Ever since some friends of mine were raving about Goa, about ten years ago, I'd been wanting to visit. You see, many moons ago I might have liked the idea of being a trailblazer, a pioneer, travelling to places where visitors were rare and no souvenir shop had yet opened but now - with two destructive minimees, I don't even pretend to fancy myself as an explorer any more. Nope, we are no longer ever in the first boat to new territories - we wait till there is at least one five star hotel, sun loungers on the beach and a bar that sells a decent vodka!
So, how did we finally end up in Goa? Well we were in the neighbourhood, so to speak, so decided to pop in. And we were enticed by a great offer! It was off season so we managed to get an unbeatable deal at the Intercon Resort - otherwise I would not stay at an Intercontinental (they annoyed me, big time, and I am sulking. But that is the subject for another story).
Airport and getting there Arriving at the airport, we found our bag then found the Hotel Rep. It was not difficult - he was holding a sign with my name on, which was a clue. When he approached us and asked, "Mr Vodka?" that was a second clue. I was still in two minds but the elder Monster said, "Hello" which gave the game away.
The Rep stuck us into the car, then reached into each window to offer is a cold, wet towel (presumably to wipe away the travel grime from our faces). I was tempted to wind up the window onto his arm, but that's me, I don't like Intercontinentals any more. He also offered us a drink, but we declined - we knew it was a long drive and didn't want to be taken short - or become incontinental on the way, ho ho!
So of we set. During the 90 min drive from the airport my wife commented that it didn't feel like India. It didn't look like India either. Goa was under Portugese rule for a couple of hundred years, and that was evident in the architecture on the way, especially the churches, and there was just a more Mediterranean feel.
After the long drive from the airport we almost didn't notice pulling into the hotel grounds. However, once the car stopped at the front door, we noticed that ok and were out like a shot!
Arrival and Reception The building does not look very imposing, it is just two storeys high, and we felt like we were stepping into a manor house. It really felt like a 19th century mansion as we walked through the door. Most of the lobby was taken up as a lounge area, with reception off to the left and a balcony running around at 2nd floot level, overlooking us. I could imagine this being a 19th century ball room.
We were met by a rep who welcomed us then invited me to sit down to do the arrival formalities, and seemed surprised when I declined to sit, having been on my a**e for most of the past 4 hours. Anyway, we did the formalities then someone escorted us to one side of the lobby, out a door and down the side of the building.
I then understood that the resort was actually not just one building but lots of scattered two-storey buildings, each with around ten rooms on each floor opening off a covered walkway at one side. Roughly in the centre is the pool area, behind the first building which holds the lobby and most of the restaurants. Our room was about two buildings away, close to the pool area.
The Room The first impression entering the room was that it was quite spacious, light, with a mediterranean feel to it. The door opened into a hallway with a couple of chairs and small tables. A short corridor led past the entrance to the bathroom, then past a luggage shelf on one side and the minibar, kettle and snack shelves on the other before opening out in the large and comfortable room.
The bed was on one side of the room; on the other side was a small, round table holding a bottle of the local paint stripper, which they call port wine. Beyond, there was a sofa and a larger table, opposite the unit holding the TV and, next to that, a desk with some plugs and stuff in the wall. Finally, at the end, were window and doors onto the back terrace which looked out across the lawns to the trees in front of the beach. Most times when we opened the back doors we found a friendly pooch sitting there, so we started bringing back sausages from breakfast for her.
Facilities The main attraction was the beach, of course, with its golden sand and fresh ocean water! For the sun seekers, there was also the pool, with children's pool and wet bar including a large, friendly pool frog, who could often be spotted flexing his legs around the pool. He swam past me once when I was at the pool bar, so he was not shy.
For those who want to make their muscles ache, there is squash, tennis and a gym. For those who want to relax their aching muscles, Champneys Spa is on site.
For the business people, there is a ball room accommodating up to 600. Actually that could give a good party too.
Restaurants There are a number of restaurants and places to drink, and I made a point of visiting them all - just to help in making a complete report to ciao, you understand! (hic).
Canacona The 24 hour coffee shop with buffet meals, boasting of the Portugese influence and style. At times very good - the chef organised some special ingredients to cure a hoarse throat - but at times the service was slow. The food was of limited variety, breakfast was good but for the other meals the buffet was very mediocre. However overall it was good enough.
Sea BQ This is outdoor, just outside the Canacona, with a view out to the sea. Their idea is barbecue at the table. We ate there just the once, we never saw the barbecue but the food when it came was good. I also shared a drink there one afternoon with the first Minimee - we split a glass of milk - and he was happy!
Gazebo The pool bar which you can swim up to and hope that you can down your Iced Tea before the pool frog gets to it! I was not ready to share my drink with the frog even if there is a princess involved!
Sirocco In the main building, this is the haute cuisine restaurant with live music and top food. We tried it one evening and were impressed, the food was good and the two musicians came to our table and played a song, leaving us in a real holiday mood. Very good!
Veri Feni The hotel bar, named after the local moonshine, Feni. A typical bar, with pool table. I went once but didn't linger. There was nothing to keep me!
Our Experience Our first night, we decided to walk down to the beach. We saw a gap in the hedge, went through it, and spent 15 minutes wandering the maze at night, wondering if there were snakes there and should we crash through the hedge or go back? Walking back past the pool we saw the frog lying back, chilling himself and smiling at us!
Once we got through that, and the room flooded by the rain one night, we had a good stay. The people there were very helpful and pleasant, the food was mostly good, and we just relaxed for a few days.
Would I recommend it? Yes. It's a long way from the airport but it is worth it. It's not changed my view of Intercontinentals in general, but this is one that I would visit again.
