We stopped at the above for two weeks (10-25th January 2014) in the Penthouse apartment.
It is in a rural situation and you really need to get a rickshaw to either beaches close by Varca or Benhalum. Around 250 rupees or catch the bus 15 rupees. We liked both beaches but there is a better selection of shacks at Benhaulm, we used Rogers on several occasions no charge for the beds, good food and cheap. The accommodation at the Imperial residence we felt basic but not to bad. Be warned the beds are very hard!. In fact the sun beds are a little more comfortable. Good supermarket at the top in Varca where you can change money and ATM machines next door.
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Built as a complex of apartments, some are now occupied by local families but this in no way detracts from the property. In fact by having less tourists, particularly Russians, its a very quiet complex. Normally a pool in a complex this size would have many sunbeds around it, along with the usual annoyances of sunbed blocking by selfish people. The fact that it is quiet meant there were only four sunbeds and two of those privately marked. More were available in storage but never needed, so yes, you have the pool to yourselves, which we did on several occasions when using it late afternoon on our return from the beach. And very well kept the pool is, sparkling clean for the whole week.
Your apartment is individually owned so it would be difficult to judge the condition of any other apartment. Ours, owner Archie Kluesener, was spotlessly clean and well furnished and with TV with satellite channels, full size fridge, microwave, toaster, a/c throughout.
The complex is a good 30 minutes walk to the beach so really transport is needed. We hired a motorbike for the week, £3 a day, possibly cheaper but we didn’t really haggle much. That made it only a 10 min ride. During the day the beach shacks are great and the beach was really very quiet. Great for long strolls but we never did complete the 25 kilometres !
And for a choice of restaurants at night we found it best to head towards Michael’s Corner, left before Zuri, where there is a restaurant of that name that we never did get to try because there are four others within 100 metres of it. The best, slightly more expensive than the others, was Garden Court. Great food and service and still only 1200 rupees for a couple of currys, rice, naan breads and a few beers and rum and cokes. All these would be about 15/20 minute walk or 5 mins on the motorbike.
A very enjoyable stay and excellent value for money.
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We rented the apartment for 5 weeks over Xmas and New Year as part of a round the world trip and it was a really great base for exploring South Goa.
The apartment is on the top floor and has 2 large balconies and all mod cons.
Positives:
+ very clean
+ all mod cons, like a home from home
+ nice pool area with friendly guests and residents
+ spacious for a couple
+ very functional for living in an apartment for a longer stay
+ helpful staff based at the resort and management always available and helpful
Negatives:
- location wise it's a little bit of a trek to the beach - we timed it as a 20 min brisk walk however bikes and mopeds are easily available and worth it to avoid you feeling a little isolated from the larger busier villages and towns etc. Autos and taxis are also easily available.
- mattress could be upgraded (but my experience after 5 months in India is this seems to be the norm - bit too hard for my liking, little support)
- it can be noisy with natural animal and bird sounds so earplugs are a must if you're a light sleeper
- don't let 1st impressions cloud your judgement - communal areas and stairwells are a little dingy
- no real view from the balconies - i.e. facing away from the pool area - but you are looking onto some lovely coconut trees etc so not all bad.
Considering the price it's pretty decent value and I'd stay again easily.
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