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    I crossed off two of my travel firsts in this bijou boutique hotel in South Goa designed by Stapati

    SEP 28, 2024 | By Namrata Dewanjee
    India on a Plate thaali curated by Chef Ritu Dalmia; Photograph by Himanshu Lakhwani
    The Lab by Countertop India at Amaraanth; Photograph by Himanshu Lakhwani
    Scrumptous breakfast spread at the Amaraanth Kitchen; Photograph by Himanshu Lakhwani
    A serene aura permeates each suite, especially with the semi open bathing enclosure; Photograph by Himanshu Lakhwani
    Find a quiet corner at the library; Photograph by Himanshu Lakhwani
    The pool is surrounded by the verdure of South Goa; Photograph by Himanshu Lakhwani
    Overlooking the landscape, enjoy a cup of tea at the balcony of the rooms on the first floor; Photograph by Himanshu Lakhwani

    Whenever I travel, I solemnly swear by the “never unpack your suitcase” rule. It is rooted in the same grudge I have been holding against hotel spas. Who can ever relax a gazillion miles away from home? Perhaps it was the quietness of South Goa, the roaring laughter at Ritu Dalmia’s dinner or Countertop India’s dangerously delicious cocktails, but at Amaraanth, a bijou boutique hotel in Goa, I ticked off two of my travel firsts. 

    The 12-suite boutique hotel shared a previous life as a family home of Shradha Binani from the Braj Binani Group. Tasked with breathing new life into the space, George Seemon, the CEO and Design Director of Stapati recounts the conversation, “She wanted to find a way not to sort of lose the core essence of the structure being in this context of a lot of lush greens and the beach being close by.” And the sentiment is understandable, especially because a short stroll away, the Fatrade beach with more sea shells than sand, looks too good to be true.

    Natural materials and contextual architecture by Stapati ground the boutique hotel in South Goa; Photograph by Himanshu Lakhwani

     

    boutique hotel goa
    Unnikrishnan C’s brick artwork paints a picture of idyllic Goan life; Photograph by Himanshu Lakhwani

     

    Amidst the verdure, the cabanas and the pool invoke a serene atmosphere; Photograph by Himanshu Lakhwani

     

    Subodh Kerkar’s brilliant red artwork titled red cashew adds a pop of colour in the landscape while narrating the history of the fruit brought over by the Portuguese to Goa in 1560s; Photograph by Himanshu Lakhwani

    Grounded architecture

    I admit, the heart of a city-dweller is quite easily pleased. However, luxury at Amaraanth is as mindful as it is indulgent. Speaking about the design process, George explains, “The idea was to demolish less, and reduce the amount of intervention.” The architects knocked off a couple of walls and brought about a sense of porosity between the built form and the landscape. 

    As if guided by the earthy red laterite walls, each space leads you to another. The restaurant overlooks the pool, opening out onto the bar and the gym. On the ground floor, each room has its own cocooned courtyard, while the rooms on the upper storey look out to the verdure and the sea breeze. “This small footprint houses everything that you need for a great place to be at. It’s got places to unwind, it’s got a great restaurant, it’s got a great bar, it’s got a gym, it’s got a spa, it’s got great rooms, all wide open and also there’s sort of that interconnecting conversation that each space has with each other,” muses George. He continues, “It is important to be grounded and not at any point of time ruin what’s already existing.” The value of being contextual extends beyond the architecture. 

    boutique hotel goa
    Golden hour and clear skies become accessories to the grounded architecture by Stapati; Photograph by Namrata Dewanjee

     

    An ensuite semi-open bathtub ensures calm and relaxation; Photograph by Himanshu Lakhwani

     

    Bamboo screens in the bathroom offer privacy while situating you in the green; Photograph by Himanshu Lakhwani

    What’s for dinner?

    The bar, which acts as an experimental lab for Countertop India (curiously dubbed, The Lab), grows a bunch of herbs in a bijou garden. And as for the food, it’s as rooted as the architecture. Curated by renowned chef and restaurateur Ritu Dalmia, the deceptively simple menu is exactly what you need after a morning swept in the sea and salt. 

    Gathering at the long community table at the 30-seater Amaraanth Kitchen, Ritu served us a thaali that was defied genres and expectations. We asked her to walk us through the spread. “Why do you want to know? Just eat,” she replied but soon relented, “It’s everything that we love.” And soon, we shared her admiration as well. From bhutte ki dal to kebabs to a prawn curry that took me straight back to the chingri malaikari from Kolkata, the references on the plate came from far and wide but the honesty of ingredients underscores the experience. Besides, is simplicity not the hardest to perfect?

    At The Lab by Countertop India, an array of offbeat cocktails challenge your perception of the Indian bar culture; Photograph by Namrata Dewanjee

     

    A divisive yet delightful floral cocktail dubbed The Hotel Lobby; Photograph by Himanshu Lakhwani

     

    The scrumptious Laksa Lobster Roll; Photograph by Himanshu Lakhwani

     

    Multiplicity of culinary genres come together at Ritu Dalmia’s thaali at the Amaraanth Kitchen; Photograph by Himanshu Lakhwani

    Healing your soul

    With my suitcase unpacked, there was only one territory left to conquer. The spa. London based HVN at Amaraanth brings their A-game when it comes to converting any non-believer into wellness enthusiasts. While they are hosted in a dedicated space inside the premises of the boutique hotel, HVN also offers their bathing rituals in the comfort of your room. And why not? With a semi-open bathtub in the lap of nature, the experience is as tranquil as it gets.

    After an awfully hectic day devouring the Laksa Lobster rolls between swims and sitting by the beach, say you had to while away the sunset hour before cocktails. You must find yourself at the cabana by the pond. Unlike the Monet painting which the scene closely resembles, here you can be a part of the art as well. However, we recommend caution lest you slip into pondering longingly over The Lab’s Red Amaraanth cocktail on what’s so great about city life? Should you pack up your things and make the move to countryside Goa?

    Tour the space below…

    Enjoy the sunset at the cabana near the pond; Photograph by Namrata Dewanjee

     

    London based HVN at Amaraanth is a sanctuary, an oasis of peace and quiet; Photograph by Himanshu Lakhwani

     

    The stripes continue from the floor to the bar counter at The Lab by Countertop India; Photograph by Himanshu Lakhwani

     

    In the suites, the furniture is by Josmo Studio, the linen from Tulio and the light fixtures are by Spoon Light; Photograph by Himanshu Lakhwani

     

    In their retail space at Amaraanth, Yellow House Parra presents a curation of its collections of organic textiles, traditional crafts, handmade and upcycled products; Photograph by Himanshu Lakhwani

     

    Enjoy a view into the lush landscape from the upstairs balcony; Photograph by Himanshu Lakhwani

    Loved this boutique hotel in South Goa? Now read: Inside a glasshouse: Lord Elgin, the new cocktail bar is redefining Amritsar on the culinary map