Lemon Tree Amarante, Candolim Goa

We did everything last minute on our trip to India.  Luke booked my flight one week before our trip and the accommodations are booked just before we arrived, usually with our flight leaving the next day. The only thing that we booked 1 week in advance was the train.  Even then, we were wait listed from New Delhi to Agra.  It annoys the hell out of me.  Luke was as usual, more relaxed than I was.  

We were torn if we are gonna go cheap with accommodation, (mind you, Luke was spending £100 per night at least with hotels and the trip was for 12 days)  or splurge but no Marni at H&M.  Luke decided to splurge and it was the best decision that we did.  I realised that in Candolim area, the only beach front were the beach shacks.  Shacks if I may describe, are restaurants by the beach made of nipa huts.  I was shocked by this as it looked closer to the beach by google earth.  Hahahaha!  I was used to having accommodations overlooking the beach.  I'm one of the lucky ones. :)

Lemon Tree Amarante is an upscale resort that offers 65 guest rooms and suites.  Each room offers a flat screen, a dvd player with DVD to borrow from the front desk, cable TV, toiletries and air-conditioning.  Each room gets 2 liters of bottled water replenished daily.  They have swimming pool for kids and adult, gym, spa, coffee shop and a restaurant called Republic of Noodles.

The Room:

I was disappointed at first when we got to the room.  I was expecting a better view but we had the neighbour's fence instead.  It didn't affect my good impression of the room though.  It was clean, smelt fresh, spacious and in line with the hotel's Portuguese theme.  I hate that they put two beds together to make one bed.  Luke and I once again ended up sleeping on separate beds. :(

Over All Impression:

I would definitely stay in the hotel again.  The place is safe, clean and the staffs friendly.  No tips required.  The breakfast buffet is good although I'm not a fan of Indian food for breakfast.  

TIPS:

• Wanting to use the pool? Go early as it gets very busy.  Most guest would leave their towels on the sunbeds which Luke and I despised.
• Staying in?  Borrow dvd from the front desk.
• Off to the airport?  The hotel service costs 2000 Rupees vs the 1200 Rupees taxi at the hotel entrance.
• Wanna explore Candolim?  Use their complimentary bike.