Ben was in the back of the omni saying, “I don’t think this is right…” while I followed the map and drove us to Wildflower Villas. He made a good point. It seemed like we were in an industrial area we weren’t allowed. But just as Google promised, we saw the big white gates and pulled up. The manager told us later we came the back way (I mean, duh, I consistently go places the weirdest way possible) to this Goa eco resort.
The kind employees greeted us at the car and held umbrellas, took our bags and walked us up to the front desk- which is in a giant old white Portuguese-looking house accented with light shades of green and blue.
Wildflower Villas: the property
Wildflower Villas caught my attention as soon as I heard of it, because of the name! I’m obsessed with wildflowers and flower headbands ever since I hear the song “wildflowers” by Tom Petty as a kid. The 7 villas at the resort are all different sizes with rooms for 2 or even a whole family, regardless you get a WHOLE villa when you stay here! They are all about being green and clean and offer “peace, privacy, and personalized service”, and that they did!
They have cute names like Evening Primrose, Desert Marigold, and Red Poppy. We stayed in Lemon Mint. There are spread out over 8 acres at various heights. The property is located near Candolim (full details below) on the Siquerim River. When they made this resort, they planted over 1,500 trees in the area. It feels like being right in the jungle and is perfect for bird-watchers. They recycle any fallen trees into furniture! They also grow herbs and medicinal plants here.
Lemon Mint Villa: our little home for the night
Lemon Mint (is this name not making you want a mojito…) had two cute pups laying outside, Pollo and Max. The little runts stole my shoe but the employee found it for me. If anything makes me feel at home, it’s a dog misbehaving like my devil dog, Huck. Plus, anytime there are dogs, I’m happy. It means no snakes for sure!
The entry room has a little set up for coffee, breakfast, and a desk to get some work done, although there is no internet in this villa. To get Wi-Fi I have to go up to the restaurant or pool or I can just use my data on my phone.
A second set of huge double doors opens into the spacious bedroom with tons of natural light coming through and landing on a big comfy bed. It is RARE to get a soft bed in India, even when you’re shelling out the big bucks. We don’t even have one in our house. Soft mattress, big fluffy duvet, A/C, feather down pillows, and a linen canopy make me a happy camper at night. The also have hot water by using solar-water heaters
Luxuries I Loved at Wildflower Villas
- The giant mud tile bath tub! Ahhhmazing. The floors were made of this tile which makes me feel like I’m in Greece!
- Infinity pool with a pool-side bar. You can never go wrong with this combo.
- Awesome attentive staff keeping my cup full of lemongrass tea.
flower headband I made in the U.S. and a skirt by fave designer: Doe Designs
There is no room service for food; part of their eco resort rules because of crumbs drawing in bugs which equals spraying chemicals. For anything else room service is available. Staff was reliable. As I mentioned one guy went searching for my shoe in the rain, they supplied eco-friendly bug spray when asked, and when I couldn’t get the TV working it was fixed promptly. They will assign you on car and set up tours for you.
Mimosa: the in-house restaurant
We went up to the restaurant for lunch for some chicken kadai, rava fry fish, and paratha. I made sure to take a dip in the infinity pool. After a relaxing day we had some snacks of homemade (*mouth-watering) fried cheese sticks with sweet chili sauce and chicken nuggets. So much for my diet; I’m a sucker for all things deep fried!
For dinner we split entrees having the chicken biryani and a chicken club sandwich with fries. Ok, ok, I’ll admit we had more cheese sticks. I will go for a run later and work those off… maybe. The continental breakfast had eggs, chicken sausage, cereal, fresh fruit and juice, tea, and assorted local breads.
Many times when you stay at a “resort” the food is over-priced and of lower quality because they know you’ll eat it regardless. I was so relived to see this wasn’t the case at Wildflowers. The food was delicious and they had Indian options plus pastas and intercontinental snacks.
Who will love Wildflower Villas:
First off, I will say this is a place is highly recommended for monsoon. There aren’t so many parties and great restaurants in North Goa at this time of year, so it’s a good time to get away from it all and stay somewhere that shows the OTHER side of Goa. The side that us all year dwellers get to see.
Falling asleep to the sound of rain is perhaps my favorite looking out the villa windows into the lush green monsoon fauna was beautiful. It’s a great get away if you want some peace or need to get some work done. I brought my nail polish, some books, and work to do.
Even for those who have families and want to go to the beach but not keep their kids around the party scene would love it here. It’s only a few miles from the Candolim beach, so one could easily spend the day and and come back to the Villa to relax at the end of the day.
Honeymooners will find this a perfect match as well as nature-lovers of ALL kinds. If you’re having a large family reunion, these villas would be ideal!
In case you’re curious, people who won’t love this place are the ones coming for the trance scene, but I think you have already drawn that conclusion.
Things that would have been the cherry on top:
At first I couldn’t think of one thing to say, but I dug deep so that I make sure I’m telling you the whole story and all I could come up with was…. more board game options in the recreation center. I mean, c’mon the place was so lovely! Plus, by the time you guys go the board game selection will be a 10/10. Maybe on my next review I’ll find something better to bitch about ;)
Booking Wildflowers Info:
The Lemon Mint Villa ranges from Rs. 4,500 per night up to 11,500 at peak season with included complimentary breakfast. 12% Luxury tax and 7% service tax added (as at all hotels in India). Check-in 1 PM, Check-out 11 AM. Click here to book
For more tips on Goa check out my 170-page e-book, Insider’s Guide to Goa. After five years of living in Goa, I am confident this book is the most comprehensive, up-to-date guide to Goa plus it has all my secrets inside. Click here to buy it now.
This is so amazing! I love such luxurious stays. Thanks for this info! I love your pictures.
Looks like a lovely place- and the infinity pool looks awesome!
It sure was… even in the rain I went for a swim and it was warmer in the water than out!
Ahhhhhhhh!
This made my day! I was having a very rainy day here up in Scandinavia, it feels so nice to read about some more tropical places :)
This hotel looks so cute and I like that it is not the classic beach resort/party place.
I like quieter place and if there are dogs around… well Cherry On The Cake! :)
I will try to make it a stop during my road trip in Thailand. I will let you know about my experience there :)
Cheers from a French globetrotter :)
Yeah they definitely aren’t marketing toward the young party crowd, which most hotels do so it’s very refreshing!
This is fancy and expensive, its funny that you live in goa and still need to go and stay elsewhere to review the places. It must feel very funny.
Way over our budget, but will definitely recommend it to people who like to splurge.
It does feel funny! haha, it works out pretty well though because all the hotels are having vacancies for monsoon and I’m already here :) I needed to be able to answer all these e-mails of people asking which boutique/unique hotel they should stay at! Someone has to do the research.. hahaha
This place looks like paradise! I can appreciate a good soft mattress. In some countries (i.e. Thailand) the mattresses tend to be rock hard, even in pricier hotels! Plus, it’s always good to find a nice, comfortable place to wile away a couple of days. This looks like just the place.
I feel ya, it’s just about the same in India- it’s so hard to find a good bed. I just went to this place called habitat in Goa because someone said they will make mattress covers/pads for your bed… our bed at home is so hard! They will- using shitty pretend fluffy stuff for 7,500 rs which is like 150 USD… I could get one at target for 20 or 30 in the US!! killing meeeee
This place looks so cute! Also:
“Plus, anytime there are dogs, I’m happy. It means no snakes for sure!”
Ah, the wonder of dogs that keep snakes away. I love snakes, but not their bites. I lost count of the number of times the kids would come running into the house and announce that my dog had killed yet another snake in the garden. I think she took the role of bodyguard very seriously; she even killed a King Cobra once (so I was told, I never saw it!) I don’t know how dogs manage to do this so well, but thank god for them. :D
wow a king cobra!! how scary! My friend across the street just had one in her house and her cats found it.. maybe I need another dogs and a few cats lol
Wow! What a beautiful place! I love places that are so natural, surrounded by flora and fauna. Gives you a feeling of release, within nature. And it’s great for inspiration when you’re writing. Or for when you just need to kick back and let yourself diffuse. Looks like an awesome place!
And you’re right–that does look like a Grecian tub. Interesting…. ;)
Yes I actually wrote most of the article while i was there! I love to be in the moment when I write. I’m not the greatest writer in general so it really helps.