Business as usual at Hotel Nova Goa

Hotel Nova Goa attracts both the leisure and the business travellers with its traditional Goan warmth and hospitality. Neeti Mehra checks it out

A business hotel in the land of the sun, sea and sand is quite an incongruity, but Hotel Nova Goa, situated in the heart of Panjim city, belies that. The three-star hotel with 88 luxury rooms, including superior, standard, deluxe rooms and six suites, is situated close to the Goa Kala Academy, and is not very far from the picturesque Mandovi River. The pristine white lobby branches out into separate wings, and alongside the walls are water sketches and black lithographs, resonant of the Goa of yore.

Mahesh Rao, general manager, Nova Goa, says, "The property was built in 1983 and to keep the property relevant and contemporary for its target clientele, the business traveller, we had to undertake constant renovations and innovations." The hotel has two wings, with the old wing being recently renovated to give it a sharp, yet relaxed look, in themes of brown complemented with white hued marble reflecting warm tones.

Escaping the heat of the tropical climes, a dip in the swimming pool can work wonders. For a refreshing workout, the well-equipped gymnasium is worth a visit. The focus of the hotel is the facilities offered for the MICE segment, which include four conference halls with modern presentation equipments and audio-visual aids. The smaller halls, which can seat up to 50 people, are ideal for press conferences, and the largest conference hall can seat 180 people. The business center offers secretarial services to the discerning businessmen, who have a choice of working away from their offices at Nova Goa.

To tickle the taste buds, the multi-cuisine restaurant-cum-bar Lotus, has an expansive offering of Goan sea food, Indian, continental, and Chinese delicacies. Or one can also enjoy a quiet dinner under the starry sky, at the Barbecue by the poolside, which is ideal for parties also. Bibliophiles can pick up the latest best seller off the bookshelf to enjoy in the quiet space of the rooms.