The south is much quieter... I went there on my first trip and loved it, first time I went up north I thought 'Oh my god it's Blackpool!', but the North is convienant as there's lots of places to Go... (that are close). South is much more relaxed, but you can grab a taxi (or even a bus) to Margao for a little bit of adventre, also the North and South aren't that far apart so just have a drive around....

Funnily enough we don't have reviews for your hotel but I have asked for it to be added so maybe somebody will give it its first review?
For Varca beach info have a look here and here.
Finally for a discussion on north v south have a look here

we have gone to the south for the last 5 years and know the area quite well but not been to the hotel your going to sorry
as for fishing you can fish on the river sal and also sea fishing from the beach there are also fishing trips available by boat both river and sea but dont know any lodges anita

We have been visiting this part of south Goa since 1992.

Whilst not having stayed at the Mahindra I have been into it several times.
It is quite a large hotel made up of blocks of rooms and appartments some of which are timeshare. Guests seem to be a typical mix of nationalities. The grounds are quite exstensive and pleasant. You cross the sandunes to the beach which stretches for about 5 miles to the south and 8 to the north. The White Sands Radison is next door. There are a number of reasturants out front and 4 or 5 shacks on the beach.

Benaulim and Colva are a short taxi ride away for a wide choice of places to eat in the evening and Margoa the South main town is also easily reachable by bus in the day or taxi at night.

You can also hire two wheel transport if you require but this is a bit of a contentious subject on this forum.

A big thanks to all who replied, we feel much better now
Can't wait !

hi there, I stayed at Club Mahindra the first time we visited Goa, and really enjoyed it. Last year it was closed to English people as there was extensive building works being carried out in the grounds. Last year I stayed at the Radisson White sands. This year we are going back to the Mahindra. Partly because the Radisson was booked up with First Choice.

We go to the North for the first week of our holiday then to the South for two weeks. We love Varca, the beach you can walk for miles and only see a handful of people.

Whilst the Radisson is a better hotel than the Mahindra, the Mahindra does have it's advantages. The drinks are cheaper than the Radisson. The taxis are cheaper than the ones outside the Radisson.

The Mahindra hotel rooms are based around the main part of the hotel. To the back of the Hotel is a large swimming pool and then lots of buildings in the extensive grounds all the way down to the beach. These are mainly time shares for the Indians.

The rooms are nice, the only thing is the food. While the breakfast is fine, don't eat in the hotel as it is expensive, and there are lots of restaurants on the doorstep. the first night we stayed, we ate at the hotel thinging £8 a head was fine, but the food was buffet style and abit on the cold side, and we later leart that it was the most expensive meal we had!

Hi there. Take a look at the thread further down 'Mobor Beach', you will see some brilliant pictures of Varca beach. We have friends who stay at the Mahindra every year and they love it !!

We stayed at Club Mahindra for a week in October last year using our Club La Costa points. Clean and comfortable rooms,helpfull and friendly staff and decent food. 5 mins through the grounds to Varca beach which was totally deserted. Guess it will be different in November.

The beach will still be relatively empty in November and december!

I just need some info on Club Mahindra please, I have booked at this hotel for Christmas and New year. I know its a timeshare hotel.My children are 18 and 15. We have been a couple times to Candolim but are trying the South. I cannot find a review on this hotel and just hope its ok. The holiday is costing £6500 for four of us, and just need a bit of reassurance please! We love Goa and finding HT has been a great pleasure. Thanks in advance from a Newbie!

hi Polly
no- we don't have reviews of your hotel I'm afraid. If anyone has been would you be able to give it its first review here please?

hi polly!
I have sent you a message about the Hotel. I have stayed at the next door Hotel and I don't think you will be dissapointed with Varca beach, there are four shacks at the back of the wide streach of sand and they do not dominate the beach as in some parts. Two to recommend are Glorias and the Glossant, the area around Glorias is landscaped with palms and white banners ,there are cane chairs with comfy cushions and the food at both shacks is good.
As you will know Varca is rather isolated and Taxi's are needed to get about in the evenings. Nightlife is only to be found in Colva and Cavelossim. Just outside the Mahindra two good places to eat are the Sun and Moon and Mischas.
Hope someone can come up with info on the Hotel

Thanks for the welcome and for the advice. We have never been to the South so we dont really know what to expect. We have stayed in Candolim at the Highland Beach twice and have a superb holiday both times. My son broke his wrist whilst walking around the pool and the manager was absolutely brilliant and was most helpful. He was back with a pot on within 2 hours he would have been at A&E for 5 hours at home!! Please let me know if you have any info about the hotel! Thanks again Polly

Hi Polly, the south is a lot quieter than the north, really nice to chill out. Have stayed twice at Varca, at the Radisson which is next door to Club Mahindra, but not there. Have met many friends on Varca beach who stay there and all are very pleased with the place, so I don't think your have many problems Varca beach is a great beach, has only 4 shacks, Glorios being the best. If you do use Glorios, please say hello to Tony, Meena, Patrick, Muruti, Somm from Tony and Chris. PS. Tell Tony he better have our towels washed and ironed ready for November Tony.

Thanks for that GMT, we are not going until Christmas! So you will be there before us. We are there for New Year as well so I hope its as good as last year, it was something else to be on the beach with 1000's of fireworks going off and no Health and Safety officer present

Sorry didn't realise that I'll leave word with Tony and Meena to look after you I know what you mean about health and safety where fireworks are concerned in Goa When myself and the step daughter stayed at the Leela Palace in 2003 we used Mikes shack on Mobor beach where they used to put all the fireworks on display in the afternoon in front of the shack in the sun When Jazz told them that's dangerous, they laughed. Later while by the pool in the hotel we had a great afternoon firework display when the very hot sun set one off which set the others off Needless to say, but when we went to the shack later that night and found out what had happened, Jazz was full of it saying, " I told you it was dangerous"

pollygolly, I didnt stay at the Mahindra Varca, but at another hotel (Varca Palms YUK), anyway, I had to pop in to the Mahindra to use to loo and I though wow what a beautiful hotel. Of course I didn't see the rooms but the loos were so clean, like a modern London hotel, really trendy square sinks, with about 3 attendants on duty, all dressed in white gowns, they looked like doctors!! Immaculate!

The pool looked gorgeous too, with a small slide going into it, it all looked picturesque. There was a giant chess board in the grounds too. Like other posters have said though, there are some good shacks to be found on the beach just outside the hotel. However, you are held to ransom by the taxis in the Varca area, it is extortionate what they charge just to go into Cavelossim, I'm afraid you can't odds it, the hotels all have deals with the drivers and it would be hard to get taxis through other people any cheaper.

pollygolly, what ever you decide, take note of HJ comment on Varca Palms, DO NOT use that hole As hj said, taxis outside the hotels are very expensive, your better off walking away from the hotel and picking one up on the main road.

Thanks Tony and HaddoJetty for your replies. I feel a lot better now knowing the Mahindra is ok. We have been talking about the taxi fares and it was like that at the Highland Beach, Candolim, they had set prices also but not really expensive compared to UK prices! Well only 7 months to wait