Located in Dona Paula, this resort by the sea serves as a paradise away from the humdrum of daily routine
By ANNA FERNANDES
On a secluded cove atop the bay where Goa’s most famous rivers meet the Arabian Sea, first class hospitality meets Goan heritage in the form of a resort. Prainha – Resort by the sea. Rich in heritage, charm and character, the resort offers a slice of tranquillity to the ever-bustling bay of Dona Paula.
Prainha’s history traces back to the mid-60s. Conceptualised by the Dias family and built to a design concept by one of Goa’s leading architects Ralino D’Souza, who utilised the lush natural beauty of the cove and fused it with a quaint Mediterranean-inspired theme, the property was developed slowly over time, block by block. Set amidst swaying coconut palms, with a touch of the soft sea breeze, Prainha Beach Resort is one of the oldest to welcome guests for over five decades – guests who would picnic along the beach or stay overnight in the rustic cottages. Rundown over the years, the resort was given a new lease of life with the turn of the new century, when Esther and Christopher Mascarenhas came into the picture.
In Esther’s words, “We were in Goa for a holiday in 2004. We stumbled upon Prainha and I immediately fell in love with the place. When a relative told me that it was for sale, we jumped at the opportunity. Financially, buying the place didn’t make sense to Christopher. But I saw a lot of potential in it. To me, it was iconic. In June 2005, we took over.”
Brick by brick and in fits and starts, the Mascarenhas couple worked towards renovating the property, refurbishing the rooms and giving the resort a much needed face lift. “The foundation laid down by the Dias family coupled with the architectural finesse of Ralin D’Souza was unparalleled. However, looking at the business climate in those days, running a resort didn’t look viable – so our biggest challenge was to turn this around. We renovated it over the years and soon built an image for the place in keeping with today’s market trends – in terms of the décor, the services, the amenities, and so on.” For Esther, running a hotel had always been part of the plan. “You can say, the hotel business is in my blood,” she says, candidly. Esther, whose family has been associated with some of the top brands in the hospitality industry of India, such as the Ramada Plaza Palm Grove in Juhu, holds a bachelor’s degree in Arts, and a degree in hotel management from the Bombay Catering College. She also undertook a Professional Develepment Programme from IIM Ahmedabad and Cornell University, Ithaca. Christopher, on the other hand, is a chartered accountant. Perfectly matched in their opposing skills, the resort runs on their finely tuned partnership. “At the end of the day, running the resort is nothing but a team effort.” Esther handles the daily operational activities of the resort, while Christopher looks after the finances and maintenance issues.
Today, a popular destination, the resort is renowned for its exclusive beach, modern facilities synthesised with relaxation and comfort, a combination often sought but rarely achieved. Blending superbly with the natural beauty of the beach area, this secluded hideaway offers a great selection of tastefully decorated beach-facing rooms, standard rooms, and cottages. The 45 rooms are aesthetically designed to infuse the Goan vibe in accordance with modern-day amenities to make for a delightful stay. The resort also provides other services such as in-room dining, Wi-Fi access, travel desk facilities, laundry services, masseuse and games room, and ample parking space, ensuring every guest a comfortable and productive stay.
In addition, the resort boasts of its ocean-front restaurant ‘Beachcomber’ that features a deck as well as a lounge area, and is designed to embody the quintessential and unhurried Goan sentiment. From breakfast to dinner, this al-fresco restaurant serves everything from exquisite locally-inspired Goan specialities to continental, Chinese and Indian cuisines.
Prainha, translating to “little beach” in Portuguese, serves as a shelter from the humdrum of daily routine – an oasis of calm, if you will. Over the course of the last decade, the resort has carved out a niche for itself, attracting discerning travellers, locals and tourists, both international as well as domestic, along with a steady influx of the regular guests “who have been coming here for the past twenty years.”
Being situated in a state that has garnered attention worldwide as a popular wedding destination, is an added advantage. With a mesmerising view of the Arabian Sea as its backdrop, along with the quiet elegance of the resort, Prainha stands as the perfect venue to say, ‘I do’. Prainha has seamlessly hosted several intimate ceremonies and beachside wedding celebrations, at their stunning premises, with the whisper of the ocean breeze and the song of the waves providing the perfect ambience.
In addition, Prainha is ideal for celebrating every other special occasion in between, from birthdays and anniversaries to reunions and corporate events. For corporates, the lawn by the pool serves as an ideal venue for team building exercises, whereas the conference room is perfect for small productive meetings. The conference room accommodates up to 35 guests and serves as an ideal venue for corporate training, workshops, executive meetings and strategic planning sessions. The resort’s event team takes care of all the factors that go into organising the events according to the preference of the guest, right from catering options to decor – all to suit the occasion, one’s budget, and taste.
What makes Prainha unique is the heart and soul that goes into every facet of its operation that gets reflected in every corner of the establishment. The resort’s success can be accorded to its philosophy to simply, “keep it simple”, fulfilling every guest’s needs with unmatched service. The backbone of the resort comprises of its sincere and hardworking staff dedicated towards leaving no stone unturned when it comes to daily operations of the resort, as well as ensuring customer satisfaction. Looking ahead, Prainha strives to continue to provide dream holidays fused with Goan tradition and exemplary service, and seamlessly maintain the highest standards of quality and accountability in all its endeavours
