Why Goa and Gokarna are the perfect Indian reset
Where is your favourite destination and why?
India’s south-west coast, specifically Goa and Gokarna. It has an energy that I find completely magnetic: beautiful beaches, incredible food, a rich cultural history and a pace that truly invites you to slow down. It feels both vibrant and restorative. We are very fortunate to spend a lot of time at Kahani Paradise, a boutique hotel my husband runs, which brings us to the region once or twice a year.
When was the last time you were there, and who were you with?
I was last there in April with my family and some of my oldest school friends.
Where do you like to stay there?
Naturally, we spend most of our time at Kahani Paradise. It sits between the jungle and the Arabian Sea, with only six suites and an almost-private beach. It is wonderfully secluded, the sort of place where you arrive and immediately exhale.
What has been your favourite meal there?
Goan fish curry. My mouth waters thinking about it! It is fresh, fragrant and full of flavour, with coconut, spices and just the right amount of heat. I prefer it served simply with paratha and rice.
What would you do if you only had 24 hours there?
I would begin slowly, with sunrise yoga and meditation, followed by a dosa and fresh papaya juice for breakfast, then swim and spend the morning by the sea. Lunch would be a traditional thali, followed by a massage or an afternoon with a book by the pool. I would end the day with a sundowner, dinner under the stars and absolutely nowhere else to be. If I’m feeling active, there is plenty to do, like hiking, kayaking at dawn or dolphin watching on a boat ride in the bay. I sometimes hop in a Jeep to experience the local town and its markets.
Three favourite restaurants?
Bomras in Anjuna for exceptional Burmese food; Gunpowder in Assagao for its brilliant South Indian cooking and lively garden setting; and Hosa in Siolim, which serves contemporary South Indian food in the most beautiful old Indo-Portuguese bungalow.
What is the one unmissable thing you recommend doing?
Experiencing the coastline from the water, or going to the local market for fresh produce.
At Kahani, you can kayak through the estuary where the river meets the Arabian Sea, or take a dolphin boat ride at sunset. It is incredibly peaceful and gives you an entirely different perspective on the landscape.
Is there a hidden gem you are willing to share?
Paradise Beach, beneath Kahani. It is secluded, unspoilt and still feels like a genuine secret. Reaching it through the jungle makes it feel even more magical.
Where do you like to let your hair down?
I’m happiest over a long, barefoot dinner that begins with sunset drinks and has no fixed ending. Goa does relaxed celebration particularly well — it never needs to feel too formal or orchestrated. We love a basil smash or a piña colada at Howie’s Hut at sunset, overlooking Paradise Beach.
Who do you call to have a good time there?
You’d never guess, but my favourite person is our Swami-ji (Hindu guru) who lives nearby in her ashram. She’s originally Australian and has an incredibly dry sense of humour. We love spending time with her and hearing her life stories while eating dessert first!
Favourite shops?
Paper Boat Collective in Sangolda, housed in a century-old Portuguese villa, is beautifully curated with independent Indian fashion, jewellery, ceramics and homeware. I also love Rangeela in Assagao for colourful resortwear, textiles and pieces for the home.
The one thing you would bring home as a souvenir?
A sarong always! I also love something handmade by a local artisan — a piece of jewellery, a beautiful textile or ceramics for the table. I love souvenirs that can become part of everyday life rather than simply sitting on a shelf.
Your favourite beauty spot?
The spa at Kahani for a luxurious 90-minute massage and coconut scrub or Snip Salon in Goa for a blowdry pre or post flight!
Your packing essential?
A beautifully cut kaftan that works over swimwear during the day or a Lucy Folk or P Johnson sarong. For the evening I love linen dresses by Bondi Born with oversized, fun summery jewellery — plus an excellent SPF, always. I love the Augustinus Bader for face, and the Sarah Chapman if I need a tint.
A song that reminds you of the place?
Sunset Lover by Petit Biscuit.
Your dress code for the destination?
Barefoot elegance: linen, loose dresses, swimwear, flat sandals and chunky jewellery. Everything should feel light, uncomplicated and capable of taking you straight from the beach to dinner.
Have you ever had an emergency incident there?
Luckily we haven’t — I’ve travelled there pregnant, and with our little babies, and never had a problem. We’ve had a few earaches and your usual situations with little kids, and the local doctors have always been amazing to us.
Which building would you like to live in?
Kahani Paradise. It was designed to sit in harmony with its surroundings, with open spaces, hand-carved details and extraordinary views in every direction. It feels less like a hotel and more like a private home hidden at the edge of the world.
Favourite memory from there?
It will always be my most special place because we’ve taken the kids there as they’ve grown, and we have memories etched in our minds of some of our happiest times together as a family. We’ve also had Christmas there with my parents and spent countless hours there with my in-laws, who I love. I am so lucky.
Hermione Olivia is an author and the founder of women’s leadership platform CEO Yourself