An old Portuguese colony on the west coast of India, Goa has long been a refuge of the hippies from the sixties, a centre for parties, and has been rapidly developing ever since.
However, Steppes Travel have personally visited and handpicked properties that go against the grain.
The attractions of Goa run deeper than the obvious. The beautiful opulent churces of the Unesco World Heritage site of Old Goa, the colour of the local night markets, beautiful temples, and the contrasting interest of rural India a few hours drive into the hinterland of the Western Ghats. The perfect contrast to beach life.
Aashyana is a unique property owned by a charming Bombay industrialist with an extensive art collection and a great interest in the teachings of Indian gurus. Aashyana is set in 6 acres of garden, running down to Candolim beach
Once an armed fortress that belonged to the Portuguese, Fort Tiracol is now open to visitors in the form of a wonderfully private 5 bedroomed hotel.
If you are looking for a small, privately run boutique hotel in Goa, then this is the only place. Just 15 minutes from the palm fringed Goan coast and up in the nearby hills, you will find the Nilaya Hermitage.
Panchavatti, a home that has been recently opened up to visitors by Lou Lou Van Damme provides an oasis of calm that is hard to find anywhere, let alone in Goa.
Close to the beach this Pousada Tauma is a small privately managed boutique hotel set in a former coconut grove , an oasis of calm in the ever popular busy coastal town of Calangute
A beautifully restored 300 year old Portuguese era manor house that once belonged to a governor of Macau, Siolim House is a unique boutique 'heritage' hotel in Goa.
On a totally private spit of land overlooking the ocean, separated from the rest of the world by a salt water creek, stands Elsewhere.
Tucked down a coconut-fringed cul de sac in the gently-paced village of Majorda is this lovingly-restored boutique hotel ina 100 year old Portuguese mansion
