"When rock and pop stars tour India, they always end with a stay in Goa," says Qammar Hakim. "And when they are in Goa, they always stay at The Leela." Hakim is a manager at the hotel, but there appears to be no reason to doubt his claim, even though he refuses to name names - at least on record. For all its renown as a holiday destination, Goa does not have a great deal of five-star accommodation and The Leela, situated on 30 hectares towards the end of a spit, with the River Sal on one side and the Arabian Sea on the other, is attractive for both its seclusion and its service.
The stars themselves no doubt stay in The Club - a resort within a resort - while the backing singers and tour managers probably have to "make do" with one of the rooms or suites built around three man-made lagoons.
Well, I'll have to quote from the promotional blurb here, because it was too exclusive for this writer to be admitted to, even for a peek. The smallest suites in this area measure 1,722 square feet and, within the confines of The Club, the pampered few are offered "everything from limousine airport transfers to private plunge pools, dining areas and a designated Club beach". The hotel may need a better copywriter, though, because a private lap pool and personalised butler service are worth boasting about, too.
The 186 rooms and suites that overlook the lagoons (above and below) are very clean and perfectly pleasant, if unremarkable, but being able to throw open the shutters in the morning to let in a view of water is always a plus, even if that water is an unusual shade of green.
