Situated just to the east of Coco Beach across from Panjim, with waves from the Indian Ocean tumbling onto the sea wall that separates the hotel from the sea, Ahilya by the Sea is one of Goa’s few properties directly on the Ocean. Ahilya by the Sea is the result of collaboration between two families linked by marriage, and brings the expertise and experience Prince Richard Holkar, creator of Ahilya Fort in Central India to this unique Goan domain, owned by the Kanakadri-Ellis family. Ahilya by the Sea was built by the owner, Leela Kannakadri Ellis, on the site of the colonial Portuguese customs house. Each of the 8 rooms boasts stunning views of the sea entrance to Old Goa. The hotel itself is consists of 3 Portuguese style villas made of hand hewn local red laterite rock and one Tower room which is intertwined with an ancient beachfront banyan tree. Each individual brick of the villas was shaped on site by master masons using only paper stencils, chalk and hand tools—a craft that has all but disappeared. Located only one hour away from the main airport by car, Ahilya by the Sea is only minutes away from bustling Calangute, Candolim and Baga beaches. Approximately 1 mile to the West is the recently restored historic Reis-Magos fort which is the oldest fort in Goa. It boasts a stunningly beautiful church and sweeping views towards the sea, Panjim and Old Goa. It is perfect for a quick excursion. To the east in the town of Nerul is the “younger” Nerul church which was built in 1569. A 15 min drive takes you past idyllic villages & old churches to the Panjim Bridge from which you can continue to the capital city Panjim or on to the erstwhile seat of Portuguese power, Old Goa. A 40 minute ride in the other direction will take you to the famous Anjuna flea market, where crafts by the scores are available for purchase.
