The weather is hot and it's humid on an evening in March but as long as your room has air con or a fan you'll be fine. We went in March last year and are going again for 3 weeks this March. We are staying in Candolim.

Village Royale....This keeps coming up while I'm looking for accommodation. North Goa...at Calangute.

http://www.benzholidays.com/google/goa/

There are some pictures I think on this link!

Hi Jom1964.....been having a look for our holidays...and Village Royale keeps coming up again...and again! I think its out on the Mapusa Road...bit in the sticks. Someone I spoke to said that they were sent out to look around it beginning of November and it wasn't finished...but said it was about 4 stories .. big sun terrace and two pools. Taxi rank right outside but nothing else much around. 5minute ride into Calangute. Spoke to someone else......who knows the area really well. Her mum works in an orphanage out there. Initially when this was the first place that came up she said you dont want to stay there its.....****. Why?? I said I thought it had not long been built! She said that it had to be completely refurbished last year as it didn't come up to ABTA's standards. 1 star. BUT...when I was telling her where we wanted to be and what we intended doing...i.e. near to the Osborne Resort..and intend to use hotel as base to take off on our own north and south...Mira in Calangute was 1star too...and that was ok! She said in that case it would be ideally suited to what we want....about 5 minute walk to Osborne Resort...same basic hotel as Mira. The first person I spoke to also said that they run a courtesy bus to Calangute beach....we prefer the beach by the Osborne basically because a) you don't get the 'daytrippers' that come in from outside the area and tend to 'group' around your sunbeds to have their photo taken!...and b) we use the Fishermans Shack there. Will keep you informed if I hear any more!

Me again....found this....

http://www.lastminute.com/sl-travel/33579-7-or-14-nights-in-brand-new-hotel-in-Calangute-Goa.html

about Village Royale.
Slow to open...if experiencing probs...this is part of it...

Accommodation

Resort Village Royale - 7 or 14 nights - bed and breakfast

The newly built Resort Village Royale offers the perfect choice for those who prefer to be based in a peaceful and serene location, surrounded by lush green countryside. Situated on the outskirts of Calangute the hotel provides a tranquil oasis away from the hustle and bustle, however, should you want to find a little more action, the hotel operates a one-way complimentry shuttle service to Calangute beach, 4km away, once a day.

For of the regular clients who know Goa, the Resort Village Royale is a 10 minute walk from the St Alex Chapel, which is the first chapel you come to in Calangute, on the Panjim Road. Currently only 4 blocks are ready for occupation. In the other 4 blocks, which are furthest away from the pool, the main construction work has been completed but interior decoration and landscaping is still continuing. This work has been screened off and there is minimal noise disruption, the pool and restaurant areas are unaffected.

Hotel facilities

Swimming pool
Poolside restaurant
Bar

Room facilities

Ensuite shower & WC
Twin bedded rooms (can take a 3rd bed)
Balcony or terrace
Ceiling fan

Many thanks for all of your replies. Like you we are using the B & B as a base. If its **** the we know we can move for a few quid to elsewhere. At the end of the day the holiday was cheaper than buying flight only... So long as its clean and there is a bed in the room what more can we ask for!!! Cant wait to go back. Only ten weeks to go.

Thanks JO

can any one tell me what the area is like & is the many bars in the area? thanks

Very quiet - couple of bars along the beach but no real "beach shacks". Its more of a small village with a couple of shops.

Its rather cut off as the beach is a small bay and doesnt "join" any other. Its a nice place if you just want peace and quiet. The local people there are friendly but I found it a little too isolated. There are buses into Vasco and of course there are the taxis.

It is situated at the back of the airport - near the military air museum.

Hope this helps

Jo

As JO says,it's very quite but if you like a virtualy deserted beach with no sellers or hawkers it's ideal.We have been going for the past 10 years and hasn't changed at all.We stay at Joets or Coconut Creek and 95 % are repeat bookings so that shows you something.

Anyway off there in October for 6 months... can't wait

john

Hi all,

As a "refugee" from the Far East forum, I would like some help and advice please.

My wife and I have been 'doing' most of the Far East (particularly Thailand and Indonesia / Bali) for several years now. Although we intend to go back to Singapore / Bali, later in the year, we fancy a change. Neither of us has visited Goa - the closest we have been is Sri Lanka, which we enjoyed.

After reading various posts and reviews on this forum, we thought that we might try the Boglamo Beach Resort. We intend to go end Feb / early March.

Our reasons are; good reviews & write ups; and the beach sounds good and quiet.

Our main concern is that it may be just a little too remote - we both enjoy our evenings eating, usually away from the hotel, (we will almost certainly enjoy the local food), having the odd drink and generally watching the world go by from different places. We are not into the disco / dance scene, prefering a more 'sedate' pace! We are also slightly worried by the proximity to the airport.

If anyone can set our minds at rest we would be eternally grateful.

On a slightly different topic, it would appear that money exchange is not a problem in the majority of Goa. I usually rely on my trusted Nationwide Flex card at ATMs - will we have a problem?

Thanks in advance

Peter

Hi Pete

We stayed at Bogmalo Beach on our first year to Goa (2004). The airport is not a problem - I found the resort very quiet but my sister loves it there and returns twice a year!

There are a few beach shacks and a small area which has a few "shops". Exchange place - tailor - nik naks etc. There are also a few taxi drivers who are more than willing to show you around.

The beach is really peaceful and no beach sellers which is a bonus.

Enjoy it - Im sure you will love Goa.

Jo

Jo,

Thank you for the info. Just what we needed to hear.

Any other comments, would be most welcome.

Peter

Hi Pete. Nationwide Flex account is absolutely no problem in Goa, and of course, no charges. Ive got one myself now, hassle free and saves you carrying lots of money with you.
Enjoy Goa, you will love it, i'm sure

Thanks Gemma33,

Have already found 24 hr Visa ATM in Vasco da Gama, 10 mins from Bogmalo (Tip from jom1964).

HDFC BANK LIMITED
GROUND FLOOR
DAMODAR BUILDING
VASCO - DA - GAMA, 403 802
Location: SWATANTRA PATH

Once you have a town name the Visa locator link: http://visa.via.infonow.net/locator/global/jsp/SearchPage.jsp is very handy.

I'm glad that you said that we will love it - Janet and I are now looking forward immensely.

Thanks and regards

Peter

We have been going to Bogmalo for the past 10 years (and love it ).If you after peace and quiet it is a great resort to chill,empty beach apart from the weekend,and no hawkers.There are half a dozen excellent "shacks" with Joets the best,but very little else apart from a few shops tailors etc.It's an ideal location being in the middle of Goa so the south and north are never too far away

We are off there in November for 6 months so if there is anything else you need to know contact me.

john

Thanks for the info John,

I guess we were looking for reassurance that we are looking at the right place - and I think we have had that now.

Good reviews of the hotel, good reports from Jo and yourself - it sounds as though it is right for us.

We are just looking at a couple of weeks - last week Feb and 1st week March. Will book this week hopefully..............

Thanks

Peter & Janet

Peter and Janet - no prob!

Enjoy! Let us know how you get on and how long it takes for you to book to return to Goa when you get back!

Jo

Well thanks to the help given by Jo, Gemma and John (and those who have posted a review of Bogmalo Beach) - we have now booked for the end of Feb / early March.

Flying Monarch (upgraded to Premium Cabin) - it will be interesting to see if they upgrade this cabin as well as the promised economy upgrades (see Trevor's post http://holidayforums.co.uk/viewtopic.php?t=83753 )

Yes Fiona - I will post a review when we get back and hopefully repay some of the helpfulness of others on this forum.

Once again - our thanks to all

Peter & Janet

The end of February is a long time away yet. I'm sure you will have other questions in the meantime!

Thanks to you all, you've put our minds to rest as well. We're off to Bogmalo end of Jan. First time away from Candolim / Calangute.Margao looks like the closest place to get away from the hotel for shopping & dining out. Anywhere else to recommend? I presume the travel time by taxi to Candolim / Panjim from Bogmalo is the same as from the airport - 40 mins on a good day