SaffronStays has unveiled Araqila, a 25‑suite sea‑facing boutique retreat set on 55 acres of untouched Konkan coastline near Goa’s MOPA airport. The property marks the company’s inaugural entry into the luxury boutique resort category.
Araqila is designed as a modern-day coastal fortress rooted in the cultural legacy of Sindhudurg. Located just 45 minutes from Goa’s MOPA airport, the development sits at the edge of the Arabian Sea and incorporates minimalist architecture inspired by local fort structures.
Devendra Parulekar, founder of SaffronStays, said, “Araqila is a much‑needed escape from the velocity of everyday life. I come from this region (Sindhudurg) and it’s always puzzled me, ‘why has Sindhudurg, with all its beauty and depth, remained so overlooked?’ This is my honest and sincere attempt to change that. To put Sindhudurg on the world map of luxury tourism. Araqila is not just a retreat, it’s a return, a contemporary sea fort, perhaps what the naval geniuses of the Maratha Swaraj would have envisioned in our times. Over the last decade we’ve helped redefine Indian vacations. In our next chapter we want to bring unsung destinations like this to the world stage. The Araqilas of the world deserve to be seen, celebrated, and preserved.”
The name Araqila derives from ‘Ara’, referencing Aravali, and ‘Qila’, meaning fort, symbolising protection, memory and permanence. The architecture follows the natural slope of the land and avoids conventional distractions such as televisions, encouraging guests to engage with the landscape and sensory experience.
Each of the 25 suites faces the sea and features winding walkways, an open-air amphitheatre and direct beach access. The retreat emphasises sustainability through local sourcing, low ecological impact construction and partnerships with farmers and fisherfolk.
Parulekar added that meals at Araqila centre on Malvani spice and fresh coastal produce, and the retreat aims for an immersive holiday experience that honours regional heritage.
The launch of Araqila signals SaffronStays’ entry into curated, slow‑living luxury hospitality experiences. The project reintroduces Sindhudurg to discerning domestic and international travellers through design-led, heritage-inspired stay.
Araqila offers an alternative to fast-paced travel with a focus on sensory engagement—sea sounds, rustling trees and natural stillness define the ambience.
The retreat includes not only suites but also programmed experiences, farm-to-table dining, and community engagement, as part of SaffronStays’ broader mission to develop luxury stays in lesser-known destinations while championing sustainability and cultural integrity.