It was nice to be back to Goa after our visit last year. While then the call of Go go, let’s go 🛫 Goa from within was for a family vacation, this time the Welcome back to Goa had it’s very different charm.

Here to attend the global alumni meet of our alma mater at BITS Pilani, Goa campus and spend some unforgettable moments with old college friends, I decided to stay on for a few days more for a week long vacation. Amidst the peace of Goa.

The flight was a little delayed but it was still early afternoon when we landed. The next three days was going to be about friends, events in and outside the campus, music, food and party. And when there is too much of partying, I need some peace thereafter. Since my batch mates were all putting up at a resort in Bogmalo beach, my search was for a peace destination in Bogmalo, which would be so near yet so far. It did not take long. I found Athi Resorts.

I have a knack of making friends when I travel and the first few of them invariably turn out to be the drivers of cars or cabs that I hire from the airports. After the prepaid counter issued my slip it was like an auction. Something I had never seen before. Who wants to go? Bogmalo? Bogmalo? No one was willing. The distance was too short. And then I saw this bespectacled man with thick glasses. He too seemed least interested.

I realized if I had to reach, it had to be him. So I immediately went up to him, shook his hand and said, ‘Come let’s go. We are almost the same age’. He flashed a smile and then first hesitantly and soon happily, after almost having snatched my suitcase from my hand, he was heading towards his cab. And me running behind him trying to catch up. With this young man of sixty five, Shirodkar. We were soon friends chatting, laughing, discussing Goa and there in less than fifteen minutes.

Based in the heart of Dabolim, just a kilometer from Bogmalo beach, seven kilometers from the airport and right opposite the Naval Museum on Bogmalo Road is this lovely boutique property, Athi Resorts. A bus stop just outside, you could reach the beach in three minutes. But if you are game for a relaxed walk through nature, you would reach in ten minutes with the road sloping downwards making your journey nice and comfortable. Ideal for a morning walk to the beach before you get lost in the sea.

Vicky was at the reception for my check-in which was nice and smooth. I clarified a few things from him about transport, late night return and room service before he took me to my room on the first floor in one of the wings. Here is the first impression.

Mine was Agra, which happens to be one of my favorite cities. All ten rooms here, all with a balcony, each have a distinct identity of their own and are modeled around these landmark cities and states of India and one of them on England, the home country of the owners. Let’s go in and have a look.

My next door room was Varanasi. Benares of olden days. Again a city I love, having lived and worked there. Then there was Rajasthan, the state where I studied in my college and university, BITS Pilani and the reason why we friends were all here. Very interesting indeed.

After a quick freshen up and a coffee in the sunny balcony enjoying the breeze, it was hunger time before I moved out to meet my college buddies for the evening party and dinner in a nearby resort on Bogmalo beach. Come let’s go down to the restaurant for lunch. It’s called Mist @ Athi’s.

The menu is quite elaborate with a wide range to choose from. What I liked was that Chef Hajari understood my spice preference before rolling out the dish. I ordered my favorite Aloo Parathas and a spicy paneer dish to go along. Come let’s get going.

The food was very tasty and as I prepared to walk towards Bogmalo beach, Vicky volunteered to drop me on his scooty. Such a nice gesture from him. I was there in five minutes to spend a gala evening with my college pals.

It was past midnight when I was back. But didn’t want to sleep immediately. Instead wanted a coffee. So while Vicky gets me my black coffee without sugar, time for me to take you around and give you a feel of this cute resort.

For the next two days I had to leave early in the morning for the campus and so my breakfast was my all time favorite fruits, bread, omelette and coffee. But on the last morning here, I decided to indulge a bit. With one of my hot favorites, Poori Chole. It turned out to be an awesome choice along with the tasty salad and served with a lot of care and a smile.

What I have liked best about this place apart from the calm peace around has been the personal touch. And the little things that make you feel happy, like a happy face serving you your coffee past midnight, every night I was here. And the bonhomie among the staff. And when I thanked one of them for creating this relaxed cozy feel, he credited it all to the lady who owns this place.

That’s Anita. And the happy face says it all. It was a pleasure chatting with her one of the evenings over some lovely hot Pakoras and tea. Belonging to a Punjabi family of lawyers in Britain and born and brought up there, it was a year or so back that she decided to come to India. To transform this family property of theirs, which they had purchased twelve years ago, into a landmark sought after destination with a difference.

‘Athi’ is her passion and it shows in every bit of the way everyone here cares and the little thoughts that have gone behind designing this cute little resort, including rooms. What you experience here is a nice happy family. Waiting to welcome you.

📞 Anita on +91 83800 72282 to make your bookings and have a great time while in Goa. And she will also help you with some great itinerary to experience Goa at it’s best, including a google guide to the best places for eating out designed by her.

Athi Resorts is also a wonderful place to just relax and chill. You could just laze by the full-sized swimming pool with a chilled drink, some snacks or lunch all whilst the kids play in the children’s pool. There is a beautiful wooden gazebo under which you can play cards, chess or other board games whilst enjoying the shade and the beautiful gardens.

And if you think that’s all, you are in for a surprise. There are few other family members waiting to welcome you. Let me introduce you to them.

Goa. It’s been a fantastic last few days. Friends, fun, frolic and fabulous festivity.

‘Athi Resorts’. The perfect home I loved going back to every night. My new found home in Goa 🏖️

Enjoy your stay in Athi Resorts when you visit Goa. PIN it for later