Thinking of trying South Goa

Booradley

Have been to North Goa twice, Kerala and Rajastan. We are now thinking of South Goa. We are a couple 40+. We need some tourist infrastructure but not so much as say Calungute/Baga/Candolim. We are used to budget accommodation as long as it's clean.
Any suggestions in South Goa for mid November? Package or independant.

Boo

Cheap 'n' Best

I am not a massive fan of Goa but a few times I have been to Palolem, South Goa which I quite liked. It's not as hectic as the north. For accommodation I can recommend Bhakti Kurti with is down the southern end of the beach, prices were from Rs 500 upwards, very nice atmosphere, gorgeous rooms and great food.

Also Agonda is not far from Palolem which for Goa is really very quiet.

Enjoy !

ananda2193

Agree with above, Palolem and Agonda are good, though Palolem is quite touristic, but in a backpacker way, not a Candolim-Calangute way. Also south of Palolem is Patnem and in between Palolem and Patnem is Colomb, which is a pretty little bay. You can walk to Palolem from Patnem and Colomb. I prefer to stay in Patnem or Colomb or Agonda. Palolem is very pretty. The most pretty beach in Goa, but too touristic for my taste. But you could stay in Patnem and always walk or take a bus or rickshaw to Palolem if you choose.

Here's a few links. One is a hotel in Patnem

www.homeispatnem.com

www.palolem.com

Booradley

Thanks ananda & cheap.
Checkin out your suggestions
Do you have any views on Colva/Benaulin/Varca areas?

Boo

ananda2193

Colva is very built up with lots of restaurants and hotels. Benaulim is also but on a smaller scale. Benaulim would be the better choice of the 2. Don't know too much about Varca. As far as I know there's some resorts there. Maybe a few shacks also.
But the above places attract alot of package tourists. Middle-aged Europeans and Russians. And some travelers also.

I would choose more south of there if your into less touristic and more mellow chill out kind of places. Like Agonda or Patnem like I said before.

Booradley

After further reseach gonna try patnem. Any recommende accommodation.

Boo

ananda2193

There's huts on the beach and Home which I gave you the link to above. There's also a nice place at the crossroads to the beach. I know the restaurant was called the Seaview, maybe the hotel is also. Don't remember.There are other places scattered around the beach and inland alittle. Since you'll be there in Mid-November you shouldn't need reservations for most places. Maybe the Home might need reservations. I would just show up and look around.

Here's another place not on the beach between Patnem and Palolem run by a nice English couple. It's pretty expensive these days but you might be interested.

www.hotel-oceanic.com

Booradley

Thanks ananda will probably book the home. You have been a great help

Boo

ananda2193

The Home is out of my budget, but it's probably the best place. It's got a great location and nice grounds.And their restaurant has real good food and homemade desserts that change everday. Though it's more expensive than the other place's there. If I could afford it, I would stay there also.

GxMx

how expensive is Home,Ananda?i had written to them twice and they didnt reply,maybe they only want long stayers or western tourists/bag backers only!
i was in Palolem in October last and i stayed in this place called "Virgin Beach Resort" they gave me a real good room with aircon for 500 a night!

Booradley

Accoding to their website - see ana's link - $29-$44

Boo

the opoponax

Honestly, there is no real reason to try to book ahead in South Goa. Lodgings are plentiful and cheap in Agonda and Palolem, and I have no reason to think that Patnem or Colomb would be any different (and you could always spend that first night in Palolem then hike over the next day and seek out a better place down there).

The sense I got in Agonda is that all the places that do bookings via email charge several times more than the going rate for rooms or huts that are not really better than any of the others on offer. Your best bet is to plan to arrive well before dark, and just scout out a good place. If you will have a lot of stuff you can't schlep around, or cannot arrive until late at night, I would book just one or two nights and then scout out something better when you get a better sense of the place.

If you will be in India for a few days prior, you could probably even make a reservation over the phone a day or two before you plan to show up. A good rule of thumb for any budget accommodations in India is that the further in advance you try to reserve, the more outrageous the price will be.

vdvoort

Try the Seaview Hotel in Patnem Ananda mentions (yes, same name as the restaurant). Nice clean rooms with balcony, tv and fridge; garden, good restaurant, laundry service; stayed there last November, payed 800 INR for a non-AC double and 1600 INR for one with AC.

Enjoy!

PeterL

hi, for me the best place was on the southern end patnem beach. Its called Lotus, they have very nice rooms (huts on the beach),great food, fantastic service.
this is the website: lotus-yoga-retreat.com

Dgordo

Dear Cheap,

We are interested in South Goa for a few days in Dec. for a family holiday. Any more information on this hotel? I can't find it on the net.

Cheers!