Planning to visit a Taj resort? Need a review to assist your decision? Take my word – don’t waste time in looking for reviews, just get ready and head for your chosen Taj holiday – it will be a memorable experience. Still need a review! Then read on:)
Taj Exotica is a 5-star resort located at Benaulim in South Goa. This Mediterranean resort is set amidst 56 acres of lush property on the shores of the Arabian Sea. Exotica is a premium resort of the 3 properties owned by Taj in Goa. Others being – Taj Aguada and Taj Holiday Village.
We have been to Taj Exotica twice in the last year(2006) – once in off-season and then in the peak. Resort provides a range of room types. We opted for a Sunset Villa with Private Plunge Pool for the first time and then a Luxury Room in our second visit.
The property is divided into the main building, which besides rooms also hosts most of the restaurants. Villas have been constructed on both sides of the main building. There’s a lawn and a golf course in front, which leads to the shore. This also enables an uninterrupted view of the ocean from the most of the property.
We stayed in a Sunset Villa with Private Pool in our first visit. Like other villas, this was a 2 unit room – that is a room comprising two 600 sq ft villas. Being away from the main building, these rooms ensure less crowd but are smaller(only a bedroom) and do not justify the name ‘villa’. Private plunge pool is rather too shallow and being located in the front does not ensure privacy at all(something needed if you are an Indian lady thinking of taking a dip but not in public). Their other property in Kumarkom, Kerala has best plunge pool setup – it ensures privacy completely. But still, witnessing the sunset while relaxing in the pool is a great experience indeed!
Luxury room that we stayed in our second visit is a good option. These are bigger, with a sitting room and a bedroom in a single unit. The room comes with a private Jacuzzi in the bathroom plus a DVD player, if you are the kind to catch movies as part relaxation. Luxury rooms are spacious – something that I will certainly recommend over garden or pool villas.
Property is good but not as great as other resorts in Goa like Leela or Hyatt. It includes a small 9-hole golf course, a jogging track and a cricket pitch. It is adequately lit up and invites for a romantic walk in the night.
Now something that matters the most – staff and service: Taj scores here! Like all their resorts, staff here is extremely polite and helpful. In room dining or any other service is prompt with highest quality. It is this criterion that makes Taj stand out from others and ensures full value for money.
F & B: Taj Exotica has variety of restaurants to satisfy those experimenting tongues J Besides a shack and a lounge bar, it presents you with restaurants serving Mediterranean, Oriental and Goan cuisines. Food quality is good and chef is always there if you want something different to suit your taste. However I felt that Indian breakfast section definitely needs improvement.
Overall Taj Exotica is a great holiday destination. I will recommend it for a family holiday. Though highly priced, it will ensure value for money and you will go back with good memories. Though it is better of all resorts in South Goa, I felt that it still cannot beat its older cousin – good old Taj Aguada in North Goa.
So get ready and head for Exotica – you have a great holiday ahead!