ou want to get away for a monsoon weekend with your loved one. Or you just want a break from your normal, hectic schedule. You've decided on Goa but don't know where to stay or what kind of deals are waiting for you. Not to worry, we are here with the answers.
Take a look at some of the fun holiday packages available this monsoon.
The HOLIDAY INN RESORT is spread over 25 acres and located at Goa's Mobor beach. It also has an Ayurveda centre.
The hotel offers the following packages till September 30.
The Plaza room, priced at Rs 9,999 per couple.
The Club room, priced at Rs 10,999 per couple.
The package includes:
1. Accommodation for three nights for a couple.
2. A welcome drink on arrival.
3. Buffet breakfast, lunch and dinner.
4. Scheduled airport/Margaon railway station transfer by non air-conditioned coach.
5. Wine and cookies in the room on arrival.
6. Half a day of sightseeing by non air-conditioned coach, with boat cruise.
7. Unlimited use of steam, sauna, health club, swimming pool and Jacuzzi.
8. Twenty per cent discount at the beauty parlour.
9. All applicable taxes.
Children below six years will not be charged. A meal supplement for children between six and 12 years will be charged Rs 1,000 per day.
Address
Holiday Inn Resort
Mobor Beach
Cavelossim
Salcette
Goa -- 4037315
Toll free phone number: 1600 111 000
GOAN HERITAGE on Calangute Beach offers a three nights package, priced at Rs 4,450 per person on a twin-sharing basis.
The package, which is valid until September 30, includes airport/railway station transfers, two half-day sightseeing trips, a boat cruise and free use of the gymnasium, swimming pool and indoor games facilities.
Address
Goan Heritage
Gauravaddo
Calangute Beach
Bardez
Goa -- 403 516
Phones: (0832) 2276761 -- 66 / 2276253
e-mail: info@goanheritage.com
Mumbai phone numbers: (022) 24164824 / 24153216 / 24184815
Web site: www.goanheritage.com
The RADISSON WHITE SANDS RESORT offers the following packages, valid till October 15:
The White Sands package (three nights, four days)
The weekday offer is priced at Rs 13,555 for double occupancy and Rs 11,555 for single occupancy.
The weekend offer is priced at Rs 15,777 for double occupancy and Rs 13,777 for single occupancy.
The White Sands Ayurveda package (three nights, four days)
The offer is priced at Rs 14,999 for double occupancy and Rs 12,999 for single occupancy.
Both packages include garden view rooms, air-conditioned coach transfers, a welcome drink, buffet breakfast and dinner, steam, sauna, Jacuzzi, in-house movies, free stay for one child under 12 years, complimentary soft drinks and liquor and sightseeing.
The Ayurveda package also includes a free Ayurvedic consultation, yoga, meditation, massage and full body scrub.
Address
Radisson White Sands Resort
178 & 179 Pedda, Salcette
Goa -- 403 721
Phone: (0832) 2727272
The RONILS BEACH RESORT, Goa, a three star hotel, is located on Calangute/Baga beach. The resort offers its summer package till September 30.
The package for an air-conditioned standard room for three nights and four days is priced at Rs 5,994 per couple.
This includes airport/railway station transfers, a sightseeing tour, a boat cruise, breakfast and lunch or dinner.
The hotel's facilities include a restaurant, a bar, a coffee shop, a swimming pool, pool table, table tennis, a foreign exchange counter and a travel desk.
Address
Ronils Beach Resort
Baga-Calangute
Goa -- 403 516
Phone: (0832) 276101
Fax: (0832) 276078
Mumbai phone number: (022) 3873849
The PARADISE VILLAGE BEACH RESORT at Calangute Beach, north Goa, a three star hotel, offers a monsoon package till September 30.
The package is priced at Rs 6,999 for a couple for a standard double room, for three nights and four days. Children below 12 years will not be charged. An extra person will be charged Rs 2, 500.
The package includes airport/railway station transfers, full day sightseeing, free use of the swimming pool, meals and taxes.
It offers the following facilities -- restaurant, bar, travel desk service and foreign exchange.
Address
Paradise Village Beach Resort
Tivai Vaddo
Calangute
Goa -- 403 516
Phones: (0832) 276351/ 276352
Mumbai phone number: (022) 26423600
The WHISPERING PALMS BEACH RESORT in Candolim, north Goa, has a special offer till September 30.
The three nights-four days package is priced at Rs 3,999 per person. Children between the ages of two and 12 will be charged Rs 1,499.
The package includes accommodation in a standard air-conditioned double room on a twin sharing basis, airport transfers, meals, access to the swimming pool, a half-day sightseeing tour, a boat cruise on the Mandovi river and taxes.
Facilities at the hotel include a restaurant, a bar, a swimming pool, a foreign exchange counter and a travel desk.
Address
Whispering Palms Beach Resort
Waddy
Candolim Beach
Goa -- 403515
Phone: (0832) 276431
Fax: (0832) 276142
Mumbai phone numbers: (022) 25145381, 25122195
Mumbai fax numbers: (022) 25141841
The Taj Group of Hotels offers the following packages:
The TAJ EXOTICA is located at Benaulim, south Goa. Spread over 55 acres, the hotel is landscaped with tropical plants, graceful palms and broad avenue trees. It offers 136 standard rooms, two presidential villas and two deluxe suites, all of them facing the Arabian Sea. The airport is 45 minutes from the hotel.
The two nights and three days package for a garden view villa is priced at Rs 15,000 per couple for a double room. Children between five and 12 years not requiring an extra bed will be charged Rs 1,800 each. An extra person will be charged Rs 3,300.
The two nights and three days package for a deluxe sea view room is priced at Rs 16,000 for a double room. Children between five and 12 years not requiring an extra bed will be charged Rs 1,800 each. An extra person will be charged Rs 3,300.
The two nights and three days package for a sea view villa is priced at Rs 16,500 for a double room. Children between five and 12 years not requiring an extra bed will be charged Rs 1,800 each. An extra person will be charged Rs 3,300.
The packages, which are valid until September 30, include:
1. Airport/railway station (Madgaon) transfers by air-conditioned coach.
2. A welcome drink on arrival.
3. Buffet breakfast and meal credit of Rs 3,000 on double occupancy. Extra bed and breakfast for children between 5-12 years. For children above 12 years, a meal credit of Rs 750 per day.
4. Complimentary fruit basket, wine bottle and cashew nuts on day of arrival.
5. Half a day of sightseeing in south Goa by air-conditioned coach.
6. Complimentary yoga session, giant kite flying for adults and dance classes (Jive, Cha-Cha-Cha, Waltz).
7. One complimentary sports activity -- tennis, archery or golf -- for one hour per room.
8. All rooms are equipped with tea/coffee makers.
9. Fifteen per cent discount on laundry, telecom, business centre and Spa Exotica charges.
10. Baby-sitting facility at a nominal charge.
11. Use of activity centre for a host of children's activities.
12. Current taxes.
Address
Taj Exotica
Calwaddo
Benaulim Salcette
Goa -- 403 716
Phone: 832-277-1234
The TAJ HOLIDAY VILLAGE, on Sinquerim Beach, Bardez, located 50 kms from the airport, is spread across acres of landscaped gardens. It has 140 villa rooms and offers access to eight restaurants and bars, two swimming pools, a sports and health complex and water sports facilities.
The two nights and three days package for a regular standard room is priced at Rs 11,500 per couple for a double room. Children between five and 12 years not requiring an extra bed will be charged Rs 1,250 each. An extra person will be charged Rs 2,500.
The two nights and three days package for a garden view cottage is priced at Rs 12,500 for a double room. Children between five and 12 years not requiring an extra bed will be charged Rs 1,250. An extra person will be charged Rs 2,500.
The two nights and three days package for a sea view cottage is priced at Rs 15,500 for a double room. Children between five and 12 years not requiring an extra bed will be charged Rs 1,250. An extra person will be charged Rs 2,500.
The packages, which are valid until September 30, include:
1. Airport / railway station (Thivim) transfers by air-conditioned coach.
2. A welcome drink on arrival.
3. Buffet breakfast and meal credit of Rs 2,000 on double occupancy. Extra bed and breakfast for children between 5-12 years. For children above 12 years, a meal credit of Rs 500 per day.
4. Half a day of sightseeing in north Goa.
5. Complimentary fruit basket, wine bottle and cashew nuts on arrival.
6. All rooms are equipped with tea/coffee makers.
7. Fifteen per cent discount on business centre, laundry, telecom, Spa Aguada and astrology charges.
8. One complimentary adventure activity per person (rappelling, rock climbing, etc).
9. Free yoga session, trekking around the 16th century Portuguese fortress.
10. Baby-sitting facility at a nominal charge.
11. Use of activity centre for a host of children's activities.
12. Activities like Goan cooking demo, magic workshops, tattoo workshops, basket weaving, etc, also available as per schedule.
13. Free entry at Rock Your Blues Discotheque and Jungle Jam (restaurant only) for children to enjoy.
14. Usage of facilities at the Fort Aguada Beach Resort.
15. Current taxes.
Address
Taj Holiday Village
Sinquerim, Bardez
Goa -- 403 519
Phone: 832-227-6201
The FORT AGUADA BEACH RESORT, situated on the Sinquerim Beach, offers all rooms with a sea view. Perched on a hill above Fort Aguada, the resort has 12 one-bedroom and three two bedroom villas. It offers access to eight restaurants and bars, two swimming pools, a sports and health complex and water sports facilities.
The two nights and three days package for a superior garden view room is priced at Rs 12,500 per couple for a double room. Children between five and 12 years not requiring an extra bed will be charged Rs 1,250. An extra person will be charged Rs 2,500.
The package, valid until September 30, includes:
1. Airport/railway station (Thivim) transfers by air-conditioned coach.
2. A welcome drink on arrival.
3. Buffet breakfast and meal credit of Rs 2,000 on double occupancy. Extra bed and breakfast for children between 5-12 years. For children above 12 years, a meal credit of Rs 500 per day.
4. Half a day of sightseeing in north Goa.
5. Complimentary fruit basket, wine bottle and cashew nuts on arrival.
6. All rooms are equipped with tea/coffee makers.
7. Fifteen per cent discount on business centre, laundry, telecom, Spa Aguada and astrology charges.
8. One complimentary adventure activity per person (rappelling, rock climbing, etc).
9. Free yoga session, trekking around the 16th century Portuguese fortress.
10. Baby-sitting facility at a nominal charge.
11. Use of activity centre for a host of children's activities.
12. Activities like Goan cooking demo, magic workshops, tattoo workshops, basket weaving, etc, also available as per schedule.
13. Free entry at Rock Your Blues Discotheque and Jungle Jam (restaurant only) for children to enjoy.
14. Current taxes.
For more information on these hotels, visit www.tajhotels.com
Indian Airlines flyaway offer!
Indian Airlines has a special three nights-four day offer for passengers travelling to Goa and back from Delhi, Mumbai, Bangalore, Chennai and Kozhikode till September 30.
The three nights-four day package is also available from Ahmedabad, Bhavnagar, Hyderabad, Jaipur, Jamnagar, Kolkata and Nagpur, for which the flight will be routed via Mumbai.
For the ex-Lucknow package, the flight will be routed via Delhi.
For more details, check the Indian Airlines Web site.
Have you been to Goa? Do you have suggestions on where tourists can stay (do enclose an address and/or telephone number), what they can do in the evenings, what to miss and what not to miss, where to eat, where to drink... Write in and let us know.
Image: Uttam Ghosh
