For the modern traveller looking for a hotel that is equal parts chic, luxurious and family-friendly, it does not get better than the relatively new Le Méridien Goa in Calangute. It is located in the heart of the tourist hub in North Goa, just a stone’s throw away from the best restaurants, bars, cafes, night clubs and of course, the very popular Calangute beach. The management kindly invited me for a staycation and if you follow me on social media and have seen all my posts and stories, you will know how much fun I had the weekend I was in the hotel. 

Le Méridien Goa Staycation Experience

Location 

Le Méridien Goa is located in Calangute, one of the most popular tourist destinations in North Goa, at a distance of around 25 kms from the Dabolim airport. While the property is not beach facing and you do need to walk for a few minutes to get to the beach, the location is very convenient. There are shops, restaurants, cafes, bars, salons and spas all around and the best part is that the hotel is set just off the main road so you can enjoy the peace and quietness away from the hustle and bustle, yet you have easy access to it once you step out of the hotel. 

Look & Feel

Chic, casual and contemporary. These are the three words that come to my mind while describing the look and feel of the hotel. As it is with all Le Méridien properties, the focus is also on showcasing local culture and you will find references to that all over the hotel. The lobby is decorated with artwork that draws inspiration from the Kunbi tribe, Goa’s original settlers and showcases their jewellery and fishing tools. There are photographs, paintings, murals all over the property that aims to build a connection with Goa’s rich cultural heritage. 

Facilities

Le Méridien Goa is a hotel for all types of travellers. Whether you are looking to spend a quiet romantic weekend or a boisterous one with friends or an activity-filled one with kids or a business retreat, the hotel caters to all needs. The usual facilities of a swimming pool, well-equipped gym, sauna are all there. Kids will especially love the Le Méridien Kids Club, a no-tech interactive activity centre where they can play, paint, draw and participate in activities that pique their interest. Kids Clubs are available in select Le Méridien hotels all over the world and is a great way to engage the young minds on a holiday and also leave some alone time for the parents :).

For the explorers, Le Méridien Goa also offers curated tours that showcases Goa’s rich cultural heritage. On the second day of my trip, I went on a day-long tour where I explored the old Latin quarters of Fontainhaus, climbed up the Res Magos fort and ended the day watching the sunset from Sinquerim beach. And all these suggestions were given to me by the GM of the hotel, Mr Victor Chen who is an avid traveller, foodie and also a Kolkata boy. We spent some time discussing about the different things to do in Goa and he told me about some very unique and offbeat places that one must definitely visit. I will share all of that in my next blog post so stay tuned. 

Rooms

The rooms are designed for privacy, comfort and luxury. There are a total of 146 rooms divided into three categories. The Classic Pool View rooms have a private balcony and a view of the pool area. The Family Studio Rooms are larger and perfect if you are travelling with children. The Classic Balcony Rooms are modern, chic and comfortable. I stayed in one of the Classic Pool View rooms and loved it. It also helped that when I checked in, I saw a lovely note from the GM along with some Bebinca shaped like a bed placed in the room. My room was spacious and overlooked the pool. If I were staying for some more days, I would have probably spent most of my day in the balcony, curled up on the chair, reading a book and drinking beer. I also got to know that the beds in the rooms are uniquely designed to offer a superior sleeping experience. I can vouch for that claim because I fell asleep within minutes of hitting the bed after dinner. It could have been the effect of the multiple bottles of beer that I consumed as well but let’s give the benefit of the doubt to the bed :D. 

Le Meridien Goa Room

F&B Options

This is the area I am most interested in a hotel and this is where Le Méridien Goa shines. Goa’s first whiskey bar, Jazz & Grills not only serves a great selection of alcohol but they also get local artists to perform there live on weekends and I happened to catch one such exhilarating performance. Longitude 73° is where I enjoyed some lovely coffee flavoured cocktails and a spread of sweets and savouries in the evening. Latest Recipe is the all-day diner that has a wide range of Indian and international dishes on their menu but what you must try is their Goan selection. For two days, that is all I gorged on. From Chorizo Pav to Ross Omelette to Chicken Xacuti and Vindaloo, I had everything but what I will go back again for is their Goan thali. With all Goan specialty dishes in one big thali, it is a wonderful option for anyone who loves this unique cuisine.

Latest Recipe also serves an extensive Sunday brunch which has everything from fresh fruit, juices, alcohol, a mix of north and south indian, Asian, continental and local delicacies as well as an indulgent dessert spread. While I was staying, the hotel had organised a very interesting food festival where 5 chefs from UP, Bihar, Maharashtra, Rajasthan and West Bengal created a menu with their own unique twist to traditional dishes from their states. That festival was on for only two weeks but they keep on organising interesting food festivals and other events like sundowners, pool parties etc so definitely keep a watch for what’s coming in the future. 

Value for Money

Double rooms from INR 7,500 in low season and from INR 10,000 in high season. Breakfast included. Free Wi-Fi. For more details, click here. 

Overall I had a truly wonderful experience at Le Meridien Goa. The facilities are top notch and the service is impeccable. The staff is helpful and friendly and they go all out to ensure that your stay is a memorable one.

Signing off from this blog post but make sure you stay tuned for the second one where I will write about some hidden gems that I discovered in Goa thanks to Mr Chen. 

 

Note – I was a guest at Le Meridien, however, views, as always, are my own.