Goa Hotels and Accommodation

(Goa, India)

Accommodation is spread throughout Goa, being especially concentrated in the main cities and towns. Hotels prices in Goa are very much dependent upon the season and time of the year, with high, middle and low seasons all affecting the room rates.

In general, Goa's high season falls between the middle of December and the end of January, when hotels and other lodging options are at their most expensive. The middle season, often referred to as the 'shoulder', is from October until the middle of December, and again between February and June. At this time of the year, hotels in Goa are reasonably priced and generally it is not too difficult to find a good standard of available accommodation.


However, if you are looking to arrive in Goa when hotels are at their absolute cheapest, consider a holiday in July, August or September, the low season. Also bear in mind that hotels throughout Goa often raise their room rates briefly around Christmas time until just after New Year.

Where to Stay

Many of the best hotels lie on the northern side of Goa, within the capital city of Panaji (Panjim). Accommodation and lodging options here are close to a number of beaches, such as Miramar, and a number of leading attractions, such as the Kala Academy in the Campal area, the INOX cinema complex, and also the Casino Goa luxury ship, which is moored at Panaji's jetty, alongside the Hotel Mandovi and close to a number of other appealing hotels.

The most popular lodging in the Panaji area of Goa features views of the Mandovi River, good restaurants and private swimming pools, with notable choices including the Panaji Residency along MG Road, the Mayfair Hotel on Dr Dada Vaidya Road, and also the Goa Marriott Resort in Miramar.

Further accommodation can be found nearby and around the Mapusa area of Goa. In particular, many appealing hotels lie close to the neighbouring beaches of Anjuna, Calangute and Vagator, although most don't actually offer sea views. Also worth considering are the numerous hotels in other parts of northern Goa, clustered within Arambol, Baga, Candolim, Chapora, Fort Aguada, Vagator and Anjuna, well known for its bustling Wednesday flea market.

In south Goa, a good choice of accommodation is sited within Margao (Madgaon), the capital of the Salcete province. Around 10 km / 6 miles from Margao, many hotels are close to the popular beaches of Benaulim and Colva, where water sports include both jet-skiing and parasailing. Nearby, Goa's Palolem beach offers accommodation with a difference, with thatched bamboo huts grouped near to each other to form small village-type settings.