Taj Exotica Resort & Spa, Goa

In Indian hospitality there’s no more important name than Taj; the homegrown hospitality behemoth operates nearly a hundred hotels all across the country, from urban business hotels under the flagship banner to more exclusive, immersive luxury resorts like the Taj Exotica Resort & Spa, Goa. Here, on the spectacular white-sand Benaulim Beach in South Goa, you’ll find the living is extraordinarily easy.

A central building houses 32 rooms and six suites, while outlying villas contain the rest. They vary in size and plan, but all are classic-contemporary in style, and border on the extravagant in comfort — you won’t just have a pillow menu, you’ll have the option of firmer or softer mattresses, as well as Mohandas Arjundas bedding, Forest Essentials Ayurvedic bath products, and round-the-clock service.

The straightforwardly named Lobster Shack serves fresh seafood by the beach, while Miguel Arcanjo is the fine-dining restaurant, a tribute to the legendary local chef of the same name. Save some time for the Jiva spa, in between stretches by the pool or on the beach — or indulge in a near-comical list of sporting offerings, from a nine-hole golf course to tennis courts, badminton facilities, and even a cricket ground.