The Secret Garden Goa
Estrelas e Sinos, Saligao, Bardez 403511 India
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About
#1 of 38 Specialty lodging in Saligao
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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.
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Property amenities
Free parking
Free High Speed Internet (WiFi)
Pool
Fitness Centre with Gym / Workout Room
Free breakfast
Beach
Bicycle rental
Highchairs available
Wifi
Pool / beach towels
Private pool
Yoga classes
Bar / lounge
Complimentary Instant Coffee
Complimentary tea
Casino and Gambling
Diving
Hiking
Windsurfing
Bicycle tours
Patio
Walking tours
Board games / puzzles
Airport transportation
Taxi service
Chapel / shrine
Non-smoking hotel
Outdoor furniture
Sun loungers / beach chairs
Sun umbrellas
First aid kit
Umbrella
24-hour check-in
Private check-in / check-out
Laundry service
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Room features
Bathrobes
Air conditioning
Desk
Housekeeping
Refrigerator
Radio
Extra long beds
Walk-in shower
Safe
Seating area
Separate dining area
Clothes rack
Iron
Private bathrooms
Tile / marble floor
iPod docking station
Sofa bed
Bath / shower
Complimentary toiletries
Hair dryer
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Room types
Pool view
Non-smoking rooms
Good to know
HOTEL STYLE
Family
Languages Spoken
English, Hindi
Location
54Somewhat walkable
Grade: 54 out of 100
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196Attractionswithin 10 km
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Reviews
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We stayed for two nights, they arranged a taxi to pick us up from the airport. Communication was quick and efficient from the owners. The welcome was friendly and lots of helpful suggestions were made about where to visit and which restaurants to go to (they booked a few places which was kind of them). Every room is beautifully decorated and the grounds are very nicely done. They is a pool in the back to use. WiFi worked pretty well, breakfast was lovely with plenty of homemade bread and preserves with a good omelette! Only annoying thing was it was hard to get a hot shower and most of the communal rooms didn’t have AC but these are minor things!
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Date of stay: November 2017
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.
Helpful
Response from TheSecretGardenGoa, Owner at The Secret Garden Goa
Responded 2 Dec 2017
Hi there Rick Thank you for your kind words and we are glad that you both enjoyed your stay with us during your first trip to India. Apologies regarding the hot water - as explained in the welcome introduction to you (you were very eager to get to the beach so maybe you missed it) our hot water is heated by solar (it is SUPER hot) - should this run out and we did have a full house during your stay, there is a central over-ride which takes 10 mins for piping hot water. I put this on as a safety measure every morning, unfortunately you were late getting up and it must have got over - to put it on again is never a problem, you just had to ask as I mentioned when showing you your room. We don't claim to have an a/c house (we try to be as environmentally conscious as possible) and with patio doors open onto the garden and the high ceilings and fans if necessary, the house is naturally cool. All of the bedrooms have a/c if needed but not the common rooms. Sorry if you were feeling warm, it is the tropics after all so next trip pack light linens - short sleeves and shorts, flip flops etc to make things more comfortable for you. We trust you enjoyed all the other extra touches to your stay, it was a pleasure having you both, Vic said he'd love to come back so hoping to be welcoming you both again soon. Warm regards, Helene
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
+1
A beautiful 170 years old Goan home with every nook and corner decorated with charming curios and artifacts and a lots of books. Derrick (the proud owner of this gorgeous home) was always on his toes to make us feel comfortable and fulfill all our demands. We had booked all the 3 rooms. All the rooms has its own charm but each one of them is equally clean and tidy. You wont find a dirty spot in the entire house. They are maintained to a quite high standard. They have 3 dogs and are well trained. Helene (Derricks equal half) was in Europe when we were there so missed meeting her but she made sure that all our queries and comfort is taken care of. The breakfast served in the dining area is sumptuous. For lunch and dinner you can completely rely on Derrick & Helene's suggestions.…
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Date of stay: August 2017
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.
Helpful
Response from TheSecretGardenGoa, Owner at The Secret Garden Goa
Responded 6 Oct 2017
Hey there Piyush Sounds like you had as much fun as D said you did! Thank you for the wonderful review. It is great that you appreciated 'the pre-planning' and D followed all his instructions to the letter!! Looking forward to being here for your next visit. Take very good care, and thanks once again. Helene
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
I had an amazing stay at Helene's Secret Garden. Such a beautiful house, lovely family and quiet area surrounding by paddy fields. One of my best experience in Goa! And Helene's signature omelet... heaven!!
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Date of stay: July 2017
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.
Helpful
Response from TheSecretGardenGoa, Owner at The Secret Garden Goa
Responded 5 Sep 2017
Thanks Jenna, so nice when we have happy single travellers come to stay with us. It was a pleasure having you to stay during your very first trip to India - hope it is the first of many! Happy future travels & all the best with your very first job! Take care, Helene
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
My family and I spent a wonderful weekend at the Secret Garden. We absolutely LOVED the beautiful house (we had booked all 3 rooms), and had a fabulous time thanks to Helene and her family. They made us feel very welcome and gave us great recommendations for places to go, things to see, eat and drink :) We also thoroughly enjoyed the home-cooked breakfast (with great vegan options), and the plethora of books in the house. The rooms were lovely, the beds super comfortable - and the garden and pool are absolutely beautiful. Our only regret was that our stay was a short one. We all definitely want to go back and stay for a longer period... ASAP!
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Date of stay: August 2017
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.
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Response from TheSecretGardenGoa, Owner at The Secret Garden Goa
Responded 13 Aug 2017
Hi there Tulasi Thank you for you lovely words describing your recent stay at TSGG - it was a real pleasure to have you and your parents to stay with us during the monsoon. So glad you enjoyed your vegan breakfast, it is nice to be able to offer interesting alternatives to our vegan guests and great when they enjoy as much as you did! Looking forward to welcoming you home again soon. Please do extend my warmest regards to all. Best, Helene
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
I love to visit Goa during the monsoon. On this occasion I was referred to the Secret Garden by a Goan friend and I decided to try it. It was a delight in so many ways. The host Helene is warm and welcomes you with a tall cool drink of lemon barley. Their home is old Goan style and the rooms are tastefully appointed and spacious. The Malabar room which I had opens out into a charming garden which backs on to a lovely old Portuguese church. For breakfast I opted for a masala omelette and was amazed to get an authentic dish - authentic since the chef is an ex pat from England ! The three dogs are well behaved and like to keep you company. The place is very central for North Goa. All in all a very pleasant stay.
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Date of stay: July 2017
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.
Helpful
Response from TheSecretGardenGoa, Owner at The Secret Garden Goa
Responded 5 Sep 2017
Thank you for your review - so glad you had a pleasant stay. It was great chatting with you and sharing stories! I do hope you will be back soon to see the hornbills! Regards, Helene
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Exactly a month ago, four of us found ourselves warmly invited into the home of Helene and her partner. Anuj, who spent a lot of time researching, decided to not tell us much before we arrived. From being utterly clueless to being completely enthralled, we have possibly had our best stay in Goa, yet. The home is nothing short of an exquisite masterpiece. Helene made sure she gave us the best possibly walk down history as we slowly explored her home and picked our rooms. The long conversations with her along with her legendary breakfast (especially her home baked breads) will always be special. Make sure you ask her for her recommendations for things to do and places to eat. We experienced North Goa in a way that we had never before. No pictures can ever do justice to our time…
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Date of stay: June 2017
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.
Helpful
Response from TheSecretGardenGoa, Owner at The Secret Garden Goa
Responded 4 Jul 2017
Wow! How lovely of you! What kind and gracious words. It really was a pleasure to have you chaps to stay. I appreciate a homestay vacation is not for everyone but you all seemed to slip right into the pace of lifestyle at TSGG like you had been coming home for years! So pleased you enjoyed your stay - looking forward to your return. Thank you for taking the time out to write a review - really sweet of you. Warmest regards, Helene PS bread is in the oven! :)
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
We went to Goa on my birthday and decided to stay in south goa for 3 days and relax, but luckily my wife convinced me to stay for couple of nights at this excellent homestay (she found it via a blog which she follows). This was the best decision of our trip...... the home is located right behind Ma De Deus church..... We stayed in Raja room and loved it..... our houst Derick and Helene were absolutely fantastic...... the room was of 5 star quality and the most amazing thing was how importance was given to every small detail in the room..... the bed was perfect, a rocking chair and a small personal library elevated the room to another level. The outdoor pool is excellent. The best part about staying here was our host Helene..... her stories are amazing and here knowledge of north…
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Date of stay: June 2017
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.
Helpful
Response from TheSecretGardenGoa, Owner at The Secret Garden Goa
Responded 29 Jun 2017
Hey there! Thank you for your delightful review of your stay with us at TSGG. I really enjoyed having you guys to stay. I am so glad you found my insights helpful. I am glowing at your compliments at my home cooking skills. Cooking is such a pleasure when it is appreciated and nothing more satisfying than empty plates! You did miss an amazing Soa Joao celebration - check out the pics on saligao.net on face book. Looking forward to welcoming you back to The Secret Garden Goa in the near future. Have a wonderful week ahead, fondest wishes, Helene
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
The Secret Garden Goa is as magical as it sounds. Tucked way from the tourist bustle and nestled into one of the corners of Saligao, Goa, lies this beautiful homestay; a the perfect location for anyone who wants to have the authentic Goan experience. It was our first experience at a home stay and it was extremely memorable. The Malabar room we stayed in was spacious and tastefully done up with intricate and meticulous attention to detail and lots of personal touches. The room overlooks a luscious and beautiful tropical garden with a pool at the midst. The sight is absolutely gorgeous. However, it was Helene and Derrick, our hosts who made our visit extra special. Helene is extremely warm, knowledgeable, hospitable and makes the most sumptuous breakfast. We felt well looked…
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Date of stay: June 2017
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.
Helpful
Response from TheSecretGardenGoa, Owner at The Secret Garden Goa
Responded 21 Jun 2017
Thank you for your kind words! I am so pleased that you enjoyed your first homestay experience - I think once you start you're hooked! I know I was! It is definitely a more interesting way to experience a place away from home. It is so lovely when our guests feel at home and relax. We are more than happy to be of service, thank you for asking for our recommendations - we have lived here for so long, we have tried lots of the places on offer so have a broad selection of places to try whilst staying at TSGG. It is great that you enjoyed the places we mentioned to you. Warm regards to you and the rest of the family, Thanks again and I look forward to welcoming you home again to The Secret Garden Goa. Take care, Helene
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
+1
Our stay at The Secret Garden turned out to be one of the best holidays we ever took. There is so much beauty and tranquility in this home. Because a home it is and we felt very fortunate to be able to share it with Helene. It is a labour of love and every corner yields a pretty surprise. At the same time there is every luxury and comfort you would expect as a guest. We stayed at the Malabar Garden Room and loved every bit of it. From the loads of books stacked in every corner, to the ginormous, luxurious bathroom with tons of scented candles and a super comfy king size bed, a desk with stationary, colours, a folder of things to do, a personalised welcome note... We used to reluctantly leave the sanctuary of The Secret Garden for our meals. There are lots of excellent…
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Date of stay: June 2017
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.
Helpful
Response from TheSecretGardenGoa, Owner at The Secret Garden Goa
Responded 20 Jun 2017
Awh! Dearest M&S What a beautiful review from two very beautiful people. It was an absolute joy to have you both to stay. I am so pleased that you enjoyed and appreciated TSGG. It has been a labour of love, but when it is loved it is not a labour! I am so pleased to have had the honour to meet you both and share a little bit of your life... the three musketeers miss your company (you spoilt them with love!). We are looking forward to welcoming you back & hearing all about the latest adventure in your life. I am honoured that you enjoyed my cooking - and acknowledged the staff (I love to cook, not so fond of the washing up!!!) they are truly angels and I appreciate all the hard work they do in keeping our home up to my fussy standards. Take excellent care, see you both very soon, love from all of us at TSGG especially you little darlings, Luna, Diver & Merlot!
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
+1
I haven't stayed in any kind of a homestay before and this was my first time experiencing any homestay and there it was " The Secret Garden Goa" which I had booked by simply looking the photos on TripAdvisor. Finding this place was a tough task coming from Baga area but Helene came midway to help and directed us to her place. This place is the most beautiful place in Goa in terms of having a village type feel, classy exteriors and appealing host, Helene. We stayed in the Raja Room which had dazzling interiors in golden shades and a grand antique "the most comfortable" king bed. Each corner of this place including the pool, all the rooms and the breakfast need to be experienced as it gives a feel of staying in a pure heritage and antique homestay with a sense of luxury. All these…
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Date of stay: March 2017
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.
Helpful
Response from TheSecretGardenGoa, Owner at The Secret Garden Goa
Responded 28 Mar 2017
Hey there Shreyas Thank you so much for you generous words and appreciation of our home. You were such a lovely young couple and I commend you both for trying something completely different to the norm and then making the most of every minute! Was great to know you and have you stay in our home. I'm so glad you finally made it! Take very good care, till next time, Helene
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
LOCATION
IndiaGoaNorth Goa DistrictBardezSaligao
NUMBER OF ROOMS
3
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