The Leela Goa

This is one of those rare Goa resorts where the sense of space is a real luxury in itself. Formerly The Leela Goa and now The St. Regis Goa Resort, it sits on a large estate in South Goa with a serene, tucked away feel, and it is the sort of place where you can spend the entire stay on property without feeling boxed in. The grounds are extensive, with water features and greenery, and the setting is anchored by Mobor Beach and the River Sal. The resort also leans into “destination resort” amenities, including a 12 hole par 3 golf course that is part of the property’s long standing identity.  On paper and in look and feel, the ingredients for a proper ultra luxury stay are all here. Dining is a major plus because there is real variety rather than token choice: Riverside is the Pan Asian restaurant set along the River Sal, while Susegado is the beachfront grill and bar focused on coastal flavours and seafood, and there are multiple other venues that make the resort feel self sufficient across a longer stay.  My main issue was that the service did not consistently meet the promise of the brand, and the gaps showed up in small, avoidable moments that add up. The St. Regis Butler Service is explicitly positioned as the hallmark of the experience, so you expect a high level of precision in the basics. In my case, when I asked for unpacking, the butler’s hanger choices were strangely wrong: shirts on soft padded dress hangers and trousers on shirt hangers, while the proper trouser hangers were skipped. It is not a crisis, but it is exactly the kind of detail that should be second nature in a luxury operation, and it immediately undercuts the “effortless” feeling.  There were also small usability irritations in the room itself. The bathtub drainage mechanism is oddly unintuitive, requiring repeated pulling of a plunger to get the water to drain as expected. In a resort that is otherwise designed to feel calm and friction free, this kind of awkwardness stands out more than it would elsewhere. Housekeeping had a more direct impact one morning when the Nespresso capsules were not replenished. I had to follow up, then someone arrived with coffee sachets rather than capsules, and then I waited again while they fetched the correct capsules. What should have been a simple first coffee became a 45 minute process. In a premium resort, mornings should run smoothly because the small comforts are handled without the guest having to chase them. Dining service showed a similar pattern of friendliness without consistent follow through. At Susegado, ice requested with sparkling water was forgotten and only arrived after I reminded the server. At Riverside, ice came initially, but was taken away during service and never returned, so it was missing later in the meal when I wanted it. These are minor lapses, but they are precisely the kind that stop a luxury hotel from feeling “finished”, because the difference between very good and genuinely excellent is the absence of such gaps. To be clear, I would still consider returning because the resort’s setting, scale, and overall atmosphere are special, and the bones of the experience are strong. But St. Regis is a brand that trades on precision, and this property will feel far more convincing at the top end if it tightens service training and consistency across butler handling, housekeeping replenishment, and simple restaurant attentiveness. Right now, it is polished and impressive, but not yet reliably seamless. Sources 

We had a truly unforgettable stay at St. Regis, Goa made all the more special by Deependra our butler. His attention to detail and proactive service were world-class. From the perfectly timed sunset drinks to the warm daily greetings, to getting us last-minute spa appointments and dinner reservations, he made us feel like royalty. Thank you, Deependra for making us experience an incredible beach getaway!

Our whole stay at St Regis Goa was 5 star from start to finish. The team in Miri restaurant couldn’t have done more, always attentive and welcoming. Special thanks to Executive Chef Sunil Dutt and Chef Santosh and his team who went over and above to cater our special requests for particular dishes. The bar team were a friendly interactive bunch and a lot of interesting conversations took place over drinks. The hospitality team were also very efficient and top marks go to all there.. Our butler assigned to us, Shavon was always accommodating with any requests to do with our room or making reservations at one of the resort’s restaurants. In the spa, again we had a very pleasant experience with our treatments and felt well looked after. All the staff there provided an excellent service always with a smiling face. If I may put forward one small suggestion, it is that the guests may enjoy live singers every evening or even two- three times a week. Overall we had an amazing time there, would recommend it to friends and family and indeed, would revisit ourselves Manisha and Mukesh Patel January 2026

St. Regis, you spoiled us with exceptional service, attentive staff, and the most beautiful Suite111. Special mention to Shavon, our butler, who took care of us. Chef Santosh cooked our daughters special meals to accommodate their allergies. Karan and Adaarsh in Food and Beverage showed outstanding hospitality. We have to come back again.

The property is about an hour from the old Goa airport and about 2 hours from the new airport. But the long ride worth it once you arrive. It has 49 acre of property full of serenity which includes lily ponds, golf course, beach, fine dining, and lovely rooms/suites