Ocean Palms is a 4 star eco-friendly resort that’s situated off the main Calangute road. Being in the midst of the hustle-bustle yet away from the noise, this resort is a perfect getaway for a comfortable, affordable and leisure stay.
Its just a few minutes walk from the Calangute beach, 45 kms from the airport, 16 kms from the nearest railway station and around 12 kms from the capital city, Panaji.
We’d been here in the month of February for our anniversary which collides with the Valentines Day. So got to be a part of the wonderful celebrations that the hotel had planned to celebrate love!
We had booked the Palm Room for 3 nights. The rooms are spacious with ceiling to floor windows promising a view of the lush green trees in the hotel compound. The intention is to welcome more of natural light inside the room and thus save electricity. You can spend hours lounging on the sit-out, doing nothing but enjoying the view with a cuppa coffee.
Rooms are painted in pale colours that add to the brightness. The golden-brown upholstery gives a regal look to the rooms. The rooms are well-equipped with AC, mini-fridge, wardrobe, ironing board with iron, LCD TV, tea-coffee maker, electronic safe and complimentary bottled water.
The toilets are done up well and squeeze in as much natural light as they can. We were told that the soap and shampoo provided here were all herbal, a produce of the local market. That’s what I call, an eye to every minute detail of eco-friendliness!
Amenities include Nautilus, a multi-cuisine restaurant with attached bar and lounge area. There is also a fitness centre, kids corner and a spa.
This spa room has my story to tell. I befriended Marie who had attended to me. She was a native of Kerala and was employed here. In that 2 hour spa session, I learnt a lot about Marie and her background. She used to visit her family in Kerala only once a year for only for couple of weeks. That’s a major commitment to work, isn’t it!
The next day, I looked out for her, but she was on leave. So I left her the Valentines gift that I’d received from the hotel – a chocolate hamper, something I otherwise wouldn’t part with 🙂 . I also wrote her a letter and left her my mail-id.
Couple of days after returning to Mumbai, I received a mail from Marie acknowledging my letter and the gift. She loved the chocolates and also shared them with her colleagues. Such things are my way of finding true happiness 🙂
If this ain’t enough relaxation, there’s the swimming pool to laze around or have a dip in its clear blue waters.
The hotel, specially the pool area was all decked up with red, heart-shaped balloons for Valentines celebrations and red-dress code to match. A DJ and emcee completed the do. There was also a lavish spread of a multi-cuisine buffet. Para, Goan-style pickle made of sun-dried, salted mackerel with some exotic spices, was the one I relished the most. You wont believe, but even now, while writing this, my mouth is watering already with the memory of its hot and tangy flavour.
Love was all around in the air. I wished my hubby had proposed to me again. Here’s a pic of me at the do….
The hotel has 24 hour in-room dining facility. The staff are very courteous and helpful.
I loved all the three days of my stay here. The room, amenities, food, accessibility, staff and last but not the least…the Valentines party… everything here was super-amazing.
Thank you Team Ocean Palms! 🙂
Natasha Gracious 
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