A Stay Option For Every Traveller

Goa is the most sought after tourist destination in the country for a reason. There are a multitude of options that one can choose from, to stay at when visiting the state.

GOA is an ideal tourist destination which provides a stay option for every budget. In this story we look at the many stay options that the state has on offer.

HOTELS:
Goa has an astounding number of starred hotel properties, be it luxury five – star resorts, three or four star medium budget hotels or budget hotels. The beach belts of North & South Goa are home to some of the best international hotel chains. These hotels offer what dream vacations are made of; plush beds, huge rooms and bathrooms, breathtaking views, several culinary options and so on. Name a luxury hotel chain, and its’ either already in Goa or is looking to open up soon in this tropical state. Leela, Taj, Planet Hollywood, and many more are spread from North to South Goa. Move slightly indoors and we have several other hotel properties which provide all the modern amenities, but perhaps are slightly low on the luxury factor as compared to the five – star properties. For those looking at bare minimum stay facilities, there are the guest houses, both privately owned and state run. These guest houses offer decent rooms, dining options and are perfect for low budget travelers.

BEACH HOUSES, TENTS & HUTS:
Goa is a coastal state, and therefore, unlike any other place in the country, we have several stays close to the beach, be it beach houses,tents, huts or even cottages. These charming stays provide privacy, comfort, and are most often right in front of the beach, thereby providing spectacular views. Since, these beach stays are part of a group of huts usually under a brand name, various amenities like in-room dining, restaurants, spas, are often available within the premises. Some fabulously looking and well maintained beach side stay options are the Dunhill resort (Agonda), Elsewhere (Chapora), Leela Cottages (Ashvem), Green Park beach resort (Palolem), to name a few.

RENTALS:
A large group of people, who travel to Goa, prefer to rent out flats or villas during their stay. This option works best when you are travelling in large groups of say 5 to 10 people, as the rent gets distributed. Rentals are also the preferred stay option among those who come to Goa for a long period of time. There are residential complexes in Goa, which house mid budget hotels along with a selection of flats and villas. The advantage of staying in such a set up is that, one gets to enjoy their peaceful time, yet when one doesn’t want to cook up the breakfast, they can enjoy what is being offered by the hotel on the complex. Stand alone villas, are also often put on rent by their owners, in which case guests can enjoy plenty of space on their holiday. These rentals usually have other facilities like swimming pools, gardens and car park attached, making them an ideal choice.

HOME STAYS:
The concept of home stays is fast catching up around the world, and Goa is not far behind. Ideal for travelers, who are tired of staying in hotels and resorts and for those who love to get a taste of the local life, home stays are a comfortable option with personalized services. Aashyana, Quinta Velha, Casa Colvale, are some home stays in Goa which have received a fair share of positive reviews from visitors.

ECO STAYS:
Eco Stays or Eco Retreats are off beat stay options, usually located amongst natural surroundings. Normally, in these eco retreats, several holistic wellness treatments are offered for curing health related problems or for de stressing. The Dwarka Eco beach resort, Yogamagic Eco retreat, Ashiyana Yoga & Spa village, Saraya, Stone Water; the list is endless. These Eco – resorts also stand out in the uninhibited way nature engulfs these properties.

JUNGLE, NATURE, ADVENTURE STAYS:
Goa is blessed with several wildlife sanctuaries which offer a large repertoire of flora & fauna. And to explore this rich biodiversity, there are several stay options within or close to these wildlife sanctuaries. The Bison River Resort (Dandeli), Dudhsagar Spa Resort, and several others, offer a range of adventure and wildlife activities, along with being located amid lush green locales. The Wildernest Nature Resort, offers a relaxing and cool ambience, and provides a good spot for bird watchers.

HOSTELS:
Hostels are essentially places, where accommodation is almost always on a sharing basis, and is best for solo travelers, who are backpacking, tight on budget, or just want to mingle with people from a diverse range of backgrounds. The concept of hostel stays on vacations is not new to the world, but is definitely a new concept in our country, slowly gaining the acceptance that it enjoys elsewhere. There are a few quirky hostels that have sprung up in Goa in recent times, such as Bricks & Bamboo (Anjuna), Jungle by the hostelcrowd, Zostel Goa, to name a few. So, take your pick from amongst these options and make the most of your Goan vacation.