As an editor here at Tripzuki I must admit one of my favourite tasks is not actually dealing with words but editing the pictures.
95% of the images we use are taken by our own contributors, not supplied by the hotels, and one of our most prolific photographers is Matthew Parker whose work has recently been featured in The Guardian, so it’s nice to know we’re mixing with the right kind of talent!
These photos are from one of my favourite batches, supplied by Matt for Deepti Kapoor’s write-up of Avanilaya, a truly secluded rural retreat that exemplifies why people are now heading to Goa in the off-season more than ever.
Pathway to Avanilaya through the bamboo
The location:
Avanilaya is inland in north Goa (or north-central Goa as it should be more usefully termed!). The property is to the east of the village of Aldona and sits on a hillside overlooking a tributary of the Mandovi River (that’s the big one that runs past the capital, Panjim).
Buddha at Avanilaya
The villas:
There are three villas here, two are built in a more traditional style and the third is a modern building with clean lines and cool, flat spaces. Personally, I love them all, as they represent the very best of 2 distinct types of accommodation and architecture that ones tends to find in Goa, albeit with a twist of design know-how, something that makes Avanilaya perfect Tripzuki material.
The first pic (above) is the entrance to one of the three, Panchavatti, which has 5 bedrooms and thus sleeps 10 people when taken in its entirety. The rooms can also be booked individually. Either way, you get the use of this gorgeous pool to the rear of the villa:
We love that image so much we use it as the header on our Facebook page!
Here’s a taste of what Panchavatti and Padimunu look like inside. Owner Charmaine has excellent taste and she runs a tight ship too! Head in from the pool and you have this gorgeous lounge and dining room:
And did I mention the gorgeous verandahs?! I am a complete sucker for a nice verandah, I’m not sure why.
Is this a porch, a terrace or a verandah?
And here are some of the bedrooms in Panchavatti and Padimunu:
The deck above is from the third villa, very different from the other two and named accordingly: The Third Place.
I think this type of interior and architecture may not be for everyone but personally I like it a lot. It’s particularly apt for those that tend to shy away from the heat and the mossies outside on a hot night. In keeping with that premise, there is A/C here and much less of an open / exposed feel compared to the other two villas.
The food:
Avanilaya is not a self-catering property but instead works more like a homestay, and a gourmet one at that. Chat to your host, discuss your likes and then leave it to the kitchen to prepare a gorgeous, elaborate meal, all from the property’s homegrown produce coupled with local ingredients.
By the way, a BIG breakfast is included in the rates. Lunch and dinner are with prior notice.
The villas are quite secluded and Aldona is just a village, so don’t expect many places to eat nearby. Do check out our Goa guide though for a good long list of options.
The rates:
Off-season (monsoon) rates go as low as 6,745 INR (about 70 GBP) per night inc. breakfast. Peak time rates go to 14,000+ (145 GBP+) per night.
See our full listing with complete info for Avanilaya.
And here’s a couple more great photos to tempt you!
