I and my wife decided to spend this monsoon in Goa. I have been to Goa a couple of times. We booked the Lemontree hotel at Candolim.(which came in heavily recommended by my friends)
We boarded the Konkankanya train from Thane(train number 0111
) and arrived at Thivim the next morning at 11.00. I had booked through my travel agent Nivalink and they had confirmed that they would pick me up from the station. Unfortunately there was a miscommunication and we were stranded at the station. A call to the hotel and we were informed that would not be able to send us a vehicle. So We walked down to the Taxi stand and took an prepaid(Omni)cab for Rs.500.00 to the hotel
The staff at the hotel was very warm and they apologized for not being able to send someone to pick us up. I had booked a standard room at the hotel and they had upgraded us to a garden room. Now here is the catch the garden room is no different from the standard room except that you have a door to go out to a narrow lawn(less than 6 feet from the room to the outer wall). I recommend this room for people who smoke as you can sit out in the open air and not foul the room. Being a nonsmoker it really did not matter to me or my wife.
The rooms are clean and decent and the bathrooms are nice. Ours had a bathtub and all the required toiletries were neatly laid out. They have an electric safe for your valuables in the wardrobe. The staff at the hotel is extremely trust worthy and I didnt use the safe even once.
The breakfast buffet served by the hotel is quite commendable. They serve both Indian and Continental with eggs made to order. The continental is better. I also had lunch once during the stay and it was very good. The restaurant though is competitively priced in comparison to other 5 star hotels.
My stay in Goa was that of leisure and I did not do any sight seeing. We swam in the pool went for long walks on the beach. The sea is rough during the monsoon so do not swim!
The restaurant where we ate often was Fisherman’s Cove. The food is excellent and well priced. The staff here too is excellent and the cook if instructed will make a dish to your taste. Please try there masala prawns and golden fried prawns. This was off season and the rush was less that’s one of the reasons for the personal service I believe. I spent an average of Rs. 400 per meal for both of us that included a bottle of Bacardi and rum and coke with every meal+ mineral water. The restaurant is extremely friendly to kids and I certainly recommend this hotel to couples with kids. A note: They really don’t like loud or unruly customers.We spent some of our evenings at Sunny Side up a beach shack on Candolim which we think would be a wonderful place during season. They make amazing stuffed mushroom with spinach & chicken pakodas. Average cost of tea with snacks Rs. 250.00
We stayed a total of three nights in Lemontree and it was a great experience. I asked the reception to arrange a vehicle for us to reach Thivim the next day and did it complimentary! I really liked the way the hotel treats its guest and takes care of them I certainly will stay there again.
For our return were booked in Mandovi Express(Train no.0104). The train was virtually empty and to our liking. The attendant Mr.Tiwari was amazing in his service. I made a point to write to Knonkan railways to keep up the good work they are doing. The food served was amazing and they served everything from south Indian to Tandoori and Chinese. The food was not only edible but great to taste. This is so uncommon in other long distance trains where the food is better not described.The train arrived on time at Thane and ended a very memorable holiday.