Hotel Laguna Anjuna

۞ Dining

THE SIMPLE THINGS
In Casino Royale, James Bond's dinner companion asks him,
"Isn't it shameless to be so certain and so expensive?"

This after ordering caviar, rognons de veau, pommes soufflees and fraises des bois.

"It's a virtue," says the high living spy,
"and anyway, it's good plain wholesome food."

We agree fully with Bond; the best and most luxurious things in life are the pure and simple things. We endorse good taste rather than opulence and extravagance. We chose classical recipes from various cuisines, including of course Goan and other Indian cuisines. The emphasis is on quality of ingredients and consistency, and of course we do exploit our natural bounty of fresh seafood, vegetables and fruits. And evening style with full table silverware, damask linen, candles etc.
And no, we are not too expensive.

The beautiful old Portuguese house now houses the bar, and around it is the long verandah, with dining tables looking out over the soul soothing, romantic garden setting. For that special occasion, indulge in our full silver service Champagne Breakfast for Two!

۞ Nature and Garden - The Laguna

Perhaps Laguna Anjunas most easily recognized feature is its large lush tropical garden as one enters, with its large free form swimming pool. A wild kind of beauty imbues a natural sense of peace and homecoming.

The pool floor is in blue and green hues of oxide, and has rocks and trees on its periphery. The showers are hidden among the banana trees. The pool and garden are what together make Laguna Anjuna an appropriate name.


The use of an ozonator and the minimal use of algaecide and chlorine make for a very pleasant swimming experience

۞ About Hotel

"Laguna Anjuna is tucked away from the hurly burly in a haven of tranquility all its own. It is stylish but completely unpretentious. Service is friendly and efficient and the food excellent "

There are many good hotels in Goa, many run by Indian and international chains, and "life style" aspirants. Just a few are built in Goa's unique Goan Portuguese architecture.
Laguna Anjuna is listed as one of these.


Even fewer today carry the ethos of the best of Goan qualities-warmth, humour, graciousness, bonhomie, respect for law and learning and openness to all cultures, while still maintaining our own traditions. At Laguna Anjuna nothing is more important for us than getting these old fashioned basics right.

One New Year's eve we heard an old gentleman talking to his little grandson as they walked hand in hand to the Anjuna chapel for the midnight mass, while roaring motorcycles and cars heading for frantic night life celebrations shattered the peace of the village.

" The foreigners and tourists have their ways and we have our ways; our ways are our ways, and their ways are their ways. We must all respect each other and live peacefully together."

That man has said it for us.

۞ Accommodation

" The greatest luxuries today are time and space"- John Cage, contemporary music composer.

“The rooms all vary but some really hit the top for boutique style”- Lonely Planet

“ I nourish but one desire, to suggest that without great cost, good will, patience and savoir faire, it is possible to transform a room into a tasteful and elegant nest where the passions are calmed, where pleasant suggestions enter the mind, where feelings come to the surface and noble ideals mature, where one finds in the surrounding gracefulness an efficacious aid to education.” – Floriano Barreto, Goan poet of the early 20th century.


The Goan-Portuguese house evolved during the 500 years of Portuguese rule, and as described in “ Houses of Goa” (Heta Pandit and Annabel Mascarenhas), they best exemplify Goa’s expression of its own ethnic identity. Many influences from Europe, Africa and British India crept into the building and embellishments; yet amazingly the houses have retained their Indian roots and community way of living as expressed in their courtyards, granaries and kitchens.

Laguna Anjuna was built in what was a field with a grove of many coconut and fruit trees, a farm and a large Portuguese style family country mansion. The award winning architect Dean D’ Cruz, inspired by Sri Lankas Geoffrey Bawa, designed Laguna Anjuna’s rooms around the many large trees, leaving common and private courtyards in spaces.

Laguna Anjuna has been built in Goan Portuguese style and with local eco friendly materials. The walls are of thick laterite stone with carved lintels, and the roof is a continuous one of terracotta tiles on coconut wood rafters and battens, which dips, curves and swoops in graceful lines. With its white lime washed walls, stone and oxide hued floors, Venetian plastered bathroom walls, paved pathways and courtyards, stone pillars and arches, and its trademark high ceiling brick domes, its architectural pedigree is established. Guests are delighted with its huge and comfortable rooms, all in different shapes and individual features.

The interiors feature designer wrought iron furniture and lamps with a bias towards the Bauhaus era. With its graceful Thonnet dining chairs, comfortable Le Corbusier sofas, beautiful stained glass pieces, and other tastefully chosen bric a brac, the place speaks of relaxed style and easily graceful choices.

We would like to emphasize however, that we are built in country house style and living in the midst of a wild kind of natural lush tropical setting-insects, small animals and all. We realize that not everybody may be comfortable with that. Especially so during the monsoon, when Goa sees something like over 100” of rain. People who aspire to the modern ceramic kind of five star or “boutique hotel” may be better off making another choice.

For Further Detail go to www.Goaindiatourism.com