This palatial 300-year-old house once belonged to the Governor of Macau, but like many of Goa’s colonial relics, it was abandoned and left to ruin. Thankfully, this one was saved and has been lovingly restored, with such meticulous attention to detail that it earned a Unesco Heritage award. Some of the windowpanes are made of mother-of-pearl and the walls are traditional shell and lime plaster; there are marble and porcelain details, tall windows with shades and shutters, and a cool inner courtyard lined with pillars. Antique furniture mixes well with contemporary wrought-iron pieces designed by the owner Varun Sood.
On the doorstep of Siolim village and the Chapora River, the grand old manor whisks you back to the days of Portuguese Goa. But the rooms are splendid and the atmosphere is easy, laid-back and homely - the ideal place to relax and unwind away from the crowds (the nearest beach is a 10-minute drive). There are pretty gardens and a swimming pool. Alternatively you could opt for Little Siolim, a 3-bedroom villa annexe just a short walk through the village.
Highs
- Most of the rooms (including the bathrooms) are vast, with lovely tiled floors and high beamed ceilings
- Set in lush gardens on a quiet back road, it’s a world away from the beach-crowd touts and tourists
- A 300-year old heritage hotel, rich with old world charm - perfect for a romantic stay
- The lovely blue-tiled pool, surrounded by walls of tall bamboo, is a veritable oasis
- It’s more home than hotel and its laid-back nature engenders a house-party atmosphere - kick back and enjoy good, home-cooked meals (at reasonable prices)
Lows
- The small team of staff, whilst helpful and well mannered, can be a little slow
- Some of the areas may look a little tired, but the building’s heritage status makes it difficult to go too slick or modern
- You'll need a car to reach the beaches and nightlife, if that’s what you want
- Nearby Little Siolim is right on a busy through road and can be quite noisy, particularly during the day
Best time to go
Siolim House and Little Siolim are open all year round. The hottest months are April and May. The monsoon runs from June to September (occasionally straying into a humid October). High season is November to March, the peak months being December and January. Siolim, a peaceful corner of northern Goa, generally remains unaffected by seasonal tourist crowds.
Our top tips
Although Siolim is a bit off-track as far as beaches go, we loved the village. it's an utterly authentic slice of real Goan life that, thus far, remains untrammeled by tourism (other than a procession of scooters en route to Arambol in high season).
- Boutique Hotel
- 10 bedrooms
- Breakfast (+ other meals on request)
- All ages welcome
- Open all year
- Outdoor Pool
- Spa Treatments
- Beach Nearby
- Pet Friendly
- Disabled Access
- Car not necessary
- Parking
- Restaurants Nearby
- WiFi
- Air Conditioning
- Guest Lounge
- Terrace
- Garden
- Gym
- Daily Maid Service
- Towels & Bedlinen
- Bicycles Available
- Laundry Service
Rooms
Elegant and airy, Siolim House was carefully remodelled to create 9 large suites. Nearby, at the entrance of the village, is 3-bedroom Little Siolim Villa (where rooms can be booked together or individually).
At Siolim House, the Standard Suites provide excellent value; however Timor lacks windows and is not quite the same standard as the rest. Of the Superior Suites, honeymooners favour the huge first-floor Macao Suite, with its 6 tall garden-view windows. The 2-bedroom ground-floor Malabar Suite is ideal for a family. Separate from the main house, the modern Garden Suite has a light, airy aesthetic, and includes its own indoor and outdoor sitting areas.
Three-bedroom Little Siolim Villa is a 5-minute walk from Siolim House. Here you can book an individual room or exclusive use of the whole property. Each of the 3 double bedrooms has an ensuite bathroom; the Superior Suite has a funky sunken bath. All lead onto a courtyard with a pool, which is open to the sky and beautifully lit at night. An island unit separates the semi-outdoor living space from the well-equipped kitchen. The villa comes with a housekeeper and the optional use of a cook (groups can self-cater if they prefer).
All rooms are furnished with beamed ceilings, antique wardrobes and objets d’arts. Contemporary muslin-draped four-poster beds are dressed with embroidered silks. Large ensuite bathrooms have showers and modern western fittings. Telephones and minibars have purposefully been left out to maintain the atmosphere of a private period manor. Tea and coffee-making includes a little Chinese box of mixed teas. There are ceiling fans and air-conditioning in every room, plus a natural breeze to keep the place cool.
Features include:
- Fan
- In-room treatments available
- WiFi
Eating
Siolim House centres on an inner courtyard; on one side is an open-plan dining area with chairs and tables; on the other is the kitchen (pop in to meet the cook). You can dine undercover (with ceiling fans whirring overhead) or out in the garden, where candles are set on the tables during the evening.
Breakfast is a choice of Continental or Indian. Lunch and dinner are prepared on request, so advise the staff in advance if you want to eat in. There's usually a 3-course set menu - typically soup, a Goan thali or curry with rice, and a sweet. That said, you can make special requests if you give plenty of notice. All the food is purchased fresh each day and prepared more or less to order. Available fresh fish includes pomfret, snapper, sea bass, crab and mussels. A help-yourself afternoon tea is available in the dining area from 4.30pm.
At Little Siolim Villa, breakfast is served daily. For lunch and dinner, you can use the well-equipped kitchen (with refrigerator, microwave, gas hob, toaster, juicer, hot plate and water filter), or spoil yourself and book a private chef. Alternatively, you can opt to eat lunch or dinner at Siolim House.
Features include:
- Breakfast
- Dinner by arrangement
- Lunch by arrangement
- Restaurants nearby
- Room service
- Vegetarian options
Activities
- Relax by the pool, laze on a lounger in the garden, or hang out in the cool inner salon
- Complimentary yoga every morning from 7.30am. No need to book, just turn up!
- Non-touristy Siolim village is on the doorstep, complete with local shops, St Anthony's church and country walks through quiet lanes to the fishing quays of the Chapora River
- Visit some of Goa’s famous beaches - the nearest are Morjimm, Arambol, Vagator, Baga and Calangute (a (a 10- to 20-minute drive). Beware of strong currents if you're swimming
- Book yourself an Ayurvedic massage with Siolim’s in-house masseur
- Visit Anjuna's famous flea market (Wednesday), Mapusa's regular town market (Friday) or Arpora's fascinating night market
- The hotel can organise various sightseeing trips and offers affordable car hire rates (with a driver) for a few hours or a day. Visit Old Goa, a World Heritage site, famed for its churches and the tomb of St Francis Xavier, the patron saint of Goa. Or perhaps Fort Aguada and Panjim, the Goan capital, where you can stroll along the Mandovi River and through the quaint streets of the Bairro das Fontainhas (the old Portuguese quarter)
- Take a local boat trip to see dolphins or crocodiles
- Bikes and motorbikes are available to hire
Activities on site or nearby include:
- Ayurvedic treatments
- Birdwatching
- Boat trips
- Cycling
- Fishing
- Historical sites
- Museums / galleries
- Private guided tours
- Shopping / markets
- Swimming
- Traditional cultures
- Well being
- Wildlife
Kids
Children are welcome at Siolim House and Little Siolim Villa.
Best for:
All ages
Family friendly accommodation:
The ground-floor 2-bedroom Malabar Suite is ideal for families. Standard Suite Damao can fit an additional bed. Larger families, or those looking for more privacy, could book the whole of Little Siolim Villa (3 rooms). Most rooms in Siolim House and Little Siolim can fit a baby cot.
Cots Available
Babysitting:
Babysitting available by arrangement
Baby equipment:
Siolim House has a beautiful antique baby cot which is provided for babies on request
Remember baby and child equipment may be limited or need pre-booking
For more family-friendly places, see our Kids Collection
Location
Siolim House is set in the quiet village of Siolim in North Goa; Little Siolim is a 5-10 minute walk away at the entrance of the village.
By Air:
Goa's Manohar International (25km) is the closest airport. Dabolim International is the region's main airport and 45km away. The hotel can arrange airport transfers on request, just ask when booking.
Getting Around
Bikes and motorbikes are available to borrow; cars with drivers can be arranged for local excursions.
Detailed directions will be sent to you when you book through i-escape.com.
More on getting to Goa and getting around
Airports:
- Manohar Airport 25.0 km GOX
- Dabolim International 45.0 km GOI
Other:
- Beach 5.0 km
- Shops 0.1 km
- Restaurant 0.1 km