Casa Colvale Boutique Hotel
Taliwado, Chiklim
Colvale, Goa
India
Google Maps Reference: http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?sourceid=navclient&ie=UTF-8&rlz=1T4GGIC_enGB241GB243&q=Varca+Beach%2c+Benaulim+403716%2c+India+
Date: April 2010
Overall Little Jet Setter Rating: TWO STARS
Hotel Class (as per http://www.tripadvisor.com/): 3.5 stars
The Room:
Size: Very Large
Cot: Travel Cot - no sheets provided - dirty mattress
Child Amenities: The staff were very kind a put a small fridge in our room after we requested they keep some milk for us in the kitchen fridge - much more convenient!
Cleanliness: hit and miss - blankets and towels looked very worn. Shower broke twice in 2 days.
Bath v Shower: shower only in most rooms
Location of Room: there is a main house where you drive in and another building a staircase down the hill which leads to the river. Both buildings were a significant walk to the restaurant area down steps, however it is very convenient for the pool and rooms 1-4 were all bordering the upper pool.
Noise: none
Air Conditioning: Unreliable - we were in 2 different rooms and both conked out on us in 35 degree weather in the middle of the night. When it was on, the air conditioning was not strong enough.
The Room Score = 3/5
The Grounds:
Buggy-friendly?: Not at all - the hotel is on a hill which allows for lovely views, but lots of steps to the river, restaurant and between pools.
Safety: Steps have no handrails and are very steep - young children would struggle. Room locks do not have bolts or significant security. The restaurant in the evenings and night is a mosquito playground (it is built on the river above the muddy tidal banks). Strong repellant a must!
Shady areas: Lovely terrace area to sit out near the pool with gorgeous views over backwaters.
The Grounds Score = 1/5
The Pool:
Shallowness: steps on one side of the pool that allow for gradual entry. No kids pool, but there are 2 pools on site to use.
Cleanliness: due to overhanging trees there is a lot of leaves in the pool, but they work hard to keep it skimmed.
Water Temperature: very warm – heated by the scorching sun!
Toys: allowed
Safety: infinity pool on one edge with a ledge - keep an eye on the more adventurous kids as there is a sheer drop on the other side.
Location within grounds: upper pool very near to upper house rooms and lower pool very near to lower house rooms - well positioned, but both pools are quite small.
Shady areas: the terrace is near to the pool for some shade, and depending on time of day some of the pool is in the shade.
The Pool Score = 4/5
The Food:
Kid-friendly food: Menu is limited and expensive.
Toddler breakfast: we had to ask for food for her after ours arrived, (3 days running!), but they did bring her something without charge.
Proximity of restaurant to rooms: restaurant is down steep stairs on the river.
Kids in the bar: There is no bar.
High Chairs: No
Will they do purees?: No - but they did heat up some baby food I brought with me.
Access to milk or formula: You have to get in a taxi to get your own milk or formula from a nearby grocery (10 minute drive). Remember most stores are shut between about 2pm-5pm!
The Food Score: 2/5
The Location:
Access to local restaurants and bars: There are no other hotels, restaurants or bars walking distance from the hotel. Nearest restaurant recommended at the North Goa Beaches (25 minutes approximately).
Buggy routes: Nothing buggy friendly!
Drives: North Goa Beaches 25 minutes, Anjuna Flea Market 25 minutes, Spice Plantations 1.5 hours, Panjim and Old Goa 1 hour, Airport 1 hour
Taxis: arranged by the hotel and can be negotiated for 1/2 day, full day etc. Recommend that you get the taxi driver to wait for you if you are going to a restaurant or sightseeing as it is difficult to find Casa Colvale if you don't know it! There is motor boat for hire for a lovely tour of the backwater rivers.
The Location Score = 2/5
The Baby Services:
Babysitting: No
Kids Club: No
Laundry: No
Fridge: After asking for help they put a small fridge in our room - excellent service!
Amenities: no kids amenities in rooms
For Mum and Dad: Service was friendly, but very slow on all accounts (food, drinks, help with housekeeping etc.). There seemed to be a spa there, but having checked it out and found people sleeping on the massage table, I guess it is not too in demand! However, why would you want a spa with those amazing views. This is a very chilled out place for reading a book by the pool or lazing on the terrace. Room 1, 2, 3, 4 open up onto a variety of private and semi private terraces for evening drinks once baby is asleep!
The Baby Services Score: 1/5
General Comments:
The furnishings and ambience of Casa Colvale is captivating and the views are lovely. The pools are very relaxed and it has a feel of being at a friend's villa. A great escape for an easygoing couple/older family/friends trip destination. However, for babies and toddlers, this is not a recommended place to go. Goa is a hot place and without reliable air conditioning it is tough to keep everyone happy (and asleep!). They could do a lot for families if they could ensure they had clean and comfortable baby cots, reliable showers, safer stairways down to the restaurant and have the restaurant cater more for young children.
Nothing to do about the buggy issues as it is on a hill, and the views are what make this place special! So if you are relying on pushing a buggy with your sleeping baby out to dinner, this is not the place.
This place has a lot going for it, but it isn't for young children.
See Photos under India - Casa Colvale.
Overall Score = 13/30
Taliwado, Chiklim
Colvale, Goa
India
Google Maps Reference: http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?sourceid=navclient&ie=UTF-8&rlz=1T4GGIC_enGB241GB243&q=Varca+Beach%2c+Benaulim+403716%2c+India+
Date: April 2010
Overall Little Jet Setter Rating: TWO STARS
Hotel Class (as per http://www.tripadvisor.com/): 3.5 stars
The Room:
Size: Very Large
Cot: Travel Cot - no sheets provided - dirty mattress
Child Amenities: The staff were very kind a put a small fridge in our room after we requested they keep some milk for us in the kitchen fridge - much more convenient!
Cleanliness: hit and miss - blankets and towels looked very worn. Shower broke twice in 2 days.
Bath v Shower: shower only in most rooms
Location of Room: there is a main house where you drive in and another building a staircase down the hill which leads to the river. Both buildings were a significant walk to the restaurant area down steps, however it is very convenient for the pool and rooms 1-4 were all bordering the upper pool.
Noise: none
Air Conditioning: Unreliable - we were in 2 different rooms and both conked out on us in 35 degree weather in the middle of the night. When it was on, the air conditioning was not strong enough.
The Room Score = 3/5
The Grounds:
Buggy-friendly?: Not at all - the hotel is on a hill which allows for lovely views, but lots of steps to the river, restaurant and between pools.
Safety: Steps have no handrails and are very steep - young children would struggle. Room locks do not have bolts or significant security. The restaurant in the evenings and night is a mosquito playground (it is built on the river above the muddy tidal banks). Strong repellant a must!
Shady areas: Lovely terrace area to sit out near the pool with gorgeous views over backwaters.
The Grounds Score = 1/5
The Pool:
Shallowness: steps on one side of the pool that allow for gradual entry. No kids pool, but there are 2 pools on site to use.
Cleanliness: due to overhanging trees there is a lot of leaves in the pool, but they work hard to keep it skimmed.
Water Temperature: very warm – heated by the scorching sun!
Toys: allowed
Safety: infinity pool on one edge with a ledge - keep an eye on the more adventurous kids as there is a sheer drop on the other side.
Location within grounds: upper pool very near to upper house rooms and lower pool very near to lower house rooms - well positioned, but both pools are quite small.
Shady areas: the terrace is near to the pool for some shade, and depending on time of day some of the pool is in the shade.
The Pool Score = 4/5
The Food:
Kid-friendly food: Menu is limited and expensive.
Toddler breakfast: we had to ask for food for her after ours arrived, (3 days running!), but they did bring her something without charge.
Proximity of restaurant to rooms: restaurant is down steep stairs on the river.
Kids in the bar: There is no bar.
High Chairs: No
Will they do purees?: No - but they did heat up some baby food I brought with me.
Access to milk or formula: You have to get in a taxi to get your own milk or formula from a nearby grocery (10 minute drive). Remember most stores are shut between about 2pm-5pm!
The Food Score: 2/5
The Location:
Access to local restaurants and bars: There are no other hotels, restaurants or bars walking distance from the hotel. Nearest restaurant recommended at the North Goa Beaches (25 minutes approximately).
Buggy routes: Nothing buggy friendly!
Drives: North Goa Beaches 25 minutes, Anjuna Flea Market 25 minutes, Spice Plantations 1.5 hours, Panjim and Old Goa 1 hour, Airport 1 hour
Taxis: arranged by the hotel and can be negotiated for 1/2 day, full day etc. Recommend that you get the taxi driver to wait for you if you are going to a restaurant or sightseeing as it is difficult to find Casa Colvale if you don't know it! There is motor boat for hire for a lovely tour of the backwater rivers.
The Location Score = 2/5
The Baby Services:
Babysitting: No
Kids Club: No
Laundry: No
Fridge: After asking for help they put a small fridge in our room - excellent service!
Amenities: no kids amenities in rooms
For Mum and Dad: Service was friendly, but very slow on all accounts (food, drinks, help with housekeeping etc.). There seemed to be a spa there, but having checked it out and found people sleeping on the massage table, I guess it is not too in demand! However, why would you want a spa with those amazing views. This is a very chilled out place for reading a book by the pool or lazing on the terrace. Room 1, 2, 3, 4 open up onto a variety of private and semi private terraces for evening drinks once baby is asleep!
The Baby Services Score: 1/5
General Comments:
The furnishings and ambience of Casa Colvale is captivating and the views are lovely. The pools are very relaxed and it has a feel of being at a friend's villa. A great escape for an easygoing couple/older family/friends trip destination. However, for babies and toddlers, this is not a recommended place to go. Goa is a hot place and without reliable air conditioning it is tough to keep everyone happy (and asleep!). They could do a lot for families if they could ensure they had clean and comfortable baby cots, reliable showers, safer stairways down to the restaurant and have the restaurant cater more for young children.
Nothing to do about the buggy issues as it is on a hill, and the views are what make this place special! So if you are relying on pushing a buggy with your sleeping baby out to dinner, this is not the place.
This place has a lot going for it, but it isn't for young children.
See Photos under India - Casa Colvale.
Overall Score = 13/30
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