Ahilya by the Sea: A Private Goan Sanctuary of Art, Heritage, and Tranquil Luxury

Meta Description: Discover Ahilya by the Sea, a secret jewel in Nerul, Goa. Explore nine exquisite rooms in heritage villas, two sea-view pools, and a dining experience rooted in family legacy. Book your ultimate private Goan escape with Tourtly.

An Invitation to a Different Goa

Imagine an escape to Goa that exists worlds away from the vibrant thrum of its famed night markets and pulsating beach parties. Picture a morning that begins not with a crowd, but with the gentle rhythm of the Arabian Sea lapping against an ancient stone wall, the sight of local fishermen guiding their colourful boats out into Dolphin Bay, and the sweet, heady scent of frangipani blossoms drifting on the breeze.¹ This is the Goa that awaits at Ahilya by the Sea, a destination that offers not just a holiday, but a profound sense of peace and a return to the art of living well.

Nestled in a quiet, sun-kissed corner of Nerul, this property is not a hotel in the conventional sense; it is an experience meticulously crafted to feel like a "serene and private escape".¹ With just nine exquisitely decorated rooms spread across three independent villas and a secluded treehouse, Ahilya by the Sea immediately establishes a promise of intimacy and exclusivity.¹ The guiding philosophy, inherited from its renowned sister property, the Ahilya Fort in Central India, is to create the feeling of being a guest in a magnificent private home, one surrounded by understated elegance and the quiet luxury of time and space.¹

This is a place that embodies the true spirit of Goan susegad—a unique, untranslatable concept of a contented, unhurried, and blissfully relaxed way of life.² Here, the definition of luxury is redefined. It is found in the deliberate absence of televisions and the distractions of the modern world, a conscious choice to encourage guests to disconnect from the noise and reconnect with themselves, with nature, and with the rich tapestry of stories woven into the very walls of the property.⁵ This is not a retreat from life, but a deeper immersion into it, offering a glimpse into another Goa entirely: a place of lazy mornings, long siestas, and quiet, elegant eccentricity.⁷

The Soul of Ahilya: A Legacy of Art, Royalty, and Heritage

The profound character of Ahilya by the Sea is not a modern invention but a legacy cultivated over generations, rooted in a rich history of royalty, art, and a deep appreciation for culture. Its soul is a blend of two distinguished Indian families, creating an authentic heritage that cannot be replicated.

The Holkar-Ahilya Connection

The property’s name and ethos are a direct extension of the celebrated Ahilya Fort in Maheshwar, the ancestral home of the Holkar dynasty.¹ In the late 1990s, Prince Richard Holkar, a descendant of the revered 18th-century warrior-queen Ahilyabai Holkar, made the visionary decision to transform his family's magnificent fort into a heritage hotel. This was not merely a commercial venture but a mission to preserve the space and use it as a platform to keep the vibrant culture and traditions of the region alive.⁶ This foundation of authentic, legacy-driven hospitality—where a place is a vessel for history and culture—is the very principle upon which Ahilya by the Sea was later conceived.

The Artist's Granddaughter: The Story of Leela Ellis and A.X. Trindade

The Goan chapter of this story begins with the property's creator, Mary Leela Rao Ellis. Her connection to the artistic soul of Goa is deep and personal; she is the granddaughter of António Xavier Trindade, one of Goa’s most famous painters from the early 20th century, a master of the Bombay School so renowned for his perceptive portraits that he was hailed as the "Rembrandt of the East".²

In 2004, Leela Ellis returned to her ancestral land and began rebuilding her family home on a historically significant site—the location of the old Portuguese customs houses that once guarded the maritime entrance to Panjim.² The result was a collection of stunning Portuguese-Balinese style villas, built not as a hotel, but as a private residence. It became a living gallery, filled with a deeply personal collection of art, sculptures, and artifacts handpicked by Leela herself during her extensive travels to Morocco, Indonesia, Brazil, and beyond.¹ This curation ensures that every object within the villas has a story, transforming the property into a museum of a life well-lived and a world well-traveled.

From Private Home to Boutique Hotel

The transition from a private home to a public retreat was a natural evolution of the Ahilya philosophy. In 2013, Yeshwant Rao Holkar, son of Prince Richard Holkar, partnered with his sister's mother-in-law, Leela Ellis, to open the doors of this Goan sanctuary to the world.⁶ The goal was to extend the unique, home-like hospitality of Ahilya Fort to the coast. The interiors were left untouched, preserving the authentic charm and personal stamp of their creator. This seamless fusion of two family legacies ensures that a stay at Ahilya by the Sea feels less like a hotel booking and more like a cherished invitation into a private, story-filled world.

The Sanctuaries: Villas and Rooms of Ahilya by the Sea

The accommodations at Ahilya by the Sea are not mere rooms but private sanctuaries, each with a unique identity, story, and perspective on the stunning coastal landscape. Spread across three independent villas and a whimsical treehouse, the property’s nine rooms are masterpieces of design and comfort, constructed from hand-hewn local laterite rock in a harmonious blend of Portuguese and Balinese architectural styles.⁴ The limited number of rooms ensures an atmosphere of unparalleled privacy and exclusivity.

Detailed Accommodation Breakdown

• Leela Villa: The Heart of the Estate

  As the original main house, Leela Villa holds pride of place on the property. It overlooks an ancient banyan tree, the serene Sunrise Pool, and the vast expanse of the Arabian Sea.5 The ground floor features a welcoming living room and a shady, wrap-around verandah where breakfast is often served. The first floor is home to the magnificent

  Trindade Suite, the original master bedroom of the house. This expansive suite offers commanding sea views from every vantage point and features a step-out balcony, making it one of the most coveted rooms on the property.²

• Sunset Villa: Views and Verandahs

  This charming villa offers three individually decorated bedrooms and a large, shared living area perfect for quiet afternoons. On the upper floor, the Fakir Suite and Nascente Suite provide breathtaking views of both the Arabian Sea and the tranquil Sunset plunge pool.10 The Nascente Suite also boasts a large private terrace, an ideal spot for watching the sun dip below the horizon over Dolphin Bay. On the ground floor, the

  Florentina Room, a spacious Rainha category room, is distinguished by its stunning laterite arches and large windows that frame the ocean view perfectly.¹⁰

• Sunrise Villa: Eclectic Elegance

  Home to three beautifully appointed "Rainha" category rooms—Barcos, Annalia, and Minestrel—the Sunrise Villa is a testament to eclectic elegance. Each room is uniquely decorated with high brick ceilings and a curated collection of antiques and art.2 These rooms share a common living area and verandah, fostering a sense of communal yet private living. The Annalia and Barcos rooms are particularly noted for their interesting antiques and architectural details.12

• The Banyan Tree Rooms: A Treetop Escape

  For a truly unique and enchanting experience, the Banyan Tree Rooms offer an unforgettable retreat. Spruced up in 2023 and nestled within the branches of a magnificent, ancient banyan tree, these two rooms—Dolce and Farniente—are the epitome of seclusion and romance.1 Named after a portrait of A.X. Trindade's wife, they are designed to inspire guests to "embrace doing absolutely nothing." Dolce, on the lower floor, offers views into the banyan's canopy and through its branches to the sea. Farniente, on the upper floor, features floor-to-ceiling windows with panoramic views of the treetops and Dolphin Bay, complete with a

  gaadi-style window seat for two.¹³

• The Music Room Suite: A Note of History

  Set apart in the family's former music listening room, this suite offers its own distinct character and history.5 With partial sea views, it provides a cozy and intimate space for guests seeking a quiet corner of the estate.

The thoughtful design of the property, where no two rooms are alike, means that every stay offers a new discovery. This variety caters to different traveler needs, from the expansive privacy of a suite to the whimsical charm of the treehouse. This careful curation of space is a core reason why guests feel they are in a private home rather than a commercial hotel, as it eschews the uniformity of conventional luxury for something far more personal and memorable.

Your Private Sanctuary at Ahilya by the Sea

To help you choose your perfect haven, this table outlines the unique characteristics of each accommodation.

The Ahilya Culinary Experience: A Moveable Feast

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