When finding the best hotels in Goa, you have to be a little picky. After all, you’re paying for more than just a bed and breakfast. You are paying for access to an area with white sand beaches that smell like sunscreen and ocean water; you’re paying for views of the Arabian Sea; and most importantly, you’re paying an excessive amount of money to spend your vacation in one of many luxurious resort condos. Taj Exotica Goa is the right way to go. The staff of Taj Exotica Goa are so friendly and accommodating, that they might just make you forget that “you” exist. You’re guaranteed to have a fabulous time there, in any case.
Why Goa?
Goa is truly an oasis in the heart of India. It is cheap, it is beautiful and it seems to be more authentic than other parts of south India.
This post is meant to serve as a resource for your Goa travel planning, giving you valuable tips and tricks on how to find the best hotels in Goa. First, let’s talk about what makes a great hotel. When searching for the best hotels in Goa, keep these points in mind:
1- The best hotel rooms are booked early. Don’t wait until the last minute to plan your trip to Goa. The last thing you want to do is spend two days searching for the perfect hotel at the last moment. Book your hotel room well in advance to ensure you get the best deal possible.
2- Try searching for a ” suite” for your Goa resort. This will allow you to have a large living room (or kitchen), an ensuite bathroom and an extra bedroom. Think of it as a starter apartment instead of staying in a hotel room all day. Make sure to book for at least two people (if you’re bringing your partner) or four people (if you’re bringing family)—staying with a party of six. Try asking the resort if they have a virtual villa available.
3- Goa hotels with pools are ideal for families. The best thing about Goa resorts is that they typically have pools, allowing you to spend the day in the sun without having to venture into the ocean. If you’re travelling with children or young adults, make sure to book a resort that has a pool.
4- Look for hotels with kitchens. The best way to save money on vacation is to eat in the hotel instead of eating out at restaurants. Hotels with kitchenettes (or small kitchens) allow you to cook at the hotel and save time and money by not having to go out for every meal. The best hotels in Goa for cooking are resorts with kitchenettes and hotels with kitchen facilities on each floor.
5- Make sure to book directly with the hotel. Booking a hotel directly instead of through a third party is a great way to get the best rates possible. The last thing you want to do is book your room through an online travel agent, visit the hotel and learn that you paid $100 more than you could have if you booked directly with them.
6- Look for hotels near the beach. Being near a beach is always ideal, but some of the best hotels in Goa are located on the coast. Search for hotels with rooms facing the ocean or a small private beach. This will allow you to jump right into a swim and feel like you’re at your private resort if you choose to spend your entire vacation right on the beach.
7- If budget is not your top priority, consider staying in a hostel. Goa is a pretty budget-friendly destination, but if you’re travelling with a large party and looking for hotels with kitchens, or a large living room/kitchen, consider staying in a hostel. Hostels are as close to hotels as you can get in Goa but are often much cheaper than their first-world counterparts. Hostels also come with the bonus of being able to meet other travellers so you can make new friends during your trip.
8- Try booking for the next season at the same hotel. You never know when a hotel you booked two months ago will get an all-new line of rooms. What’s the worst that could happen? When everyone else gets upgraded to a bigger, better space, you lose your room? No big deal. You can move to another room and still enjoy your stay. This strategy is helpful if everyone in your party booked their room simultaneously at one of the many Goa resorts with more than one season per year.
9- Book for a more extended stay. Not only will you save money if you book for the entire week, but you’ll get tons of value out of your room.
10- Beware of free breakfast perks. If you stay at a hotel offering complimentary breakfast, read the fine print to see if it’s worth your time. Sometimes hotels offer complimentary breakfast only from 7:00 AM to 9:00 AM. This might not be the best hotel for you if you’re not a morning person. So, read the hotel’s website and book your room accordingly.
Now that you’ve planned your hotel let’s talk about where to stay in Goa. Once again, let’s look at the factors we discussed earlier so you can know what will be the best hotels in Goa for your family vacation:
The best hotel rooms are booked early. Again, Goa is a trendy tourist destination. Hotels fill up extremely fast. Make sure to book your stay as early as possible to get the best deal, and sign up for hotel rewards programs before you book your room to earn free nights or other perks.
Try searching for a ” suite” for your Goa resort. Again, suites have an extra bedroom and an ensuite bathroom. They are also ideal for families with children or young adults.
Goa hotels with pools are ideal for families. Taj Exotica Goa thing about Goa resorts is that they typically have pools, allowing you to spend the day in the sun without having to venture into the ocean. If you’re travelling with children or young adults, make sure to book a resort that has a pool.
Conclusion
Look for hotels with kitchens. The best way to save money on vacation is to eat in the hotel instead of eating out at restaurants. Hotels with kitchenettes (or small kitchens) allow you to cook at the hotel and save time and money by not having to go out for every meal. The best hotels in Goa for cooking are resorts with kitchenettes and hotels with kitchen facilities on each floor.