IN REVIEW

AIDEN BY BEST WESTERNBRINGING A TOUCH OF GLOBAL HOSPITALITY!

By Aditi Malhotra Images by Aiden

Goa has no dearth of hotels, especially in the tourist belt, but to stand out and carve a name for itself right from the start is something a very few hotels can manage to do. Aiden by Best Western in Vagator is one such name. Recently awarded the Most Promising New Boutique Hotel in North Goa by Incredible Goa Awards, recognition came early for Aiden and it' s every bit worthy of the same.

Nestled in the by-lanes of Vagator, just 950 mts away from the beach and 2 mins walk from the main Vagator road, this is one of the first Aiden by Best Western in India. Best Western Hotels & Resorts headquartered in Phoenix, Arizona, is a privately held hotel brand with a global network of approximately 4,500 hotels in nearly 100 countries and territories worldwide. Aiden Vagator features the brand’ s newest design solutions that are created to meet the evolving needs of travellers. The design features an appealing combination of fresh, energetic and engaging elements, creating a distinctive style that is evident at every touch point of the hotel. The beautiful lobby with a stunning ceiling is what catches your attention the moment you enter the hotel. The smiling faces and hospitable nature of the staff are something you would not be able to ignore. Their attention to detail and quick turnarounds will win your heart during your stay. As I was waiting for my check-in which was rather quick, I was served a shot of a nice and refreshing welcome drink. As I walked to my room, the graffiti on the walls was hard to miss and appreciate and once inside my room, I realised that the rooms of this boutique hotel were at par with most of the 5-star hotels. Spacious, and well-appointed rooms with a working desk, a lounging chair & table, a big screen LED TV, a minibar, an electric kettle, an almirah with locker and of course a comfortable bed are some of the key features that every room at Aiden boasts of. The bathrooms are equipped with power showers and also have amenities of top quality. All comforts of the guests have been

taken into consideration. The hotel’ s classiness and premium standards are evident in the smallest of things. For instance, a bottle of sparkling wine was waiting for me as I entered my room. The hotel also has a multi-cuisine café that offers a selection of delicious dishes to satiate your hunger pangs. And for those who are conscious about their diet, there are some healthy options as well for you to choose from. If you wanna cool off the heat, you can take a dip in the pool and if burning the holiday calories is on your mind, the hotel also has a gym to help you maintain your daily grind. While on the inside, Aiden provides a peaceful, calm and comfortable stay, the hot & happening life of Goa awaits you just outside the gate. Be it the flea markets, popular restaurants like Bo-Tai, Titlie, Antares, Salud or the famous tourist spots like Chapora Fort, Vagator Beach, Ozran Beach, everything is just minutes away from Aiden. The location of Aiden is definitely a big plus point making it an ideal choice for all travellers. And for those who love an extra dose of good hospitality and great service, Aiden is just perfect. After having stayed at the finest hotels in India and abroad, I can easily say that there is surely something about Aiden ’ s hospitality that makes it stand out from the rest. For me personally, the experience of staying at Aiden was simply amazing and I would definitely like to go back and stay there. So what are you waiting for, plan your Goa vacation with Aiden by Best Western now. Address: SY. No. 330/1, Anjuna, Vagator, Mapusa, Goa 403502 Contact:+91 83267 42030 Email: reservations@aidenvagatorgoa.com

SOUL VACATION IS NOW POWERED BY KARE AYURVEDA

By Rajesh Ghadge Images by Soul Vacation

Soul Vacation, an award-winning property has recently joined hands with the Kare Ayurveda to provide a complete holistic experience to tourists visiting Goa. The property strikes the perfect balance of plush comfort and relaxed soul-searching collaborating with Kare.

Nestled in a beautifully serene setting in South Goa and infused with the magic of Greek architecture, Soul Vacation is a sanctuary to escape one ’ s busy life. The property is strategically located close to the famous Colva beach and now with its association with Kare Ayurveda, guests can indulge in a refreshing and rejuvenating journey with custom-made packages facilitated by Kare. The collaboration between Soul Vacation and Kare Ayurveda is offering guests a unique experience that combines the best of both worlds: the tranquillity and beauty of Soul Vacation ’ s setting and a customised and holistic approach to wellness offered by Kare. “We are very excited to launch this partnership with Kare Ayurveda, ” said Vinod Dhawan, chairman of Soul Vacation. “Kare ’ s approach to wellness is aligned with our philosophy of offering a bespoke experience that helps our guests disconnect from the hustle and bustle of everyday life and reconnect with themselves. We believe that this partnership will offer our guests a truly transformational experience.

“After making significant investments in people, property and products, we are looking forward to providing our guests a completely new experience of wellness with specially curated packages by Kare ’ , '' said Shiv Dhawan, Managing Director of Soul Vacation. “We are delighted to be partnering with Soul Vacation to bring our custom wellness packages to South Goa, ” said Dr Kalmadi, founder of Kare Ayurveda. “Kare ’ s philosophy is based on the belief that everyone is unique and therefore requires a personalised approach to wellness. We are confident that our partnership with Soul Vacation will offer guests a one-of-a-kind experience that will leave them feeling refreshed, rejuvenated and transformed. ” So next time you are planning to visit south Goa, be sure not to miss the opportunity to visit the Soul Vacation and experience a truly blissful stay with indulgence and relaxing ayurvedic therapy.

THE EDIBLE ART OF MOKA DESSERTS

By Sarat Rao Images by Moka

A great dessert has the capacity to simultaneously stop time and move you. And if you happen to bite into a dessert from Moka, it will not be an exaggeration to call it edible art. Behind this art lies the journey of the artist – an intentional process rooted deeply in tradition. For pastry chef and founder Moumita Sen, this journey spans across continents over three decades.

“A large part of my childhood was spent at the Marble Palace in Kolkata, my maternal grandparents ’ home. My grandmother was a matriarchal figure who imbued magic in Bengali sweets with the classic Bengali ‘Shondesh’ , her absolute signature. I remember laboriously stirring the creamy cottage cheese over the flame, rolling it in the form of a dough and shaping them in wooden moulds. The Cheesecakes at Moka carry this tradition forward. ” The Gondhoraj Lime Cheesecake is one of Moka ’ s bestsellers and a must try. The Gondhoraj lime (literally means the king of aroma, a distant cousin to the Kaffir lime) is known for its vibrant fragrance and truly elevates the taste of this cheesecake. Moumita ’ s quest took her to San Francisco where she had the opportunity to work with some of the best pastry chefs in the world. A lot of her learning was on the job, working closely with the pastry chef of Chez Panisse a world-renowned restaurant in Berkeley started by Alice Waters, a pioneer in the farmto-table movement in California. “It was not just techniques and recipes but most importantly, the idea of ‘ consciousness ’ in food and where your ingredients come from. ” These learnings laid the foundations of Moka. In her bestseller cheesecakes, Moumita has achieved a certain mastery in the synthesis of her Bengali roots with notions of western dessert making. The ‘Shondesh’ is the core component which lends a unique taste to the cheesecakes. They crumble on your plate as your heart fills with sensations of befuddling pleasure.

Like many successful ventures, Moka began in a garage in Saligao, Goa right before the pandemic. Moumita started Moka to celebrate Indian traditions through consciously crafted desserts. She works with local farms to get the freshest produce and sources in small batches from home growers whenever possible. “We choose to make our pastry ingredients inhouse instead of using store-bought options –like our cream cheese and ricotta made with locally sourced milk from Saligao. We use only Couverture chocolate which lends a superior texture to our desserts and avoids ingredients like hydrogenated oils which are neither good for the planet nor for us. ” Recently Moka moved from Saligao to Siolim expanding their menu for coffee lovers. Moka serves specialty coffee sourced from the Kelledevarapura and Balur estates in Karnataka. Visit Moka Desserts before sunset and feel what happens when tradition, creativity, love and flavour come together on a plate.

Café Details Address: 22/1-B Wada Aframent, Siolim, Goa 403517 Website: https://www.mokadesserts.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mokadessertsgoa/