Yatri Yadien

May 10, 2015

My TripAdvisor Review No.81: Vainguinim Beach, Panjim, Goa.

“Secluded, Almost Private Beach.”

Reviewed 9 May 2015 NEW

Vainguinim Beach is located about 2 km from Dona Paula, and about 6km from Panjim, overlooking the Mormugao Bay and harbour. It is a small crescent shaped strip of brown sand about half a km long, and is almost like a private beach for the Cidade de Goa and Sandalwood Hotels. It is lined with tall coconut trees along the shoreline which make it look very beautiful.

Being away from Panjim city and by virtue of its seclusion, there are no beach shacks here and hardly any crowds, except for guests from the resorts. Sometimes you may get to witness some beach parties here, because of the weddings or other functions held at the resorts. The resort guests get to relax on the deck chairs in relative peace and solitude. There are some water sports activities available, and the beach is quite safe for swimming too.

The beach is kept clean by the resort employees. This is an excellent beach to quietly relax and witness the sunsets.

Visited March 2015

Ask EkMusafir about Vainguinim Beach

This review is the subjective opinion of a TripAdvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC

http://www.tripadvisor.in/ShowUserReviews-g303877-d2665274-r270876521-Vainguinim_Beach-Panaji_Goa.html#

“Secluded, Almost Private Beach.”

Reviewed 9 May 2015 NEW

Ask EkMusafir about Vainguinim Beach

This review is the subjective opinion of a TripAdvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC

http://www.tripadvisor.in/ShowUserReviews-g303877-d2665274-r270876521-Vainguinim_Beach-Panaji_Goa.html#

“Secluded, Almost Private Beach.”

Reviewed 9 May 2015 NEW

Ask EkMusafir about Vainguinim Beach

This review is the subjective opinion of a TripAdvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC

http://www.tripadvisor.in/ShowUserReviews-g303877-d2665274-r270876521-Vainguinim_Beach-Panaji_Goa.html#

“Secluded, Almost Private Beach.”

Reviewed 9 May 2015 NEW

Ask EkMusafir about Vainguinim Beach

This review is the subjective opinion of a TripAdvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC

http://www.tripadvisor.in/ShowUserReviews-g303877-d2665274-r270876521-Vainguinim_Beach-Panaji_Goa.html#

“Secluded, Almost Private Beach.”

Reviewed 9 May 2015 NEW

Ask EkMusafir about Vainguinim Beach

This review is the subjective opinion of a TripAdvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC

http://www.tripadvisor.in/ShowUserReviews-g303877-d2665274-r270876521-Vainguinim_Beach-Panaji_Goa.html#

“Secluded, Almost Private Beach.”

Reviewed 9 May 2015 NEW

Ask EkMusafir about Vainguinim Beach

This review is the subjective opinion of a TripAdvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC

http://www.tripadvisor.in/ShowUserReviews-g303877-d2665274-r270876521-Vainguinim_Beach-Panaji_Goa.html#

“Secluded, Almost Private Beach.”

Reviewed 9 May 2015 NEW

Ask EkMusafir about Vainguinim Beach

This review is the subjective opinion of a TripAdvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC

http://www.tripadvisor.in/ShowUserReviews-g303877-d2665274-r270876521-Vainguinim_Beach-Panaji_Goa.html#

May 9, 2015

My TripAdvisor Review No.80: Laranja @ Hotel Cidade de Goa, Panjim.

“Spacious Restaurant with a Good View”

Reviewed 8 May 2015NEW

We had our buffet breakfasts at Laranja while we were staying at Cidade de Goa, on the occasion of a family wedding. I must say that they were some of the best breakfasts we have ever had. There was a wide variety of food available.

There was a live dosa counter. Medu wadas, upma, poha, sheera, were available with a variety of chutneys. On the Western side there was corn flakes, jam/butter toast, live egg counter (including mushroom omelete), croissants, doughnuts and buns. On one occasion we were served chicken sausages. Cut fruit was also available.

One morning we got a traditional breakfast of pakwan-dal (Sindhi style), parathas, alu-puris and fried potato wedges.

Amongst beverages, besides tea and coffee, there were fruit juices also available.

Service was courteous. We really enjoyed our breakfasts here.

Ask EkMusafir about Laranja @ Hotel Cidade de Goa

This review is the subjective opinion of a TripAdvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC

http://www.tripadvisor.in/ShowUserReviews-g1087527-d2282935-r270696302-Laranja_Hotel_Cidade_de_Goa-Dona_Paula_Goa.html#

May 7, 2015

My TripAdvisor Review No.79: Cidade de Goa, Dona Paula, Panjim.

“The Essence of Goa in a Resort.”

Reviewed yesterdayNEW

We were here for three days to attend a destination wedding in the family, and thoroughly enjoyed our stay here. The security checks were stringent and it took us about half an hour to be shown in to our rooms, due to many of the guests arriving at the same time. They had a separate counter in the lobby for the wedding guests.

The resort has unique Portuguese style architecture, with bright red and peach coloured walls. Our room was well furnished with centralised AC, satellite TV, a coffee table, a writing table, a large built-in cupboard with a digital safe, tea/coffee maker, and a mini fridge. The twin beds had very soft mattresses. The bathroom had a hairdryer, shower cubicle, as well as a bath-tub. There was a tiny balcony to sit out with your cup of morning tea to enjoy the humid coastal breeze.

We freshened up and went down to the lawns to meet our relatives and the wedding couple. The arrangements for serving the guests were very well organised. The buffet lunches and dinners for the wedding guests were served in separate areas, while a buffet breakfast was served in their restaurant ‘Laranja’. Besides, the resort has 3 more restaurants and an open air barbeque area, and two bars. There is a casino in the premises as well.

The location of the Resort is excellent, abutting the Vainguinim Beach near Dona Paula, about 5 km south of Panjim. This beach is almost like a private beach for Cidade de Goa, and you don’t have the usual crowds that you would usually find on the more popular Goan beaches. There are shaded deck chairs on the beach as well as along the promenade in the hotel premises along the boundary wall. You get a sweeping view of the serene Mormugao Bay and harbour in the distance. Being away from the city there is no noise of traffic and parties, besides the ones arranged at the resort itself. Of course, the resort tries its best to see that the ceremonies are conducted in separate areas and lawns a little away from the residences.

There is a nice swimming pool, and many lawns in the resort. One can take a walk along the promenade along the seashore which is about half a km long or go down to the beach for a swim or walk on the sands. There is a fitness centre and spa as well. The Activity Centre can arrange for indoor and outdoor games.

The famous Dona Paula monument is about a 2 km walk from the gates of the resort.

We enjoyed the wedding ceremonies held at Cidade de Goa in a truly Goan atmosphere.

Room Tip: Ask for sea facing rooms.

See more room tips

Ask EkMusafir about Cidade de Goa

This review is the subjective opinion of a TripAdvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC

http://www.tripadvisor.in/ShowUserReviews-g1087527-d307509-r270369712-Cidade_de_Goa-Dona_Paula_Goa.html#

My TripAdvisor Review No.78: Hotel Mandhar Regency, Dharwad, Off NH4, Karnataka,

“A Decent Place to Take Rest.”

Reviewed yesterdayNEW

We were weary from our long drive from Pune to Bangalore and decided to break journey and take rest for the night. I learnt later that this is also the meaning of the word ‘Dharwad’, a place where travellers can break a long journey and take rest. And Dharwad lies exactly midway between Pune and Bangalore on the NH4 highway. As we were approaching Dharwad, we called the Hotel to find that they had a room available. We had to leave the highway and enter Dharwad town and drive in about 4 km to reach College Road, where the hotel is located.

They have a small parking area for about 6 or 7 cars. There is a nice looking party lawn as you enter the gates. We took the room without AC, and with complimentary breakfast and a bottle of mineral water thrown in the tariff seemed quite reasonable.

The room was a bit crowded with two beds, a coffee table and cane chairs. The bathroom did not have sufficient fittings to hang clothes on. There was a cupboard and TV in the room, which we did not use. However, it was decent enough for an overnight stay.

We went down to their AC restaurant ‘Darbar’ for dinner, and quite enjoyed their Butter Chicken with nan. The restaurant seems to be popular with the locals too, as we saw quite a few families from Dharwad coming in for dining.

Their complimentary breakfast was a limited plate of idli or wadas with a cup of tea or coffee, which was served in their outdoor bamboo hut restaurant ‘Cosy Cottage’.

As we checked out we were offered a refreshing cup of coffee from their vending machine.

Ask EkMusafir about Hotel Mandhar Regency

This review is the subjective opinion of a TripAdvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC

http://www.tripadvisor.in/ShowUserReviews-g1154299-d4037280-r270151418-Hotel_Mandhar_Regency-Hubli_Dharwad_Karnataka.html#

May 6, 2015

My TripAdvisor Review No.77: Yana Sizzlers & Wok, Mariplex Mall, Kalyani Nagar, Pune.

“Excellent Sizzlers and Salads.”

Reviewed 5 May 2015NEW

As starter we ordered their Veg Italian Pasta, which had olives, French beans, carrots and was very yummy and lip smacking with a sprinkling of pepper powder.

We enjoyed their Sizzler ‘Chicken Torri Dengo’ with a garlic pepper sauce. It consisted of chicken cutlets with a slice of pineapple, besides the usual veggies. The quantity was sufficient for the two of us, and it was quite tasty and not so spicy.

They have a wide variety of Sizzlers, veg and non-veg, including fish sizzlers, soups, salads, Italian and Chinese food, and a neat and clean ambience. I would love to visit again.

See all 5 reviews by EkMusafir for Pune

Ask EkMusafir about Yana Sizzlers & Wok

This review is the subjective opinion of a TripAdvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC

http://www.tripadvisor.in/ShowUserReviews-g297654-d1084587-r270165682-Yana_Sizzlers_Wok-Pune_Maharashtra.html#

May 4, 2015

My TripAdvisor Review No.76: Sangway Holiday Homes, Dandeli, Karnataka.

“At Home in the Deep Woods”

Reviewed 2 days agoNEW

This is a beautiful gem of a home stay hidden away in the deep woods of Dandeli. If you are approaching Dandeli from Dharwad via Haliyal, it is better if you call Mr. Vikram Sogi to guide you to the resort, otherwise you may not be able to find it. The bungalow is located at the extreme corner of a village called Kerwad.

The rooms are basic but very neat and clean, with a large attached bathroom. There is no TV or AC but we did not need them as we had come to enjoy the rustic charms of a village and forest home stay. There is a large veranda where one can sit out in the mornings and evenings and enjoy your cup of tea and coffee. There is an open air gazebo where you can have your dinner next to a bonfire during the chilly winter months. Vikram can also arrange for tented accommodation in the open grounds next to the bungalow if you so like.

Mr. Vikram is a very hospitable host, and he made special arrangements everyday to serve us according to our tastes. The cooking was very homely and we could eat as much as we liked. We were served non-veg at dinner. Once we had a local king-fish thali and chicken curry on another occasion. In fact, on the last day I was not feeling well so Mr. Vikram made special arrangements and served us fruit, tender coconut water and soups. He even let my wife guide his cook in the kitchen to make the soup to our liking. We decided to stay on for one more night so that I could recuperate at Sangway, before departing next day for Goa.

From the bungalow one can go for long walks in the surrounding forests. There is a crocodile park next to the River Kali. Walking through the jungles, we got to see the Giant Malabar Squirrel, and spotted the Hornbills high on the tree tops, besides a variety of other birds.

For the more adventurous, Sangway Holiday Home is a very good base in Dandeli to explore the surrounding areas. There are many interesting places nearby like Ganeshgudi for wildlife and white-water rafting on the Kali River. One can take a train ride to see the Dudhsagar waterfalls in nearby Goa. There is the Supa dam, and the Syntheri Rocks, as well as the Anshi National Park. If you have your own transport, Vikram will guide you with maps and directions, and might even loan you his man, Ravi, to show you these places.

All in all, we had a very pleasant and restful stay at Sangway, and would love to come back here for some peace and solitude, and to meet our friend Vikram again.

Room Tip: Corner rooms have bigger sit-outs.

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Ask EkMusafir about Sangway Holiday Homes

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http://www.tripadvisor.in/ShowUserReviews-g1156191-d3456852-r269424298-Sangway_Holiday_Homes-Dandeli_Karnataka.html#