Patnem Beach - Potnem, Goa, India

Patnem Beach - Potnem, Goa, India

If we got to do it again, I think we'd skip Palolem and, instead, spend our time at quieter Patnem (sometimes spelled 'Potnem'). Just a short 15 minute walk from Palolem, Potnem has fewer tourists and touts, some nicer (but cheaper) guest houses, and some very comfortable beach front restaurants where you can enjoy your lassi while staring at the sea and surfing the web on free wifi. There are fewer amenities (barber shops, book stores, shipping stores) than in Palolem, but that's nothing a quick walk couldn't fix.

We give Potnem...4 Happy Travelers!

Cafe Fiesta - Palolem, Goa, India

Cafe Fiesta - Palolem, Goa, India

You think you know everything about yogurt (curd) and granola/muesli, but Cafe Fiesta will rock your world. That sounds ridiculous, doesn't it? I don't know why it's so good, but they make amazing homemade muesli and even their yogurt is made in-house. My favorite is the curd with muesli, bananas, honey, and freshly shaved coconut. It's amazing and I can't wait to make it at home. The omelets are big and full of cheese, tomato and onion. They also make really great lattes and cappuccinos. The staff is friendly and funny, the dining area is in a garden, and, located a block off the beach, the prices are more reasonable than you'll find elsewhere. (You can also find guides for canyoning and trekking here.)

We give Cafe Fiesta...5 Happy Travelers!

Cocktails & Dreams - Palolem, Goa, India

Cocktails & Dreams (formerly Silver Star) - Palolem, Goa, India

Rs700 for a double room with bathroom and TV (November, 2012)

Staying at this place is worth it just for the name. I mean, who doesn't want to stay at a place called Cocktails & Dreams?!?! We opted for one of the rooms (versus a hut), as the rooms were a bit nicer, had cleaner bathrooms, and even a TV! The room was comfortable and the staff was helpful and friendly. We stayed for 6 nights and enjoyed getting to know them. There's free WiFi on property, but you'll have to go down to the restaurant and bar to use it. The only downfall is that Cocktails & Dreams hosts the beach's only 24-hour bar, and the party can go late into the night. We only heard the revelers a few times, but we think it might be louder if you stay in one of the property's huts. Considering that huts actually OFF the beach are the same price, this is a great value.

We give Cocktails & Dreams...4 Happy Travelers!

NOTE: We just came across a few threads on review sites saying that they think they were drugged at this location by the staff. We never had anything happen to us (we never had more than 1 or 2 beers while there, so our review is for the lodging, not the bar/restaurant) so we won't change our rating. However, just use caution if you visit.
TripAdvisor thread:
http://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowTopic-g2334950-i27235-k6130085-SILVER_STAR_Palolem_drink_spiking-Palolem_Canacona_Goa.html

Sevas - Palolem, Goa, India

Sevas - Palolem, Goa, India

Rs700 for a double hut with attached bathroom w/o running water (November, 2012)

We spent one night at Sevas before we left for another location. There's nothing really wrong at Sevas. It's a predictable beach shack with an open-air attached bathroom. Water is provided each day in a large tub. The property is really beautiful, with paths winding through a well-manicured garden. But - the hut construction is pretty shoddy (even by beach hut standards), the bathrooms offer no privacy, the property is very loud at night (dogs, cats, roosters, chickens), and the huts are a 7-minute walk to the beach through trash-strewn forest. Once we realized we could get a nicer room on the beach for the same price, we moved. It's just not a good value for the price.

We give Sevas...2 Happy Travelers!