Expert Advice Needed - Beach Huts - Palolem

Abhiroop

I am travelling to Goa for a week in November (with my wife and another couple).....Thanks to the various threads on IM I was able to draw up a proper itinerary.

Following are the hotel/guest house booking:
Alcove - Vagator - 2days
Mantheven Homes - Calangute - 4 days

I also want to spend 1 day in Palolem and would like to put up in one of the various beach huts. However I am in a great dillema to choose something which fits into my budget (Rs.1000) and has a clean attached bath. Preferably in the middle of the Palolem stretch.

I have shortlisted the following:

Camp Sanfrancisco - Joseph was kind enough to respond to my email and will be sending across some pics and his final tariff.

Ciaren's - They are taking bookings for minimum 3 nights in addition to this their rates are definitely out of my budget.

Cozy Nook - Came across some good reviews, however nobody seems to respond to calls. The contact no. I have for them is 0832 - 2643550.

Cleopatra Resorts - Their property is not on the beach. Spoke to the owner they are charging around 1500 for a night for a standard room.

Cuba Beach Bungalows - The pics on the their website gives a good feel to this place. I have emailed them as well.

Chattai Huts - Reviews and threads on IM dont hold them in high regards,though I must say they have an excellent website.

Any suggestions, views and advice in helping me chose the best possible accomodation will be greatly appreciated!

NB: This is my first thread on IM, hope it doesnt get unanswered/ignored.

Cheers,
Abhi

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GoanCanuck

Beach huts are inherently anything but clean. If you want cleanliness you are looking at the wrong place.

Abhiroop

Thanks for replying GoanCanuck....I am not hell bent on a "clean" attached bath but atleast looking for a hut/cottage with an attached bath.

Any suggestions please?

trustindia

In truth the huts at Palolem are much the same (with a few expensive exceptions) and there's way tooo many of them. I'd just turn up and see what suits you.

GoanCanuck

Agreed. There is hardly anything which differentiates one from the other.

trustindia

Don't pick one near the 24 hour bars (if they allow that this coming season)

Abhiroop

The problem is that I will be in Palolem just for a day.I will check out from my accommodation in Calangute on 27th Nov morning, I would then have to travel 2.5 hours to reach Palolem. Keeping this in mind I want to plan in advance so that I dont end up wasting time looking for a beach hut.

Also moving around with luggage and 2 ladies wouldn be a great idea!

I was expecting some first hand reviews, hence this thread...

poipleshadow

One day for Palolem isn't really enough, You really want at least two days, three or four would be better... It's a lovely relaxing place and much nicer than calangute etc which is just loud and aggressive.

Anything you can book prior to going is likely to cost more than 1000 as that's the nature of things. If you just turn up you should be able to get for Rs 250/- or Rs 300/- For attached bath they might want to charge more depending on how full they are 400 or 500... Cuba restaurant is normally open on the beach and it's got good food where you can give the lady folk a rest while you just ask a few places for prices. Also as soon as you walk onto the beach you'll be greated by someone asking if you want rooms. If you just say I want clean, attached bath for less than 400 I'm sure they'll find you somewhere - also stress that 400 is the absolute maximum, that way you should get for 450 or 500 (again the nature of things in Goa).

Even at shops you say oh I can get the same thing for 100 Rs, they still suggest a price that's higher, it's never made sense, why would you want a price that's higher if you can get it somewhere cheaper...

I do think just turning up is the best bet... Sorry.. Also a little pointer, trying to organise anything in Goa is never easy even if you think you've got every eventuality covered. The most simple things can take hours to sort out in Goa....

Thanks

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Abhiroop

"One day" is what I can squeeze in this time for Palolem but I am sure I will soon be back for an exclusive Palolem trip.

Thanks for your advice I would probably just turn up and look for something...Time is not at a premium, hence I would still like to book something in advance if I get some specific 1st hand "beach hut" reviews.

GoanCanuck

Beach hut reviews are meaningless in my opinion due to the fact the huts are demolished at the end of the season every year and rebuilt again in October. This makes it impossible to tell whether the beach huts which were good last season would be exactly the same this season.

Abhiroop

A very valid point indeed. I will keep IMers updated on my visit to Palolem.

trustindia

When you arrive in Palolem don't take the main road down the beach and market.
Ask the driver to take you to the south end of the beach, which is officialy called Ourem. (left then first right just as you come to the Palolem beach road theres a two storey hotel on the corner)
This is better for arriving by taxi, as you can park close to a handful of camps, it should take you around 15 minutes to visit a few and see what you think. Cocohuts is a long established place with huts on stilts, next door Kate's has nice huts with attached bathroom, both are on the beach and there's loads more in this area.

Would you consider Patnem or Agonda??

Abhiroop

I will try and figure out the way to the south-end of Palolem with the help of your directions.

Since I just have 1 day to spare for South Goa I would prefer to stay in Palolem.I was considering The Mahnamahnas in Agonda specially their "Belgium" room, but then solitude is not what I am looking for on my wedding anniversary.

Many Thanks,
Abhi

highifly

I can recommend the following:

"Sevas" Eco Friendly Habitat
Huts and Cabanas
Palolem-Colomb, Canacona-Goa
Opposite Bhaktikutir
9422065437
email: sevasmicho@yahoo.com

or

Bhakti Kutir Huts and Cottages
296 Palolem, Patnem, Colomb Goa 403 702
email: bhaktikutir@yahoo.com
www.bhaktikutir.com

You can walk to Palolem beach within 5 minutes. You'll need a torch for the evenings. Can be purchased on the beach, hand-powered, no batteries needed.
Far enough away from the beach to enjoy the quiet, but close enough to feel part of the paradise.

Patnem beach is easy to get to within 10 minutes on foot or a few minutes if you hire a moped. Patnem is quieter.

Abhiroop

Highifly,

Thanks for your advice!

Cheers,
Abhi