The Diwa Club by Alila

We first went here in 2019 and had an amazing time. Although we were blown away by everything, it was then our first experience of a Winter Sun holiday, (something that probably lifts the spirits of your average Brit almost regardless of where you're staying) and having had others since we wondered whether it would still seem as good. Particularly, as the Alila had changed hands since then and often the second time of doing something / seeing something is never as good as the first. Especially if the first is super good. Any fears we had were un-grounded. If anything, the Alila was even better second time around. Everything was just so good. The facilities are great. The main pool is massive. At 20 metres wide, it is wider than most hotel pools are long, and it is probably twice as long again. There is also another pool, just for the use of Alila Club guests, which although not as large, is again bigger than most hotel pools. In keeping with the huge pool, the rooms in the Club are also massive at a round 700 sq feet, including bathroom area. The breakfast is excellent with a vast range of choices covering Western and Indian cuisine, cold and hot options. From omlettes, freshly cooked to your specifications, through to Dosas, potato cakes, pancakes, cereals, fresh juices, pastries and so on. Not forgetting, of course, sausages, bacon, beans etc. Food across the 3 other restaurants (Edge, Spice Studio and Bistro) was also excellent. We often don't eat in hotels as it's usually over priced and not great, but that is not the case here. Yes, it was more expensive than eating at a local restaurant, but not hugely so, and the quality was great and the portions more than ample. I'll post a photo of some of the menus so you can judge for yourself. Perhaps most impressive, though, is the level of service. All staff we met… and I mean all staff, (ie including those not often front of house like gardeners and security) were friendly. Those you interacted with more often such as waiters, pool assistants, reception were not only friendly as well, but also helpful, eager to please and often second guessing what you might need before you had even thought it for yourself. (Take a bow Majorda Colin). The Alila Club is a big upgrade from the main hotel and that is what my review is based on. As well as bigger rooms and your own secluded pool area (you can use both the main pool and that specific to the Diwa club) you also get your own dedicated reception team, complimentary chat snacks at 4pm every day and a complimentary sundowner (cocktail/glass of wine/beer and accompanying snack) at 6pm each day, served in the Diwa Bistro. The Club Pool is a huge benefit as it can provide a quiet sanctuary if there is a wedding on and the main pool gets a bit noisy. When we there, there was a wedding on, which took the main pool out of action for a day, but it didn't matter to us as we could retreat to 'our' pool, where we weren't really affected by the noise and hub

Superb place. Very tranquil and the service was impeccable. Aditi, Shivraj, Raju, Collin and Sourav were all fantastic. We will definitely be going back. We went as a couple for some peace and quiet after being in Delhi and Jaipur and it couldn't have been more perfect.

This is my third visit to the Alila hotel and 2nd to the Diwa club, What can I say but this was a very difficult journey for me to make personally due to the passing of my husband at the beginning of this year, we both loved Goa and this was my 6th visit and 3rd to this hotel. All the way from arrival for my stay of 13 nights everyone has been amazing, from the reception staff to the pool guys, restaurant and bar staff to the cleaners and housekeeping. The rooms are kept immaculate and any requirements are sorted as soon as you ask, food was excellent in all of the restaurants but my favourite has to be the edge bar food freshly cooked and tasty. I can recommend the pork belly skewers and the banoffee tart ( my tummy wasn’t to keen though ) expanding lol. Everyone was so kind and helpful and this was my first time in 32 years as a lone traveller, I never felt out of place. I have to give special thanks to Colin (pool guy) Surmeet and Reuben in the Edge bar, love how dedicated surmeet is to the cocktails and producing them, it is clear to see he takes much pride in his job, Reuben for the chats about our mutual love of dogs, everyone in the edge bar. Brendan in the Bistro, he works tirelessly all the time to ensure the customer is happy as do all the staff but him especially. Thank you everyone for my amazing stay, last but not least the Reception team and Aradhana at the Diwa club went out of her way to ensure I was happy even after I had settled my bill. I will return again without hesitation. Thank you thank you thank you xx

One of the best properties we've stayed in Goa. The room sizes are huge. Choice of restaurants is great. The beach is secluded (not too crowded) with a couple of beach shacks availabe. The place has its own VIBE. We were travelling with kids and our pets. The rooms were serviced twice a day!

Excellent resort, loved the whole experience. Very spacious bedrooms, excellent food and drink choices. The High Chai and Sundowner Hour are fab. Lovely pools. Really chilled vibe around the place. Had a very relaxing head message too. Staff are very polite and attentive. Isn't much to do in the local area, beach is gorgeous and that's about it...but not the fault of the resort.

We stayed for 6 nights following a 12-night private tour from Bangalore during October 24 – this was our second visit during 2024. We are well travelled - and I see this hotel and location as viable alternative to the Caribbean or Dubai or the Far East Hotel complex divided into 2 separate entities whist sharing many of the facilities - Club guests can access to whole site whilst guests from ALIA do not get access to the Club facilities. The Club has its own entrance reception and dedicated staff. The accommodation is top quality – we stayed in room D365 - top floor overlooking pool - large room - divided into 2 - front half living/sleeping and remainder bathroom and storage - large comfy bed - slept well during our stay - better than at home - large walk-in shower - very good and controllable - all toiletries in pump action re-fillable containers Fridge - tea coffee - range of glasses - effective AC - ceiling fan - well lit - floor to ceiling windows Large balcony – a couple of day beds for lounging - table and chairs - drying rack Dedicated lounge – Bistro - breakfast from extensive menu - afternoon tea - canapés and drinks Large and dedicated swimming pool with sun loungers and parasols - patrolled for outsiders - no music. Short walk to main hotel for more restaurants - Vivo - all day dining – Club residents can get breakfast there. Spa - very good - treatments not overpriced - I had a haircut and beard trim which was well done – plus we both had ayurvedic based massages – very good. Staff make any hotel - very attentive - always ready to make your stay better or as smooth as possible - never pushy - never looking for next tip. There are shops a tailor restaurant massages and excursions and just outside the main gate - our beer shop also changed money at a reasonable rate There is a shuttle to take you to the nearby beach and a complimentary service that takes you to the nearest airport (GOI) with a current charge of 6000INR for the newer international airport (GOX) The food - this is often the elephant in the room - all tastes are catered for - if you want an Indian or English or Continental breakfast the choice is yours - if you don’t want spice there are other options - if you want chips (and who doesn’t) rather than rice it’s your choice - the hotel and/or surrounding restaurants will mean you won’t starve (or get ill) Whilst everything about hotel is very good, they could improve the quality of the toilet tissue - poor quality and gets bottom marks from me This is an interesting hotel - when we were here in January it was the wedding season - lots of Indian weddings - colourful noisy exuberant - but self-contained - we had the pool to ourselves despite the Wing being full - and no outside noise after 10 - this time it was conferences - again fully contained and entertained with no impact on the guests I like India and this hotel - Goa offers the weather - although not during our stay as we caught the end of the monsoon