Reviewed by
Meg Lambert
Perched atop a hill, with nothing but 180° views of North Goa’s green skyline, you’d never know you're under 10 minutes' drive (or a 30-minute walk) from the bars and restaurants of bustling Calangute. In fact, it’s thanks to the villa’s total seclusion that it has become popular with Bollywood royalty. Sprawled across 2 acres of luscious gardens, this double-storey, open-plan, Balinese-style villa allows guests to fully spread themselves out and soak up the peace and tranquility. Birds and butterflies flit between bamboo, banana, mango, tamarind and champa trees, while a waterfall provides a mellow background tune.
A small team of staff, who have been with the owners for years, operate the villa like a well-run home. The 3 bedrooms (2 doubles, 1 twin/double) and sprawling living areas are kept spotless, the chef’s services are complimentary (you only pay for the ingredients), or taxis can be summoned to reach a long list of local dining options. Golden Calangute Beach is near but you'd be forgiven for wanting to just laze at home and enjoy the peace and infinity pool.
A small team of staff, who have been with the owners for years, operate the villa like a well-run home. The 3 bedrooms (2 doubles, 1 twin/double) and sprawling living areas are kept spotless, the chef’s services are complimentary (you only pay for the ingredients), or taxis can be summoned to reach a long list of local dining options. Golden Calangute Beach is near but you'd be forgiven for wanting to just laze at home and enjoy the peace and infinity pool.
Highs
- An idyllically quiet location, yet walking distance from Calangute town; very rare
- Owners Hans and Sucheta, who live next door, are wonderfully jovial and welcoming hosts
- Far more space for your money than staying at a hotel
- A huge infinity pool, surrounded by nothing but tropical canopy as far as the eye can see
- No need for a hire car, you can get around in cheap taxis
Lows
- Meals are not included, though the chef’s services are complimentary
- No stag/hen or similar parties allowed, and no outside guests
Best time to go
You'll find the best weather between November and February when the days are dry and hot and the evenings cool. The Christmas and New Year period, whilst hugely popular, can feel unpleasantly busy in Calangute, though if you just plan to stay at the villa this would be an amazing place to spend the festive season. The build-up to the monsoon, April and May, can become very sticky, with little to do as much of this touristy state shuts down for the end of the season. That said, the drama of monsoon, and the cooler temperatures, can be a welcome respite, and Hans can recommend restaurants that stay open all year. June and July usually see the heaviest downpours; during August and September the rains are starting to ease up and you have more chance of warm and sunny days.
Our top tips
If the odd evening in with a movie sounds like pure bliss, you will be happy to know that each bedroom suite is equipped with a flat-screen large TV with Amazon Fire TV Stick for watching the best streaming media on Amazon Prime, Netflix and Hotstar. There are also board games to play.