After dining at some of the new restaurants in the bustling area of Assagao, Goa, I continued my tropical getaway by heading towards a more tranquil space. Driving towards Ashvem – the rather quieter side of North Goa – the lush greenery served as a serene sight but the unexpectedly hot and humid weather during this time of the month drained me. This feeling was replaced by a sense of ease on approaching my destination KAIĀ, a sea-facing boutique stay where I was welcomed with a much-needed, chilled Kokum drink to get some respite from the scorching heat. That along with the hotel’s simple, raw and rugged interiors nestled in the quaint Ashvem village set the tone for a relaxed vacation.
Located right opposite Ashvem Beach, KAIĀ takes you on a journey back to the roots of Goa before its bustling nightlife took over. KAIĀ encompasses a ten-room boutique hotel, a four-bedroom villa, an all-day dining bar and restaurant, and a spa overlooking the ocean. Chrome Hospitality, the group behind known Mumbai restaurants like Kyma, Eve and Demy, runs it. KAIĀ marks the hospitality chain’s debut in the hotel space, roping celebrity Bhumi Pednekar as its investor.
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Interiors & Stay
Inspired by Tulum whilst keeping the essence of Goa alive, KAIĀ’s foundations make use of chira stone and locally cultivated bamboo–an ode to sustainable craftsmanship. Ratan, cane and jute are the predominant materials used in the space with palm trees and other plants outlining the property to add a tropical touch.
KAIĀ Village has 10 rooms spread across two floors. The ground floor has 5 cottages that offer a cosy stay made for rest and rejuvenation, whether you want to relax in the beautifully crafted stone bathtubs or enjoy a peaceful sleep after a night of revelry. An upward slope (a ramp of sorts) took us to the first floor where a small cafe set-up is made. Here you can enjoy freshly brewed coffee while you catch up on urgent business mails, socialise with other guests, or simply enjoy the view of the backwaters and the sea.
Walk ahead and you’ll find 5 glasshouse rooms, of which one was ours. Clean, minimalist aesthetics and uncluttered surroundings define our spacious luxury room featuring floor-to-ceiling windows that allow enough light to seep through. A tall mirror placed strategically by the window ensured I got enough mirror selfies. Chrome yellow, white and navy blue are the predominant tones of the room. Sail-like fabrics hung above our bed adding a nautical vibe to the interiors. A sofa with two large raffia lamps hanging from the ceiling, a coffee table with two chairs and a bar kit complete with a perfume spray made our room the ideal spot to unwind in. The bathroom too deserves a mention as it is completely painted in white with earthy elements complimenting it seamlessly.
If you’re travelling with a large group, you can check into KAIĀ Villa, which lies across the road. Characterised by minimalist design, the 4-bedroom haven has a tall glass facade that offers the view of the resplendent swimming pool aligned with the backwaters and shore. Wake up to the sound of the gentle breeze or caressing of the sea in this blissful space.
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Eat & Drink
KAIĀ has a gorgeous hourglass-shaped bar with Sanjay Darnal heading the bar programme. From gin and rum to whiskey and tequila-based cocktails, Darnal is pretty much a mad scientist who concocts various recipes out of his small laboratory at the property.
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As an engaging activity, you can also go behind the bar and make your own cocktail under the mixologist’s guidance. Sanjay taught me how to make a drink named Man…Gone Going, which includes Raw Mango Tequila, Spiced Raw Mango & Mango Leaf Liqueur, Lime, garnished with Mango Leaf and a spiced rim. I emerged a proud bartender at the end of this session.
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The culinary offerings at KAIĀ are well thought of. The food menu created by Chef Mohit Savargaonkar taps into the traditional Goan cuisine as well as other global dishes that are sure to tantalise your tastebuds. As the former chef of a delivery service that curated nutritional meal plans, Mohit incorporates many healthy options for those who follow a certain kind of diet. For instance, you will love the Nourishing Poridge Bowl for breakfast. As for me, the Pesarattu dosa became my choice of breakfast on both both days of my stay.
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Watch out for the dishes tagged as Chef’s Specials on the menu–Beetroot Borani, Kerala Beef Ularthiyathu Bowl and Braised Lamb Shank in Red Wine Jus, among others are must-tries. But I also thoroughly enjoyed the Harmal Chilli dipping prawns and Chicken Pepper Fry.
The uppermost deck of KAIA Village was shut due to the rains. However, a rooftop restaurant is set to open soon.
Healing & Wellness
Whether you want to cycle in the Ashvem village along the beach, test your art skills via canvas painting or immerse yourself in guided meditation or different types of yoga programs, KAIĀ offers multiple experiences for you to recharge your mind and body. We chose to tap into sound healing.
Yoga trainer Sina Siav helped start our day on a refreshing note with sound healing meditation (or NadaYoga) where he played serene tunes on the hand pan, flute and other bamboo instruments while we meditated. Known to reduce stress, anxiety, and pain, I definitely felt much lighter and energised after this sound healing session. Sina also doubles up as a musician and teaches how to play the hand pan. In fact, he has his own recording label called Navakanu that produces music from this soulful instrument. We had a brief workshop where we learned the basics of creating soothing tunes on this metal-based instrument.
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What’s more? A Bio-Energy Meridian Massage that targets active acupuncture points using low-frequency pulsed electric signals. It helps increase blood circulation and balances the energy flow in internal organs, which will leave you feeling invigorated and refreshed.
ELLE’s Verdict
KAIĀ is a simple boutique stay that keeps you in touch with Goa’s humble susegad way of life and reflects the community-driven spirit of the village it is nestled in while simultaneously serving as an oasis of elegance and comfort in the company of delectable bites and cocktails. We certainly recommend bookmarking KAIĀ for your next Goa trip.
