#SquadGoals: For Under INR 1,200, This Cottage In Goa Has A Private Beach

How often have you planned that idyllic Goa escapade, where you and your bunch slip away from the cacophony of city life and unwind in the serenity of a local village home? Well, it’s time to make it happen, and we'd suggest Curly Coelho Cottage for the quintessential rustic charm. Bonus — a tiny private beach that’s stone’s throw away. 

To start with — the location! Nestled amongst coconut and mango trees, in a quiet village in Dona Paula, this 2,000 sq ft. villa offers a comfortable stay five minutes away from the historical and legendary jetty of Dona Paula. The cottage, a fully serviced villa, comes with three bedrooms that can accommodate up to 10 people at a time. A master bedroom with an attached bath and two bedrooms with private balconies and a common bath are what make up the sleeping space.

Furnished tastefully, the living room opens out to the greenery and is furnished with comfy sofas where you can cuddle up with your favourite book (or bae) and some wine – it has to be our favourite spot in the house. The terrace looks out into the sea, where we spent some lovely, breezy evenings. You also have access to a fully equipped kitchen where you can rake up anything from Maggi to a 5-course meal. All modern amenities including wifi (and a bathtub!) are available, and Naren, the caretaker is happy to help you out with directions, getting supplies from the local supermarkets and any other assistance you may require. In case you are driving down, there’s even parking space for two cars.

The Dona Paula jetty is the nearest tourist spot. A walk along the beach will get you to the well-known Miramar beach. At the jetty, which is a photo-op point, see if you can spot Vasco Da Gama’s port trust and the lighthouse at Fort Aguada all far away but in direct view. There are several activities that you and your gang could do at the jetty. For instance, water sports such as windsurfing are big here. If you are doing a bit of solo exploration, there’s plenty of shopping and eating spots around here. We hear dolphin sighting and sunsets are pretty popular as well. Or, you could also drive down to Panjim City which is roughly a 15-minute drive away from the villa. Public transport, including an auto and a taxi service is also available nearby at the the NIO circle.

The rates are pretty stellar, given its location and amenities — INR 4,999 for six people, per night, and INR 500, for every additional person. The villa takes on a whole different charm during the monsoons and is often booked out during the off season, so plan ahead.