Casablanca

As the name suggests, this budget-friendly tourist hotel is housed in a series of white stucco house-like structures with a terra-cotta roof that gives it a Portuguese colonial feel. The lobby is a small, open-air space without any proper seating, though there are benches spread throughout the lush, palm-shaded property. Rooms are spread out over three building blocks, each with three stories. There's a main pool at the heart of the property, along with a restaurant off to one side. Most of the restaurant's seating is in front of the pool, though there are a few seating areas indoors, and ceiling fans help keep the area cool. Most guests are domestic tourists, and this property draws lots of Indian families. 

Casablanca is located on a quiet dirt back road that runs from the main road in Candolim down to a sandy beach. It's an undeveloped and not very pretty area, with a few small houses and fields in the general vicinity. It's about a five-minute walk to the main road, where there are tons of restaurants and shops. Aguada Fort takes about 10 minutes to reach by car. Further afield, it's a half-hour drive to Anjuna and the Goan capital city of Panaji takes about the same amount of time to reach (though it's in the opposite direction). Factor in at least an hour to get to the international airport in Vasco de Gama. 

Casablanca offers two room types: 41-square-meter (442-square-foot) Terrace Rooms (with pool-facing options) and 47-square-foot (506-square-meter) Suites with separate living areas and bedrooms. All rooms have air-conditioning and furnished balconies or terraces, and most have key-card entries, but overall the rooms here are on on the basic side and could use an update. Decor across categories includes worn wood-finish clapboard furniture spruced up by yellow and periwinkle accent walls and headboards. Standard amenities include tube-style TVs, kettles, and mini-fridges -- but no Wi-Fi. While rooms appear to have double beds, they're actually made up of two twin beds pushed together. Bathrooms are plain, with walk-in showers and limited counter space. Soap and sachets of simple toiletries are provided. 

The centerpiece feature of this hotel is the large outdoor swimming pool, with plenty of shaded lounge chairs on the deck and ample room for playing or swimming laps. Off to one side of the pool is the restaurant, Saffron Restaurant & Bar, which serves Goan specialties along with Indian and international mainstays and cocktails. A hot breakfast is included in most room rates and half-board options with either breakfast and lunch or lunch and dinner are available, with buffets and the occasional tandoori night during high occupancy. The restaurant is also the only place in the hotel with Wi-Fi (though it is free). There's a small amount of motorbike parking out front, and a bit of space for cars on the street.