IN REVIEW

LA PAZ GARDENS BEACON, VASCO

By Jade Dsa Images by Jade Dsa

When you think of Vasco, the term ‘holiday destination ’ does not come to mind. A 500-year-old

town, Goa

’ s port city does not feature on travel itineraries like Calangute, Anjuna or even Palolem and Benaulim do. More than food, culture and monuments, Vasco has historically been known for the part it played in trade and transport.

La Paz Gardens Beacon is a 74-room, 3-star hotel located in Vasco, just 20 minutes away from the Goa airport. Unlike many of the resorts in South Goa, this one does not boast of a posh driveway leading up to the reception, well-manicured gardens, and views of the horizon. In fact, if it isn ’t for Google Maps announcing your arrival to the hotel, you may drive right past without noticing it. This budget hotel is located close to the bustling part of Vasco market with shops, offices and eateries surrounding it. It has an old-school façade with windows looking down at the road, and a reception area that looks over a park on the opposite side of the road. Speaking of the road, you will need to park there as the hotel has no parking. As you walk through the landing area and make your way up the stairs, you will find yourself in a sprawling lobby. At first glance, it looks quite charming (some would call it dated, but I personally have a liking for wellmaintained old spaces). Patterned floor tiles, a high roof, and simple furniture make up the space. And just beyond, you ’ll find a rickety elevator and silent passages leading to the rooms. After a seamless check in, a bellboy took me through a series of left and right turns until I found myself opening the door to my Deluxe Suite – the second-best room category at the hotel, and my home for 2 days. My room was satisfactory – a large bed with a soft mattress, a small TV, a little sitting area, and a cupboard was about all it held. The bathroom was relatively large, and while it was clean, it could have been better maintained. It had a shower that had good water pressure (don ’t you just hate slow water pressure in hotel bathrooms?) and a bathtub that I didn ’t use. Being a

business hotel, toiletries are provided. A slight disappointment was opening the window in my room, to find no view to look at, except for the pool below and another part of the hotel on the opposite side. A part of the charm of waking up in hotel rooms is looking at a different scene outside your window, but it is a given, that when you stay in a hotel the heart of a city, one may not be able to enjoy that luxury. You will, however, be able to hear the sounds of a bustling city. Luckily, at La Paz Gardens Beacon, the sounds of the city and the traffic are not audible. The train station is a few hundred meters away from to the hotel, and you will be able to hear the train click-clacking on the tracks as well as the trains ’ horns as they roll in and out of the station, especially at night, when the surrounding shops are closed. The hotel has a bunch of amenities – from a little gym to a swimming pool, and a restaurant to conference rooms. The pool is surrounded on three sides by the hotel itself, and on the 4th side, by a neighbouring building. In the mornings, a local swimming coach holds swimming lessons for a few local kids, but for the rest of the day, the pool is available to guests to use. Foodwise, their in-house restaurant, Sweet N Sour, offers decent Indian and Continental food. While I did not come across any guests in the corridors of the hotel during my stay, I was surprised to find the restaurant busy at breakfast time. The breakfast selection was small, but sufficient, given the occupancy and crowd the hotel attracts. Expect items ranging from Indian breakfast staples, sausages, juices, cupcakes and donuts, fruits, and sprouts. Like most hotels located in the market of a busy town, one does feel the space constraints in common areas as well as in the rooms, however, there is not much to complain about if you are staying for just a day or two. The staff is pleasant and cooperative, and every corner of the hotel was squeaky clean. All in all, a good place to spend a night on a budget if you have business to take care of in the city of Vasco.

VIVENDA DOS CORDEIROS - A PLACE WHERE HERITAGE MEETS LUXURY

By Kevin Pinto Images by Kevin Pinto

Located in the centre of Assagao

' s old town, this stunningly renovated pre-independence Villa dates back 180 years and is a prime example of the village ' s rich architectural history. This villa ' s cosy rooms and beautiful outside space make it the perfect place for a relaxing family vacation.

A Luxury Heritage Home in Goa There are 4 deluxe rooms at Vivenda dos Cordeiros, in addition to a spacious dining area, a cosy living room, a pool, a beautiful gazebo, and a private chef. This magnificent home may easily accommodate 15 guests without feeling cramped. This villa has everything you and your loved ones (or a group of friends) may possibly require for a relaxing vacation. Everything from luxurious Queen-sized mattresses, plush bedding, ample storage space, cushy pillows, a flat-screen TV, and regal seating to make you feel right at home. The villa has all the conveniences of a home, including air conditioning, ceiling fans, pedestal fans, free WiFi, and safety deposit

boxes. It would take more than a day to fully appreciate this home ' s stunning design. If you want to experience everything the house has to offer, the pool, and the beauty of the surroundings, then you should definitely book the 2-night, 3-day package. Here, the visitors ' peace of mind and convenience come first, which is why the villa will be reserved for a single party and offlimits to other guests. The Perfect Place for A Peaceful Family Staycation There are two lion statues guarding the entrance to this villa, and they are the first thing you will see when you arrive. These pristine lion statues are a typical kind of figurine art that is meant to " protect" the entrances. They are a perfect representation of the rich culture and the Goan heritage. The drop-off, which is located near the entrance to the private parking area, presents a winding slope leading up to the front door.

The newly constructed ramp is accessible and suitable for the elderly and those in a wheelchair. The welcoming balcão, arrests your attention and calls you in to just relax and embrace the laidback vibe. This extended porch has seats built into the sides reached from a flight of steps. The balcão was devised to open the house out to the outer world. It was a breathing space at the threshold of the house where residents could interact with passers-by, have conversations, share the daily gossip, or simply just relax. You 'll recognise the Villa ' s opulence the moment you step inside and gaze along its lengthy corridor. Notice how the old-world charm of Vivenda dos Cordeiros has been perfectly preserved thanks to the meticulous Those of you who feel disconnected from nature in urban settings can satisfy your cravings by booking a room overlooking the hotel' s rustic garden and vegetation. The villa is nestled amongst verdant trees in a quiet neighbourhood. Each accommodation features a trendy balcony where you can take in the fresh air, sunshine, and sights and sounds of nature all around you. You 'll feel a strong affinity for the natural world almost instantly and may even find yourself following a dragonfly, a butterfly ' s flirtatious flits, or a mischievous squirrel. These are just a handful of the pleasant surprises that await you on the premises. Garden Glory is the name of the master suite. The ambience here is perfect for calming down. The room was given its name in honour of the lovely garden that can be viewed from two separate balconies. The other two suites are known as Zen and Harmony, respectively. These accommodations are warmer and more thoughtfully crafted. In each of the rooms, you 'll find a private bathroom with a shower that' s accessible directly from the bedroom. Toiletries and a hair dryer are included. The sala, which serves as the villa ' s primary gathering space, is the largest room. The sala is a big room found in traditional Goan homes; it is distinguished by its high ceiling and large oyster-shell windows. A charming balcony extends off one side of the living room, bringing the outside within. Across the room, there are comfortable seating spaces furnished with carved wooden chairs and a stylish coffee table. The carpets add style and luxury to the floor. There is a cute little office area under the stairs. A modest table and chair sit next to a bookcase in this space. This was an ingenious way to put a large amount of space beneath the stairs to use since it now serves as a quiet, out-of-the-way spot where someone may finish up any unfinished business or pressing chores. Follow the wooden stairway up to the next floor. The Luxe Loft is an extraordinary room with a modest sitting area, a bathroom, and four individual beds. Coastal homes typically feature impressive ceiling heights, and this loft makes excellent use of those spaces. Not only is this loft stylish and cutting-edge, but it also has a warm, inviting vibe. The loft' s one-of-akind layout allows for a couch and a TV. The loft' s inventive lighting, delicate textures, and sleek, rustic rot iron beds are all meant to bring you and your loved ones closer together, encouraging lively conversation and heartwarming reminiscences. The downstairs also features a large kitchen with high-end amenities such as a refrigerator,

toasters, kettles, and a formal dining room. A dining area or casa de Jantar is set up for a homely feast. Complete with a chandelier, a large table large enough to accommodate ten people, and exquisite antique wooden chairs and tables, all set against the backdrop of two romantic windows with a retro seating arrangement. The ornate circular table by the window at the far end of the room is used unintentionally as a gathering place for a glass of wine and some friendly chatter. This space has a way of bringing people together, no matter how huge the group; the laughter reverberates, adding to the upbeat mood. The design of this home strikes the ideal balance between social gatherings and quiet reflection. Take your time wandering the halls and corridors to find hidden gems and jawdropping decor. Take some time to relax on the regal sofas and armchairs or read a book in the quiet garden. If you ' re in need of some quiet time and want to get outside, try finding a Sopo. It is an extended seating that is built to the sides of the balcao. Two instances of this sort of seating are constructed towards the rear of the house. One of the most popular features of this garden is the Gazebo, which can accommodate eight to ten people and is inspired by Goa ’ s multicultural lifestyle. Imagine enjoying your morning coffee while gazing at the elusive pepper plant that has entangled itself around the nearby mango tree. Green vegetation extends as far as the eye can see. The most sought-after private pool is located at the far end of the property. Don 't feel obligated to dive right in if you don 't want to; instead, relax on one of the deck chairs and take in the view. The sight of the azure will just fortify your thirst for leisure and recreation. If you are planning for a family outing this season, Vivenda dos Cordeiros is the perfect find to match your luxury-heritage needs in

Goa.

THE WORLD’S TALLEST FLYING RESTAURANT KICKED OFF THE SEASON WITH THE DRAGON FESTIVAL!

By Armaan Malhotra Images by Armaan Malhotra

Fly Dining, one of Goa

’ s most unique dining experiences is back with a bang for the season. The idea of dining 160 feet above sea level in itself is quite thrilling, but the urge to do even better has made Fly Dining bring about the Dragon Festival to tingle your taste buds up in the sky in collaboration with Grand Hyatt.

Fly Dining brought the Dragon Festival to symbolize abundance, good fortune for all the guests as Dragons are considered omens of luck and good fortune. Many civilizations believe them to be harbingers of wealth and abundance in life, and they are also omens of power, bravery, transformation, and sky to many. With a unique floating sky restaurant 160 feet high, offering exquisite views of the state ’ s stunning coastal landscape and the reputed gastronomical endeavours of this wellawarded five-star resort. Fly Dining is an Initiative of Vindev Adventure Hospitality cofounded by Devi Prasad and Vinay Kasetty. Fly Dining offers three-course meals and is open for breakfast, high tea, sundowners and dinner with food curated by the expert team of Grand Hyatt Goa. Taking the culinary experience to another level, the team at Grand Hyatt has curated a special Asian menu as part of the Dragon Festival where you can enjoy speciality dishes like Sushi, and Nasi Goreng, 160 feet up in the sky while enjoying the mesmerizing views all over. As soon as we settled on our chairs, all strapped up and secured, we were served our first course comprising Sushi. Now I am sure you can very well imagine the thrill of enjoying such food when you are just about to be raised to a height of 160 feet. Within minutes we were up in the sky witnessing breathtakingly beautiful views of the beach, the sea and twilight. It’ s another feeling to see your drinks being shaken up right in the middle of the air while you are grooving to the tunes of a live performance. We were served Nasi Goreng next. Nasi Goreng is a Southeast Asian dish made with

fried rice, a choice of meats and usually topped with a fried egg. In our case, it was with prawns, and I have to admit that it was one of the best Nasi Goreng I had eaten in a long time. A super moist and delicious cake made for our dessert. The Fly Dining experience seats a maximum of up to 24 people at one time and it is advisable to reserve your spot at least 48 hours prior. At Fly Dining Goa, the experience is not only limited to a meal in the sky but can also double up as an experience for intimate celebrations, team meetings and more; all with the thrilling feeling of floating 160 feet above the ground, looking out across the shores of Bambolim bay and into the Arabian sea To allow guests to fully enjoy this incredible experience, Fly Dining has been designed to comply with German safety norms - EN 13814 and international norms - ISO 17842-2015. Expert engineers have conceptualised and constructed the platform and its safety features from seat belts to the type of crane used, with each feature scrutinized and tested to ensure maximum safety. Fly Dining has been certified by numerous safety organizations across the globe, including Germany ’ s TUV Rheinland, the UK’ s British Safety Council and the American Society for Testing and Materials International. The 24-seater deck is raised 160 feet high with a German Terax Demag crane with a capacity of 140 tons and counterweight of 32 tons, operating at a radius of 18 metres from the crane cabin. The crane capacity is 16 tons, but Fly Dining will be lifting a live load of maximum seven tons, thereby operating at a workload of 45 percent. Both staff and guests will have strong safety harnesses during the entire experience. This promise of high safety and security ensures a truly stress-free dining environment with an unmatched adventurous touch. If you are Goa, this definitely should be on your list.