[HOTEL REVIEW] The Leela Goa

Pros

• Quiet beachfront location, an hour's drive from the airport
• Elegant rooms, suites, and villas with marble bathrooms, some with plunge pools
• Large lagoon-style swimming pool surrounded by greenery and rock features
• Wide array of fitness and sports facilities including well-equipped gym and tennis courts
• On-site 12-hole, par-3 golf course plus putting greens
• Kid-friendly facilities include playground, children's pool, and kids' club
• Multiple bars and restaurants serving Indian and international fare, plus 24-hour room service
• Spa with Ayurvedic treatments plus on-site beauty salon
• All-inclusive packages available
• Free on-site parking
• Free Wi-Fi throughout
• Extensive indoor and outdoor meeting and event space

Cons

• Some bathrooms have peekaboo windows (but there are privacy blinds)
• Only one restaurant is open throughout the day
• In a quiet area without much of interest within walking distance

Bottom Line

The Leela Goa is a 204-room luxury property located in Cavelossim, right on South Goa's quiet Mobor Beach and about an hour's drive from the airport in Vasco de Gama. The rooms, suites, and villas here are elegant but simple, and all have lovely marble bathrooms; some also have private plunge pools. Amenities are top-notch and aimed at both vacationers and business travelers, including a huge lagoon pool, a couple of tennis courts, a par-3 golf course, a kids' club, a spa with Ayurvedic treatments, extensive events space, and multiple restaurants serving Indian and international fare. Travelers looking for a luxury alternative may also want to consider the Park Hyatt Goa Resort and Spa, which is a bit farther north up the coast and thus more convenient to the airport.