About Nilaya Hermitage

Goa in India is a tropical paradise in the sun, Goa, a former Portuguese colony, lies on the west coast of exotic India, with secluded white sandy beaches that seem to stretch forever and ever.

In Goa India, Nilaya Hermitage promises to be a cocoon of comfort for the guests.

"A tiny hotel in the former Portuguese colony combines the best in Asian European design and service."

- Ivan Fallon, Tatler Travel Guide (for the Millennium).

Hotel Specifications

Accommodation

The usual bustle of a seaside resort is distanced from Nilaya. Nilaya hermitage has just twelve guest rooms, each one a uniquely detailed fantasy. The rooms are not numbered but named after cosmic elements. For example: sun, moon, earth, fire. Nilaya itself means heaven

Dining

The menu at Nilaya hermitage does not offer a choice of Goan, Chinese, Italian and Tandoori Specialties. Nilaya's cuisine is a subtle, personal blend of Eastern and Western flavors - prepared by a French chef using fresh, local produce and plenty of seafood."

Nilaya hermitage is certainly not formal. You may dine al fresco by the pool, wrapped in a sarong in the dining room, or privately in your room. The service is not brisk and impersonal.

In fact a typical menu at Nilaya comprises of Fish Tartare on Nilaya Greens, Crab Bisque, Tiger Prawns with Seafood Risotto, and Pineapple Beignets with Homemade Coconut Ice cream.

Recreation

Health Club

The health club at Nilaya Hermitage is not biased towards sport or violent exercise (though we do have jogging trails and an excellent clay tennis court). Instead, we offer Ayurvedic relaxation therapies.

Ayurveda literally means 'knowledge of life' and as in all Indian philosophical teachings, the universe as macrocosm and man as microcosm directly reflect one another. This reflection is restored through balanced nutrition, herbal medication, internal purification, steam baths, massages, yoga and meditation.

Travel Information

In the local dialect, Goa is often referred to as ‘Goa Dourada’, (meaning ‘Golden Goa’) because of its beautiful beaches, forts, churches, waterfalls, seminaries, and caves.

The major beaches in Goa are Anjuna, Claangute, Colva and Benaulim, Dona Paula, Vagator and Chapora, Cavelosim, and many more. Some of the other tourist attractions in Goa include Dudhsagar waterfall and Arvalem waterfall, the rock-cut caves of Khandepar and Arvalem, the Pilar monastery, Saligao seminary, and Rachol seminary. Apart from beaches and other attractions, Goa is also famous for its churches and temples. Some of the leading churches in Goa include, Our Lady of Immaculate Conception, the Se Cathedral, Basilica of Bom Jesus, Church of St. Francis of Assisi, Church of St Cajetan, Church of St. Augustine, and others. Fort Aguada is worth a visit to savor the nostalgia of the Portuguese regime, especially in its lighthouse and the Aguada jail. The Terekhol Fort near the Arambol beach has been now converted into a hotel. The Museum of Christian Art at the Rachol Seminary and church and the Braganza House near Margao are also worth a visit. Besides these, to get a glimpse of the Hindu population in Goa, one has to visit Ponda. The Kerkar Art Complex in south Calangute is also an important tourist center.