Inspire us, please!

goanmad · Feb 4th, 2007, 17:39

We're flying to Goa on 18th March for 2 weeks to make the most of our tourist visa that expires very soon. We want inspiration as to where to stay and go.

We've been visiting Goa for the past 7 years and have loved it since day one. During our first visit we met a Goan family and returned to their small guesthouse in Maddovado, Calangute year after year.

We found Calangute to be a great base for exploring the state but over the past 2 years have become disillusioned with the mass development around the area and the increasing number of Brit-style bars. Although it's great catching up with friends and revisiting our favourite restaurants we want more.

During our month-long stay in December '06 we made an effort to see some of the "real India" by travelling around Tamil Nadu which blew us away.

This time we think we may spend the first couple of nights in Panjim but after that who knows. At first we considered Gokarna but saw this:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1F9F7BL7O1A

We love the chilled out beach vibe in Arambol and Mandrem and would consider spending a few days there if anyone has any recommendations. Our budget is around 400 rupees a night.

Although we've stayed in Agonda and visited Palolem we hardly know South Goa. When we search for information we only seem to find posh hotels which aren't really our thing. If anyone got any recommendations for the South we'd really appreciate it too.

Thanks in advance!

Madaboutindia · Feb 5th, 2007, 17:24

Take a look at:

www.saodomingosgoa.com

Lovely B&B in Cavelossim/Mobor, South Goa. Accommodation, including fridge, safe deposit facilities and aircon, breakfast ~ £10 per person per night. The place is a two-minute walk from the River Sal and about a seven-minute walk to the beautiful Mobor Beach.

Good selection of restaurants in the area, such as the Goan Village, Riverview and Palm Grove (excellent Chinest). Hope this helps.

alice · Feb 6th, 2007, 21:25

Just stayed at a wonderful place in Agonda called Bio Veda and I had one of the best times ever in Goa. There's just a few huts right on the beach, but the standard is much better than your usual coco hut. Big rooms with mosquito nets, attached bathrooms, safes, wardrobes etc. I paid 1500Rs, but you may be able to negotiate if you're staying longer. They also have a range of ayurvedic treatments on site, if that's your thing. Fantastic view of the sunset, and lovely and quiet.

Phone number from outside Goa is 09422640193, or their email is palolemayurvediccentre@yahoo.c o.in. The guy running it is called Sunil.

goanmad · Feb 9th, 2007, 20:37

Thanks for the replies, guys. Both are a bit above our normal price range but will check them out when we get there.

Madaboutindia · Feb 9th, 2007, 20:59

You could try Madhu huts in Agonda, between 300 and 400 rps per night, per hut.

Take a look at www.macprofessor.com for information

goanmad · Feb 9th, 2007, 22:55

Madaboutindia, you'll never believe it but we've just clicked on your link and we recognise you. We stayed at Madhu in December 2005 in the hut next door! Bizarre xx

Madaboutindia · Feb 9th, 2007, 23:08

Just sent p.m.

spike · Feb 9th, 2007, 23:32

The two times we were in Goa, we stayed at a very nice guesthouse in Benaulim, Framoz Guesthouse. Very nice family that runs the place. It's basic, but very clean and about 10 minutes walking from the beach. We paid 200 for a double with attached bathroom. Benaulim itself is still very calm, the beach is great. Most of the times we had sunset dinner on the beach at Johncy's. Benaulim is a 10 minutes riksja ride from Margao train station. Wish I could go too, ...

goanmad · Feb 9th, 2007, 23:40

Thanks, Spike. Benaulim looks lovely. The snow has been falling here for hours and it's freezing cold. Can't believe that we'll be back in the Goan sunshine in just over 5 weeks time!

LilyB · Feb 10th, 2007, 01:37

Quote:

Originally Posted by goanmad

This time we think we may spend the first couple of nights in Panjim but after that who knows. At first we considered Gokarna but saw this:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1F9F7BL7O1A

I don't know if it will make a difference to you, but the beach in that video is Om beach, where there is now an enormous resort.

When we stayed at Main Beach, Gokarna a year ago it was very empty and relaxed. Lots of small beach huts and we really enjoyed it. There were a lot of people who came back year after year, so it was a real family vibe at the place we stayed.

spike · Feb 10th, 2007, 03:16

Hey Goanmad, I had my share of snow too yesterday. Anyway, if you decide to go to Benaulim : have fun ! I just got back from a 3 month tour in India myself. No more Goa for me this year

Casey · Feb 10th, 2007, 20:03

Last year we stayed in Benaulim and enjoyed our visit. We were there last February (this time last year, sigh) and the beach was not crowded at all. We stayed at Tansy's Guesthouse and it was 300r for a room with attached bathroom and balcony. It was about a 10 minute walk to the beach. The town itself is pretty quiet. I wish I were back there rather than dealing with -25 degrees.

Jlingoa · Mar 4th, 2007, 12:57

Thank you Casey......

Please let me know how to get in touch with Tansy's Guesthouse.

Casey · Mar 4th, 2007, 23:30

http://www.goaunplugged.com/tansy.html
Here is a website with the information.

crea · Mar 5th, 2007, 00:47

hi,

Patnem Beach, just south of Palolem, is nice as well.
If you want the hussle and buzzle of Palolem you just walk for maybe 20 minutes and otherwise enjoy the almost emptiness of Patnem. But, even returning after 13 years to Palolem, we liked it. In march it will be not to crowded, I guess.

Gokarna is lovely. Kudlee beach is quieter than Om beach (probably because you have to walk); to Om goes a road these days, due to the big resort.
It is very nice to stay in town and walk everyday to the beach if you like. Otherwise stay at Kudlee. There are some places, just go there and check them out (around 100 Rp)

Enjoy your time; I'am a bit jealous, I must admit.
greeetings,
Mea

Feb 4th, 2007, 17:39	#1
goanmad Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: UK Posts: 14	Inspire us, please! We're flying to Goa on 18th March for 2 weeks to make the most of our tourist visa that expires very soon. We want inspiration as to where to stay and go. We've been visiting Goa for the past 7 years and have loved it since day one. During our first visit we met a Goan family and returned to their small guesthouse in Maddovado, Calangute year after year. We found Calangute to be a great base for exploring the state but over the past 2 years have become disillusioned with the mass development around the area and the increasing number of Brit-style bars. Although it's great catching up with friends and revisiting our favourite restaurants we want more. During our month-long stay in December '06 we made an effort to see some of the "real India" by travelling around Tamil Nadu which blew us away. This time we think we may spend the first couple of nights in Panjim but after that who knows. At first we considered Gokarna but saw this: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1F9F7BL7O1A We love the chilled out beach vibe in Arambol and Mandrem and would consider spending a few days there if anyone has any recommendations. Our budget is around 400 rupees a night. Although we've stayed in Agonda and visited Palolem we hardly know South Goa. When we search for information we only seem to find posh hotels which aren't really our thing. If anyone got any recommendations for the South we'd really appreciate it too. Thanks in advance!

Feb 9th, 2007, 23:32	#8
spike Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Belgium Posts: 125	Benaulim The two times we were in Goa, we stayed at a very nice guesthouse in Benaulim, Framoz Guesthouse. Very nice family that runs the place. It's basic, but very clean and about 10 minutes walking from the beach. We paid 200 for a double with attached bathroom. Benaulim itself is still very calm, the beach is great. Most of the times we had sunset dinner on the beach at Johncy's. Benaulim is a 10 minutes riksja ride from Margao train station. Wish I could go too, ...

Mar 4th, 2007, 12:57	#13
Jlingoa ________________ Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: USA and South America Posts: 17	Thank you Casey...... Please let me know how to get in touch with Tansy's Guesthouse. __________________ ___________________ "Travel is fatal to prejudice, bigotry, and narrow-mindedness." Mark Twain

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode

Feb 5th, 2007, 17:24	#2
Madaboutindia Member Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: England Posts: 54	Take a look at: www.saodomingosgoa.com Lovely B&B in Cavelossim/Mobor, South Goa. Accommodation, including fridge, safe deposit facilities and aircon, breakfast ~ £10 per person per night. The place is a two-minute walk from the River Sal and about a seven-minute walk to the beautiful Mobor Beach. Good selection of restaurants in the area, such as the Goan Village, Riverview and Palm Grove (excellent Chinest). Hope this helps.

Feb 6th, 2007, 21:25	#3
alice Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: England Posts: 6	Just stayed at a wonderful place in Agonda called Bio Veda and I had one of the best times ever in Goa. There's just a few huts right on the beach, but the standard is much better than your usual coco hut. Big rooms with mosquito nets, attached bathrooms, safes, wardrobes etc. I paid 1500Rs, but you may be able to negotiate if you're staying longer. They also have a range of ayurvedic treatments on site, if that's your thing. Fantastic view of the sunset, and lovely and quiet. Phone number from outside Goa is 09422640193, or their email is palolemayurvediccentre@yahoo.c o.in. The guy running it is called Sunil.

Feb 9th, 2007, 20:37	#4
goanmad Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: UK Posts: 14	Thanks for the replies, guys. Both are a bit above our normal price range but will check them out when we get there.

Feb 9th, 2007, 20:59	#5
Madaboutindia Member Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: England Posts: 54	You could try Madhu huts in Agonda, between 300 and 400 rps per night, per hut. Take a look at www.macprofessor.com for information

Feb 9th, 2007, 22:55	#6
goanmad Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: UK Posts: 14	Madaboutindia, you'll never believe it but we've just clicked on your link and we recognise you. We stayed at Madhu in December 2005 in the hut next door! Bizarre xx

Feb 9th, 2007, 23:08	#7
Madaboutindia Member Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: England Posts: 54	Just sent p.m.

Feb 9th, 2007, 23:40	#9
goanmad Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: UK Posts: 14	Thanks, Spike. Benaulim looks lovely. The snow has been falling here for hours and it's freezing cold. Can't believe that we'll be back in the Goan sunshine in just over 5 weeks time!

Feb 10th, 2007, 03:16	#11
spike Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Belgium Posts: 125	Hey Goanmad, I had my share of snow too yesterday. Anyway, if you decide to go to Benaulim : have fun ! I just got back from a 3 month tour in India myself. No more Goa for me this year

Feb 10th, 2007, 20:03	#12
Casey Maha Guru Member Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Ottawa, Canada Posts: 637	Last year we stayed in Benaulim and enjoyed our visit. We were there last February (this time last year, sigh) and the beach was not crowded at all. We stayed at Tansy's Guesthouse and it was 300r for a room with attached bathroom and balcony. It was about a 10 minute walk to the beach. The town itself is pretty quiet. I wish I were back there rather than dealing with -25 degrees.

Mar 4th, 2007, 23:30	#14
Casey Maha Guru Member Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Ottawa, Canada Posts: 637	http://www.goaunplugged.com/tansy.html Here is a website with the information.

User Name		Remember Me?
Password

Mar 5th, 2007, 00:47	#15
crea Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: netherlands Posts: 59	hi, Patnem Beach, just south of Palolem, is nice as well. If you want the hussle and buzzle of Palolem you just walk for maybe 20 minutes and otherwise enjoy the almost emptiness of Patnem. But, even returning after 13 years to Palolem, we liked it. In march it will be not to crowded, I guess. Gokarna is lovely. Kudlee beach is quieter than Om beach (probably because you have to walk); to Om goes a road these days, due to the big resort. It is very nice to stay in town and walk everyday to the beach if you like. Otherwise stay at Kudlee. There are some places, just go there and check them out (around 100 Rp) Enjoy your time; I'am a bit jealous, I must admit. greeetings, Mea