[Sunil@KA25]

Recently I had been to Goa for two days and was staying at Rama Resorts at Agonda.

The property has ON-THE-BEACH - Beach facing rooms, a very good restaurant and the rest of the rooms are facing the Gardens / Partial beach view.

The rooms are having Air conditioning by default and the house keeping staff do a very good job at keeping the rooms clean. The resort / hotel has a dedicated parking lot as well. There are a lot of food options outside the resort including Vegan / vegetarian options, but we stuck to the restaurant at the resort itself which served very good food among the not many Vegetarian options available in their menu. Their service too is very good.


At the beach, except for Surfboarding, there were no water based activities - like ski boat, paragliding, banana ride, etc.. the usual other sport activities that are usually available at other locations - We had not planned on any of those activities anyways. The only plan was to get into the beach for the maximum possible time. The beach is just lovely and peaceful with clean water and very soft sands.

[am1m]

Margao railway station has a fancy new lounge. For 100 bucks per hour, you get a comfortable sofa, clean area and good restrooms. Not sure how long they can sustain at these rates, long-term maintenance will be key. But seems like a good option if you need to spend an hour before your train, or if you arrive by an early morning train and need to catch a quick nap or freshen up.

[am1m]

The past couple of years, there seems to be a new attraction at a couple of beaches, especially Palolem, but that is certainly not what it seems. The local small boats advertise something called 'eagle/falcon feeding'. There are certainly no falcons (or eagles) involved. The boatmen throw meat or other garbage to attract Black Kites and Brahminy Kites...both bird species that are as common as crows in almost any of our cities!

(Palolem does have a population of Sea-Eagles, so perhaps there are a couple of those in the mix, but you certainly don't have to pay to see them!)

[ashkamath]

Originally Posted by am1m

Margao railway station has a fancy new lounge. For 100 bucks per hour, you get a comfortable sofa, clean area and good restrooms. Not sure how long they can sustain at these rates, long-term maintenance will be key.

Considering that thousands of communters will be around on any given day at a busy railway station such as Madgao, the 4 /5 seater fancy lounge will have no dearth of customers as they need just a tiny fraction of the commuters to use their facility to keep it running profitably.

Yesterday I was at Madgao station and saw all the lounge Sofa occupied and it looked all good.

The idea is to get the people addicted to a sort of comfort that you would be drawn to it again when you visit the railway station next time. Let me explain. I took the Vande Bharat train from Madgao to Mangalore yesterday evening and it was an extremely pleasant experience. Tea and dinner was served reminding me of an in-flight F&B service, chairs were reclining & comfortable, mobile charging points fitted under every chair, the overall ambience was great.
I felt the experience pleasant that my return train back to Goa will be again Vande Bharat, even though the ticket price is many times higher.
This is how one gets addicted to the comfort and pleasant experience. It's same with the Sofa lounge in Madgao station..Once you find the experience pleasant, the value seems allright while paying the premium amount

Originally Posted by am1m

The local small boats advertise something called 'eagle/falcon feeding'. There are certainly no falcons (or eagles) involved. The boatmen throw meat or other garbage to attract Black Kites and Brahminy Kites...both bird species that are as common as crows in almost any of our cities!

This is interesting news. I reside in Goa and visit these beaches once in a while, tagging along with some friends/ relatives on a Goa trip. Perhaps I missed this Falcon feeding thing as I never heard of it. This is something I will ask around and find out more. Local boat people seems to be inventing newer tourist attractions. Smart move, I would say

[am1m]

Originally Posted by ashkamath

Considering that thousands of communters will be around on...Madgao, the 4 /5 seater fancy lounge will have no dearth of customers as they need just a tiny fraction of the commuters to use their facility to keep it running profitably.

Oh I certainly hope so. What I meant was I thought the prices were less and was hoping they could sustain the level of cleanliness and also expand at those rates. It is about time we had the option for better facilities at Railway stations, even at a higher cost. I am all for such facilities. Especially in tourist areas, it is worth it to pay and wait in a lounge like this if you come by an early train, or if you need to arrive a few hours early for a very late train. But maintaining standards will be key- especially keeping it clean.

Originally Posted by ashkamath

Perhaps I missed this Falcon feeding thing...Local boat people seems to be inventing newer tourist attractions.

Yeah, I can see the attraction in something like this for kids. But I also think it is a bit of a scam. I mean, I can see Black Kites feeding on garbage in Bangalore, why pay for that on vacation! But to each their, own I guess. Just wanted to post so that people are informed about what they are paying for.

[sinharishi]

Found this amazing place in South Goa - Green Leaf resort, located at Canacona. The place is few meters before you turn right for Palolem, coming from Agonda. USP is a private pool with every cottage. Absolutely neat and clean cottages. Peak season rates go as high as 10k/night, else you can book for 4-5k/night. Highly recommended.

[youknowitbetter]

Hi - planning to do a boy's trip for 2 days. Want to stay in Vagator (around the beach) so that we don't have to travel and rely on cabs. Requirement is fairly simple: we want to be as close to the beach as possible, should be a clean place (preferably with a pool), should have access to WiFi (since work never stops) and need a restaurant/kitchen (for late night hunger pangs (if at all).

Let me know if anyone has suggestions. I have already made a booking.

[Fx14]

Originally Posted by youknowitbetter

Hi - planning to do a boy's trip for 2 days. Want to stay in Vagator (around the beach) so that we don't have to travel and rely on cabs. Requirement is fairly simple: we want to be as close to the beach as possible, should be a clean place (preferably with a pool), should have access to WiFi (since work never stops) and need a restaurant/kitchen (for late night hunger pangs (if at all).

Let me know if anyone has suggestions. I have already made a booking.

Back in 2007, stayed @ Sterling Resorts, Vagator. Their stand alone AC cottages were literally on the beach, separated by just a low boundary wall. The sea and beach were visible from the living room itself.

The swimming pool, in house restaurant and reception area were a small trek up the hill from the beach though, resulting in us availing room service for almost all meals except one. The service and food was good, though you needed to factor in extra time for any service execution if you are on the beach, given the distance from the main reception / restaurant.

[jas_mirage]

Hi Goa experts,

I have a Goa trip planned in December, 18 to 26. This will be a family trip with the missus and 2 kids. I was looking at recommendations on places to stay, not too expensive.

I know, December, Goa and reasonable pricing do not go hand in hand, but I have a wedding, which I cannot miss. The wedding will be in the Agaceim area, so I was thinking maybe I could stay somewhere closer in the city area till the 22nd and then I can do a last 3 days in a beach side resort with the family. Or would I get a better deal if I just book the whole period with a single hotel? I would prefer being to the mid to south of Goa, kind of like Panjim to around Varca. If there are nicer properties, I wouldn't mind moving up or down. I don't think going too much North will be a good idea.

I would be happy with a good service apartment or homestay for the first few days and then the last 3 days in a nice beach facing property would be amazing. What would be your recommendations for such an itinerary?

[ashkamath]

Originally Posted by jas_mirage

Hi Goa experts,

I have a Goa trip planned in December, 18 to 26. This will be a family trip with the missus and 2 kids. I was looking at recommendations on places to stay, not too expensive.

I know, December, Goa and reasonable pricing do not go hand in hand, but I have a wedding, which I cannot miss. The wedding will be in the Agaceim area, so I was thinking maybe I could stay somewhere closer in the city area till the 22nd and then I can do a last 3 days in a beach side resort with the family. Or would I get a better deal if I just book the whole period with a single hotel? I would prefer being to the mid to south of Goa, kind of like Panjim to around Varca. If there are nicer properties, I wouldn't mind moving up or down. I don't think going too much North will be a good idea.

I would be happy with a good service apartment or homestay for the first few days and then the last 3 days in a nice beach facing property would be amazing. What would be your recommendations for such an itinerary?

Agacaim (Also spelt as Agassaim locally) is right in the middle of Goa, just after the new Zuari bridge that divides the North and South Goa districts. Technically it's in North Goa district but just so, by a whisker from the North/ South district border on the north side after the bridge. Unlike Colva or Calangute, Agassaim is not a beach side village but a bit interior..

Agassaim is equidistant from Panaji and Vasco Da Gama cities (about 15 Kms). You can choose any beach side resort at Majorda, Utorda, Betalbatim or Colva on the South Goa beach line and that's the best option you have. To the north side is capital Panaji and then another 12-15 Kms to Calangute/ Baga/ Candolim Beach areas. These beaches are very crowded during the last fortnight of December (your travel days) and best to be avoided as traffic will be heavy and parking will be almost non existent.

Also Old Goa is very close to Agassaim through Neura & Mandur ( about 15 kms or so). So you can visit the Old Goa Church, Se Cathedral, Museum attached to the cathedral from Agassaim village. South of Agassaim you can visit the village of Loutolim where there are a couple of sight seeing places such as Big Foot (Goan heritage village) and Figueiredo Portuguese mansion. They are close by.

I suggest you keep one day for the North Goa Forts - Going from South to North, after Panaji you can visit - Reis Magos Fort, Fort Aguada and Chapora Fort (It wiill take one day to see these forts very leisurely with lunch and short beach visit interspersed)

One day you can keep for beaches in North - Candolim, Baga, Anjuna. Enjoy the watersports, beach shack and do nothing.

One day you can keep for South Goa. Cabo Da Rama Fort, Coco beach, Agonda & Palolem beach,. In South you can also visit Selaulum Dam.

There are many beautiful temples between Old Goa and Ponda like Malshi, Mangeshi, Nageshi, Ramnathi etc. it will take a day if you plan this visit.

One day you can keep for Panaji city. Shopping, Miramar beach, Dona Paula, Immaculate conception Church, Fontainhas colorfull houses and much more.

While at Goa try Goan cuisine and especially our Rechado masala fish items and Goan sweet Bebinca.

Regarding homestay/ Guesthouses there are a few, but I suggest you stay at a beach side 3 star resort in South Goa (location mentioned earlier) as that would be a memorable experience.

Hope that helps.

[jas_mirage]

Originally Posted by ashkamath

You can choose any beach side resort at Majorda, Utorda, Betalbatim or Colva on the South Goa beach line and that's the best option you have.

That is a very good list of options and plan of things to do for the duration of our stay. Thank you for that!

Also would be great if you could give me any recommended hotels in the areas you have mentioned.

And give me names of hotels I should eat at. Especially for tasting Goan specialties.

[jaganm]

Originally Posted by jas_mirage

Hi Goa experts,

I have a Goa trip planned in December, 18 to 26. This will be a family trip with the missus and 2 kids. I was looking at recommendations on places to stay, not too expensive.

We had a similar requirement a couple of years back, we were visiting during the absolute peak period (Christmas to new year) and hotels were ranging from 15-20K per night per room. As we needed 2 rooms (kids are grown up), the prospect of paying upwards of 2L just for rooms was not very appealing. So, my friend who is a Goa veteran suggested that I look at Airbnbs near the airport (Dabolim area). There are a number of apartment complexes (we stayed at Tata Rio de Goa) where most of the flats are let out through Airbnb. We got a really nice 2 bhp apartment for 10K per night. This was during the peak period though, if you check at any other time, they are available for half the price or less.

In my opinion, you can consider this for a few days and spend the rest of the time in a beach resort.

The only downside is that this area requires a vehicle to do anything. It was not an issue for us, as we drove down to Goa.

[Majumdarda]

We want to go to south Goa tomorrow. Just two grown up Males with their bullets. Requirement is pretty obvious.

Any budget accomodations available at South Goa in the range of ₹2500 max with Safe parking for the bulls.

Now we are at Payyambalam beach, at Kannur! At a near vacant Blue Nile Beach Resort, with excellent sea facing accomodation at the rate of ₹2000.

[youknowitbetter]

Just came from Goa. It was a quick 4 days trip. Stayed 2 days in North Goa at Casa Vagator at Ozran beach. Its in the same lane as all the famous restaurants/party places i.e. Dubki, Antares, Thalassa etc. Hotel's infra is nice but they have dropped the ball when it comes to maintenance and food.

In South, we stayed at Royal Orchids. Its quite good. Beach is superb!

Both are about 10k a night.

[pedrolourenco]

Originally Posted by Majumdarda

Any budget accomodations available at South Goa in the range of ₹2500 max with Safe parking for the bulls.

Since you have bikes, look for accommodation away from the beach. That will be cheaper. You can ride to the beach whenever you want.