The Secret Garden Goa is a lovingly run heritage homestay. Set in the heart of Saligao, this is the perfect location to be 'away from it all' and yet have Goa's famed beaches, restaurants and culture just a short ride away.
Places to stay are graded on a 0-100 scale. The higher the grade, the easier it is for travellers to find restaurants and things to do within walking distance.
Helene and Derek are amazing hosts who made us feel right at home. A beautiful house tucked away from the hustle and bustle of Goa. Helene's breakfast were to die for with fresh, hot bread served every time. Its a place that you would keep going back to...there's something for everyone.....a cupboard full of thoughtfully picked toys for all ages, a beautiful, clean pool and the lovely rooms.
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Date of stay: October 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from TheSecretGardenGoa, Owner at The Secret Garden Goa
Responded 8 Oct 2019
Hello! Awh! Thank you so much for taking the time away to write a lovely review of your stay with us - you are very kind. Glad that you enjoyed your time with us. I love to cook and when guests love to eat it is the perfect combination! So happy that the games cupboard was enjoyed - you guys had a lot of fun and that is what makes what we do here worthwhile! Looking forward to your next visit! Thanks so much, Helene
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Secret Garden. - The description of the name pretty puch sums it up. A beautiful curated home stay with each room tastefully decorated. The rooms and the living/ dining room open into the Secret Garden. With its tropical green plants, surrounding the perfect pool. This was our second stay here, and the best thing.. Nothing changed from the first time. The hosts Helene and Derrik are fabulous. Helene's breakfast is legendary, with home made bread, fruit preserves, cereals to choose from, eggs, omletts, fresh fruits,coffee, tea, juices .. And not to mention our daughters favourite the pancakes with chocolate sauce. She also offered us other options of traditional Indian breakfast.. The secret garden is located perfectly in North Goa, tucked away from the tourist madness that does take over the beautiful state. But convinent to all the restaurants, bars , the museum of Goa, the beaches.. All which come with great recommendations from the Hosts.Helene helped us get rental bikes and cab pick up and drop from the airport. We were a group of 3 families, and had the house and pool to ourselves as soon as the kids woke up to midnight dips in the pool. It was as private as one could have. We were looking for a relaxing holiday, and the secret garden was just perfect combination of aa beautiful comfortable stay with lovely conversations, and all that Goa promises.
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Date of stay: October 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from TheSecretGardenGoa, Owner at The Secret Garden Goa
Responded 8 Oct 2019
Hello there! I am so happy that you love TSGG as much as I do. It is always so encouraging when guests return and have an awesome stay with us. A lot of love has gone into my home and it is wonderful that by return it gives it out by the bucket load, and better still when it is appreciated and our guests feel at home too! The kids had such fun in the pool (as did the big kids) and of course, as always it was my absolute pleasure to feed you all. #perfectguests Thank you so much for returning to The Secret Garden and getting the break you all needed, a mix of fun, relaxation, adventure and great Goan food! You will all, always be welcome through our gates... Till next time! Love Hx
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Have reviewed before. Second visit this time with husband and two teen boys. Monopoly, the pool and the three dogs did it for them. Its an old house n it being just premonsoon there were a few bug problems. The a. In one room wasn’t cooling and Derrick gave us use of the other free. Very helpful n inclusive home, with jane taking care in Helene’s absence (she was visiting the UK). Enough board games, books, snacks to spend yr time.
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Date of stay: May 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from TheSecretGardenGoa, Owner at The Secret Garden Goa
Responded 25 May 2019
Hello there, Thank you for taking the time to review us again! Glad that you all had a lovely vacay in spite of the issues - good that Derrick and team were able to solve them quickly for you, the change of season can be tricky and this year has been extreme in temperature. Thanks for your understanding. Take care, Helene
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Great place. Quite, lush green and beautiful. Great hosts and a very very clean place. Very safe for a family too. Highly recommend for a relaxing vacation. nice village surroundings. I would definitely come back.
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Date of stay: February 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from TheSecretGardenGoa, Owner at The Secret Garden Goa
Responded 20 Mar 2019
Hello there! Thank you for taking the time out to write a review for us, we really appreciate it. So happy that you and your family enjoyed the time spent here - it was an absolute pleasure to host you. Glad you are already planning your return visit - we look forward to it. Take care and best regards to the family - especially the little princesses! Thanks again, warmest regards, Team TSGG
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“It's a very beautiful home, very comfortable to stay, if you want to wind down, chill , relax... This is the place. Serenity all around. The host, Helene is very cool, helping & is kind enough to accommodate early check in and late check out requests :) . It is truly an amazing experience. Last but not the least, breakfast here is delicious. ”
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Date of stay: March 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from TheSecretGardenGoa, Owner at The Secret Garden Goa
Responded 17 Mar 2019
Dearest S&A Thank you so much for your kind words regarding our home and your stay at The Secret Garden Goa. I am so happy that you both really relaxed and re-charged during your stay. Glad you enjoyed the breakie - it was a pleasure to cook for you both! Take very good care and see you soon! Warmest, Helene & Team TSGG
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Fantastic home and hosts. We stayed in their largest room: Beautiful, clean and utterly charming. You won't want to leave! Have to mention the lovely dogs, comfortable bed, and the most delicious omelette we've ever eaten. Thank you so much for having us in your home.
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Date of stay: February 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from TheSecretGardenGoa, Owner at The Secret Garden Goa
Responded 14 Mar 2019
Hey there Thank you so much for your kind words. So happy that you enjoyed your stay at TSGG. It was an absolute pleasure to be able to chat with you and make you feel right at home. Really pleased you enjoyed your breakfast - a very important aspect of a B&B after all!! Can't wait to have you back - thanks again, Helene, Team TSGG and of course Diver, Merlot and Luna! x
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This is one place which will remain etched in my mind forever! Me and my wife chose this homestay to celebrate our first wedding anniversary and it proved to be a 100% perfect choice! The great gestures and a true sample of excellent hospitality started right from the enquiry email. Host Helene is one of a kind! She was as excited as us! She arranged everything for us right from decorating our room, booking a table in nearby restaurant to ordering a cake! And yes what a delicious breakfast!
Without doubt one of the favorite homestays I stayed in my life! Thank you Helene and Derrick for everything and making our 1st anniversary truly memorable.Cheers!
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Date of stay: December 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from TheSecretGardenGoa, Owner at The Secret Garden Goa
Responded 28 Feb 2019
Hello! What a beautiful review! Thank you so much for your kind words. It really was a pleasure to help you make your special day, well, even more special. I love surprises and when you were so keen to make your anniversary one to remember I was fully onboard... who doesn't love a bit of romance?!! Glad you enjoyed the breakie - always a pleasure to cook for hungry tummies. Glad we are on your favourites list! Looking forward to your return. Take very good care and stay blessed, look after each other as much as you want looking after yourselves... :) Big hugs and thanks again, love Hx and team TSGG xxx
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Helene and Derrick have really made this place an amazing getaway. The attention to detail in the decor of the rooms shows so much love and care for the home, which is a traditional Goan-style home revamped with all the luxury details. The pool and garden are an amazing retreat, and the neighborhood is very quiet, except for some noise from the services at a nearby church. Do bring earplugs if you get disturbed. I'm a light sleeper, so living and traveling in India is sometimes rough, but good earplugs were mostly sufficient.
The breakfasts that Helene makes have a different main course each day. I'd go back only to have the sourdough pancakes and the freshly-baked bread again! Many of the fruits and the coconuts are harvested on site in the garden.
On top of having an amazing property, Helene and Derrick were super helpful in recommending places to go in the area. We loved spending New Year's Eve at Cantare, a local jazz bar with a classy and fun vibe. My friend and I wanted to learn windsurfing and sailing, so Derrick organized all of our lessons at the Goa Yachting Association and went with us daily to Dona Paula to teach us. Pricing was very reasonable and we learned so much in just 5 days on the water. I would definitely go back to learn more under his direction!
Overall, a wonderful experience. We could not have asked for more. Thanks again to Helene and Derrick for making this a vacation to remember.
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Date of stay: January 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from TheSecretGardenGoa, Owner at The Secret Garden Goa
Responded 24 Feb 2019
Hello there - You are most welcome! It was so lovely spending the very special time of year with both of you ladies! Thank you so much for taking the time out to write us a review... know how very busy you are when you are not on vacay! :) I do put a tremendous amount of energy and love into our home, I am so happy that you girls appreciated it. Obviously, the church is in full force for the festive season - thankfully the singing is usually quite therapeutic, good to 'hear' the earplugs did the trick... D is such a fabulous teacher of sailing and kitesurfing - I am so glad you learnt with him, he would be delighted to go on to do the next stage with you. Actually, he is just back from Singapore - he coached the Indian youth contingent and they brought home a silver and bronze medal... not at all bad for their very first international outing. I thoroughly enjoyed cooking for you both - next time you 'must' take the sourdough starter so you can have a go yourself. Thank you once again for choosing TSGG and for your delightfully kind words. Take very good care and all the very best with the next incredibly exciting chapter in your life overseas. Much love, Helene
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This place is just awesome! I am in love with every corner of this place! I love the way the bedrooms are done up so very beautifully and even the bathrooms are facinating, forever spic a span clean. The pool is my favourite I think. And the dinning set up is classy. The food is homemade and mouthwatering. The entire experince is so personalised as Helene (the host) ensures to make your stay is the most cherished and memorable. This is truely a home away from home, and trust me its a 7 star for me!!!
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Date of stay: February 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from TheSecretGardenGoa, Owner at The Secret Garden Goa
Responded 7 Feb 2019
Hello there! Silvia, it was an absolute joy to have you here for your staycation! I am so happy that you love TSGG as much as I do! Your kind words reaffirm what I am trying to do here - delighted to have you to stay and looking forward to welcoming you back 'home' again very soon! Thanks again, Helene and Team TSGG
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visited India over the Christmas holiday and had a great time with my family, really friendly host and staff, especially Jane.really friendly dogs. Amazing food (especially the potatoes). I would highly recommend the secret garden to anyone thinking of going to Goa!!!
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Date of stay: December 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from TheSecretGardenGoa, Owner at The Secret Garden Goa
Responded 8 Jan 2019
Dear Felix Firstly, thank you so much for taking the time to write your review - it means the world to us - one person who is over the moon is our Jane - thrilled to get a mention and very major part of the team here at TSGG. We LOVED having you guys here over the festive season - it was a wonderful time for everyone. Very pleased you enjoyed the potatoes! Warmest regards and thanks, Helene and Team TSGG especially Jane!
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Hi there
Firstly apologies for the delay in responding - I have only just seen this message as for some reason I do not know the alerts have been turned off....
The nearest beach is Calangute and it is about 8 minutes by scooter. Goa has many beautiful beaches further North but there are some lovely spots along that stretch. Warmest, Helene
There are 3 rooms. Two of the rooms can accommodate two people, one is a single room. Children/third person may be accommodated in the double rooms but it'll be a stretch.
There are more places to choose from in the Saligao area.
LOCATION
IndiaGoaNorth Goa DistrictBardezSaligao
NUMBER OF ROOMS
3
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