Aldeia Santa Rita

Aldeia Santa Rita is an intimate, budget-friendly tourist resort situated at the top of a short and steep driveway off of a busy main road. Guest rooms are housed in a series of two-story villas situated along a cobblestone pathway. They're painted in alternating shades of blue, yellow, and red. Black wrought-iron balconies and railings and white trim give the structures a colonial Portuguese look and feel, as do the small grassy areas with low shrubs out in front of the lower-level porches. At the back of the property is a pool area where most guests congregate during the day. A structure houses the main lobby, a simple home-like space featuring a blue-and-white mural on the wall, dark tile floors, and classic dark-wood furniture. Most guests are package tourists from Russia or the United Kingdom, the latter of whom are primarily retirees.

Aldeia Santa Rita is located right on the main road in Candolim, a two-minute walk from the beach and a 15-minute walk from Fort Aguada. The area is busy but walkable, with lots of other hotels in the immediate area plus a smattering of restaurants. There's even a casino, Grand 7, about a five-minute walk away. There's a bit more going on in Calangute, a 15-minute drive away, including clubs, restaurants, and lots more hotels. Further north is Anjuna, known for its crafts market and bohemian vibe -- is a half-hour drive away. The Goan capital of Panaji takes about the same amount of time to reach in the opposite direction. Factor in about an hour to get to the international airport in Vasco de Gama.

This hotel offers two types of room: Standard and Colonial, all with balconies or terraces with wrought-iron railings plus separate living areas and bedrooms with either double beds or two twins. The main difference is that the Colonial Rooms (also referred to by the hotel as Superior Rooms) have prettier, Portuguese-inspired furniture and a few decor extras, such as wooden shelving units, compared to the simple dark-rattan furniture found in Standard units. All come with similar amenities, including wet bar areas with minibars and kettles, flat-screen TVs, and wall-mounted air-conditioning units. Bathrooms are simple but small, with small windows that let in natural lite, tile walls, and walk-in wet room-style showers separated from the main bathrooms by shower curtains. There's virtually no counter space. Hairdryers and soap are provided, but other toiletries are not.

For a small property, amenities at the Aldeia aren't too shabby. The most popular facility seems to be the swimming pool, a small mini-tiled pool surrounded by towering trees and flanked by lounge chairs. Food is served at the restaurant, Cravo do India, which offers air-conditioned indoor and outdoor dining and a good selection of Indian and international items. A hot and cold buffet breakfast is included in all rates and the hotel offers half-board and all-inclusive packages, with alcohol. Room service is also available. Live entertainment in the form of music and dance is provided up to five times a week during the busy October through March season, depending on occupancy. Other facilities include a beauty parlor and massage services, and there's a small jewelry shop and a tailor on-site. Wi-Fi is free throughout the property. There are a few parking spots out front for guests with cars and motorbikes.