La Estória, Goa – IHCL SeleQtions

La Estoria is a beautiful property with spacious rooms, and the food was a real highlight. We chose a plan with meals and enjoyed the quality and variety of the dishes. The staff were friendly and polite, and the rooms were clean and well-appointed. The entrance is down a narrow lane, which could be tricky for some guests. More significantly, there was a persistent smell in my room from a drainage problem. I told the staff, but it continued for the whole stay. Even with that issue, the strengths outweigh the drawbacks. I'd recommend La Estoria, though some rooms may have drainage problems. I’d rate it 4 out of 5. If the drainage issue gets attention, it could easily be a 5-star property. For now, the lovely grounds, welcoming staff, and delicious food still make it worth recommending.

The people at La Estoria made our stay memorable. Valmiki has such an upbeat personality that his cheerful presence lifts the mood around the hotel. Hemant's tea was excellent, especially his Sulemani tea, which I’ll vouch for anytime. Lavlesh shared so much about Goan culture, and his insights added a lot to our trip. Dolma's warm smile and sincere way of serving guests made every interaction feel personal. A special mention as well to Prajot, the talented bartender who introduced us to kombuchas and refreshing mocktails. His friendly manner and passion made it a delight to learn from him. These wonderful people are the real gems of the property. Their warmth and dedication made our time at La Estoria absolutely worthwhile and unforgettable.

The pool and poolside were appealing and well looked after. We noticed there seemed to be more foreign guests than Indian guests, which gave the place a bit of a resort holiday feel. Breakfast had a decent range, though we didn't have time to try the bar or kids' play area. We stayed one night at @LaEstoriagoa La Estoria, Goa – IHCL SeleQtions by @TajHotels. Ayanal made a thoughtful start to the stay by offering us a three-level upgrade, and redeeming the AMEX voucher was smooth and easy. The staff were attentive and courteous, in keeping with IHCL service standards. Even after the upgrade, the room felt small for the tariff. The property was formerly Country Inn, and some details still show their age, especially the bathroom fittings and door and lock hardware. They could use maintenance or refurbishment. It was comfortable and the hospitality was great, with the AMEX handled smoothly. The rooms and fittings need updating to meet IHCL SeleQtions expectations at this price. With some refurbishment, it could be a standout mid-range IHCL option in Goa.

We were worried because it was our first time depending on a hotel for our infant’s meals, but the team never let us down. They adjusted the food several times when we asked, and the chefs and kitchen staff at Trattoria really listened to our suggestions. Breakfast and dinner were both awesome. We stayed from 29th December to 2nd January, right in the busy New Year period. Even with the hotel fully booked, we had a smooth check-in, got a room upgrade, and the hospitality stayed top-notch. Reception staff were quick to help and applied discounts wherever possible. The pool was nice and very well maintained, with the water changed every day. We had a very pleasant stay and made lots of cherished memories. Thanks to everyone at La Estoria Goa!