Vivenda Dos Palhacos
Majorda, Goa, India
A beautifully-restored Hindu-Portuguese hacienda in the quiet village of Majorda, a short walk from south Goa's loveliest white-sand beach
Tucked down a coconut-fringed cul-de-sac in the gently-paced
village of Majorda is this lovingly-restored Hindu house, fronted
by a beautifully-proportioned Portugese manor. It's the recent
creation (and home) of brother-and-sister team Simon and Charlotte
Hayward, who are the fourth generation in their family to be
brought up in India.
Spread over the 2 buildings are 5 double bedrooms, all
with ensuite bathrooms, plus a self-contained cottage and a tented
room in the grounds. All are full of dappled charm, cross-cultural
history and convivial peace. There's a graceful 12m Grecian pool
with wooden sunloungers, and a long talcum-powder beach 10 minutes'
walk away (or a short ride in the house's jeep). It's the perfect
place to escape the hordes of tourists who throng to Goa,
experience village life, enjoy lively conversations round the huge
banqueting tables, and make friends with other guests, your
solicitous hosts and their cultured Indian circle.
Reviewed by Cathy Teesdale
Last updated 18 May 2012
Highs
- Guests enjoy sociable breakfasts in the dappled sunshine around the 22-seater outdoor table; dinners take place by candlelight under vaulting rafters
- The convivial tales of India and other travels from your charming hosts and their friends / guests make for fascinating evenings
- There are authentic Goan fittings and carefully-chosen, artful decorations
- You have an idyllic beach nearby - and a pool on site in case you don't have the energy to stir yourself
- This is a real retreat from Goa's tourist hordes, and creates the feeling of being a guest in someone's home
Lows
- Getting to the beach requires a little effort and, once there, you’ll be importuned by enthusiastic hawkers and beach shack owners
- The surrounding village means it's not as quiet as other places: cocks crow, dogs bark, bells ring and the neighbours have been known to party quite loudly
- Being enclosed by jungle, there are no far-reaching views
