Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Hotel Bougainvillea
(Granpa's Inn; 2273270, 2273271;
www.granpasinn.com
; Anjuna Beach Rd; d/ste incl breakfast from ?3950/4450;
)
This old-fashioned hotel in a 200-year-old yellow mansion is ridiculously pretty.
Elegant rooms have that rare combination of charm and luxury, and the pool area is gor-
geous. The grounds are so lush and shady that it seems a good few degrees cooler than the
rest of Anjuna. The downside is that it's a long way back from the beach.
HERITAGE HOTEL
$$$
Casa Anjuna
MAP
HOTEL
$$$
GOOGLE MAP
( 2274123-5;
www.casaboutiquehotels.com
; D'Mello Vaddo 66; r from ?7700; )
This lovely herit-
age hotel is enclosed in lovely plant-filled gardens around an inviting pool. All rooms
have antique furnishings and period touches; like many upmarket places it's good value
out of season when rates halve.
GOA'S FLEA MARKET EXPERIENCE
Wednesday's weekly
flea market
( 8am-late Wed, usually late Oct-late Mar) at Anjuna is as much part of the
Goan experience as a day on the beach. More than three decades ago it was the sole preserve of hippies smoking
jumbo joints and convening to compare experiences on the heady Indian circuit. Nowadays, things are far more
mainstream - the stalls carry crafts from Kashmir and Karnataka and Tibetan trinkets - and package tourists seem
to beat out independent travellers in both numbers and purchasing power. A couple of hours here and you'll never
want to see a mirrored bedspread, brass figurine or floaty Indian cotton dress again in your life. But it's still a
good time, a place to meet and mingle, and you can find some interesting one-off souvenirs and clothing in
among the tourist tat. Remember to bargain hard and take along equal quantities of patience and stamina, applic-
able to dealing with local and expat vendors alike.
Eating & Drinking
The southern end of Anjuna beach boasts a string of super-sized semipermanent beach
shacks serving all day food and drinks - good ones include Cafe Lilliput and the Shore
for an evening sunset drink, with an alternative crowd and the odd impromptu party.
While there are plenty of restaurants near the bus stand and along the cliff, Anjuna's best
2273436; 8.30am-8pm Mon-Sat)
, near the Starco Crossroads, is an excellent supermarket
where you can stock up on imported goods and cheap alcohol.
