Azaya: Home in a Resort

SACHI NAIK | NT BUZZ

Tourists will find many luxurious resorts in Goa, but Azaya Beach Resort and Spa is atypical due to its concept. It only needs a 45 minute drive from the airport to reach this contemporary resort, located at spectacular Benaulim beach of South Goa.

As I first stepped into the lobby of the resort, I started looking for the reception counter and I didn’t find it. I met Kiran, front office manager who then described Azaya to me as an ideal ‘resort home’ for those who want to enjoy their holiday and feel like they are at home. “When we say it is a home, it should look like a home right? And none of us have a reception counter in our living rooms!” when Kiran pointed this out to me, I agreed. Guests can book their rooms online and stay at Azaya for as many days as they wish to.

The property features 114 immaculately designed rooms and suites including 38 rooms with private plunge pools. The rooms are not only luxurious but comforting with their contemporary structure. The rooms are divided into four categories: Azaya Essence with private plunge pools, Azaya Essence rooms, Luxury rooms and Azaya Opulence Suite, a sea facing suite ideal for a family vacation.

The rooms are cosy, with modern interiors; one wouldn’t mind staying in all day. Azaya staff are provides always on their toes to provide you their best services and all the daily amenities.

With the total of five outlets that this resort offers, I tried the three meals and experienced variety in each of them. A seasonal restaurant Blue Iris is a beachfront restaurant with private cabana seating serving Goan local food that is served here from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. they even had special sand dining created for big families who wish to cherish blissful moments together. Here, I relished dishes like Paneer Peri Peri, Prawns Rechado masala, Spicy Masala Pomfret and Yakitori – Japanese styled chicken skewers.

All day dining restaurant, La Concha is a unique outlet. In-house chef Anuj Kapoor has curated the menu balancing Indian and European delicacies. I enjoyed the Mushroom Cappuccino soup presented in a coffee mug; it was creamy and delicious. Further I had Sarson wali machchi, tandoor cooked fish in a Kolkata mustard marinade that had a bit of sweet and spicy flavour. I felt European as I had authentic mouth-watering Fish and Chips, soft cooked yet crispy. Azaya’s Tiramisu was alluring at the first look. This must-have dessert platter offered a strong and hot expresso, creamy layered Tiramisu and Vietnamese coffee-flavoured ice cream.

Azaya’s Lynx Bar and Lounge is an upscale New York style bar and lounge serving some of the most innovative cocktails and concoctions from 2 p.m. till midnight. While Cerulean and the Library Lounge will soon start functioning to serve refreshments, café snacks, and hot and cold beverages.

Azaya has a fitness centre and the Prana Spa that will soon start operations in full swing. The spa located in tents in the midst of greenery will offer various treatments to guests including the Ayurvedic treatments. This resort also offers other revitalising activities such as ‘therapies at white sand’, ‘yoga by the sea’ and ‘aqua workouts’ (high energy workouts in water).

Palacio garden, a Portuguese styled garden with a view of fountain and flowers on either side is the paramount view within the resort, especially in the early morning when the birds start chirping. Sunset at Benaulim beach is one of the most astonishing moments for any visitor in Goa that you can certainly expect at Azaya Beach Resort.

When you call a resort a home, you are free to move around as if it is your home and that’s the case at Azaya. Well, that is why I really enjoyed my stay at Azaya Resort and Spa that serves its concept of creating an ideal home for vacations.