The Sawantwadi Palace Boutique Art Hotel is one of those properties that will leave you with ever-lasting memories and you just come back after the visit, utterly gobsmacked by how fantastic and perfect the trip went even in the minute details, thanks to the outstanding staff and service levels and of course the heart and soul of this property - her highness Yuvrani Shraddha Bhonsle who herself manages every tiny aspect of this wonderful property.||The booking process was very smoothly managed by the able Mrs. Tanuja at the front desk. She clarified all our pre-trip doubts, helped plan our itinerary to include as much of Sawantwadi art and culture as possible. Special thanks to her. While we were staying there, she always ensured all our needs were met for every tiny little thing.||With the help of their private cab and excellent driver, the soft spoken yet so knowledgeable Sachin Kulkarni, Shraddha and Tanuja helped us plan visits to a local farm, a dam, the Pinguli puppetry centre and some Konkan backwaters and beaches along the beautiful and untouched (by tourism) Shiroda and Vengurla coastal towns. Sachin also helped arrange a picturesque and memorable picnic breakfast at the Amboli palace ruins (which also belongs to this royal family).||About the property, every tiny detail had been looked into and arranged for by the staff. The rooms are designed in a way to retain the heritage charm infused with their local art and handicrafts, while still having all modern amenities that one would find in a niche / 5 star property. Same with the outdoor amenities - there are lovely locations throughout the property to enjoy and soak in the sun if one wishes to. The entire property is set inside a coconut grove of sorts. The pool is brilliantly located right near the rooms and is a relief for the afternoon heat. ||The central courtyard is where all the action is. They have a fantastic restaurant open to the sky, resplendent with some indoor games and a bar to keep guests occupied. Every tiny bit of detail has been designed keeping their artistic (history) aesthetics in mind. They are very proud guardians of the Ganjifa art form native to this region, and one would find elements of Ganjifa art everywhere in the property - the furniture, the coasters on the restaurant tables, door handles, mirrors, etc. ||Coming to the food - please mark my words when I say this - no 5 star hotel in India can match the level of attention to detail, customized and tailored food preferences and the sheer taste and variety of food on offer. ||The cocktails and mocktails we tried were out of the world too, prepared by the mixologist Anand. ||The princess Shraddha and her husband Lakham are both Michelin star chefs who have extensive experience from working in star hotels abroad, and Shraddha really loves watching guests leave every meal with huge smiles plastered on their faces. Her passion for the art of food shows in every single dish served here. What I loved is she doesn’t just serve the standard recipes, but also encourages us to try fusion recipes with local flavours infused into popular dishes from around the world. Over our stay of four days and probably 10-12 meals there, we went overboard and literally tried whatever she suggested us to try. I have never been so satisfied with the food department in any 5 star hotel in India or abroad, as I was here. Shraddha and her team create magic in every meal, and I surely will keep going back to this property just for the food aspect alone! ||The service at the restaurant was impeccable at all times, special mention of the restaurant staff Akash, Anand, Jack and Nikhil. Prashanth sir took care of the housekeeping and any tiny requests we had, thanks to him as well! Thanks to Nikita and Gayatri for the palace tour and the Ganjifa art workshop, we learnt a lot thanks to you two!||Last but not the least, we do miss Sushi the golden retriever and resident mascot of the palace hotel, who was always around in the property keeping our spirits high.||Kudos to the entire team of Sawantwadi palace boutique art hotel, thank you once again for one of our best...
Read moreThe Sawantwadi Palace Boutique Art Hotel is one of those properties that leave you with ever-lasting memories and you just come back after the visit, utterly gobsmacked by how fantastic and perfect the trip went even in the minute details, thanks to the outstanding staff and service levels and of course the heart and soul of this property - her highness Yuvrani Shraddha Bhonsle who herself manages every tiny aspect of this wonderful property.
The booking process was very smoothly managed by the able Mrs. Tanuja at the front desk. She clarified all our pre-trip doubts, helped plan our itinerary to include as much of Sawantwadi art and culture as possible. Special thanks to her. While we were staying there, she always ensured all our needs were met for every tiny little thing.
With the help of their private cab and excellent driver, the soft spoken yet so knowledgeable Sachin Kulkarni, they helped us plan visits to a local farm, a dam, the Pinguli puppetry centre and some Konkan backwaters and beaches along the beautiful Shiroda and Vengurla coastal towns. Sachin also helped arrange a picturesque and memorable picnic breakfast at the Amboli palace ruins (which also belongs to this royal family).
About the property, every tiny detail had been looked into and arranged for by the staff. The rooms are designed in a way to retain the heritage charm infused with their local art and handicrafts, while still having all modern amenities that one would find in a niche / 5 star property. Same with the outdoor amenities - there are lovely locations throughout the property to enjoy and soak in the sun if one wishes to. The entire property is set inside a coconut grove of sorts. The pool is brilliantly located right near the rooms and is a relief for the afternoon heat.
The central courtyard is where all the action is. They have a fantastic restaurant open to the sky, resplendent with some indoor games and a bar to keep guests occupied. Every tiny bit of detail has been designed keeping their artistic (history) aesthetics in mind. They are very proud guardians of the Ganjifa art form native to this region, and one would find elements of Ganjifa art everywhere in the property - the furniture, the coasters on the restaurant tables, door handles, mirrors, etc.
Coming to the food - please mark my words when I say this - no 5 star hotel in India can match the level of attention to detail, customized and tailored food preferences and the sheer taste and variety of food on offer. The cocktails and mocktails we tried were out of the world too, prepared by the mixologist Anand.
The princess Shraddha ji and her husband Lakham ji are both Michelin star chefs who have extensive experience from working in star hotels abroad, and Shraddha really loves watching guests leave every meal with a huge smile plastered on their faces. Her passion for the art of food shows in every single dish served here. What I loved is they don’t just serve the standard recipes, but also encourage us to try fusion recipes with local flavours infused into popular dishes from around the world. Over our stay of four days there, we went overboard and literally tried whatever she suggested us to try. I have never been so satisfied with the food department in any 5 star hotel in India or abroad, as I was here. Shraddha and her team of chefs create magic in every meal, and I surely will keep going back to this property just for this food aspect alone!
The service at the restaurant was impeccable at all times, special mention of the restaurant staff Akash, Jack and Nikhil. Prashanth sir took care of the housekeeping and any tiny requests we had, thanks to him as well! Thanks to Nikita and Gayatri for the palace tour and the Ganjifa art workshop, we learnt a lot thanks to you two!
Last but not the least, we do miss Sushi the golden retriever and resident mascot of the palace hotel, who was always around in the property keeping our spirits high.
Kudos to the entire team of Sawantwadi palace boutique art hotel, thank you once again for one of our best...
Read moreWe had an amazing experience at the Sawantwadi Palace Boutique Hotel. Our journey started off on a positive note when Sachin, the friendly driver, welcomed us at the Mopa airport in Goa. He even treated us to a tasty granola bar snack during the ride to the hotel. This thoughtful gesture set the tone for our entire stay.
As we arrived at the hotel, we were blown away by its sheer beauty. The place looks like something out of a fairytale. The rooms were not just comfortable but also gave us a taste of royal living with all the modern amenities we could ask for. The cherry on top was the gorgeous and impeccably clean swimming pool surrounded by swaying coconut trees.
Now, let's talk about the food. It was the absolute highlight of our trip. The hotel offers a wide variety of cuisine options, and we couldn't get enough. From mouthwatering Maharashtrian dishes to carefully curated breakfasts that kick-started our days perfectly, we were in foodie heaven. What's more, we got to enjoy Japanese and Korean flavors, fresh French pastries, and a few special dishes from the hotel's royal heritage. Each meal was a testament to the chef's skill and dedication to providing guests with an unparalleled dining experience.
But what truly made our stay exceptional was the warm hospitality from Shraddha, Lakham, and their adorable doggo, Sushi. They made us feel like part of their family. We're grateful for their attention to detail and the personal touch they added to our stay. We also want to give a shoutout to the fantastic hotel staff, including Tanuja, Sachin, David, and Ninad, who went above and beyond to ensure our comfort.
In conclusion, the Sawantwadi Palace Boutique Hotel is a fantastic place that offers a perfect blend of luxury, history, and amazing food. From our friendly welcome by Sachin to our heartfelt goodbye, every moment was memorable. We left with not just memories but a promise to return to this wonderful haven of luxury, heritage, and hospitality in the future.
This hotel isn't just a place to stay; it's an experience...
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