I'd take a trip down to Palolim, just because it's nice! It still has a back packer feel about it which I like and beautiful beach, good sea for swimming, dolphins, beach shacks etc... It's about 2 - 3 hr drive from Calangute, If you're driving down on a bike, it's nice to take the coastal road, although it does take a good deal longer and remember to put the sun cream on!

Hi Hutch,
we stayed at palolem beach this year in beach huts and it was fantastic, infact next year we are spending 4 nights down there. the beach huts are at the northern end of the beach and quite secluded but very nice they have got a web site, ordo sounsar. we travelled down on the local buses which only cost around 150 rupees for the two of us 1 way and was good fun.

Hotel Colmar in Colva was about 300 rupees for a double room per night two years back, has a swimming pool and the hotel is sea facing.

some of the poshest hotels in the South.....The Kenilworth, (say hi to Theresa in Guest Relations) The Leela Palace... The Taj Exotica, that's if you really don't want to rough it. Expensive though!

we stayed at the holioday inn, (it was 5 years ago) it was great and right next to the beach, the shacks were good as well, and we went to the casino (automated) at the leela and went there for a few cocktails and a meal just to be nosey!!

holiday inn was good and we had no complaints at all, the staff were great

jane