sen28

Hello - am thinking of visiting Goa for four days or so (Dec 29 - Jan 3). Am looking for the low down on where to go (i.e., best beaches), where to stay (i.e., best hotels, preferably hidden gems) and any other advice that would make the trip special. Thanks!!

agtoau

The plan I would recommend is - stay at the Goa Marriott Resort in Panjim (http://www.goamarriottresort.com) and take day trips to both North Goa and South Goa destinations. This will also put the sights in the hinterland within easy driving distance.

The Goa Marriott is among the finest accomodations with a level of service second to none. But for those dates (Dec 29 - Jan 3) you have to book NOW!

A second, cheaper option is to stay at the Mandovi Hotel in Panjim (http://www.hotelmandovigoa.com/) but know that there is no comparison with the Marriott (which, if you have the budget, is the way to go).

There are outstanding beach resorts too on the southern and northern coastlines of Goa. But basing yourself in one of them will isolate you (unless that is what you want).

Tere

Agtoau,

I am also planning to go to Goa next year and I was thinking of staying in Taj Fort Aguada Resort. I want to be near the fleamarket and near the city. Do you recommend it? Is the Marriot also located nearby or faraway? Thanks.

hobbes

In case u want to stay at the Taj's north Goa property Tere IMO Taj Holiday Village has more charm and character than Taj Aguada. The Aguada is a hotel in a building while Hol Vill is a series of thatched huts, has a great outdoor coffee shop and pool - which Aguada residents use a lot even tho they tech have their own! Location wise Taj is nearest the flea market tho some other smaller hotels may be even nearer. I have posted a couple of other hotel names on the forum in response to someone elses Goa questions.

agtoau

Tere,

Fort Aguada Beach Resort is one part of the Taj campus which contains within its borders three sub-properties. The other two are the Taj Holiday Village and the Hermitage. The Hermitage is a premium offering, with luxury villas perched atop a hill overlooking the sea. The Fort Aguada and Taj Holiday Village are on the beach and are situated cheek by jowl. The Village is designed to create an ambience of a Goan village and is composed of air-conditioned cottages by the sea. It is quite charming. The Fort Aguada accomodations are standard, albeit luxurious, rooms. Since all these properties are within the same campus, they are within shouting distance of one another. The Taj complex is close to the flea market (within 10 mins driving).

The Goa Marriott located to the Miramar beach on the outskirts of Panjim. It is more a business hotel, but it can serve as a place for relaxation, and the service is exceptional. It is about a 20-25 minutes drive to the flea market areas.

Tere

Hobbes and Agtoau, thank you very much for your helpful replies. That means you don't really recommend the Fort Aguada Resort? I also had a look at Leela Palace and Taj Exotica , they look gorgeous, that's where we'de like to stay but they are south and I am afraid if we stay south we will have only beach holiday. We want to experience Goa,going to the beach, see historical sites, going out for dinner, markets and do some ayuverdic treatments and yoga.
Staying south we would only have the beach, am I correct?
So we wanted to stay near town.
In your opinion what is the best place to stay to have all this? We wanted a good and nice resort , beachfront, not a standard one.
Thank you very much in advance.

hobbes

Tere, if u choose to stay at the Taj north Goa property I reco Taj Hol Village over Aguada. I feel it is a nicer experience, lovely huts, sread out on a sprawling property. They have luxury huts too of larger size so loook at those. The Aguada beach is NOT great but location wise u are near all the things u mentioned. The Marriott is a far better property but nowhere near a beach. I have stayed at Hol Vill and always enjoyed it. Think u will too.

agtoau

Tere, now that you outline your general plan for Goa, there is no question in my mind: you ought to stay at the Goa Marriott Resort in Panjim (http://www.goamarriottresort.com). This will put you within easy driving distance of all the historical sites, the temples & churches, the markets and to points on both the nothern and southern Goa beaches. From the Marriott, you could easily take a day trip to the Leela or Taj Exotica or the Park Hyatt if you so desired. Or to Fort Aguada.

The Goa Marriott is a marvellous property, quite unlike your standard cookie-cutter Marriotts. I have had all my visiting friends and acquaintances stay there and not a single one has gone away disappointed.

Tere

Thank you very much Agtoau and Hobbes for your help.
Both the Taj Holiday Village and the Marriot look gorgeous but the Marriot has one cons, it isn't beachfront. If it was it was ideal as I am a Marriot Rewards member.
I will look forward to your help ahead, planning my trip to Goa, as you know it so well.
Thanks again

Teresa

sen28

Thanks for your definitive suggestions! Looks like the Marriott is the place to stay. How far would we have to drive to get to a really nice beach?

agtoau

The Goa Marriott is situated cheek by jowl to the Miramar beach. A couple of minutes walk (literally) from the hotel and you are on the beach. However, Miramar is a city beach, which means it is accessed by the city folk. So while it is a very pleasant place for a walk or for just hanging around, it is not one for a beach vacation in that there is not much of privacy.

Tere - in Goa you are never really far from a good beach. One can stay at the Marriott and still be at a secluded beach within 30-40 minutes of driving time.