Casa Britona

Get away from it all in a delightfully restored heritage guesthouse, set on the stunning backwaters of the Mandovi River, close to Panjim

This 17th-century customs warehouse, located on the Mandovi backwaters in the tiny fishing village of Britona, was completely gutted then elegantly converted into a tranquil, stylish guesthouse by renowned Goan architect Dean D'Cruz. Nowadays it houses 8 atmospheric rooms over 2 floors, with 2 riverside studios nearby.

Unwind in comfy wicker loungers beside the cooling free-form pool, sip a freshly squeezed watermelon juice on the terrace overlooking the river, or tuck into a good novel on your private veranda. If romance is on the menu, enjoy a candlelit dinner à deux by the river, with only the soothing sounds of the crickets to keep you company. Teeming with wildlife, the local area is a nature lover's paradise, with a bird-watching sanctuary only a 5-minute stroll down the lane. Casa Britona is where you come to put your feet up, contemplate life and be at one in harmonious surroundings. Families and friends travelling together can hire the whole house and be suitably pampered by Ajay and his team.

Highs

• You get a real feel for off-the-beaten-track tranquil village life
• There are stunning landscapes all around
• This is the perfect base for visiting the faded colonial buildings, baroque churches and markets of Panjim and Old Goa
• The wooden-decked outdoor areas are set over the river - lovely for lounging or dining
• The beautiful interiors are wonderfully atmospheric
• The friendly staff are delightdul - nothing is too much trouble

Lows

• It's not ideal for beach lovers; it's a 10-15 minute drive from the sea, and some of the nearby beaches are very commercialised
• It's on the backwaters: expect mosquitoes and bring good repellent
• Those seeking an active nightlife or bustling locality should look elswhere - this is a chilled-out and isolated place, with the nearest restaurant a drive away
• It's situated on the main village road, with lots of scooters and buses haring past