Aclove Resort vs The anjuna villa, Going around June 13th

qwan

Dear Friends, I need some advice and recommendations on a trip to Goa.
I am going around the 2nd week of June. I have my eyes set on vagator area. I have shortlisted two hotels for stay. They are Alcove and Anjuna villa.
http://www.anjunavilla.com/
http://www.alcovegoa.com/resort.htm (works better in Internet explorer)

Alcove seems like a wonderful place bang on the beach. The accommodation is pretty reasonable(at this time)i.e. around 1200 rupees of a cottage.
The website has virtual walk through which make just wanna go there.
The only problem is that I have browsed many travel sites and did an extensive search on Google, but i could not find any reviews of alcove on any of the travel sites, like tripadvisor or holidayiq.com.
So it sounds really too good to be true. It is not even listed on this site.
Wanted to know from anyone who has been there if this place is really good.

Villa Anjuna seems to have a pretty good reviews about it. The place is little away from the beach. In comparison to Alcove, Villa anjuna would rank a view points down in regards to location and rooms. The website is horrible and is not able to give a clear idea of how the place looks.
From the reviews I have heard the service and staff are very good here.(and food too with 24 hours coffee shop and bar)
Now if a few people would tell me that Alcove also is good on the service and staff part(even food) and that the place is as good as it looks in the website then I would choose alcove.
Alcove price is 1000 rupees per day for standard rooms and 1200 fro cottages.(all sea facing i think)
Villa Anjuna is 1250 for pools side rooms and 1000 for spa side rooms.
Both place are A/c and thats a relief as it is too hot right now.

Would also like to know if both of these places and this part of Goa as a whole would be a good place to visit in June.

I would like some advice and I am open to other hotels. I would not mind even changing the place to Baga and lower.
I have been to Colva and would not prefer going there or surrounding. I checked out Palolem, angoda and patnem and though they are great places I am not too keen on going there as I have heard that in off season the place is dead. Moreover in these areas it is hard to find a/c accomadation on the beach. I would love to stay in those huts in the winter though.

So any recommendations on other places are also welcome, But would like it to be in the same range(as in facilities and location as alcove and Villa). I don't mind something cheaper or costlier if it is value for money.

Thank you for you time :-)

Tarotray

I don't know either place but I can tell you that, especially at this time of the year, you're much better by the sea. You don't get nearly the same level of mosquitoes. Pool-side sounds pretty bad (still water attracts the little devils). Are you aware of the humidity levels during the monsoon, which usually start in early June?

qwan

Thank you Tarotray. That is really good advice. You are right poolside sounds really bad. I am well aware of the Humidity, I am from Mangalore which has the same weather. That is why I am going in for an A.C. room. I have noticed one thing that Goa is much cooler even though the temperature is high, it is much more bearable and relaxed than Mangalore.

I have officially ticked Anjuna Villa off my list. Alcove is the only option now.
Any more tips/advice/recommendations?
Thanks

Feelthevibe

I stayed at the alcove last March, don`t know much about Anjuna villa so can`t help you on that. Alcove is a lovely place set right on the cliff top, I stayed in a suite when I stayed, I had booked a/c but when I arrived it was not available so be warned The suites have tha best view of any hotel I have ever stayed and they are built with a living room downstairs and a mezanine bedroom on top with a small balcony, well worth the extra IMO. The food is really good at the Alcove as I visited this year also for lunch. Don`t know what Vagator is like this time of year but a scooter would be handy as the Alcove is pretty much out of the way from most of the restaurants etc. Mango Tree should be open which does really good food and no doubt the Primrose too.

If you need any more info for taxi numbers/bike rental etc pm me and I will try help you out

Manzey

I stayed in Alcove for a day about 2.5yrs back. At that time, they were constructing more rooms. Alcove is run by a Goan christian couple who were both working in a 5 star hotel for a long time. So you obviously expect the food to be good here. Non veg food is supposed to be very good there. Being a veggie, I didn't get much choice there. This place is located right on top of the cliff and if you walk down the cliff, within couple of mins you will be on the beach. The beach here is not smooth like in colva...its a bit rocky and that's how it is in north goa.Alcove have a small lap pool. Also, this palce was next to one of the most popular discos in goa ( name must be 9pm ). I think that place was run by a foreigner and the crowd there were also mostly foreigners who were mostly on drugs used to visit this 9pm for the trance music. I am not sure if that place is still running. The place around alcove is not crowded and its kind of away from the city. They charged me Rs 1000 per day in sept 2005. I am not sure about the other place you mentioned.Cheers...

Feelthevibe

That would be the 9 bar, not sure if it is open this time of year if it is the music goes off at 10pm prompt, we never found it a problem.

qwan

Thanks Feelthevibe and Manzey.

You both have given me a good picture of what to expect of alcove. From your comments I feel it is good choice.
Good food good locations. seems nice.
Also I feel that the price is pretty pretty reasonable.
@feelthevibe, thanks for you offer I will Pm you if the need arises. most probably I will be having a two wheeler there.(that is the reason I chose such secluded place, I have a friends bike to pick me from the station and to use)
Thanks a lot for you replies.

I think Alcove is a great choice.
Anyone would like to differ :-). I am still open for something better.(even a different location)
Thanks again

rubsen

Has anyone an impression of the cottages? Do they have a nice view or are they situated a bit off the beach?

Manzey

Well....some of the cottages has the sea view. But its not like other hotels where you can walk straight to the sea from ur room. Here, the hotel is on top of a cliff and u can reach the beach in 3-5 minutes climbing down the cliff. You do get a good view of the sea though.
Hope this helps....Cheers...

Tarotray

In June, after the rains have begun, that's all the relationship with the sea that you really need. It's not safe to swim, so a great view of it from the top of a cliff would be brilliant.

Manzey

I think one of the waiters in the hotel told most medium size hotels including this ones are closed during moonsoon season.
Pls check with the hotel if ur planning to visit during moonsoon season. Cheers....

qwan

Thanks for the replies. I could not make it but will be going in august. Will post a new post around july.