ITC Grand Goa, a Luxury Collection Resort & Spa, Goa (Arossim)

ITC Grand Goa, a Luxury Collection Resort & Spa, is one of the few five-star beachfront properties in India that openly accepts pets , and it does so with a clear, published policy rather than a vague "contact us to check." Set on 45 acres of lush landscaped grounds in Arossim, South Goa, with direct access to Arossim Beach, this 246-room resort gives you and your dog genuine space: cobbled pathways through five courtyard clusters, gardens, water features, and a beachfront strip that stretches right to the sea. For pet parents used to being turned away at the door of luxury properties, a five-star resort that says yes to your dog in writing is a meaningful find.

The Setting

The architecture here is rooted in Indo-Portuguese village design , five courts linked by cobbled pathways, wide windows with mother-of-pearl shell detailing, balcaos reminiscent of old Goan homes, and a palanquin near the central courtyard. For a dog on a morning walk, this is genuinely interesting terrain: shaded pathways, open garden corridors, and the sensory overload of a working beachfront resort. The property sits in Cansaulim, South Goa , one of the quieter, less commercialised stretches of the coast, which makes it considerably more manageable for dogs than the crowded northern beaches. Arossim Beach, directly accessible from the resort, is a clean, relatively uncrowded stretch of sand. Whether dogs are permitted on this beach section is subject to local rules and resort discretion , confirm directly before assuming beach access for your pet.

The resort is India's first LEED Platinum certified resort, which means the grounds and landscaping are managed with environmental sensitivity , expect maintained gardens and green corridors rather than manicured artificial turf. The scale of the property (45 acres) means there is meaningful walking space for a dog without needing to leave the resort at all.

Pet Policy , What You Need to Know

Pets up to 25 kg are permitted. The pet charge is INR 5,000 plus applicable taxes, per room, per night , this is a significant add-on cost at an already premium property, and worth factoring into your budget before booking. Both dogs and cats are accommodated under the stated policy. The resort services team retains discretion over whether a pet is allowed entry, which is standard language at luxury properties and generally means they may assess temperament or documentation on arrival. calling ahead to confirm requirements is not optional here , the hotel explicitly asks guests to contact them for detailed requirements prior to check-in. Do this at least a week before arrival, not the day before.

The policy does not specify in-room pet access explicitly, though the per-room, per-night charge structure strongly implies pets stay with you in the room. Confirm this directly when you call , ask specifically whether your pet can be in the air-conditioned room and whether any room types or categories are excluded from the pet policy.

What the Resort Offers Beyond the Pet Policy

ITC Grand Goa operates six signature food and beverage outlets, including options that celebrate Goan cuisine , sorpotel, vindaloo, coconut-enriched curries , alongside global menus. Whether any of these have outdoor seating where pets are permitted is not confirmed in available sources; ask at check-in. The Kaya Kalp – The Royal Spa spans 3,344 sq. m across beachfront gardens and is a significant draw for the human half of your travel party , useful to know if you're travelling as a couple and need a few hours of spa time while your dog rests in the room. Complimentary on-site and valet parking is available, which matters for road-trippers driving down from Pune, Mumbai, or Bengaluru with a dog in the car.

What to Confirm Before You Visit

a few details worth a direct call to the hotel before you finalise your booking: whether your specific room category allows pets inside the room, whether pet amenities (bowls, beds, or designated relief areas) are provided, whether dogs are permitted on Arossim Beach via the resort's private access, and whether any breed restrictions apply beyond the 25 kg weight limit. Check-in is at 15:00 hrs and check-out at 12:00 hrs; late check-out is available on request subject to availability and attracts an additional charge.