Villa Amber

Your Guest Relations Manager and staff hail from the area around and know Alibaug inside-out. They will be happy to share recommendations for everything, from coastal Malvani seafood joints to in-villa catering and even art shows. Do ask them about winter events, local sightseeing or even what typical village life is like. A car and driver can be hired for the day (on extra charge) or shorter periods, as required. Here’s what you can do while visiting Alibaug:

• Alibaug’s main town is 45 minutes from Mandwa Jetty and nearby is Alibaug Beach, where crowds descend every evening. Bedecked camels and horse-drawn carriages cart tourists on joyrides against the pink and vermilion sky. The 17th-century Kolaba Fort is an enjoyable kilometre-long walk into the sea and fascinating to explore, as it played an important role in the region’s history.
  
• If you want to sample the fiery Gomantak cuisine this coast is famous for, head to the humble Sanman Restaurant, which serves finger-licking dishes such as Pomfret Curry, Prawn Masala and Clams Sukha (dry). They are known for their thalis (a complete meal served on a large round plate with lentils, rice, bread, vegetables, poppadom, and curry) in chicken, fish, prawn and crab variants.
  
• Those looking for an epicurean experience should visit famous Mumbai restaurateur Gauri Devidayal’s farm located not too far from Mandwa Jetty, where you can sip on homegrown butterfly pea tea as you walk around the vegetable patches. Harvest winter vegetables, then watch expert chefs turn them into delicious salads, pasta and curries served family-style under a flaming orange gulmohar tree in the garden.
  
• The Guild by Shalini Sawhney, a south Mumbai art gallery that moved base to Alibaug a few years ago showcases artwork from known and emerging Indian artists and has a room full of vintage bric-a-brac. It hosts periodic previews and solo shows as well.
  
• Pinakin Patel is an architect credited for building some of the fanciest villas in Alibaug. He has now launched the Dashrath Patel Museum, dedicated to his late artist friend of the same name. The museum features Patel’s paintings, sculptures, and photography, as well as a cafe. Upstairs is Pinakin’s lifestyle store, which showcases minimalist attire, chinaware, cool artefacts, and more.
  
• Mandwa Jetty is home to Flamboyante, a seaside restaurant which turns into a thumping beach club on weekends. Nearby, you will also find Kiki’s Cafe, known for its pizzas and desserts (the owner Nitin Mongia also runs a catering company that delivers innovative, multi-cuisine food to your rental villa).
  
• If you’re in the mood to break a sweat, trek up the hills to Kankeshwar Temple, which has a big local following and affords spectacular views of the surrounding lush landscape. You can spot indigenous trees and birds as well as grazing cows on the way.
  
• Alibaug hosts an annual, groovy music festival (now called Goonj, formerly Nariyal Paani) every winter. It is held in Tala, towards the south of the town. A weekend of performances by Indian artists such as Peter Cat Recording Co. and Ditty, sunset high tea with a view, and bonfires at night await you at this fun-filled event.