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Taj Exotica
in
Benaulim
,
Goa
- Romantic hotel with fantastic gardens
- Spacious and luxurious rooms
- Excellent food
Palm-filled gardens, a sweep of pale sand and traditional Goan décor - the Taj Exotica has tropical escape written all over it.
If there’s a secret formula to getting away from it all, this place is it. Think 56 acres of tropical gardens, a sandy beach alongside and nothing nearby to break the idyll. In fact, the only thing that might disturb the peace here comes in the evening, when the local fishermen break into song while they land their catches on the beach.
As for the hotel itself, it really plays on its surroundings. Take the lobby. Drenched with natural light, this cavernous vaulted space is furnished with potted palms, ceiling fans and cushioned sofas. In the gardens, meanwhile, lush palms and flower-lined patios give way to the pool. Lay on a sunlounger here and you’ve got great views of the sea out between the trees and over the Taj’s pitch-and-putt course. A stroll past the greens and you’re on the beach – a sweep of cushiony sands stretching to the horizon. One of the hotel’s restaurants has bagged a prime spot here. With its thatched roof and canoe-shape bar, the Lobster Shack lets you dig into fresh local seafood while drinking in the Indian Ocean panoramas.
There’s more to look forward to on the food front, too. Along with gourmet Chinese and Mediterranean numbers, the Taj has a buffet restaurant, plus a wood-panelled bar hung with old photographs for you to inspect over ice-cold G&Ts. Top prize for décor, though, goes to the Alegria. All blue patterned tiles and rich, heavy wood, its Portuguese looks are the perfect complement to its traditional Goan cooking. Authenticity is the keynote in the rooms, too. Features include dark wooden beds and louvred window shutters teamed with rich creams and splashes of rustic blue. There are plenty of thoughtful extras, too, including DVD players and tea and coffee kits. The pool villas, meanwhile, offer extra indulgence in the form of private pools.
The final touch comes from the facilities. Guests have an excellent choice, ranging from a luxurious spa with Ayurvedic suites and hot tubs through to a gym and tennis – all ready and waiting when you want a break from doing nothing.
As for the hotel itself, it really plays on its surroundings. Take the lobby. Drenched with natural light, this cavernous vaulted space is furnished with potted palms, ceiling fans and cushioned sofas. In the gardens, meanwhile, lush palms and flower-lined patios give way to the pool. Lay on a sunlounger here and you’ve got great views of the sea out between the trees and over the Taj’s pitch-and-putt course. A stroll past the greens and you’re on the beach – a sweep of cushiony sands stretching to the horizon. One of the hotel’s restaurants has bagged a prime spot here. With its thatched roof and canoe-shape bar, the Lobster Shack lets you dig into fresh local seafood while drinking in the Indian Ocean panoramas.
There’s more to look forward to on the food front, too. Along with gourmet Chinese and Mediterranean numbers, the Taj has a buffet restaurant, plus a wood-panelled bar hung with old photographs for you to inspect over ice-cold G&Ts. Top prize for décor, though, goes to the Alegria. All blue patterned tiles and rich, heavy wood, its Portuguese looks are the perfect complement to its traditional Goan cooking. Authenticity is the keynote in the rooms, too. Features include dark wooden beds and louvred window shutters teamed with rich creams and splashes of rustic blue. There are plenty of thoughtful extras, too, including DVD players and tea and coffee kits. The pool villas, meanwhile, offer extra indulgence in the form of private pools.
The final touch comes from the facilities. Guests have an excellent choice, ranging from a luxurious spa with Ayurvedic suites and hot tubs through to a gym and tennis – all ready and waiting when you want a break from doing nothing.
Read more details below
Photos of Taj Exotica
Taj Exotica photo 1, Sea-view deluxe room, Taj Exotica photo 3, Taj Exotica photo 4, Taj Exotica photo 5, Taj Exotica photo 6, Pool villa, Taj Exotica photo 8, Taj Exotica photo 9, Taj Exotica photo 10, Taj Exotica photo 11, Taj Exotica photo 12, Taj Exotica photo 13, Taj Exotica photo 14, Taj Exotica photo 15, Taj Exotica photo 16, Taj Exotica photo 17, Taj Exotica photo 18, Taj Exotica photo 19, Taj Exotica photo 20, Taj Exotica photo 21, Taj Exotica photo 22
Hotel features
Back to top
- Private Transfers - Forget the queue for the coach - you'll get a private taxi straight to your hotel
- Select Your Seat - You'll get to choose exactly where you sit on the plane. In fact, you can reserve your actual seat numbers upfront.
- Day-before Check-in - With UK day-before check-in you'll get to jump the airport queues. It's free at Gatwick and Manchester and you can just turn up. At Birmingham it's free but you need to book ahead.
- Specialist Holiday Advisors - Our Premier Holiday Advisors are on hand to give you the low-down on your destination
- You'll only be entitled to all the benefits listed above if you book one of our package holidays. You'll see exactly what's included on the Options page before you book your holiday. Please see our A-Z Guide for more information.
Meals
- Eugenia coffee shop serving buffet breakfast and international and local à la carte dishes for lunch and dinner
- Miguel Arcanjo Mediterranean restaurant
- Li Bai Chinese restaurant
- Alegria Goan restaurant
- Snack bar
- Barbecue serving seasonal seafood
- Lobster Shack
- Christmas and New Year gala dinners
Swimming pool
- Swimming pool
- Sun terrace
- Sunbeds
- Pool and beach bars
- Well tended gardens
Entertainment
- Lobby bar
Activities
- Fitness centre
- Gym
- Taj Spa and Ayurveda
- Beauty salon
- Whirlpool bath
- Tennis
- 3 and 9-hole pitch and putt
- Bicycle hire
- Beach volleyball
- Giant chess
- Archery range
- Jogging track
- Yoga
- Pool tables
- Table tennis
For Families
- Children’s section of main pool with waterslide
- Children's activity centre
- Play area
Facilities
- 24hr room service
- Laundry service
Special Offers
Guests staying for 10 nights or more will receive one special Goan dinner complimentary per room per stay, excluding alcoholic beverages, a 15% discount on à la carte meals, excluding alcoholic beverages and a 15% discount on spa treatments.
Honeymooners will receive complimentary local wine, fruit and flowers on arrival.
Extra Charges
Some facilities may incur extra local charges, please see the A-Z Guide
Other Information
We've plotted your holiday accommodation as accurately as possible. But for some smaller hotels or villas the map may pinpoint the centre of the nearest town rather than the property itself, so make sure you read the location description too.
Travel longhaul with Thomson Airways and you can look forward to…
- 7-inch seatback TV with up to 10 movies – 5 each way – plus up to 7 TV channels, 10 music channels and 6 games
- Dedicated children’s TV channels
- 3-course meal with refreshments before landing
- 20kg luggage allowance and 10kg for children under 2
- Premium Club includes at least a 36-inch seat pitch, pampering goodies and a fast-track pass to the departure lounge at some airports
24/7 Service in Resort
This is our 24-hour phone service. You can use it to book days out, find out the local bus times and let us know about any problems that crop up. Prefer to speak to someone face to face? You can call us to arrange a personal visit too.
Our rating
5
Official Rating
5 Star
No. of lifts
1
No. of rooms
140
Room facilities
Back to topRoom facilities
All rooms have twin beds or double bed, air-conditioning, satellite TV, DVD player, telephone, fridge, minibar, tea/coffee making facilities and hairdryer.
Room Upgrades
Garden Villas are set in the gardens and sleep up to 3 adults.
Deluxe sea-view rooms are located in the main building and sleep up to 3 adults. All rooms have a shower and separate bath.
Pool Villas are set in the gardens, sleeping up to 2 adults and have a private pool.
Multi Centre Holidays
This hotel can be combined with the Golden Triangle tour and the Wildlife and Moghul Cities tour.Location
Back to top- On a 700m stretch of beach overlooking Arabian Sea
Transfers
1 hour 15 minutes
Your guide to Benaulim, Goa
"Soft dunes, golden sands and a mellow atmosphere - Benaulim brings you the best of idyllic south Goa."
Lounge on the beach here and you’ll be in the true heart of Goa. Because, according to legend, Benaulim is the exact spot where an arrow fired by Vishnu pierced the sands, so instantly creating this blissful province.
The only arrow likely to land here nowadays though is the imaginary Cupid’s spear through your heart when you see the beach. One foot on the warm sands and no beach devotee will be able to resist unrolling their towel or hitting that sunbed. A balmy, dune-fringed ribbon stretching as far as you can see, it’s not only perfect for sunbathing but for that photo album too.
When you can muster up the willpower, amble along the sands for a glimpse of authentic Goa, encapsulated in the colourful wooden outriggers wedged into the sands. Then head for a makeshift beach bar to lunch on some of the freshest prawns and fish you’ve ever tasted, washed down by a crisp, cold beer or two.
Behind the sands, good-class beachfront hotels give way to paddy fields and coconut groves huddled around Benaulim village. Here, you’ll find loads of craft and gift shops, many selling Benaulim’s famous rosewood artifacts, as well as cheery restaurants clamouring for your custom.
Fancy a day away? Take a bus to nearby Colva, or even better, Margao. After dawdling around the lively, colourful fish and food markets, go and admire Margao’s elegant mansions and old Portuguese churches. Their quiet, faded interiors stand as shrines to a lost Goan world.
Come sunset though, your place is back in Benaulim. Hit the sands again after a starlit dinner, let your toes trail in the cool waters as the moon glows above.
The only arrow likely to land here nowadays though is the imaginary Cupid’s spear through your heart when you see the beach. One foot on the warm sands and no beach devotee will be able to resist unrolling their towel or hitting that sunbed. A balmy, dune-fringed ribbon stretching as far as you can see, it’s not only perfect for sunbathing but for that photo album too.
When you can muster up the willpower, amble along the sands for a glimpse of authentic Goa, encapsulated in the colourful wooden outriggers wedged into the sands. Then head for a makeshift beach bar to lunch on some of the freshest prawns and fish you’ve ever tasted, washed down by a crisp, cold beer or two.
Behind the sands, good-class beachfront hotels give way to paddy fields and coconut groves huddled around Benaulim village. Here, you’ll find loads of craft and gift shops, many selling Benaulim’s famous rosewood artifacts, as well as cheery restaurants clamouring for your custom.
Fancy a day away? Take a bus to nearby Colva, or even better, Margao. After dawdling around the lively, colourful fish and food markets, go and admire Margao’s elegant mansions and old Portuguese churches. Their quiet, faded interiors stand as shrines to a lost Goan world.
Come sunset though, your place is back in Benaulim. Hit the sands again after a starlit dinner, let your toes trail in the cool waters as the moon glows above.
Reviews
Back to topTaj Exotica reviews - what customers thought
Thomson Web Reviews
Based on 6 reviews
What to expect
-
Room comfort
-
Location
-
Food
-
Cleanliness
Latest Thomson Reviews
Written on 01/11/2010, Anonymous said...
Stirlings Bangor N.I.This is our 6th visit to this hotel in 4 years. I agree the rooms are a little tired but the level of service, friendliness ,effficiency, and enjoyment this hotel offers is second to none.From the moment you arrive until your... more on this review
Giving it an overall rating out of 5:
Find out more
Back to topPalm-filled gardens, a sweep of pale sand and traditional Goan décor - the Taj Exotica has tropical escape written all over it.
If there’s a secret formula to getting away from it all, this place is it. Think 56 acres of tropical gardens, a sandy beach alongside and nothing nearby to break the idyll. In fact, the only thing that might disturb the peace here comes in the evening, when the local fishermen break into song while they land their catches on the beach.
As for the hotel itself, it really plays on its surroundings. Take the lobby. Drenched with natural light, this cavernous vaulted space is furnished with potted palms, ceiling fans and cushioned sofas. In the gardens, meanwhile, lush palms and flower-lined patios give way to the pool. Lay on a sunlounger here and you’ve got great views of the sea out between the trees and over the Taj’s pitch-and-putt course. A stroll past the greens and you’re on the beach – a sweep of cushiony sands stretching to the horizon. One of the hotel’s restaurants has bagged a prime spot here. With its thatched roof and canoe-shape bar, the Lobster Shack lets you dig into fresh local seafood while drinking in the Indian Ocean panoramas.
There’s more to look forward to on the food front, too. Along with gourmet Chinese and Mediterranean numbers, the Taj has a buffet restaurant, plus a wood-panelled bar hung with old photographs for you to inspect over ice-cold G&Ts. Top prize for décor, though, goes to the Alegria. All blue patterned tiles and rich, heavy wood, its Portuguese looks are the perfect complement to its traditional Goan cooking. Authenticity is the keynote in the rooms, too. Features include dark wooden beds and louvred window shutters teamed with rich creams and splashes of rustic blue. There are plenty of thoughtful extras, too, including DVD players and tea and coffee kits. The pool villas, meanwhile, offer extra indulgence in the form of private pools.
The final touch comes from the facilities. Guests have an excellent choice, ranging from a luxurious spa with Ayurvedic suites and hot tubs through to a gym and tennis – all ready and waiting when you want a break from doing nothing.
Thomson Brochures
Taj Exotica is featured in the following brochures:
Benaulim hotels and apartments
Our hotels and apartments in Benaulim include Taj Exotica.
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