Apple House

This quiet, five-story guest house sits just off a side road in the small community of Arpora. There's a small covered area outside on the ground floor that looks like it was originally built to be a carport, but now houses a few plastic tables and chairs along with a reception area where guests check in. There are a couple of spots for guests to park behind a gate, along with more street parking out front. This is really it when it comes to common areas, and there's not much lingering to be done here. The property is kept in tip-top shape by the owner, a military man turned hotelier from Delhi. Most guests are tourists on a budget, and while the property gets some British travelers, the primary market is Indian families.

Apple House is located on a side street that juts just off the main north-south highway that connects Arpora to Calangue. The street itself is quiet, with a taxi stand a few minutes down the road. There are no major restaurants or party spots within earshot, keeping the vibe quiet. It's a five-minute walk from the town center, where there are a handful of restaurants, banks, and small provisions shops. The nearest beach is in Baga, a 20-minute walk or 10-minute drive away. Further afield, it's about a 40-minute drive to the Goan capital city of Panjim, and getting to the airport can take up to 90 minutes. 

Most of the rooms at Apple House are more or less identical, with beige tiled floors, dark-wood furniture and trim, and cream and pink walls without any real decor. Most units have double beds (two twins pushed together), though there is one room with a king bed and two mattresses for families, available via direct booking. Al rooms are in decent condition, save for a few smudges on the walls and basic wear and tear. Standard amenities include split air-conditioning units, kettles, mini-fridges, wall-mounted flat-screen TVs with satellite cable and HD connections, clothes drying rack, and free water drinking replenished daily. Wi-Fi is free in rooms and throughout the small property. Bathrooms are small, with open wet-room style showers. Only soap and towels are provided, so guests should be prepared to pack their own toiletries. 

Wood framed doors with windows lead out to small balconies with patio furniture in a few of the street-facing rooms. Rooms that face out on the greenery behind the hotel lack balconies, but are larger and quieter, if a little darker.

Apple House is short on features, though there is free Wi-Fi throughout the hotel and a small amount of gated space for parking (otherwise street parking is abundant). The highlight is the free hot breakfast with Indian and continental offerings every morning. There's no room service or restaurant, though the hotel can arrange meals provided guests give them at least 24 hours of advance notice. Other facilities can be arranged through the reception desk, including laundry, airport transfers, and motorbike rentals.