Take a holiday from your holiday!

The Mayfair Hideaway Spa & Resort is a dream of a resort and perfect for those who have  had enough of being surrounded by hoards of people, gangs of hawkers and of course simply by those so tired through 'roughing it' in a shack on the beach needing a comfortable bed!

The Mayfair  is a beautiful resort of International standard but retaining an Indian ambiance that is so badly lacking in many of the newer Hotels. Little touches that add a very personal feel to all of the reception rooms makes  the difference and  you are immediately comforatble with your surroundings. The design and layout of the Hotel exudes quality and style and actually the smallest hint of a sense of humour! You will just have to go to understand what I mean.

The pool area is chic with the pool overlooking the beautiful estuary of the River Sal, its not surprising that this Hotel is used as the backdrop in many film productions.

Rooms are large and  comfortable with all the usual amenities and my friends that stayed there last week where totally satisfied with everything.....and he's American!

The spa area is smaller than I had expected but I suppose there's only a limited number of massage beds you can use at one time, but the ambiance as with the rest of the Hotel is perfect.

Of course, there are a couple of things I would change, but heh, I'm a Brit, we always want to change something, but I'm only refering to the large flat screen TV in the bar area, which I would quickly remove and the big seahorse....less said the better.  I believe that TVs in bars are only needed by long term married couples and couples that have just argued, get the idea?

Service is as good as anywhere, ( I chose my words carefully) and although I have been to the Mayfair many times and a known face and known never to spend more than a few rupees on a coffee or lunch, the service is as if I were spending lakhs! Very impressive.....unless of course they just feel sorry for me......

I suppose we have to discuss rates, seriously dont worry about it, incredible value for money and well below the rack rates of the International Hotels across the River. Just tell the wife its twice the amount, she will believe you , she will be impressed and happy and so will your wallet!

So that's it, The Mayfair offers everything I would need or particularly what my wife needs for a wonderful vacation, the beach is only across the river for those that want sand between there toes, but knowing the Hotel as I do, I am sure the Bikash the GM ( a really nice chap) would be able to arrange something! 

Hip hip hoorah for The Mayfair!

Eat like a King, a Goan King!

Mickey's 

Location: Palolem / Agonda Road , 1km or less from the Agonda junction in Palolem

Tele: 08806467381

Child Friendly: yes

 

I have driven past Mickey's hundreds of times, just a local restaurant catering to the locals I beleived and not relly that special and then one sunny morning a good friend of mine brought Michael along to my house, it wasn't planned that we should discuss Goa Buddy or what Michael did but as things turned out , I found out that Michael was running a small restaurant on the outskirts of Palolem and specialising in local seafood and home cooked meals. Corea my 'oracle' for anything Goan confrimed that the food was as good as his wife's, so with that recommendation my mouth started to water.

 

But first of all, lets just give you abit of background about Michael, started in the F & B line with the Oberoi Group 25 years ago, 22 of which were in Saudi. Originally from Karnataka, he married a Goan girl and moved to Karnatka about 3 years ago, where he set up Mickey's. That does not mean he severed his contacts with Karnataka, in fact he goes to Karavar practically every day to buy the freshest fish he can get. 

 

The restaurant itself is just four tables and if you blink you might well drive straight past it, this is a local no frills establishment where the emphasis is on quality and providing that quality at a price everyone can afford. Did I say local? Actually many of Michaels diners travel from Panjim and thats confrimed one thing I have come to realise, Goans love good food and willing to travel to get it.

 

So you have probably gathered this is a 'Seafood Speciality' Restaurant, but dont come expecting to order what your taste buds were crying out for as you left home, Michael will only serve what he believes to be perfect, so dont expect a menu there simply isn't one! You just  turn up, take a table and Michael will tell you what he has to offer, its as  simple as that!

 

If you are veggie, dont worry, with the fish comes a minimum of two vegetable dishes, simply superb made with  locally grown vegetables the chefs on the beach in Palolem probably have never seen. I was given a white pumpkin bagee (probably spelt it wrong, but its like a casserole) and something similar to french  beans with shredded coconut. Delicious!

 

SoMickey's offers outstanding fish and outstanding delicious  vegetarian food all  at  an outstanding price. OK so the ambiance is not the Oberoi, but if all you want  is honest home cooked food prepared by people that love what they do, then give it a try.

 

Should you want more info check out  http://www.goabuddy.in/