions, including two banquet halls that can house 500 guests each and an activity centre.
"Guests can sign up for guided walks and hikes, and there will be a play area for children as well," said Kohli. He adds that even though the property is largely suited for MICE and corporate events, they are also trying to pivot some of the focus on social events and weddings. "Our sprawling lawn can fit 400 guests and is the perfect spot for glamorous social events. We want to cater to weddings and big events from October to March, and in the off-season, it will be a welcome haven for MICE guests," he said.
The all-day dining restaurant Trophe serves multi-cuisine fare with some Goan delicacies as well and can accommodate up to 110 guests. I loved their lamb bao, chorizo sliders and lamb chops. For vegetarians, their paneer tikka stuffed with apricots is a must-try.
The rooftop restaurant and bar 74° NE, named after the coordinates of the place, offers stunning oceanfront views and even more amazing cocktails. Master mixologist Rahul Vishwakarma whipped up some superb drinks for us, including a vodka infused with chamomile tea, with kafir lime and candied ginger and a pomegranate-infused rum cocktail. Their extensive menu features an array of inventive and fresh fusions, mostly using local ingredients found in Goa. "My goal is to make unique, coveted drinks that are hard to find elsewhere. So people keep coming back here for them," said Vishwakarma, who hails from Uttarakhand.
Everywhere around the property, you will find small cards on water conservation and eco-friendly practices. "We are in the process of setting up an in-house bottling plant and a solar unit to be more sustainable," said Kohli.
One of the days, we ventured out to explore Palolem and nearby attractions. With packed lunches and high spirits, we explored the thousand-year-old Mallikarjuna Temple and enjoyed a serene afternoon while wandering the expansive compound of the temple. After stumbling upon a hidden waterfall on our way back to the hotel, we made sure to step into the shallow pool and have a natural fish pedicure, an experience both new and very tingly.
The day's expedition and our aching bodies could only have been soothed at the hotel spa, Hebe. After an hour-long rejuvenating Swedish massage and steam later, all of us were ready to party some more. Being in South Goa, away from the party crowd of the North, was a somewhat greater experience. We could relax and explore the nearby area at our own pace without having to deal with the rowdy partygoers.
"I wanted the property to be an oasis for people who are coming to Goa to relax without it being dull," said Kohli as we sat around a bonfire on the lawn on our last night. Amid platters of sumptuous food, endless custom cocktails and our mutual love for sharing paranormal experiences, there was never a dull moment indeed.
Address: Palolem, Canacona, Goa 403702
Website: www.sarovarhotels.com/cloud-9-sarovar-premiere-goa/
Tariff: Starting at INR 9000 + taxes for base category
