Phoenix Park Inn Resort

The hotel's bright exteriors look smart, and yellow and white paints, carved stone, and terra-cotta tiling showcase the region's colonial heritage. It's set a 10-minute stroll from Candolim's sandy coast, although the quick walks draw beach lovers and families, as well as the odd conference group. The atrium-style lobby is semi-outdoor, and Indo-Portugese influences here consist of intricately carved wood furniture, white-carved pillars, and alcoved seating in burnt oranges. A fountain feature borders on fancy, but like many rooms and public areas, the space is worn. The hotel's four stories overlook lush gardens, and neat stone paths here divide lawns, palms, and coconut trees around pools. Terrace loungers, limited umbrellas, and the cabana bar's dining furniture are pleasant, plus there's a kiddy corner, but the area receives little sun and gets crowded. Earth-toned restaurants are also crowded, although al fresco dining amid poolside lanterns is more laid-back and alluring. Note, there are no elevators, the pool bar closes during monsoon season, and short power outages are common.

The hotel's side street location is peacefully removed from Candolim's main road, although shops, a market, and restaurants are a five-minute walk away. Candolim's golden-sand beach is twice that, and various shacks dotting its long stretch rent out loungers and umbrellas. It adjoins Calangute Beach to the north. While taxis are plentiful, scooters or quad bikes are the most popular way to get around, and the hotel organizes rentals. The Portuguese Aguada Fort is a 12-minute drive. It's 20 minutes by car for Baga Night Market, while hippie Anjuna Beach and night market, and the city of Panjim are 10 minutes farther. The Shanta Durga Temple is a five-minute walk. Also known as Dabolim, Goa International Airport is an hour away by car. 

Spacious rooms are outfitted in old-fashioned or fresh styles. Older units have glossy russet flooring, mint green and gold accents in bedding, seating areas, and drapes, and simple wood-and-glass furniture. The renovated units have neutral palettes, fun beach-themed throw pillows and wall art, contemporary wood furniture and floors, and stylish blue sponge-effect accent walls. All with seating areas, minibars, and cable flat-screen TVs, rooms start at 291 square feet (27 square meters), rising to 527 square feet (40 square meters) in upgraded Premium Rooms. These offer slippers, robes, living rooms, and pool-view balconies -- others overlook the gardens. All outdoor spaces are furnished, and have pretty white-painted or wrought-iron balustrades. Phones, desks, kettles for tea- and coffee-making, safes, AC, crib fittings, and hairdryers come standard. Compact bathrooms in honey-tiled marbles have stall or wet room-style showers, bowl sinks, toiletries, and towels. Wi-Fi is free, but it can be weak. Upper-level rooms are reached by stairs, but ground-floor units are available (with less-impressive vistas) for those with mobility difficulties.  

Features here are similar to those offered at competitor properties. Surrounded by dense tropical plants, the freeform outdoor pool is attractive. Loungers here are grabbed quickly in high season though, when crowds dominate. Unfortunately, there's also a shortage of umbrellas, although shade is more plentiful than the sun, overall. A seasonal cabana bar, terrace seating, and upbeat mural add variety. A splash corner caters to kids, as does a low-frills play area. Two restaurants serve Goan and international cuisine, buffet- or a-la-carte-style. Breakfasts with American and Indian options, including made-to-order eggs, are included in some bookings. The pool bar and grill is open May through March, while the indoor bar serves drinks and snacks 24/7. Wood accents in ceiling beams, tables, chairs, shelved wine bottles, or floors are smarter in the fancier Sal Restaurant. Prepare for crowded buffets though, and don't expect much from the bar's mediocre evening singers. The basic spa offers massages in treatment rooms. Sadly, the gym's handful of cardio and resistance equipment are in poor condition. Pets aren't permitted. Meeting rooms, free parking, and property-wide Wi-Fi complete features.