Inside Goa’s Most Charming New Private Members’ Club
No fanfare. No fuss. Just sunlight, slow living, and a 115-year-old home with stories in its walls
When you think of Goa, you think of the usual sprawling beaches, Saz by the Beach, and probably at a shady tech rave at 4 a.m. You might try out a new beach or two, go to Secondhouse Goa or Gunpowder (seriously, it’s not 2020 anymore), and you think you’ve lived up in Goa. But Goa is so much more than that.
And in a place where laid-back beach vibes are almost a cliché, Solene hits differently. It’s somewhere between a Portuguese fever dream and a modern-day sanctuary.
Nestled in the sleepy, sun-dappled lanes of North Goa’s Moira village, the newly opened private members’ club doesn’t try to dazzle you with gold taps or art deco excess. Instead, it leans into something far more elusive: a sense of belonging. And in a state where beach clubs, boutique villas, and braggadocio are a dime a dozen, Solene manages to feel… different. Warmer. Quieter. Human.
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Founded by Nibhrant and Dhimaan Shah—the duo behind Isprava and Lohono Stays—Solene is their foray into something more rooted than real estate, more intimate than luxury hospitality. It’s not trying to be Soho House, nor is it pretending to be a heritage homestay with yoga brunches and turmeric lattes. It sits somewhere in between: a lived-in space that’s been loved for generations, now reimagined for a very specific tribe of modern Indians—those who want exclusivity without arrogance, and community without chaos.
The Space
Housed in a 115-year-old Portuguese manor that once belonged to the De Souza family, Solene doesn’t so much wear its history as breathe it. Grand ceilings, deep-burnished wood, and ornate grillwork hold the ghosts of family dinners, afternoon gossip sessions, and monsoon day memories. Instead of gutting it into a glass-and-chrome fantasy, the Shahs leaned in—restoring the soul of the home while updating it with quiet confidence. Think vintage armchairs under handpicked art, pickleball courts where a garage used to be, and a toddlers' playhouse that once sheltered cows.
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The old dining room, where family gatherings once took place, is now a wellness centre—a modern space for relaxation and rejuvenation. Meanwhile, a cowshed, once filled with the sounds of rural life, has been transformed into an outdoor dining area that’s as stylish as it is functional.
Every room tells a story. There’s Bar 507, a handsome haunt where you can decompress with a negroni or catch up with an old friend who now makes documentaries in Berlin. The Lounge and Patio, with their all-day menu and garden views, are more living room than restaurant. Then there’s Julia’s Garden, a rotating space for markets and pop-ups that keeps things fresh without ever feeling forced.
The Amenities
What sets Solene apart isn’t the gym with its sauna and cold plunge (though that helps) or the meticulously curated events calendar (think culinary evenings and live sets). It’s the vibe—unpretentious, unfussy, but always intentional. Membership is by invitation or referral, but this isn’t a playground for the rich and self-important. It’s a sanctuary for people who’d rather talk about their latest book crush than their IPO.
Design-wise, it leans into warmth. Communal tables. Soft corners. Big windows. Nothing about it feels sterile or showy. It’s the kind of place where you might just find yourself barefoot in the garden, drink in hand, talking about music with a stranger who will eventually become a friend. Or sneaking away to the Orangerie for some quiet solitude and shade.
A Philosophy of Connection
The name Solene, derived from the Latin solis, meaning sun, is apt. It’s a space built on clarity, warmth, and light—and the belief that true luxury is time, space, and people. As the first outpost of what promises to be a national network of clubs, Solene Moira sets the tone: deeply local, design-forward, emotionally intelligent.
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It doesn’t posture. It doesn’t preach. It just invites you in—and if you’re lucky enough to be invited, it might just change your definition of what a club can be.