Casa Fortuna

The hosts Fortune, Joseph and Micheal were so welcoming and gave us good ideas for exploring Goa. Breakfast was delicious with lots of choice, and the whole stay felt better than what a five-star resort might offer. Our premium room had a breathtaking view over the Arabian Sea and the beach lined with coconut trees, even from the spacious bathroom. You can watch fireworks over Panaji from the balcony, for example at New Year's. The main drawback is the traffic noise. With Panaji and Goa turning into concrete jungles, horns and road sounds often carry into the room, so you shouldn’t expect complete quiet.

Breakfast includes delicious Goan food cooked from scratch each morning, and the owners were generous with their time, helping us choose excursions that suited us and connecting us with a local taxi company with honest rates. When we arrived at 0200am, our hosts made sure we got settled in. The facilities and attentive staff were excellent, the room was comfortable and airy, and the furniture and little touches were lovely. Balconies had stunning views. The location also makes a good base for exploring. For nearby evening meals, we liked the White House bar and restaurant, the Goan Room, and the Soft Rock Cafe. The owners really couldn’t do enough for us. It’s such a lovely place, and would be perfect for a honeymoon.

Fortune and Joseph were very helpful in pointing us to places with vegetarian food, and the elaborate breakfast was a lovely bonus. Fortune’s professionalism was clear from our first interaction. The place is spacious, carefully maintained, and just like the photos online. It feels no less than a four-star hotel. Our room was huge, with a soft, cozy mattress that made it hard to resist a nap whenever we sat down. It’s a good choice for a relaxed break during a busy holiday. The homestay is in a safe area of Dona Paula, with restaurants within walking distance if you don’t rent a scooter or car. A few details for anyone booking: there are rooms on both the ground and first floors. The first-floor side sea view room in my photos has a shared balcony with the adjacent, smaller room. These rooms are usually given to larger families, who can use the balcony without the movable wooden divider between them. Each room has a designated name. I’ve attached a photo showing ours, in case you’d like to request the same one. The only real drawback was the walk. The homestay sits up an elevated hill, and the road isn’t level, with craters and worn spots. We found it a little cumbersome after a full meal or in the afternoon heat, though nothing too taxing. Just something to keep in mind before heading out on foot.

What made my four-week stay at Casa Fortuna, Dona Paula, Goa so memorable was the care from Fortune, Clive and Michael. On my first trip to Goa, they made me feel special and loved, and I’m sure I’ll return again and again. Fortune and Clive were always happy to listen and help with practical things, like booking taxis and suggesting places to see and visit. Fortune is a wonderful cook, and breakfast was varied and delicious every day. She went out of her way to look after me, my husband, and friends who joined us during the stay. The homestay itself is delightful, with spacious, airy rooms that are clean and comfortable and look out over the bay.