Set on a quiet ‘cul-de-sac’ in the village of Majorda in South Goa, Vivenda dos Palhacos has three different atmospheres. In the front is a modest Portuguese Mansion, built in 1929. It has a hall, two large bedrooms, a sitting room leading out to a veranda and a large dining room to seat twenty. The older Hindoo house, behind, is made from thick rammed earth walls with three double bedrooms, all with ensuite bathrooms. The rooms are named after the places the owners have lived in, in Bengal and Tamil Nadu, albeit with no TVs or phones. Konnagar, the master bedroom, has an old four-poster bed and its own balcony. Alipore has a window seat, overlooking the next-door coconut plantation, a teak antique double bed and a long, narrow ensuite bathroom hidden between the two houses. Madras is a large double room with French doors leading out to the garden from its open-air bathroom. Ballygunge has two single beds. Ooty has a built-in double bed, sitting area and a mirrored secret bathroom. Chanpara is a huge tent, with twin beds and old camping furniture.It has a private entrance and young garden of its own, in a coconut plantation by the pool. The Chummery is a self-contained, air-conditioned cottage with a bathroom, small kitchen and two verandas.

Aldeia Santa Rita is a picturesque spread of lovely villas set in a lush tropical garden with pretty pathways built in the style of a Portuguese village and a 3-star boutique resort. It lies in Sinquerim, off Candolim Beach, 45 km from Dabolim Airport and a mere 5 kms from Calangute and Baga Beach.

Their Colonial Suites are housed in storied villas, each of which holds four suites with their own balconies. Some of the first floor rooms have private terraces. These suites have been designed with a classical colonial touch - beautiful antique Indo- Portuguese.

The Standard Suites are large and comfortable. They are elegantly furnished with an emphasis on comfort and design. Some of the suites are of studio type, while some have separate living rooms.

Aquaint yet luxurious dwelling, The Hobbit is built into a hill above a sandy cove, with a lush tropical garden that exists right on to the South Anjuna Beach. Built to blend with the natural surroundings, the walls of the house are made of the original laterite rock from the inside of the hill. The contours of the house are free-flowing, and the walls have been aesthetically painted to bring out the natural and bohemian ambience that South Anjuna is famous for.

A large Living Area is located on the lowest level, with a well-equipped kitchen, wide-screen TV and DVD player. The mini-level, the Meditation Room, is where you can peacefully contemplate the sea through the huge bay windows, or sit out on the pebbled over-hang of the level below. All rooms (including bathrooms) have breathtaking views of the sea and the lush garden below.

To the right is the North Bedroom with a unique washroom and shower area located behind the pillars.To the left are the Living Area and Kitchen, and the

South Bedroom. The house is built on 2 levels, with a mini-level in between, from where you can sit on the roof of the level below and enjoy the view of the sea. There are three air-conditioned double bedrooms, each with attached bathroom and toilet, and can accommodate six people comfortably. All rooms have their own balcony and sit-out area. The top level consists of a self-contained Upstairs Suite with an attached kitchenette and an open-air shower area.

Rs 9,000 -- Rs 27,000
Contact: 098200 55053

In the heart of Sangolda, a Goan heritage village, lies the magnificent Surya Sangolda. The first Apartment Hotel in Goa, Surya Sangolda has 12 exclusive apartments, not one a copy of the other. Being designed to perfection, this hotel matches 4-star standards. Each apartment is fully furnished, self-catering and fitted with ultra modern amenities, yet surrounded by a rustic ambience, providing guests with all that’s needed for a perfect oan holiday.

In the six exclusive superior apartments, the spacious living room is provided with satellite TV and comfortable seating arrangements, besides a designated dining area. Contemporarily designed, the three premium apartments have bedrooms that are intricately designed, with queen size beds to ensure extra comfort for a relaxing night’s rest. The kitchenettes are fully equipped and a minibar stacked with premium spirits is fitted in each apartment.

The most luxurious among the three, the penthouses, have an exclusive master bedroom, in addition to a second bedroom and a study. The spacious living room leads into an open balcony from where one can enjoy the beautiful view of the hills and the valley. The kitchenette is provided with every appliance that spells luxury, including a dishwasher. Every inch of these apartments has a touch of royalty.