Palolem in December?

DoctorPhil

Me and my girlfriend are arriving in Goa on the 12th December for 1 week, not got anything booked.... what are the chances of getting somewhere to stay in Palolem? I was recomended Ciarans Camp - I emailed the resort and they want £63 per night for a double room with a western toilet!! Also a £100 deposit straight to his bank beforehand to confirm the room... dodgy?? Sounds it.

Is everywhere in this area going to be the same price?

cyberhippie

I know John the owner personally, he is as honest as the day is long!! He takes the deposit because many people have let him down over the years, by not showing up for bookings!
I think you will have no problems deposting the 100 quid and it will ensure you a booking at a very nice camp in the busiest month!

As to the price well I agree it is steep but these days many of the camps on Palolem beach are commanding a higher and higher price!!

There are many cheaper options but few that would be willing to book via e-mail or telephone!
Since you are not arriving too near Christmas you could just turn up and see what suits you and your budget.
Palolem has lots of accomodation and away from Xmas and New Year there usually a good choice of places to stay!

Pookstar

We were in Palolem at about that time last year (it was so lovely that we will be there again this year too – yippee!!).

We turned up without booking and although the established / renowned camps with more amenities right on the beach front were booked up there was still lots of other cheap options.

We took a lovely beach shack that had it own attached toilet & basic shower for £5 a night. It was a little way off the beach front (only about a minutes walk though!!) but this was quite nice as you were a little out of the way of the crowds (beware of the dogs barking though - packs roam around all night and you will be sooo glad if you take some ear-plugs!).

My advice would be to turn up and get something you fancy when you are there.

GoanCanuck

That is an outrageous price.

cyberhippie

I agree totally Goancanuck, but the owner is persuing the market value of Palolem beach, from humble beginings John has steadily steered Cieran's Camp towards a more select client base.
For what is still a hut on the beach I agree the price is rediculous but it appears some are willing to pay it!

GoanCanuck

The problem here is that Palolem was popular because it was a backpacker's paradise but if upscale tourists are going to start frequenting then the whole charm of the place is going to be lost forever. Very sad.

-m2-

Part of the problem is that first-time visitors who insist on prebooking via internet have no idea of what are realistic prices for what they are looking for and are thereby making it easy for facility owners to gouge -- particularly in high season.

GoanCanuck

Not only do first time visitors not know what the correct prices are but they do not know what the actual conditions are in the hotels. Some of the hotels have increased their prices by 25% as compared to last season but the standard of the hotels has gone from bad to worse. Greed knows no limits.

Pookstar

Further to my post above the place we stayed at was here:

http://www.chayagladpalace.com

The owner is a guy called Nitten - lovely friendly man. We arrived looking very hot and bothered saying we'd only stay if he provided a mosquito net. He tried to persuade us that his camp and Palolem were 'clean places - no mosquitoes here' but we insisted and he said it would be no problem.....true to his word he installed one in our hut later that day (although I'm happy to say we were being quite paranoid and it was one of the few places we didn't see any mosquitoes!). We also spent a lovely end of evening sitting with him having a few drinks and he told us his aim was to create a safe and welcoming place -which in my view he has completely succeeded at doing. His camp is fenced all round and is constantly watched over by himself or other staff. Even during the night there is a 'sentry' man on watch - usually wrapped in a blanket and looking cold (made us laugh as even at 3am the temperature was equivalent to a warm spring day in England!). I also remember they had a guard dog called 'Robin' who chased away all the pigs who wandered under the fence!

This place is excellent value for money and I thoroughly recommend it.

ananda2193

Try www.palolem.com it has a few hotels listed!

GoanCanuck

If you type http://www.palolembeach.com/ in your browser you get a hotel in Seoul.

cyberhippie

Did anyone see this picture, Palolem "92" Goancanuck will be getting all sentimental, I know I did and I was a latecomer to the Palolem party!

aholic_2907

i can surely bet on palolem as the best beach in india.i visited the place in march and it was simply beautiful.stayed at this placed called high tide.this place was quite alright but the interiors of the room dint make u feel like u wre on the beach.
but there are other places to watch out for.surely ciarans is expensive but its really a great place to spend time with ur girlfriend.
u should try these others too -

dreamcatcher - this place is located to the north end of palolem and the view of the lagoon where the river meets the sea is simply breathtaking.

neptunes point - this place is perched on a hill overlooking the beach at the southern end of palolem.
if u get the contact of these 2 places, pls let me know,thanks!have fun!

aholic_2907

hey i emailed john to enquire about the accommodation for the new year week, but he said tht he was already booked.i dont understand, when he quoted $63 to DoctorPhil, i assume tht he would have available rooms for tht particular week.
when i told him tht i was frm mumbai he simply replied tht he was booked for tht particular week.does he have something against us desis?? has any1 heard about him discrminating against indians?

GoanCanuck

Don't know whether this guy discriminates against Indians or not but I am personally aware of one European owner in Palolem who refuses to give a room to any Indian tourist. Very racist.