Margao Residency

I had a lovely stay, with great service, satisfactory prices, and plenty of parking. Margao Railway Station is about 1.3kms away, an easy walk if you don’t have extra luggage, or you can use the Goa Miles Application. Bharat Cafe is just a two-minute walk away, so do visit.

Margao Residency is handy for transport. It’s close to the railway station, there’s a taxi stand right outside, and the bus stop is nearby too. The room was a decent size, with clean, comfortable bedding, good shower pressure, hot water all day, and strong air-conditioning. A newspaper was delivered each morning, and room service from the in-house Kinara Restaurant was quick. For a budget stay of a night or two, it works if you only need somewhere to sleep. There are real problems, though. The property badly needs renovation, with crumbling and dilapidated areas that need urgent repair. It’s managed by the Goa State Tourism department, and while staff weren’t unfriendly, they weren’t friendly either. Room service is only available on request during set hours and can be irregular. The rooms look clean, but there was dust in the corners and on the windows, and the glasses looked like they hadn’t been replaced in decades. We avoided the cooler water and used bottled water. Parts of the property smelled of piss. Wi-Fi only works in the lobby, though the speed there is good. Outside, a group of beggars will harass you. Most guests seemed to be boys or men in town for local events or sports tournaments. Many drank each night and could be loud, so it didn’t seem ideal for families. I even saw a fistfight between taxi drivers and a couple of rowdy guests.

The atmosphere was peaceful, and the location was convenient. My room was clean and comfortable, the staff were courteous, and the stay was very pleasant. A good option for a comfortable stay in Goa.

Right in the center of town, and not bad for a government-run place. Good enough for a one or two-night stay, though it needs renovation to keep up with the times. 🙂