The frangipani trees were in full bloom and the only blue in sight was the swimming pool, it was a memorable rainy weekend
This rainy season, enjoy the glory of Goa’s monsoon at Ronil Goa
While the cities are plagued with sporadic floods and traffic chaos during the monsoon season, Goa is the perfect rainy destination. The foliage is fuller than usual, the air is cleaner and people flock here during the rainy season for its closeness to nature. With monsoon holiday destinations becoming increasingly popular, Goa is the natural choice for a short seasonal getaway. So when they invited me, I agreed to stay at Ronil Goa without hesitation. With the frangipani trees in full bloom, string lights adding to the ambiance and the mesmerizing blue of the swimming pool calling out to me, it was a memorable rainy weekend, which I am talking about in this edition of #SheSays.
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Located in bustling Calangute in North Goa, Ronil Goa has a lot to offer; from tourist favourites to beautiful secluded retreats. Especially for purebred Goans, the name might ring a bell as the hotel has been around for decades. Established 37 years ago, it was one of Goa’s premier resorts during the 80s, even before the state’s famous beach shacks came up. In 2023, Ronil Goa joins the Hyatt family as the first JdV by Hyatt hotel in India and Southwest Asia; an honour that is as prestigious as it gets.
During its temporary facelift to join the international hotel chain as a star resort, the exterior was left unchanged with interior accommodation upgrades that retained its spirit. The original Indo-Portuguese architecture, with wide pillars and red tiled roofs, makes its presence felt at the heart of the resort; almost as a nod to its vibrant Goan history as it continues to grow. The gates open to a vertically sprawling property that extends itself internally. The lobby leads first to the swimming pool and then to a unique in-house restaurant. This progresses to the back with a second smaller swimming pool and different styles of accommodation above the property.
The townhouse-style structures feature king and deluxe rooms with balconies overlooking the garden or pool as well as rooms without balconies. The suites have a large interconnected space with a dedicated living area located on the second floor overlooking the busy main road leading to Baga Beach or the central swimming pool. A quiet afternoon spent on the balcony overlooking the lush garden is truly a welcome escape from the hustle and bustle of life. Since sustainability is an integral part of Ronil Goa, this extends to the room amenities, which include tablet toothpaste, bamboo toothbrushes and refillable toiletries. If one wishes to unwind with a cup of tea, specialty coffee with a French press machine is also available in the room, along with a usual selection of teas.
Checking in is a celebration in itself; quite literally, as the hotel bar Patrao welcomes guests while their luggage is carried by concierge services. The excitement continues throughout the resort as the main swimming pool, called the Energy Pool, is equipped with a swim-up bar and DJs who keep the music and ambiance going well into the night. This is the heart of the resort as most of the activities take place here. Rocket Man; the drink-toting personality of the resort, pours shots on tap for swimmers. This area also has a wood-fire oven, which makes poolside pizza parties a reality. The second swimming pool, called the Tranquil Pool, offers a more peaceful experience and is surrounded by vibrant murals created by Goa-based artist Yogesh Sahni. The peaceful green lawns next to it come alive during outdoor events like summer barbecues or making s’mores by the fire. Their indoor event venue, called the Loft, is a prime spot for corporate events, with conferences during the day that turn into karaoke in the evening, cleverly housed within soundproof walls.
The boutique restaurant is the central location for all meals. Start the day with a farmhouse-style breakfast that includes continental favourites like waffles and eggs as well as Goan specialities Poi And Patol Bhaji. The highlight is their Bloody Mary on tap which allows guests to start the day with a stronger kick than just coffee. The open plan restaurant, which overlooks the Energy Pool, has a compact menu of delicious dishes from around the world ranging from tuna nicoise salad to delicious fresh Chimichurri- King prawns with chicken cooked traditionally Cafreal. There's also a slushie machine for chilled drinks on those sweaty days. And if you don't feel like heading to a restaurant for a meal, room service will serve you their best drinks piping hot.
Those who come to the state looking for solitude will find a slice of seclusion in the resort's Soul Station, a calming space filled with bean bags and magazines. Strap on the noise-canceling headphones provided along with a tablet loaded with playlists and escape the world by leafing through the pages of novels from the book shelves or staring out of the window. Next to it is the store, which offers locally sourced knick-knacks for purchase like ceramic plates and canvas paintings by Goan artists. While their spa promises to open in the near future, their short relaxation sessions of massages by the poolside provide exactly the ambiance needed for rejuvenation.
Ronil Goa walks a tightrope between a tourist-centric experience and an experience that preserves Goa's rich heritage. From its architecture and activities to food and amenities, it does the job just fine. It is an age-old fact that Goa in monsoon is an experience like no other. So if you want to travel to Goa in this season, full of culture and warmth, then you should visit Ronil Goa.
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