Country Inn & Suites by Radisson, Goa Candolim

The Country Inn & Suites By Carlson has charming Portuguese touches reflecting the region's colonial heritage. Expect patterned floor tiles, wood and wicker furnishings, and yellow walls, columns, and stone archways that open to furnished terraces. The casual, open-air lobby has tons of seating arrangements around wall-mounted masks, statues, and cabinets housing pottery. Outside, a pretty enclosed garden is lush with green lawns and tall palms surrounding a pool. However, well-worn stairs, chipped wood, and aging linens are found throughout. Guests are a mix of tourists from afar and Indian vacationers, both generally traveling with families. 

The hotel occupies a small road with residential properties and another large hotel, set a five-minute walk from Candolim's main street. The beach is a 10-minute walk away. Car and scooter rentals are available just outside the hotel, alongside taxis. Calangute Beach -- good for water sports but a bit crowded -- is a 15-minute drive, and it's 20 minutes for the hippie vibes of Anjuna Beach, known for its famous night market. Shanta Durga Temple and the 17th-century Portuguese Aguada Fort are a 10-minute drive. Goa International Airport (also known as Dabolim) is a 50-minute drive away.

Rooms are outfitted in charming colonial-style furnishings consisting of wood furniture topped with earth-tone linens, beige tile floors, and locally inspired artwork. They're fairly spacious and well-presented, ranging from 21-square-meter (226-square-feet) Standard Rooms to 42-square-meter (452-square-feet) Executive Suites. On the downside, some wear and tear is visible. All rooms come with wooden desks, wardrobes with safes and ironing facilities, and furnished balconies that overlook either the garden or pool. Also standard are flat-screen TVs, air-conditioning, minibars, free bottled water, and tea- and coffee-making facilities. Wi-Fi is free, but it can be slow. Suites have full living areas, and infant cribs are available. Good-sized bathrooms have either shower/tub combos or large walk-in showers, with hairdryers and toiletries provided. Suites add bathrobes. 

This hotel has a range of features for guests of all ages. An outdoor pool is set in a pretty terrace surrounded by greenery, and it has a built-in shallow section for kids and a whirlpool. The stone deck is lined with loungers and umbrellas, though there's occasionally not enough for all guests. An indoor kids' club has a nap area and toys, plus an adjacent room with table tennis and books to borrow. The spa is small, but it has a hot tub, sauna, and elegant treatment rooms. A decently equipped fitness center is also available, but rusting equipment is in need of replacement. Four meeting spaces are also on-site, and Wi-Fi is free throughout. All rates include a breakfast buffet of local and international dishes, plus an omelet station. The 24-hour restaurant serves similar fare for other meals, though food receives mixed reviews. Room service is available 24 hours. The Poolside Bar-B-Que Grill and Bar offers food and drinks, and hosts evening barbecues with entertainment. A lobby bar is also on-site.