Is there a problem - accomodation in Panjim !!!

philip007 · Sep 16th, 2009, 19:35

Hi folks,

Just started to make an accomodation booking in Panjim for 8 nights in late November and I am getting an uneasy feeling.

First I rang Afonso Guest House (highly recommended on IM and Lonely Planet) to make a booking only to be told that their rates have shot up 100% to 1500 Rs due to a "film festival" in the area. A festival for which their seems no information.

Then I rang Comfort Guest House (also recommended on IM and again on LP) only to be told that they dont take bookings over the phone or in fact anywhere else. They let their rooms on a "first come first served basis". In fact the lady who answered the telephone said it was on a first come first served basis then promptly hung up !!!

For this holiday I have booked accomodation in Amritsar, Delhi, Varanasi, Kolcata, Jaipur, Mumbai and Kochi - all sucessfully, with no problems.

I am having a bad feeling about this.

Does anyone have any views - suggestions. Any info most welcome.

Many thanks.

Philip

Mod Note:
Please do not post the same message in multiple forums as it is not only against the Rules of IndiaMike but also highly confusing since members do not know to which of your posts to respond. Thanks.

dillichaat · Sep 21st, 2009, 10:59

Fwiw: last weekend I talked to an acquaintance on the phone and he did mention a film festival in Goa for november, so I guess the explanation might be valid. The main problem is that Goa receives huge amounts of tourists and can afford to inflate prices to ridiculous levels considering what's on offer. I was there on business in the off-season (may) and even then the streets of Panjim were crowded with beer-guzzling, tattooed and loud visitors. It's a beautiful state but it's comparatively expensive and if you want a beach experience imho there's quieter and cheaper places to go to in India.

About hotel reservations: my advice is NOT to book ahead unless there's a festival or something and you really, absolutely want to be there and overpay for the privilege. Never, ever, pay ahead if it's a place where you haven't stayed before. This is THE best way to get ripped off and get the worst room of the place. Always look at the room first, then decide if you want to pay the asking price.

Sep 16th, 2009, 19:35	#1
philip007 Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Gold Coast Australia Posts: 150	Is there a problem - accomodation in Panjim !!! Hi folks, Just started to make an accomodation booking in Panjim for 8 nights in late November and I am getting an uneasy feeling. First I rang Afonso Guest House (highly recommended on IM and Lonely Planet) to make a booking only to be told that their rates have shot up 100% to 1500 Rs due to a "film festival" in the area. A festival for which their seems no information. Then I rang Comfort Guest House (also recommended on IM and again on LP) only to be told that they dont take bookings over the phone or in fact anywhere else. They let their rooms on a "first come first served basis". In fact the lady who answered the telephone said it was on a first come first served basis then promptly hung up !!! For this holiday I have booked accomodation in Amritsar, Delhi, Varanasi, Kolcata, Jaipur, Mumbai and Kochi - all sucessfully, with no problems. I am having a bad feeling about this. Does anyone have any views - suggestions. Any info most welcome. Many thanks. Philip Mod Note: Please do not post the same message in multiple forums as it is not only against the Rules of IndiaMike but also highly confusing since members do not know to which of your posts to respond. Thanks.

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Sep 21st, 2009, 10:59	#2
dillichaat Professional cynic Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: जोर बाग़,New Delhi Posts: 431	Fwiw: last weekend I talked to an acquaintance on the phone and he did mention a film festival in Goa for november, so I guess the explanation might be valid. The main problem is that Goa receives huge amounts of tourists and can afford to inflate prices to ridiculous levels considering what's on offer. I was there on business in the off-season (may) and even then the streets of Panjim were crowded with beer-guzzling, tattooed and loud visitors. It's a beautiful state but it's comparatively expensive and if you want a beach experience imho there's quieter and cheaper places to go to in India. About hotel reservations: my advice is NOT to book ahead unless there's a festival or something and you really, absolutely want to be there and overpay for the privilege. Never, ever, pay ahead if it's a place where you haven't stayed before. This is THE best way to get ripped off and get the worst room of the place. Always look at the room first, then decide if you want to pay the asking price.