Only 5 years old, and recently benefiting from a frontal makeover, this is a class appartment in the delightfully well maintained "Lotus Suites" appartments. A very clean complex. There is an excellent infastructure re clean and tidy waste management disposal. The complex is only 5-10 Mins from the delightfully clean Benaulim beach, depending upon which route you chose to visit the beach! The beach restaurants are second to none!...all within very quick acces from the resort. The Complex Notes on accommodation Generally a very safe and secure enviroment, so Ideal for children who will love the close proximity to the beach and pool! You may wish to utilize the sofa bed for their sleeping accommodation! We regret that cots are not provided. No heating provided or considered necessary! As far as air conditioning is concerned, we do not consider it necessary in this particular flat, and as such has not been installed. Lotus Suites is quite an open complex and also being close to the sea, there seems to be constant soft breeze. By utilizing the room fans and opening windows where appropriate it is easy to maintain the rooms temperature to an appropriately cool level. From our experience with other flats, the consistent use of AC can easily double electricity usage and costs which we would then have to charge separately for, as well as taking into consideration modern carbon footprint responsibilities. As it is, the cost of electricity, gas and water are included. Amenities/Facilities provided hob/stove, fridge/freezer, washing machine, cable tv, room fans, private pool (for sole use of guests), pool heating Accessibility There are a very small number of steps to climb upon entering the property. Apart from that, being a ground floor flat, ideal for the elderly, or for those with minor mobility issues. There are 3-4 steps to climb onto the slightly raised pool area and a similar number to the reception area. A consistent taxi service is available from reception or alternatively taxis congregate at a point where the beach road ends, perhaps a 300 yards walk from the complex (slightly more economical). There is an attractive patio area. The pool area itself is attractively landscaped with secluded areas. The pool is large, heated, and with a seperate childrens pool. Use is restricted to owners and guests. Regarding shops and shopping, the reception stocks a limited amount of provisions. Better to take a taxi to the village centre where most needs will be catered for. The taxi drivers are invariably prepared to act as guides. There is a slightly higher concentration of shops in the larger adjacent village of Colva, only 5-10 minutes by taxi, here you will find not only grocery shops, but ice cream parlours, barbers, tailors, beautifully stocked fresh fruit and veg stalls, furniture shops, boutiques. There are beautiful indoor and outdoor restaurants at the complex, a large first class restaurant opposite and a magical array of beach restaurants. Our favourites are Leonoras and Johncis where the service, taste and value for money are qute excellent! Out and About The nereby beach is golden, sandy, clean, rarely over-crowded, and is a 5-10 minute walk from the complex. There is a very slight gradient across the sand-dune. There are several attractive beach restaurants nearby. The Arabian sea is warm and clean. Fair to say appreciably warmer than the Med! The waves can be fairly strong but without dangerous currents in this area. If you are feeling fit, then a rewarding activity is to walk along the beach to the adjacent Colva beach, (approx 1 hour). Travel The nearby airport is at Dabolim, approx 25 mins away from Benaulim. Taxis of all sizes are always available from this airport to Benaulim resort. Car hire not essential and not particularly recommended as a cost saving exercise as taxis are relatively cheap! Fair to say that there is not a massive car hire culture within Goa, however you should have no difficulty in finding a car hire firm in the larger villages and towns. Vehicles are driven on the left hand side of the road, same as UK! Distances Benaulim village centre, the Maria Hall area, is approx 15 minute walk, 5 minutes by taxi. Colva village is 4 miles away, a 10 minute taxi ride. Margoa, the largest town in South Goa is 5-6 miles and less than 15 mins by taxi. Panaji, (Panjim) is the capital in Goa and 45 minutes away by taxi. A reliable public bus service runs from Colva to Margoa, (passing through Benaulim) and Margoa to Panjim. Old Goa, the original capital and cathedral town is 45 mins by taxi. Further details Local "corner shops" and bank are in the Maria Hall area of Benaulim. Shops, banks, cash machines, money exchange bureaus are plentiful in nearby Colva. Traditional tailors, travel agencies, hairdressers etc also in Colva. Street stalls selling fruit/veg and fish, within a short taxi journey away. Craft stalls, clothes shops, ice cream parlours, again within a very short taxi-ride. Everything else can be purchased from Margoa! In Colva, there are outlets providing expertise on aromatherapy, accupuncture, massages etc. Medical facilities, medical store, doctors, are close-by. Main hospital in Margoa. A concentration of beach restaurants and bars are within a 5 to 10 minute walk, and at Colva. Both villages host a many and varied selection of bars and restaurants. Restaurant types are vegetarian/ non-veg. Cooking styles have Traditional Goan, Portugese, Punjabi, Hindu, south Indian influences. Goan dishes include fish and prawn curries. Most restaurants have excellent chinese dishes on the menu. The quality of beef and beef steaks is high. Fresh lime sodas are a favourite soft drink. bottled coke, sprite, mineral water, are ever available. Cold bee available everywhere! "Kingfisher" being the most common. Traditional "Fenney" and "Urak" are the local spirit. Chilled port wine can be very refreshing. Water activities such as dolphin cruises, para-gliding, fishing trips, jet-ski hire are emerging, and provided for at both Benaulim and Colva. It can be said that South Goa offers more unspoilt beauty than the more heavilly commercialised North, (most of the very top hotels are in the South) However if you fancy a days excursion, then the Northern beaches of Baga, Don Paulos, Calangute and Vagatore, will be reached within an hour in the taxi, crossing the impressive Zuare and Mandovi rivers along the way. Nature/wildlife reserves including elephants, birds, tigers, etc, have emerged. Local trades include Rice and Sugar production, even salt extraction.