When at Vivenda Dos Palhacos, a heritage stay on Airbnb, Goa’s signature susegad life takes the spotlight. The 100-year-old Portuguese mansion–hosted by sibling duo Charlotte and Simon Hayward — gives a peek into the Kolkata-born duo’s life, all while paying homage to their global travels and upbringing. As the fourth generation living in India, the quiet home is a reflection of an outsider’s perspective of living in a country they now call ‘home’.
Location:
Vivenda Dos Palhacos is in the quiet Mojorda region of South Goa.
Vivenda Dos Palhacos Images:
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Vivenda Dos Palhacos is located close to Majorda Beach. (Photo Courtesy: Bayar Jain)
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The resort has its own backyard. (Photo Courtesy: Bayar Jain)
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The hotel has a common living room that is accessible by all guests. (Photo Courtesy: Bayar Jain)
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The host's collection of books, souvenirs, and other trinkets make up the decor. (Photo Courtesy: Bayar Jain)
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The community table is a great space to mingle with fellow guests. (Photo Courtesy: Bayar Jain)
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Vivenda Dos Palhacos has many family images on display. (Photo Courtesy: Bayar Jain)
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The centrally-located courtyard at the homestay. (Photo Courtesy: Bayar Jain)
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The open-air swimming pool offers respite from Goa's sun. (Photo Courtesy: Bayar Jain)
Facilities and Amenities at Vivenda Dos Palhacos:
- Garden
- Swimming Pool
- Airport pick-up and drop-off.
- Sightseeing and shopping tours
- Babysitting services
- Bicycles
- Laundry services
- Hair dryer
- Complimentary WiFi
- Visiting masseuses
- Television and DVD Player in the sitting room
- Concierge service
- Planned picnics and parties
- Daily breakfast
- Daily curated dinners
* Some of these activities are available at an additional cost.
Property Rules
- Check-in: noon to 11:00 pm
- Checkout before 11:00 am
- Self-check-in with building staff
- Pets allowed; inform in advance
- Smoking is allowed
- No food or drinks are allowed from outside.
Review of Vivenda Dos Palhacos, Goa
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“Are you sure this is the location, ma’am?” asks a concerned Wahid as he pulls up his car outside a seemingly deserted yellow home. Truth be told, diverting from the main road had raised my suspicions, too. Nonetheless, I pull my suitcase out of the trunk, thank Wahid for the comfortable ride and conversations, and walk beyond the white gate to see what fate has in store for me.
Having slipped in and out of global hotel chains for years as a travel writer, the quiet welcome at this heritage stay on Airbnb comes as a surprise. I walk past lines of bookshelves, expecting hotel staff to greet me. Instead, I spot a man – who I later learn is a guest at the Airbnb – flipping through the pages of Shantaram, a bestselling novel by Gregory David Roberts, unbothered by my presence. The dining space is busy with souvenirs and memorabilia from different parts of India. The framed posters and photographs give a glimpse of the host’s lives; cutouts of pet dogs disguised as royals in tuxedos bring quirkiness to the room. There are even ornate mirrors, gold-embellished candle stands, sequinned binoculars, a cabinet filled with display plates, an old barber’s chair, a wooden minibar, framed matrimonial ads and more. The room may be pin-drop silent, but the décor had many stories to tell!
The Madras room is uncluttered. Two single beds have been placed together to make a kind-sized one, while a third bed – almost like a charpai – allows a third guest to sleep with ease. A wooden chest of drawers, a dressing table, and multiple lampshades complete the space. The place looks rustic in its simplicity and the open-air bathroom adds to this vibe.
A closer look at the room reveals intriguing details. There’s a pulley system that allows light to filter through the wooden roof and the walls are mounted with canvas paintings that guests can buy. My favourite? A framed essay on a cow, written in what is best described as broken English. While the bedsides have a plethora of books of various genres, I’m intrigued by the A-to-Z guide to Goa and Vivenda Dos Palhacos.
Vivenda Dos Palhacos, a Portuguese mansion, belongs to Simon and his family. Dating back at least 100 years, this heritage stay on Airbnb has seven uniquely themed rooms, a main garden, a swimming pool, private dining setups, and sunbathing areas. An additional tent completes the stay options. While the hospitable staff ensures a homely stay, two dogs – Gigloo and Kitten – help bring a bigger smile to my stay.
The A-to-Z guide reveals that my room – Madras – was a large room in the older Hindu part of what must have been the original farmhouse. The book also reveals that the brother-sister duo’s grandmother was born in Madras (and thus, the room was named so) in 1900. The other rooms, too, have similar stories: Alipore, where the family lived between 1970 to 1978; Chanpura, named after a shooting camp where their father was a member (“and the best Christmas we’ve ever had,” say the Hayward siblings); Chummery, a bachelor’s pad in Ballygunge where their father visited in the ’50s; and more.
I spend my days at the resort playing with Gigloo and Kitten, lounging by the poolside, and immersing in the many family tales and stories that spill out from the 100-year-old walls.
Food and Dining at Vivenda Dos Palhacos
The chefs at Vivenda Dos Palhacos are a modest lot. As a vegetarian in a seafood haven, I ask the team to suggest some meatless options. “We don’t have any vegetarian specialties, ” the team reveals candidly.
And lo and behold, a creamy delicious risotto finds its way to my table at lunch. The cheese is just right and the herbs amp up the flavour. Later at night, a spice-loaded biryani satiates my hunger. Seafood lovers can savour fresh catch — be it snappers, crabs, or even Bombil. They even boast of a Goan feast complete with a suckling pig, Iced Gazpachio topped with lobster drizzled in paprika oil, and a full English breakfast. The chefs here curate a special dinner every night where the three-course menu has to be pre-booked.
A visit to Goa is incomplete without some tipple, and Vivenda Dos Palhacos does a good job at this. The casual bar at the property serves drinks of all kinds–including an imported wine list–with the team ready to whip out any special requests. Organic coffees, teas, and fresh juices are available too. For me, I’m happy with a chilled lemon water — ideal to break away from Goa’s heat.
How to reach Vivenda Dos Palhacos
Dabolim Airport is located roughly 20 kilometres away. The team organises airport pickup and drops upon prior request.
Cancellation Policy
- Free cancellation and full refund up to 30 days before the check-in date.
- If cancelled seven days before the check-in date, 50 per cent per night is deducted. No refund on service fee.
- No refund if cancelled on the day of check-in.
Packages
The heritage home is available to book on Airbnb here. While they do not offer any packages currently, they allow you to book the entire home, provided none of the rooms are already booked or you can also book private rooms in the property.
Related: TL Exclusive: Airbnb Upgrades To Introduce AI Photo Tours, Guests Favourites & More!
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Answer: Yes, the property has free parking on premises.
Answer: The stay is often fully sold out. It is advisible to plan your travels and stay in advance.
Answer: Subject to availability.
Answer: Yes, using the swimming pool is complimentary for guests.
Written By
Bayar Jain
Senior Content ManagerEquipped with a degree in Sociology (Honours) from the University of Delhi and a postgraduate diploma in English Journalism and Mass Communication from Xavier Institute of Communications, Mumbai, Bayar enjoys sharing stories of people, places, and different cultures. When not typing her travel tales, you can catch the hobbyist photographer capturing ..Read More
