The Park Calangute Goa

One of two Goan outlets of India's popular Park Hotel luxury chain, The Park Calangute Goa is a fun, upscale boutique hotel dating back to 2012. Most of this compact property's facilities are outdoors (or partially outdoors) and there's a colorful white-and-purple decor scheme throughout. Guests check in at the big, airy lobby that gets lots of natural light from a ceiling of skylights topped with hot-pink circular spotlights. There's plenty of room to lounge about on big purple sectional chairs and white pincushion ottomans. The grounds feature a few day beds for lounging, most of which are by the pool, and though most of the outdoor spaces are paved, there are a few tropical trees and potted plants scattered around. Most guests are vacationers with decent lodging budgets, and the hotel gets a good mix of international travelers and well-heeled Indians throughout the year. 

The Park is located right on the beach in the southern part of Calangute, about an eight-minute walk from the main road that runs north-south through town. It's on a narrow road, and guests with cars will need to park in one of the spots just outside of the hotel and leave their car keys with the on-duty guard. It's about 15 minutes by car to Baga, where the popular Tito's nightclub is located. It's about 25 minutes to Anjuna, which has more electronic music options and a bohemian vibe. Nearby attractions include Aguada Fort (20-minute drive from the hotel)  and Old Goa, which takes about 45 minutes to reach. The capital city of Panaji is about 35 minutes away by car. The airport takes around an hour to reach.

This hotel offers four types of lodging: Deluxe and Luxury Rooms along with Studio and Deluxe Suites. All have a similar, modern aesthetic, with ample use of the purple-and-white decor scheme found elsewhere in the hotel, plus nods to local Goan traveler culture, with multihued psychedelic visionary art on the walls and larger-than-life photographic images of dreadlocked, tattooed Westerners garbed in festival clothes adorning the doors. Deluxe Rooms and Luxury Rooms don't vary much except that the latter have balconies and allow smoking and are a little larger (measuring 320 square feet/290 square meters as opposed to 290 square feet/27 square meters). Deluxe Suites also have balconies with views of the sea and add tubs in the bathrooms. Nonsmoking Studio Suites face the pool and though they lack balconies, they do have lovely plunge pools situated in entryway foyers. Standard amenities in all units include free bottled water, minibars, coffee- and tea-making facilities, and flat-screen TVs starting at 40 inches. Bathrooms are large, with frosted-glass stalls separating the water closet and walk-in rainfall showers from the vanity areas. Large gray granite countertops hold vessel sinks. Decent toiletries, hairdryers, and magnifying mirrors are also provided.

Features here are stylish and well thought-out. One of the nicest amenities is the compact, but lovely, outdoor pool. It's flanked with colorful day bed cabanas complete with brightly colored cushions in a rainbow of shades. Alternatively, guests can head straight to the beach, where there are lots more attractive lounge chairs with parasols and generally calm waters conducive to swimming. There's also a small fitness center, with a few modern cardio machines and free weights. There's a lovely bar, Peace, occupying a covered terrace that looks out over the beach. The bar is lovely and includes bean bag chairs and distant ocean views. The main restaurant, Love, features an open kitchen for all three meals, plus 24-hour room service. The hotel also offers a variety of meal plans, from room-only to full board. Wi-Fi is free throughout the property and there are a few parking spots just before the main gate.