In the local dialect, Goa is often referred to as 'Goa Dourada', (meaning 'Golden Goa') because of its beautiful beaches, forts, churches, waterfalls, and caves. Goa, a very popular destination for those who enjoy doing everything that is exciting. The experience of a holiday is compared to paradise.

There is a range of hotels which is available to the tourist depending on the budget.

Hotel Taj Exotica, Goa

With 140 centrally air conditioned rooms including two Presidential villas with private plunge pools, you are lifted out of the mundane and gentle places into a wide open eternity of Space at the Taj Exotica. All the rooms are spacious and luxurious each having a private verandah or balcony that looks out to the Arabian Sea.

The hotel has been divided into a main block which houses spacious deluxe and luxury rooms and the villa block with 2 and 4 rooms villas.

The airy deluxe rooms offer a harmony of grace and comfort.

Spread over 56 acres, the hotel has well-manicured lawns for you to enjoy. Along with the Goan and Portuguese styles villas, teh whole complex is a delight to behold. Dining

Restaurants and Bars at the Taj Exotica:

Miguel Arcanjo : Mediterranean restaurant serving Italian, Portuguese, Spanish and Provencal fare.

Allergria : The Goan restaurant

Li Bai : Oriental restaurant serving sichuan, Canton and Hunan specialities.

Tea Lounge: Serves a variety of fine teas

Eugenia: The coffee shop.

Adega Camoens: The Loungebar.

There is facility to hold a banquet at the Sala Grande spread over 4600 sq ft area which can be easily partitioned into two. There are also 2 private inter connected dining rooms for smaller conference.

Overall, there are 5 halls with capacities of up to 800 persons auditorium style and up to 1200 persons for receptions/ cocktails. The swimming pool area and lawns are available for parties too.

The swimming pool with Jacuzzi, children's pool with water slides and floats, fitness centre, and spa are a tourist's delight. The hotel also has water slides and offers facilities for water sports like wind surfing, sailing, speedboats and para sailing. Other recreational facilities include a 9-hole mini golf course, 3-hole putt and pitch golf course, beach volleyball, basketball and giant chessboard. Indoor recreational facilities include table tennis, billiards, computer games, cardroom and library.

Park Hyatt Resort and Spa Hotel, Goa

15 minutes from the airport on Arrossim Beach in South Goa.

The Five Star Deluxe Hotel is located on 45 acres of lush manicured beachfront gardens on the Arrossim Beach in South Goa. It has 251 rooms including 13 suites nestled among waterways and lagoons. The hotel reflects Goa's rich cultural heritage in design and hospitality. Some rooms have secret gardens, outdoor verandas, outdoor shower areas or high vaulted ceilings.

The resort's Regency Club offers exclusive accommodation with butler and concierge services.

There is a variety of restaurants in the hotel. The Miranda lobby lounge serves high tea as well as a range of port wines and cigars. Da Luigi, the speciality restaurant, serves a large selection of wood-fired pizzas, delicious pastas and an array of traditional Trattoria dishes. The Market Grill, the grill kitchen offers delicious charcoal-grilled prime cuts and fresh local seafood, paired with a wide variety of new world wines. The Juice Bar offers a wide range of healthy fresh fruit and vegetable based drinks. The Masala is the Indian specialty restaurant which offers regional Tandoori and Goan dishes while the Sambar is the South Indian restaurant which serves vegetarian cuisine.

The Leela Palace Hotel, Goa

The Leela Palace,A 5 Star Deluxe hotel in Goa is a class by itself with its architectural beauty of the 13th century. It is one of the ten most luxurious beach resorts in the world, nestling quietly in lush tropical gardens at the tip of Mobor Beach.

The Leela Palace has 4 Royal Villas, 5 Lagoon Deluxe Suites, 74 Lagoon Suites, 18 Ocean Villa Deluxe Rooms, 54 Pavilion Rooms and 1 Presidential Suite. The Royal Villas feature a private plunge pool each. The Presidential Suite has a private plunge pool, a garden shower in a private Courtyard and a hot spa. Each room is luxuriously appointed with plush furnishings, and an exquisite balcony.

The luxury resort offers Continental, Indian, Chinese, Italian and Goan cuisines.

Jamavar, the resort's new signature restaurant, features traditional Indian fare. At the Riverside Restaurant, the cuisine is Italian, Goan and Coastal.

Hotel Fort Aguada Beach, Goa

Fort Aguada Beach Resort, a Five Star Deluxe Hotel has variety of rooms to offer. From standard rooms to cottages or terace suites all are designed tto suite the luxury of the guest.

In all there all 32 Standard Rooms, 32 Deluxe Rooms, 24 Terrace Suites and 42 Cottages.

There is a tradional Goanese restaurant at Morisco. The Seashell Restaurant serves the best of Indian and European gourmet fare amidst the elegance of flowers, wine and serenades. Il Camino serves Italian cuisine and the Martini Bar, by the poolside serves exotic cocktails, martinis and snacks to tempt every palate.

Poolside BBQ is a favourite joint for seafood grills while at the Wine Cellar you can take your pick from a selection of vintage wines.

There are three conference rooms for meetings or seminars. There is a spa with couple suites as well as separate facilities for ladies and gents. Besides the swimming pool there are steam baths and a Jacuzzi. Ayurveda treatment and oil massage, gymnasium and yoga. For the sporty types there are water sports which include Speedboats, Sailing, Windsurfing, Water Skiing, Parasailing, Jet Skis and Surfing. In addition, there is 5-hole Golf Putting Green, Tennis and Fishing.