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A beautiful beach hut resort on Palolem Beach. Great huts with en suite bathrooms and hot water, amazing beach, lovely staff.
Go for a couple of days - it's worth the visit. We stayed at the Afonso guest house, it's nice although the prices double over Christmas. There are some nice walks around this area.
Afonso guest house
nr St. Sebastian's church
Panjim
I came across this lovely completely rebuilt heritage Portuguese house, not too far from Vagator and Anjuna beach, in a superb setting in a coconut grove overlooking rice paddies.
Huge garden, expat owner. I'll give his web address so you can check it out.
Baga Beach in Goa has a shack where, between 1300 and 1600 hrs, you can get a fresh fish tali for around 60p, accommodation is on the beach in the form of apartments, which are unbeatable in price with a fridge, tv and above all friendly advice.
Ask for Raymond who also has scooters for hire, this busy family concern caters for all walks of life and a stress free enviroment is ensured.
Tel: 0091 9822384032
This brand new mid-range accomodation is excellent. It is closely situated to the nicest section of Calangute's beach, and some good eating places. It is family run by Ruena and Stanley who are perfect hosts and will provide you with any information or help that you need.
Rooms have TV, A/C, fridge, private bathroom with hot water.
Holiday Street, South Calangute
Tel: 0091 832 2275120
Agonda is the definition of tranquility though on certain days, the loneliness has a David Lynch creepiness to it, with big beautiful boulders that mark out one end.
Palolem, the next beach along, has come a long way over the years and the strip is now lined with beach huts from the Cozy Nook to the Bridge and Tunnel. The Dream Catcher (behind the Banyan Tree) is great for morning Yoga or breakfast with the buffalo.
This beach was made famous by Matt Damon in The Bourne Supremacy with his (very sexy) run sequence.
If you follow the NH17 you'll first hit Agonda and eventually hit Palolem
A 300 year old town house, complete with four-poster beds and antique tea-planters' chairs to lounge in after a hard day of pottering around.
In the heart of Panjim's Latin quarter
www.panjiminn.com
Up in the mountains about two hours from the ocean, the wooden lodges are perched on the edge of a 500 foot plus drop. Absolutely stunning and the pool is the best I've ever seen.
wildernest-goa.com.
We stayed a night at Elsewhere, Otter Creek Tents on the beach at Asvem in north Goa. There's a bamboo jetty over the river and four luxury tents between the river and the sea - with double beds and en-suites. They bring you breakfast to your little terrace (delicious pancakes) and serve dinner under the stars. It’s all very eco-friendly and peaceful - unlike much of north Goa. There's a small house you can rent too.
email gaze@aseascape.com or visit aseascape.com.
Baga beach down by the creek at the quiet end of the Candolim - Calangute stip, is just perfect as a base for exploring north Goa. There are some excellent hotels, guest houses, restaurants and night clubs in the area. You can walk around the cliffs to Anjuna if you don't mind a bit of a hike. Half way round is a small secluded bay and beach shack imaginatively called "Cliffs" perfect for stopping of for a mid moring snack or drink.
Calangute is within walking distance in the other direction should you need the exercise, but a taxi or Tuc-Tuc will take you anywhere within north Goa for less than £10! The views from the top of Chapora fort or from Arambol lake are spectacular at any time of day and Vagator beach is fantastic for sundown.
The capital city of Panjim is also worth a visit as is Old Goa for the architecture and churches - a 3 day trip to Hampi is also well worth the time and trouble.
Dabolim airport is 70 mins away and Mapusa Station is 10 minutes away.
Palolem in south Goa is a fantastic laid back beach. You can check out how beautiful it is by watching Matt Damon run along it during the opening 10 minutes of the Bourne Supremacy.
There are some great beach huts to rent (average price £7 per day). My favourite has to be Dreamcatcher at the north end run by Jacky and Walter. Jacky is from Liverpool via the asteroid belt while Walter is an ex Kerelan wrestling champion. They make you feel so welcome it feels like home after about 10 minutes.
The food the cook serves up is fresh and tasty (prawns the size of bananas and curries that are far tastier than anything you've had in the UK) while the bar will serve you anything from a lasi to a Kingfisher.
If yoga is your thing, Wayne (yes I know not the most mystical sounding name) does a sunrise (well 9am) class and a sunset one. There's also a variety of massage too.
The place is magical at night as it is lit by candles. You can either sit around the campfire or relax on a daybed by the bar.
If you're going to Goa and want a place that's not commercial, Palolem and Dreamcatcher is where you should head to.
It's bar/beach hut accomodation. Really great food, particularly the seafood - the best marinated shark ever. Very relaxed and friendly staff will often let you put on your own music and the owner Cyril isn't unknown to host the occasional quiz. Oh, and I met my girlfriend there!
Palolem beach
After a long, hot day exploring Panjim with my parents, the Panjim Inn was like a mirage. We had a cold beer on the heritage hotel’s balcony, rested our legs and ended up staying for dinner. Next time, I’ll give the crass beaches a miss and stay at this laid-back, sophisticated hotel instead.
PANJIM INN, E-212, 31st January Road, Fontainhas, Panaji, Goa 403 001
Telephone: 91-832-2226523 / 2227169 / 2228136 / 2435628 FAX: 91-832-2435220
email: panjimin@sancharnet.in
www.panjiminn.com
We stayed at the Cosy Nook on Palolem Beach which was fantastic - stilted
huts right on the beach. Admittedly, ours was by a rubbish heap which seemed to attract cows day and night time...
But the beach was clean and there were loads of good bars and restaurants with fantastic seafood. If a bar wasn't playing Bob Marley, you were treated to either a chilled Ibiza or Café del Mar compilation as you settled down for the evening. The soundtrack should give you an idea of the place!
Palolem Beach is about 2 km west of Chaudi, Canacona District. Cosy Nook is at the northern end of the beach.
Tel: 0832 264 3550
A lovely private villa set in an idyllic setting near Mandrem beach (north Goa). The villa was the perfect place to relax and unwind, with its own large swimming pool and even a maid. If you want to visit Goa but want to enjoy a touch of luxury while you are there I would reccommend this place.
www.goaretreat.com, 01626 772880
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