The Postcard Cuelim, Goa

We were so excited when we found The Postcard hotels and the Cuelim absolutely did not disappoint. It delivered exactly what it promised, first class old fashioned luxury. The property is in a perfect location a short distance from the beautiful beaches of southern Goa. It is a historic Portuguese villa that belonged to T B Cunha the Father of Goan nationalism and is still owned by his relatives. Quiet, tastefully decorated and in excellent condition it is a haven of peace and tranquility. Our room was luxurious. Located at the end of one wing it had a sitting room, bedroom, dressing room, bathroom and large cool veranda leading into the gardens. Each morning we spent a blissful hour sitting on the day bed on the veranda immersed in the sights and sounds of Goa waking up, memories we will cherish. The suite of rooms were well appointed and every requirement was thought of. The hotel policy of anytime checkin was excellent, allowing us to access our room at no extra charge as soon as we arrived after our early morning flight. After a restorative rest we were then able to have our anytime breakfast, another hotel policy that is leading the way in meeting guest needs. Putting guests first in this way is unique in our experience and we congratulate The Postcard hotels on being able to offer this. Every meal we had over the three days and nights of our stay was amazing. Perfectly balanced delicious Goan dishes served wherever we wanted to eat them, freshly prepared by the chef who even gave us a cookery lesson on our patio. First Class. All the staff at the Cuelim were simply fantastic. They anticipated our every need and were always on hand without disturbing our privacy. Impeccably dressed, polite, efficient, and friendly - every attribute you would expect from proper old fashioned service. Thank you to Som and Sahaj who managed our stay so perfectly and to the whole Cuelim team, in particular Vishal who was a fountain of knowledge and made sure we had everything we needed. What a team! After the Cuelim we were given a free transfer to The Postcard Netravali in the jungle of the Western Ghats and from there we were taken to The Postcard Velha in Old Goa. We highly recommend spending a few days in each to get a better all round experience of what wonderful Goa has to offer. We can’t wait for our next opportunity to stay at another Postcard hotel.

Absolutely superb! From the moment we drove up the gate we could see how special this place was. Our family group of 15 were greeted with a very warm welcome and as we walked into this impressive 350 year old colonial house, it felt like home. There are 6 beautifully designed bedrooms, an imposing hallway that leads up to the ballroom! Towards the back of the property there is a dining room and seating area. The house even has its own chapel. The garden and pool area are stunning. The staff are the true heroes of the estate - Sahaj is the manager and he is always at hand to help and make sure our holiday is running smoothly. He went over and above to book restaurants for us and gave us great recommendations. Vishal and Pandu are both so helpful, nothing is too much trouble for them. The food is outstanding, especially the breakfast choices!!! Local Goan specialties to classic Indian breakfast dishes. The fresh juices and fresh bread were just amazing. We are vegetarian and the chefs went out of their way to accommodate us. Christmas Day dinner was served outside on a beautifully decorated table and local sparkling wine to start! I cannot fault this hidden gem - and we are already planning another trip. Overall, this was one of my favourite places to stay - our family had a fabulous time and we made a lifetime of memories.

We could not have had a more lovely stay. The setting was peaceful and serene, the hotel itself felt like living in another age. Everything was modern and well-appointed and the staff went above and beyond in making sure every one of our needs were met and helping to arrange excursions; definitely recommend the sundowner and the bike ride around town. Food at the restaurant was spectacular and they did a great job of meeting our dietary restrictions. Postcard’s amazing policy about no check-in or check-out times meant that we had such a comfortable last day before a long trip home. 10/10 recommend!