My typical journey from south Goa back up north is always with home in mind – one rarely stops to notice the beauty along the highway. I’ve lost count of the times I’ve driven by Siridao with scarce a thought for its hidden treasures until one day a friend and I went on a ‘discovery drive’ and found Amrapali – House of Grace.
Tucked away from the highway, surrounded by charming village life and a quiet lake, this century-old heritage home has been welcoming guests into its warm environs since 2014. It’s a majestic home done in hues of magenta, white and exposed laterite that sings praises of Goa’s architectural heritage and historical culture.
On a whim, we decided to stay overnight, simply absorbing the tranquillity that Sundays in Goa bring, connecting with the action across the state solely through newsprint. Restored by architect Alex von Moltke, and taken over by Simran Kaur and Abbas Sheikh, Amrapali House of Grace aims to return guests back to their innate peaceful and joyful nature through highly personalised service and boutique luxury.
With just four rooms, each overlooking the azure pool in the centre of the property, Amrapali was earlier called Morgado, meaning ‘dear’, a sentiment that each guest is still treated by. Up to eight adults and two children can comfortably be accommodated here, making the boutique hotel ideal for family reunions and private destination get-togethers.
Just a few minutes’ drive brings you to the majesty of heritage churches – including Old Goa’s wonders, and the stunning avian life at the peaceful Carambolim Lake, home to myriad migratory birds during winter.
This sight is breathtaking from the shadows of the Peace room, with a cute bench outdoors and classic antique interiors. A beautiful four-poster bed commands the attention here, as they do in Compassion and Devotion, the two other superior rooms at the property.
In the master suite, called Creation, the simple bed rests on a slightly raised platform and the attention is taken by the simplicity and expanse of the room as well as the gorgeous moulded bathtub. Here, guests can enjoy languid views of the pool from the lounge and refreshing views of the garden from the bedroom.
The charming and talented Mathieu leads the food and beverage service here, bringing his years of experience as a chef and his love for French tradition to the shores of Carambolim lake. At Amrapali House of Grace, his passion for detail and flavour is evident – guests particularly enjoy his light and delicious crêpes for breakfast.
The in-house chef also delights with excellent snacks, while sumptuous meals and can be enjoyed in the pretty dining room, in the comfort of your bed or outdoors. Recently opening its doors to the general public, their coffee shop now serves the best coffees & a variety of teas with scrumptious savouries and delightful pastries.
In the shared spaces, it’s common to engage with other guests on the property in the swimming pool or while playing board games indoors. For those who prefer solo time, outdoor yoga is an excellent way to get back in touch with yourself.
The management also offers fun private picnics to the nearby Siridao beach, massages and even shows you the ropes with fishing and crab hunting. They will also organise guided tours, airport transfers, day trips to the beach and are generally on hand to help with any request a guest might make.
Our impromptu stay at Amrapali House of Grace gave us a wonderful surprise to find such a beautiful hidden treasure so close to Panjim, clothed in the tranquillity one might expect to find much further away. I highly recommend it.
For more details: http://www.amrapali-houseofgrace.com
Contact- +91-8329912172
Sinéad McManus 