Vilanova Service Apartments in Margao Goa review

We had a wonderful two nights stay at Vilanova Service Apartments, located in Shirvodem, Margao Goa. It is managed by Jovito Fernandes. 

We found it very economical and conveniently located, as mentioned here. We booked a 2BHK service apartment to accommodate three of us comfortably. The apartment is clean and hygienic  and has all the basic essentials. This post is a personal review of our stay there and we would highly recommend it to families with children and groups of friends.

Through Jovito we had got a car hiring service to pick us up from Dabolim airport and we reached Vilanova in about 30 minutes, briefly stopping at Ravi Raj restaurant to pick up a packed lunch. The service apartment we booked was a 2BHK air-conditioned one on the first floor, at the end of a passage which had lighting and a CCTV camera for security. Note that there are ceiling fans so if, like us, you do not wish to, you can keep the air-conditioning off.

On entering, we stepped into the main living room, which was spacious with a curtained balcony. that covered the floor to ceiling doors. A dining table with three chairs, a sofa and a low coffee table below the television were the basic furniture. 

Off the living room was the kitchen on the left and a bedroom on the right. This first bedroom too had its own balcony similar to the one in the living room. Two individual beds and a dressing table with a mirror are in this room.

Down the passage on the left side was one bathroom and on the right was the second bedroom with its own attached bathroom. This second bedroom had no balcony, but was nevertheless spacious and had a cupboard with hangers and extra beds.

The washroom has got a pair of bath towels, toothpaste, a small soap and two shampoo sachets. However, you would naturally need to bring along your own toothbrush, comb and a hand towel for the wash basin. 

In the kitchen there are essentials like forks, spoons, a knife and a butter knife, four plates (can be used in the microwave) and sachets of tea, coffee, milk and sugar. There is also an electric kettle and a refrigerator. On request you can ask for an induction cooktop and a microwave and any requisite vessels and cutlery. We asked for the microwave and cooktop as we wanted to heat the packed meal we had bought on our second day. We also asked for bowls to use for the dal and gravy-based vegetables, for which we were given cheery red & white square bowls. Two bottles of water are also provided. 

Appliances in the kitchen

Red bowls

While hangers were thoughtfully provided in the cupboard, it would have been good to have a drying rack for wet clothes. With two balconies, this could have been a wonderful utility. Since there wasn't any, we strung a rope (that we always take along based on past travel experiences) between the two handles of the balcony doors and hung our clothes to dry on it! It would also have been good if the microwave and induction cooktop as well as requisite vessels were already in the kitchen, rather than waiting for us to ask for it. We had gone to the office to request for it, but it was locked so had to call up Jovito to put in our request. He then contacted his staff. The staff member is a young lad who is available between 8a.m. and 9p.m. and it was fortunate that he was available to bring us our requirements when we returned from our outing to the local market.

From the balconies, you get a lovely view of the rising sun in the morning, with merrily dancing sunbeams filtering through the branches of coconut trees. Bird tweets will also wake you up in the morning, as also the whistle of the distant train. 

We were disturbed by some work in a flat below and the tenants upstairs moving around some furniture, but otherwise the place is relatively quiet, away from the hustle and bustle of the main city centre. 

Be prepared for power cuts. These, though, were only for a few seconds, so we think perhaps the housing complex has a backup generator. 

Note that the WiFi worked only for a little while in the morning and the mobile network went off my phone completely one evening. 

All in all, our stay was very comfortable and we recommend this service apartment to all who are looking for a brief stay in Margao, Goa. 

Tariff
What we paid for three of us:
INR2975x2 nights = INR5950/-
Service fee = INR 744/-
Occupancy taxes = INR474/-
Total = INR7168/-

It was as we say in Hindi, "Paisa vasool!" (value for money)

Important: you must take along valid photo ID, a photocopy of which will be taken for the office record.