After landing at Goa airport, shaken and stirred from a 10-hour flight, a private speedboat whisks you through the hidden backwaters, mooring 50 minutes later at the jetty of a cool contemporary residence, where staff greet you with a freshly chilled lime soda. Welcome to Casa Colvale, Mr. Bond. Billed as Goa's first boutique backwater hotel, it was originally conceived as a private home for Casa Group owner Sheila Dhody, but so many friends and Bollywood stars asked to stay that it was transformed, de facto, into a hotel.

Tucked away down the unspoilt backwaters of North Goa, the architect-designed property sits on a high bank in the midst of lush tropical gardens and jungle, with sweeping views down the river and its tributaries. Enjoy lazy days by the infinity pools, watch water buffalo on their daily river crossing from the terrace, or kick back in one of the idyllic garden chill-out spots for some sophisticated unwinding. The legendary beaches of North Goa are only 15 minutes by speedboat or car, so you can choose the style and pace of your holiday.

Room 

Casa Colvale is divided into 2 distinct villas: an upper villa with 4 bedrooms and a lower villa with 7 bedrooms, either of which can also be hired individually for groups and gatherings. In each of these villas there's a shared sitting room with a plasma screen TV and DVD player if you tire of the natural delights.

All the rooms are luxuriously furnished with a stylish blend of handpicked contemporary Asian design and colonial antiques. There are comfy leather sofas surrounded by dark sal wood panelling, with big fluffy cream carpets laid on the cool Cuddapah-stone floors. Bold paintings by Goan painter Pradeep Naik adorn the walls, and together with the bright cottons and linens they bring soul to these modern rooms. You get both air conditioning and ceiling fans - we preferred using the latter and leaving the huge glass doors open. You'll find no typical Indian bathrooms here: the ensuites are vast, with walk-in glass-walled showers, big towels and floor-to-ceiling mirrors.

All the bedrooms come with a private terrace or sit-out, offering glorious views of the river or the islands. The only sounds are of the teeming wildlife - frogs, insects, butterflies and birds.

Every room also has complimentary Fifth Element toiletries and free mineral water, but if you want even more luxury then book one of the 4 Favourite Rooms. These have the most expansive views, the most spacious bathrooms and added gadgetry in the form of iPod speaker docks, private TVs and DVD players and Lavazza espresso machines.

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