This is my second visit to Ashiyana, in Goa, India. I visited in 2014 – and then again, in March 2016.
As a preliminary matter, I want to say I love the yoga shalas, or practice spaces, at Ashiyana. They are beautiful and tranquil spaces. There are 4 main shalas. I also love the cooking staff (they are from Nepal) and the food they prepare and serve is really fresh and healthy so you get the detox effects– they make fresh vegetarian fare (with curried shrimp thrown in once a week or so). Yummy desserts too. Decent masala chai and lemon ginger water are always available as well. Apparently, Ashiyana has its own well to provide us with filtered water – so it is ok to drink the water that they have there near the kitchen. I’m a bit skeptical though given all the problems I noticed this time around with the plumbing etc. (see below).
The front desk staff are really great (the two local ladies that work the spa and reception especially), and Nelson and Vicki., are really helpful and sweet. But there seems to be a lack of a real management presence.
There were many issues that I noticed this visit with Ashiyana. I don’t want to lose sight of the fact that this is India and a yoga retreat space – so that is somewhat of an over-arching caveat. However, I feel the need to mention some of the issues because I do believe despite those caveats, certain things were just unacceptable and also unhygienic.
The first time I visited Ashiyana, I stayed in one of the large “Raj” suites. It was really lovely – the bathroom and the space was great. My only issue was that the air conditioning was right over my head, which I hate, but that’s something I could live with I suppose.
This time around, I opted to stay in the beach hut – I had heard that they had been “upgraded. “ I has also heard they were “nice” in a rustic way, and I wanted to experience living close to nature and the beach. Beach huts ARE Goa, after all. I requested the most quiet beach hut, which allegedly is Beach Hut #1. This beach hut was not on the beach – some of them are on the other side of the river on the beach; others are more near the retreat itself. FYI BH #1 has a really horrible view – almost overlooking a swamp (not even the river itself), and there seemed to be construction going on so it was not pretty. As for being quiet, I suppose I didn’t hear the constant motorcycle noises that others complain about – however, the barking of the neighboring dogs is nearly constant all through the night. Eventually, I grew used to it, but bring your best pair of earplugs.
They definitely were having plumbing and power/electric problems when I was there in March 2016. The sink clogged every other day despite them allegedly fixing it. In the end, I just opted to brush my teeth over the toilet (spitting in the toilet and using bottled water to rinse) and taking a full on shower to wash my face because the sink was clogged once again. When I would shower, I would hear the sink gurgling. I was afraid at times to flush the toilet – not sure how everything was connected. Thankfully, the toilet never overflowed. The beach hut bathroom was really pretty disgusting. Photos of the bathroom are included in this review. The toilet is right next to the shower – very close quarters, which is a bit gross too! It just never felt clean. The bathrooms could use an upgrade for sure.
Also, the power constantly was going out. As I heard from people in my group who were in air-conditioned rooms (not the beach huts), who didn’t have the open-air breeze of the beach hut, they felt like they were essentially trapped in clay hot boxes at night when the power went out. Very uncomfortable for them. The mattress and pillows in the beach hut are also pretty abominable. You feel like you are sleeping on a board and the sheets seemed grimy.
The Wi-Fi is also a bit of a joke. They have only one router –they need to get a few additional routers for the entire front desk region. The Wi-Fi was super spotty and in the end for the last few days, it was totally down. It was difficult to check flight status so we had to go to the café down the road (who by the way has 3 routers!!!). On the day of my flight, someone that worked there was kind enough to call Air India for me to confirm my departure time which had been changed and delayed. I understand it is a yoga retreat, but what is the point of having Wi-Fi at the reception area if it never works? People do need to be able to check their email for emergencies, etc. So I’m not suggesting we have it in EVERY room – but if you have it, have enough of it to serve the entire facility.
The yoga props are also extremely dirty – especially the blankets. Please please wash them? If you have serious allergies esp to animals you cold have major issues here.
The pool – which is supposed to be natural – seems a little too natural. I swam a few times, but it was very slimy on the bottom, so much so I was afraid I would slip. The water is green – and I think maybe the natural thing is being taken a little too far. I don’t want to swim in a pond – but rather a pool.
I found a really good massage therapist there – but be aware that they may give you a local girl who has only been doing this for a month or so! My first massage was with a newbie who hardly knew what she was doing. I asked how long she had been doing massages and she said a month. Finally, I got connected to one of the European visiting therapists who was AMAZING – but the good ones get fully booked so you have to really fight to get in with one. I suppose my point with this is that the range of quality of the massage therapists is a bit hit or miss. They don’t have enough good ones and not enough rooms to serve everyone there when the facility is fully booked.
Overall, I think Ashiyana is a special place but needs a lot of improvement and a stronger management staff. They also seriously need to fix the plumbing and electric, upgrade the beach huts, especially the linens, mattresses and bathrooms, regularly clean the yoga props and blankets, and get more Wi-Fi routers.
