Casa Palacio Siolim House is a heritage boutique hotel set within the small village of Siolim in northern Goa. Once the residence to the Portuguese Governor of Macau, the hotel was recognized by Unesco in 2001 for owner Varun Sood’s letter-perfect restoration of the 17th-century mansion. Using traditional techniques and old Portuguese tiles, the property has been carefully restored to its former glory and now feels more like a villa that serves as a great base for relaxation in Goa.
The Siolim House, which Kate Moss, Sadie Frost, and their entourage took over for two weeks a few years ago, has just seven suites. Each are light-filled, airy and generously decorated with antique furniture and four poster beds. There is an in-house kitchen that serves Goan meals in the dining area overlooking the pool and inner courtyard. All rooms have high ceilings, polished wooden floors and four poster beds. Some have air-conditioning but fans are perfect during the travelling season.
The Goa we know and love is all about seclusion, politeness, and relaxation, and that’s exactly what you get in tranquil boutique manor houses on inland rivers away from the beach, mostly in the northern part of the state. Siolim House, set on an outlet of the Chapora about 10 minutes inland enjoys much of these virtues. Beach lovers can still enjoy Vagator and Baga beaches, visit the Mapusa market for a local experience or visit Olive Ridley Turtle Nesting area across the river.
Amenities
24hr Room ServiceBar/PubConciergeCribs/Infant Beds AvailableDisabled FacilitiesGardenMeeting/Conference FacilitiesMultilingual StaffOutdoor PoolRestaurantSafety Deposit BoxesWi-Fi AvailableStay Siolim House offers 7 rooms and suites as well as Little Siolim, a three-bedroom villa about 5-minutes away from the main house. The Garden Suite is a more modern affair set in a separate maisonette and has its own courtyard with a large bedroom on the first floor. For those on a honeymoon, the Macao Suite is the suite of choice. Some rooms have air-conditioning, while others have a fan which is perfect during the travelling season of October to March.
ChildCare Families with children are welcome to stay at the Siolim House. The two-bedroom Malabar Suite is ideal for families. Babysitting service can be arranged, on request.
Dine There is an on-site restaurant at the Siolim House with a small staff that provides excellent meals. Breakfast includes fresh fruit, yogurt, coconut water and an assortment of Indian or continental food. Lunch is a mix of salads and your choice of meats. Dinner focusses on the fresh catch oof the day, ranging from lobster and tiger prawns or Goan specialities like pork sorpotel and vindaloo. However, the kitchen is flexible on menu and will cook anything of your choice with enough notice.
Relax There is a lovely swimming pool surrounded by tropical gardens often visited by humming birds, fronting the Siolim House. For deeper relaxation there is also a spa with a massage and steam room that offers Ayurvedic treatments as well as a variety of massages and therapies. Complimentary yoga sessions are available in the mornings. The library on the first floor has a good selection of novels and design books with the only television set on the property. The idea here is to relax.
Experience Situated in the central belt of Goa, Siolim House is rightly placed to enjoy the famous beaches of Calangute, Vagator, Candolim and Baga for swimming or the party beach of Anjuna. For a more local experience, explore the flea markets of Anjuna, Arpora and the Mapusa market in the nearby Mapusa district. Don't miss a guided walking tour of Old Goa, and UNESCO World Heritage Site in north Goa. One day, visit Sahakari Spice Farm, for a lunch buffet with a shot of cashew feni drink.
Location Siolim House is located in the village of Siolim about a 15 minute drive from the nearest beaches including Vagator and Anjuna.
Getting there Fly to Goa's Dabolim Airport (via Mumbai), followed 1-hour transfer to Siolim House.
When to go The best time to visit Goa is between late October and early April. The peak tourist season is from mid-December to mid-January, when the weather is near perfect, with daytime temperatures rarely going beyond 32°C. The monsoon season begins around June, when the hot temperatures of summer are cooled with an influx of clouds and rain. On average, the hottest months of the year are April and May.
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