Where to stay with kids? Self-catering?

Catwin · Oct 9th, 2009, 05:20

Hi,

We are going to Goa for three weeks in Feb. Any suggestions as to where to stay? Our boys are 8 and 9; would like to be near a beach; nowhere too Westernised but not too remote either. Palolem seems nice from what I have read.

Any suggestions for finding an apartment?
I keep finding places on the internet, but then find they are booked up.

How easy is it to find an apartment once we are there? Maybe we could book a hotel for a few nights, and then find somewhere - or should we book the whole thing in advance? Nothing too pricy.
Thanks, Catherine.

highifly · Oct 9th, 2009, 20:40

Well Palolem certainly is nice. The south end of the beach can get a bit noisy in the evenings so if with a young family, I would tend to recommend the north end of the beach. There is a lot of accommodation up and down Palolem so if you want peace of mind, I would recommend booking something for a day or two and searching around while you are there. In February there will certainly be loads of accommodation going and you'll be able to get a good price. Always haggle.

It depends on how long you are staying. The last time I was there for 3 months but as my daughter was only 4 months old at the time we had different requirements.

https://www.palolem-beach.com/

Take a look at the site above if you haven't already.
There are a few to watch out for though. I would not recommend Ciarans toward the South end of Palolem. While it looks nice, it is nothing special really for the prices they charge. You come out feeling you have paid a lot of money to keep their grass green. You're not even allowed on the grass!

Palolem does however have its downsides. The biggest of them being the ever-increasing number of boats lining the north end of the beach. It spoils the view from the bars and cafes as you are looking onto the back end of boats and not what Palolem is famous for, The Paradise Beach and lovely water.

These boats have also been increasing in number from year to year. It wasn't half that bad 3 years ago. All the boats offer trips around the coast to places like 'Butterfly bay' and will pick you up at certain times of day. And they do.

My tip would be Patnem. It's 2 bays further south of Palolem and while that sounds far, you can walk from the south end of Palolem beach, over the cliff-top, along the bay, road and beach, down to Patnem beach. It only takes 20 minutes to walk, the same time it takes to walk from the north end of Palolem beach to the south end.

Patnem is a lot smaller and is quieter. There is still a good selection of places to eat and stay. The best 2 places on the beach to eat and stay in my opinion are 'Namaste', owned by Satay, and 'Tantra Cafe', owned by Prashant. I found the guys in Patnem to be a little more interested in you and not so driven by the financial side, as is definitely the case in Palolem.

If you're staying longer, it may be worth looking at renting a place for a month. We paid approx £200 for a month and had a kitchen with gas included and furniture.
Best to ask around in this case. People will tend to help you look as they will get a commission from the owner if they find you a place you like and want to stay in.

Chaudi is the nearest town but there's also a small tee shop and general store at the end of the beach road leading up to Patnem beach.

Here are a few photos we took while out there at the beginning of the year, Some show the accomodation we rented. Kitchens are very basic.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/34880661@N02/

highifly · Oct 9th, 2009, 20:56

any more questions let us know

GREENTARA · Nov 21st, 2009, 02:29

yes, Patnem is much better than Palolem, in my opinion.You will be able to find many places available once you get there, just ask around and anyone will be happy to help!

malfunction · Yesterday, 19:51

For Highifly...

my wife and i will be in Palolem this december - Jan with our 20 month old boy and am thinking where to stay. We've been a few times to Palolem and have always stayed in beach huts but they will be too hot during the afternoon for our child...couldn't help looking at your photos and seeing your self-catering appartment, looks nice. Whereabouts was it? Patnem?

Grant

Oct 9th, 2009, 05:20	#1
Catwin Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: England Posts: 28	Where to stay with kids? Self-catering? Hi, We are going to Goa for three weeks in Feb. Any suggestions as to where to stay? Our boys are 8 and 9; would like to be near a beach; nowhere too Westernised but not too remote either. Palolem seems nice from what I have read. Any suggestions for finding an apartment? I keep finding places on the internet, but then find they are booked up. How easy is it to find an apartment once we are there? Maybe we could book a hotel for a few nights, and then find somewhere - or should we book the whole thing in advance? Nothing too pricy. Thanks, Catherine.

Oct 9th, 2009, 20:40	#2
highifly Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: London Posts: 14	Hope this helps Well Palolem certainly is nice. The south end of the beach can get a bit noisy in the evenings so if with a young family, I would tend to recommend the north end of the beach. There is a lot of accommodation up and down Palolem so if you want peace of mind, I would recommend booking something for a day or two and searching around while you are there. In February there will certainly be loads of accommodation going and you'll be able to get a good price. Always haggle. It depends on how long you are staying. The last time I was there for 3 months but as my daughter was only 4 months old at the time we had different requirements. https://www.palolem-beach.com/ Take a look at the site above if you haven't already. There are a few to watch out for though. I would not recommend Ciarans toward the South end of Palolem. While it looks nice, it is nothing special really for the prices they charge. You come out feeling you have paid a lot of money to keep their grass green. You're not even allowed on the grass! Palolem does however have its downsides. The biggest of them being the ever-increasing number of boats lining the north end of the beach. It spoils the view from the bars and cafes as you are looking onto the back end of boats and not what Palolem is famous for, The Paradise Beach and lovely water. These boats have also been increasing in number from year to year. It wasn't half that bad 3 years ago. All the boats offer trips around the coast to places like 'Butterfly bay' and will pick you up at certain times of day. And they do. My tip would be Patnem. It's 2 bays further south of Palolem and while that sounds far, you can walk from the south end of Palolem beach, over the cliff-top, along the bay, road and beach, down to Patnem beach. It only takes 20 minutes to walk, the same time it takes to walk from the north end of Palolem beach to the south end. Patnem is a lot smaller and is quieter. There is still a good selection of places to eat and stay. The best 2 places on the beach to eat and stay in my opinion are 'Namaste', owned by Satay, and 'Tantra Cafe', owned by Prashant. I found the guys in Patnem to be a little more interested in you and not so driven by the financial side, as is definitely the case in Palolem. If you're staying longer, it may be worth looking at renting a place for a month. We paid approx £200 for a month and had a kitchen with gas included and furniture. Best to ask around in this case. People will tend to help you look as they will get a commission from the owner if they find you a place you like and want to stay in. Chaudi is the nearest town but there's also a small tee shop and general store at the end of the beach road leading up to Patnem beach. Here are a few photos we took while out there at the beginning of the year, Some show the accomodation we rented. Kitchens are very basic. http://www.flickr.com/photos/34880661@N02/

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Oct 9th, 2009, 20:56	#3
highifly Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: London Posts: 14	any more questions let us know

Nov 21st, 2009, 02:29	#4
GREENTARA Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: SPAIN-INDIA Posts: 15	yes, Patnem is much better than Palolem, in my opinion.You will be able to find many places available once you get there, just ask around and anyone will be happy to help!

Yesterday, 19:51	#5
malfunction Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: SWITZERLAND Posts: 9	For Highifly... my wife and i will be in Palolem this december - Jan with our 20 month old boy and am thinking where to stay. We've been a few times to Palolem and have always stayed in beach huts but they will be too hot during the afternoon for our child...couldn't help looking at your photos and seeing your self-catering appartment, looks nice. Whereabouts was it? Patnem? Grant